Secondary Transportation Advice

Gene in NE wrote:

omjones wrote:
Wow!!! How do you guys figure this stuff out? I get it when you spell it out like that but gees Louise where do you get this stuff. JSYK I never passed math at any time.
john 'I am Canacian'

Here is the simple math - This subject comes up fairly frequently. There are several things you need to check. You need to know what your current "ready to go" weight is on the rear axle compared to the GAWR. Know the capacity of the receiver hitch - usually 350 or 500 lbs. Know the weight of your small scooter. Add the weight of the carrier for the scooter. Measure the distance from the front axle to the rear axle. Measure the distance from the rear axle to the center of your scooter carrier. Now multiply the weight of the scooter plus the carrier by the distance behind the rear axle. Divide this answer by the distance between the axles. This is the amount you are lifting off the front axle (the see saw effect). If for example:
1. scooter weighs 250 lbs
2. carrier weighs 75 lbs
3. the scooter is being carried 8 feet behind the rear axle
4. wheelbase is 12 feet.
(250+75=325 x 8 feet divide by 12 = 217). In this example the scooter is adding 542 lbs to the rear axle and the front axle would be 217 lbs lighter.

Your math is wrong, and it's far from a simple calculation. If you use the rear axle as a pivot point, you also have to add in all of the weight in front of the axle. The calculation should be weight in front of the axle times distance in front of the axle should equal weight behind the axle times distance behind the axle. And, since the weight distribution is not uniform (I.e. The engine weight is far forward) you'll have to employ calculus and use the integral of the weighs and distances both behind and in front of the axle. Just estimating the mass of the engine, transmission , and so forth, you'll probably only take 20 to 30 pounds off the front wheels. Easy to check - just weigh the front end with and without the bike.

Doing the calculations the way you recommended way over-estimates the amount of weight that comes off the front end.