Placement of motorcycle for towing
I'm getting my first toy hauler soon. Where is the best place to strap a bike weighing between 800 and 1200 pounds ? Behind the axle, closer to the ramp, or over the axles? Thanks
Forum Discussion
Generally, the garage is already in place, so you don't really have a choice.
Yes, 1200lb can significantly impact the hitch weight. The further behind the axles, the more it impacts. They usually design toy haulers with higher hitch weights, so when it loses weight due to loading, it's still got a decent percentage on the hitch.
Also, a big 5th wheel is less impacted than a smaller travel trailer. A big 15,000lb 5th wheel, likely starts around 3000-3500lb hitch weight and the axles are set further back, so if a 1200lb bike takes 400lb, off the hitch, it's still got 2600-3100lb (17-21%) on the hitch. That's the lower end of acceptable but still OK. A 6000lb bumper pull is likely starting around 700-900lb hitch weight, so if you lose 400lb, it's down around 300-500lb (5-8%) on the hitch. That's in the range where stability becomes an issue while towing.
Yes, 1200lb can significantly impact the hitch weight. The further behind the axles, the more it impacts. They usually design toy haulers with higher hitch weights, so when it loses weight due to loading, it's still got a decent percentage on the hitch.
Also, a big 5th wheel is less impacted than a smaller travel trailer. A big 15,000lb 5th wheel, likely starts around 3000-3500lb hitch weight and the axles are set further back, so if a 1200lb bike takes 400lb, off the hitch, it's still got 2600-3100lb (17-21%) on the hitch. That's the lower end of acceptable but still OK. A 6000lb bumper pull is likely starting around 700-900lb hitch weight, so if you lose 400lb, it's down around 300-500lb (5-8%) on the hitch. That's in the range where stability becomes an issue while towing.
