Dirt BIke Carrier?

[BEN B.]

Hi everybody! I have a 2014 CX-5 which i had for over a year already. I was wondering if is it okay to tow or carry my dirt bike using a Hitch? or is it even a good idea? Your input will be much appreciated... BTW the dirt bike is a 110 cc, so its not that big...

Thanks!!

 

[JOE MAMA]

The CX-5 is rated to tow 2000lbs. Depending on the weight of the bike, you shouldn't have any issues attaching a dirt bike via carrier as long as you have the right hitch installed. There are several class III hitches available and some of them are rated for up to 525lbs of tongue weight (3500lbs towing weight).

I definitely wouldn't want to put 500lbs on the tongue because it would tax the CX-5 rear suspension, but your dirt bike should weight significantly less than that!

 

[Dr. Awkward]

Put a Class 3 Curt and this rack on my CX:

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Thule/TH9025.html

 

[BEN B.]

Well thanks for the reply guys! Will do some more research on this now that you gave me the idea, especially on the towing capacity of our CX-5. Hope to see pics, if there are from other members!
Thanks again.

 

[Cis4]

This looks like it might work?
http://www.racknroad.com/product/versahaul-single-motorcycle-carrier-with-ramp.html

 

[Berner]

Bear in mind that the tongue weight capacity of a vehicle is typically 10% of its towing capacity. So a vehicle rated for 2000 lbs towing (like the CX-5) would typically be rated for only 200 lbs of tongue weight carry. It doesn't matter if your hitch or carrier is rated for more -- the vehicle is the limitation.

200 lbs tongue weight is not a lot when talking about motorcycles, especially after you deduct the weight of the carrier. The VersaHaul linked above is 80 lbs, for example, leaving only 120 lbs for the motorcycle. It would have to be very small bike to stay within capacities.

(What I can't answer is how tolerant the CX-5 is if you go over the weight limit. You're potentially compromising handing, steering and braking performance. By how much I can't comment.)

 

[JOE MAMA]

Bear in mind that the tongue weight capacity of a vehicle is typically 10% of its towing capacity. So a vehicle rated for 2000 lbs towing (like the CX-5) would typically be rated for only 200 lbs of tongue weight carry. It doesn't matter if your hitch or carrier is rated for more -- the vehicle is the limitation.

200 lbs tongue weight is not a lot when talking about motorcycles, especially after you deduct the weight of the carrier. The VersaHaul linked above is 80 lbs, for example, leaving only 120 lbs for the motorcycle. It would have to be very small bike to stay within capacities.

(What I can't answer is how tolerant the CX-5 is if you go over the weight limit. You're potentially compromising handing, steering and braking performance. By how much I can't comment.)

The UK spec CX-5 can tow 2000kg(4400lbs), which theoretically enables a tongue weight of 440lbs. The body structure of the CX-5 in North America and the UK is identical so I don't think the CX-5 would have any issues handling 400lbs+ of tongue weight provided the hitch is installed correctly and is rated for it.

No matter what you tow, any additional weight will always change and compromise handling, steering and braking performance. I think you'd be better off hauling a dirt bike with carrier as opposed to hauling the same dirt bike on a trailer (which would be much heavier).

 

[Berner]

The UK spec CX-5 can tow 2000kg(4400lbs), which theoretically enables a tongue weight of 440lbs. The body structure of the CX-5 in North America and the UK is identical so I don't think the CX-5 would have any issues handling 400lbs+ of tongue weight provided the hitch is installed correctly and is rated for it.

I may be wrong about this, but my understanding of the higher UK specs for towing capacity applies only to towing braked trailers. There's a thread here on this: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123812455-CX5-towing-numbers-Australia-vs-USA. If correct, this wouldn't apply to a carrier.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

I would not want to use a carrier for something like that. You have the weight of the carrier, + the bike putting a moment on the rear of your car. Just seems like a way to reduce the stiffness of your chassis over time, and extra wear on your rear suspension.

 

[Mscurfield]

Hi everybody! I have a 2014 CX-5 which i had for over a year already. I was wondering if is it okay to tow or carry my dirt bike using a Hitch? or is it even a good idea? Your input will be much appreciated... BTW the dirt bike is a 110 cc, so its not that big...

Thanks!!

I have a 14 CX-5 GT AWD and use a dirt bike carrier all the time. Bike is a 2003 suzuki dr200se. Weighs about 290lbs wet. I have taken it on a 1,200km road trip and lots of local use. The car handles it ok. Just drive like you have a motorcycle on the back and your fine.

 

[Ride92]

You might be able to get away with something like this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-receiver-mount-motorcycle-carrier-99721.html

But I would be cautious of the tongue weight. I think a better idea is to get a small trailer and just tow the bike that way. I for one wouldn't want to have the motorcycle right up against the back of the car. If you can find a cheap used jetski trailer you could retro fit that to work for a single bike or get something like this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-capacity-48-inch-x-96-inch-heavy-duty-foldable-utility-trailer-with-12-inch-wheels-90154.html

With the 20% off coupons Harbor freight always have it's about the least expensive trailer you will find. Just make sure to take the time to regrease the hubs and make sure the trailer is square when assembling.

 

[Srad600]

I haven't done this with my CX-5, but I have used both motorcycle carriers and trailers with my last vehicle (Jeep Grand Cherokee). "Berner" above is right in that the vehicle is usually the limitation when it comes to tongue weight, not the hitch. BUT, there's a hitch to that statement...you can easily strengthen the vehicle frame to accept a higher tongue weight. I had my Jeep modified (basically just welded some steel to the rear subframe to stiffen the structure) so that the tongue weight was easily exceeded by the vehicle. To compensate for the extra weight on the back I bought an air compensating spring kit...like this one.

http://www.truckspring.com/products...r__4158.aspx?gclid=CPuL9bGLqcYCFURcfgodmrcB_w

You just add a few psi, and it levels out the car when you have a load on the back. All in all, I think all the modifications cost me about $300. Since I was racing, and carrying my bike (cbr600f4i) from track to track, along with spares, tools, tent, eazy-up, etc...I liked the carrier because I could cruise at a higher speed.

 

[piotrek91]

don't think the CX-5 would have any issues handling 400lbs+ of tongue weight provided the hitch is installed correctly and is rated for it.

You are wrong here. The CX-5 cannot safely handle more than 200lbs of tongue weight, so transporting a dirt bike on a carrier is not a good idea.

The only reason the CX-5 is reated to tow 4400lbs in the UK is that the tongue weight there does not have to be 10%
In the UK the minimum legal tongue weight is between 4%-7%

If anyone is interested this article does a great job of explaining why cars in Europe and elsewhere are rated to tow more weight:
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/tow-me-down-1609112611