Motorcycle carrier

[Zucco]

Ok , here goes , I searched the forum and did not find a satisfactory answers ….What is the consensus, any info world be great.

I have a 04 X5 3.0i and I have installed a factory hitch and I want to haul my motorcycle to the race track. Do you guys think this option would work, I have limited space to store a trailer so I thought this might be a good alternative. The only thing I was worried about was excessive stress to the tongue. The bike is 480LB and the carrier is 90lb. See attached pic and specs.

[motordavid]

Just a guess/opin, but I think that mount would effectively
be a "tongue weight" situ, and if I recall the tongue weight
is something like 600 lbs with add'l brakes or 300+ lbs without
"add'l brakes".

I'm not sure that mount is the same situ as a very heavy trailer
tongue situ...

That's nearly 600 lbs hanging off the back end or your X.

I recall some article/test on that prod in Cycle World or some
other cycle mag, but don't recall their opin. Maybe worth a dig on
the M'cycle mag sites.

If it was my sled and my X, I'd pass and get a real trailer or,
dodge the cops and ride the sumbitch to the track.

Some towing/tongue/trailer Xperts should be able to chime in, too.
GL,mD

[broknlgs24]

Originally Posted by motordavid

If it was my sled and my X, I'd pass and get a real trailer or,
dodge the cops and ride the sumbitch to the track.

GL,mD

[alpac]

Originally Posted by motordavid

...

If it was my sled and my X, I'd pass and get a real trailer...
GL,mD

Ditto that

[Zucco]

I found this ...

http://www.versahaul.com/vehiclecarrycapacity.htm


Looks like only 228lb per these guys

[JCL]

Zucco:

Don't hang 1000 lbs on the back. You should also be concerned if the CoG of the load is any more than the BMW spec (8") for horizontal offset (and a motorcycle carrier is significantly more). If you are comparing large trailers you would also require load levelling bars which effectively reduce the tongue weight. Stick to the 500/600 lb spec, 8" from the pin on the hitch receiver.

I recognize my previous ruminations on this subject from the posts above (that is my article on the 2003 3.0). I have a couple of other descriptions of the impact of a motorcycle carrier in the threads in the search below.

There are several other good responses in these threads:

http://www.xoutpost.com/search.php?searchid=805929

Jeff

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by JCL

Zucco:

Don't hang 1000 lbs on the back. You should also be concerned if the CoG of the load is any more than the BMW spec (8") for horizontal offset (and a motorcycle carrier is significantly more). If you are comparing large trailers you would also require load levelling bars which effectively reduce the tongue weight. Stick to the 500/600 lb spec, 8" from the pin on the hitch receiver.

I recognize my previous ruminations on this subject from the posts above (that is my article on the 2003 3.0). I have a couple of other descriptions of the impact of a motorcycle carrier in the threads in the search below.

There are several other good responses in these threads:

http://www.xoutpost.com/search.php?searchid=805929

Jeff

[fln8tive]

Do not hang that much bike and carrier off the back. Hit a frost heave at speed and you'll find out why.

Prior posts ahave pretty well covererd why.

I have a hitch mount as well but even my 610cc dual sport Husky goes by trailer. Hitch mount should really only be for bikes well under 300lbs.

[igosal]

I have a ZX-12R and i'll never risk it or my X5. I always go with a rental trailer. They are cheap and best.

[x5turtle]

get folding trailer form redtrailers, they fold up and you can use it with other accessories,~
www.redtrailers.com
They carry up to 1000+ pounds~!!!