Hitch haul two dual sports - possible?

[Dane]

This may be a lost cause, but I figured I'd do my research. The wife and I are hip on the idea of picking up a couple of dual-sports for our adventuring. In a perfect world I'd love to throw them on a dual bike hitch haul, but I have weight concerns. I figure each dual sport is in the realm of 300lbs, plus the carrier at maybe 75ish. That puts me at ~675lbs. I have a 2012 Supercrew. I know the max payload is something like 1020lbs, however this 675 is all tongue (too much?). Have I already pushed my limit? Then of course this would likely be setup when I'm going camping and have other gear and at least two passengers (I'm 225 alone). I don't want to get super crazy on my suspension (stock right now) and I obviously won't be wheeling hard with all this weight, but it sounds like I'm too heavy. What would you suggest. I know a trailer is an option, but it's a difficult option with my house and may limit what campsites I can get to, so let's please table the trailer option for purposes of this discussion. Throwing the bikes in the back probably limits my space too much for camping gear - plus the hitch haul is far easier.

Thanks!

 

[Dane]

I'm looking into airbags to help me out here. A local Denver shop called 5R Trucks claims to have a setup that doesn't limit up or down travel when the bags aren't inflated. I already have onboard air, so if true, this might work.

 

[Icecobra]

First thing to ask is the hitch weight to much? Most of what I read is 500 pound weight limit for the tongue when its free weight and not supported on the trailer side... But its just a guess..

 

[MTF]

You either have to center the weight on the trailer or consider a dual axle trailer.
You can in most case adjust the axle location on trailers to accomplish this centering the weight.
But the closer the axle is to the tongue the more prone it is to wobble down the road. (single axle)

 

[Dane]

Nothing in this post is talking about a trailer. I'm talking about a hitch haul/carrier. I thought the Raptor had a class IV hitch which has a rating of 1050 or so pounds. I realize that already would max out the full payload, but I'm talking about ~700 pounds.

 

[t_j]

Read your manual, max tongue weight is 500lbs without a weight distribution hitch. You can't use a WD hitch with your load. Time to buy a trailer!

 

[Dane]

Read your manual, max tongue weight is 500lbs without a weight distribution hitch. You can't use a WD hitch with your load. Time to buy a trailer!

Well, just went through my manual and it doesn't spell out a max tongue weight other than 10-15% of max trailer weight (8,000 for super crew). The tongue itself says a max weight of 1,050 on it.

Where are you getting 500 from?

 

[t_j]

See the towing guide:

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/14FLRV&TT_F150_Sep11.pdf

Even still you stated you are over 200lbs and the bikes are 700lbs, that puts you at max payload without anything else in the truck, go buy a trailer or a different truck.

 

[DT 714]

Howdy Dane,

Was thinking about your problem….being a mx rider I have the same issue of 2 bikes and gear…

What about this idea…if your truck bed is open w/ no chase rack etc…

Get one of those bumper cargo carriers…load up the lighter camping gear stacked low enough to be able to still lower your tailgate…it ain't gonna be very much room…but it may be just enough to make it workable….

Put the 2 bikes in the back of the truck with the rest of the heavier gear stowed between the bikes in the bed of the truck…pile it high…the bikes will hold it in on the sides…

Depending on how you load the bikes…you may be able to raised he tailgate a little bit & get more room on the cargo carrier rack…..lower the tailgate….get a tape measure & "guesstimate" how much room you may have if you go this route...

Many ways to "skin the cat"….maybe this idea will work for you or give you another idea that may work even better…roof rack…etc...

Happy wheeling….

 

[t_j]

Say goodbye to your leafs and shocks loading it up like that, there is a 1000lbs max payload for a reason.