Questions About Tongue Weight Capacity Of Curt C11174 Hitch On 2003 BMW 330i Sedan

Updated 09/17/2024 | Published 09/09/2024

Question:

Hi eTrailer! I am looking at the Class I 1-1/4inch hitch receiver C11174 for my 2003 BMW 330i Sedan to use for probably your 2-bike bike rack. I see that it has a tongue capacity of only 200 lbs. Although a bike rack and one bike will most likely not go over 100 probably somewhat more than 100 with 2 bikes, that weight is a static weight - the weight on the hitch receiver when the vehicle is stationary. My fear with this hitch receiver, especially when mounted to the underside of the spare tire well, is that this 100 will skyrocket to many 100s of lbs during normal driving when encountering roads with dips and bumps and that 100 is at the end of the lever arm of the tongue and rack. For trailers the weight is almost solely on the trailer wheels and any road bumps and dips are absorbed by the trailer wheels and suspension but with a bike rack, 100 of everything transfers to the hitch receiver and its mounting to the vehicle. So... Am I silly to think like this logical engineer physics thinking or what? Have you EVER had one of these fail or have ANY problems when a customer went over a large bump/dip with 2 bikes on your rack and hitch? ...or is it 100 safe? Id really hate for bikes worth 3x what the car is worth to tear the thing off the car and get destroyed on the freeway... or worse, hurt someone.

asked by: Jim R

Expert Reply:

Hey Jim, thanks for reaching out. I see you already ordered the Curt # C11174 hitch from us which is correct for your 2003 BMW 330i Sedan. I did want to reply to your concerns though. You are correct that the weight on your trailer hitch can be exaggerated by bumps or dips in the road, but you may be over thinking it a bit.

The tongue weight ratings for trailer hitches are calculated based on normal driving conditions. If the roads where you live are anything like ours here in Missouri, normal driving conditions include a ton of bumps and potholes. Trailer hitches are designed to withstand this. As long as the combined weight of the bike rack and the bikes is less than the tongue weight rating of the hitch, you are going to be fine driving in normal conditions.

Obviously anytime you are carrying a bike you will want to remain aware of this as you drive, especially with a nicer expensive bike like yours. Slow down when you go over bumps when possible and don't be doing any crazy offroad stunts and you will be good. 100 lbs on a 200 lb rated hitch is completely fine and safe.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Jim R.

9/17/2024

Thanx Jesse! Yes I did order the C11174 and I also ordered a 2-bike bike rack from you also. Your reply does increase my confidence and I'm glad you're an expert because I'm certainly not. I have a BMW OEM roof rack bike carrier now but as I get older, it's getting harder to hoist my bike up onto the roof. My hitch receiver should be here Friday and I'm excited to get it on the car. Jim

Jesse M.

9/17/2024

@JimR Hey Jim; yes you will find the hitch/bike rack combo much more convenient than a roof mounted carrier. Feel free to come back if you have any questions or anytime you need anything.