Class IV hitch for Motorcycle Carrier

[nevada]

ot a good idea".
The 5G 4R has a Class III hitch for a reason. The vehicle is designed to safely tow 5000# which assumes ~10% tongue weight of a trailer.

There is no Class IV hitch for the same reason.

thats not exactly true. i was able to get a 5000# hitch for our Highlander, so i could haul my bike. the HL is rated to tow 3500#.

Thanks for the replys everyone. I think I will have to get a single carrier. I can get an aluminum one that weighs about 50 lbs. My bike's curb weight is about 230. So thats about 280 lbs, well under the 500 lb max.

yes, the steel is much better. and easier to repair, or modify if/when needed.

i like how yours has the bars on each side. on mine, the straps come down and attach to the main beam. it works good tho, and it sucks the entire bike down, and i dont need to strap the rear.

I have this same ramp and load a KTM 450 EXC on it. Very impressed with build etc. I don't bother with the anti sway bolt down thing and just load and go. My poor bike has been sitting all summer. Anyone looking for a 09 450 EXC with left hand rear brake, rekluse, oversized tank, soft seat, steering damper, LED tails, trial tire on the rear, street legal....etc. $5500. 40 hours and 1250 miles IIRC.

nice bike. ive got a plated 04 450exc

and, the anti-rattle bolt that came with mine carrier works GREAT. i want to get several, to use on all my rigs. its basically also anti-theft. unless they bring a 15/16" wrench to unscrew it.

 

[moto-tote]

moto-tote is a beast

While I share your opinion on sudden bounce pressures, we are talking about some serious hardware here, not even the stuff campfire pans are made of, this stuff is forged steel. Hit it with a hammer and the hammer is damaged. I have a Moto-tote and yes they are heavy alone without a bike, but they also distribute the weight across the platform. This is some complicated formulea if you want to get into it, but I have taken a 420 lb bike on a 100 lb moto tote a long distance, in a Tahoe, and no problem with anything. So if this helps, examine a tahoe hitch layout and attachment points, compare to 4 runners, and you can build up your confidence that way. But don't worry, the carrier and hitch are built for some heavy duty applications, they will not fail.

Something to consider:
1. While you think you will only be adding 650 lbs to the hitch you will really be adding as much as 1500 lbs or so. Why you say?

When pulling a trailer, you can have as much as 500 lbs tongue weight and that's fine. When you go over a bump or a hole the load increases on the hitch due to dynamic forces caused by acceleration of mass and gravity. When pulling a trailer this load is shared by both the 4Runner and trailer. also the forces are dampened somewhat by the lack of "bounce" because of the truck and trailer hitting the bump at different times.

Now with your rig, you will already be overloading the max tongue weight by 150 lbs. If that was a static weight, you would probably be fine. What will happen to that weight when you hit a big bump or pothole? The that 650 lbs can quickly turn into as much as 1500 lbs (roughly 2.5 times static weight) due again to acceleration of mass and that stupid force called gravity. That in turn will cause a bending moment on your hitch. Maybe nothing will happen, or maybe your dirt bikes will be sliding behind your 4Runner. I am not being a naysayer just something to think about. If it were me I would buy a cheap foldable trailer from JC Whitney for the same price as your hitch carrier. No problems then and it folds flat against the wall.

 

[moto-tote]

truth

My set up was same, just a tahoe, accurate to a point, there is a little wobble, but when securely strapped to the vehicle this little wobble can be almost eliminated.
Its important though that you don't squeeze down too far on the forks, my motorcycle mechanic said that it could damage the seals. So, the wbble should not bther you, becasue if it does, you will crank down on the forks with the tie downs and damage he seals. Im saying the wobble is ok, as long as its not slack, that is bad and you will lose your bike if you have slack in any tie down.

I have a MotoTote hitch hauler, and have been very happy with it. Almost no wobble when the motorcycle is loaded, even at 85+ mph.

 

[bRunner]

I haul my 09 Husky TE310 with my Joe Hauler Econo Single Hauler. A little pricey at $300 plus, but all steel and welded construction. I feel more secure with it than the bolt together type from Harbor Freight etc. Joe Hauler is a local company here in the San Diego but they have a website www.joehauler.com, I would definitely recommend them.

My 10 TE does fine with the 236 lbs bike and ~ 50 lbs hauler. Even with the toytec ultimate lift, the rear does sag a little, especially after I load the rest of the gear. I do notice the steering in the front is a little less precise with all the weight in the rear. As well the VSC does seem to act up a little bit more when the bike is loaded.

-bh

NOTE: Please disregard the 4Runner setup, it's an old pic that doesn't match the mods in the sig.

 

[Reino]

Looks like this thread has been well discussed so I won't add anymore 'do' or 'don't' suggestions.

However, one thing I recommend if you want to save a little bit of weight off the back of your rear axle is to take the gas tank off your moto and put it in the truck. It may only be 20 pounds but it is easy to do and will free up some weight.

 

[tgamo]

Hey guys - trying to get some info here to no avail - anyone have any info on a class 4 hitch for the 5th gen 4Runner?? There are definitely threaded factory bolt holes there in the frame itself for this particular purpose, however no one seems to know what they are for. Will the Tacoma class 4 hitch work for this?

 

[Qjake]

Asking about a hitch in a thread about motorcycle carriers that is 18 months old? No wonder you can't get any info!

To the best of my knowledge all 5th's come standard with the hitch. If yours doesn't have one than it was most likely removed.

You should probably start a new thread with your questions so they don't get lost in the mix.

 

[nevada]

I have this same ramp and load a KTM 450 EXC on it. Very impressed with build etc. I don't bother with the anti sway bolt down thing and just load and go. My poor bike has been sitting all summer. Anyone looking for a 09 450 EXC with left hand rear brake, rekluse, oversized tank, soft seat, steering damper, LED tails, trial tire on the rear, street legal....etc. $5500. 40 hours and 1250 miles IIRC.

do you have a pic or can you link to the anti rattle bolt you have?




also, I found a couple pictures of my setup.

 

[JeremyB]

Hey guys - trying to get some info here to no avail - anyone have any info on a class 4 hitch for the 5th gen 4Runner?? There are definitely threaded factory bolt holes there in the frame itself for this particular purpose, however no one seems to know what they are for. Will the Tacoma class 4 hitch work for this?

This is relevant to your interests.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/115895-frame-mounted-hitch-toyota-lexus.html

 

[JohnJerk]

do you have a pic or can you link to the anti rattle bolt you have?

Look at the AMC400 on etrailers.com. See pic of ant-tilt device. It has two bolts that come up through the bottom to snug it against the hitch.

 

[nevada]

Look at the AMC400 on etrailers.com. See pic of ant-tilt device. It has two bolts that come up through the bottom to snug it against the hitch.

ah. its a different style then.

im looking for one that matches the one I have now, but I cant find any. it still shows them being sold with the carrier, but I cant find them separately.

it is similar to this.


Trailer Hitch Anti-Rattle Kit for 1-1/4" Trailer Hitches Curt Hitch Accessories F-315

 

[msab]

Hi, So i read all these posts, heres my story.

I have a 2012 Toyota 4Runner with the standard hitch. I think it is 500 lbs tounge weight.

I am looking to buy a Honda 250L Enduro. This bike is 326 lbs.

I have 3 kids in the middle row and gear in the back (100 lbs for gear)

If I go with an Black Widow AMC-400 - do you think my runner can handle the tounge weight? anyone have pictures of a 326 lbs bike being towed by a 4 runner.

Thanks
Mike

 

[jorgevega212]

Similar Predicament As DScott

I am considering buying an aluminum carrier with a 500-pound capacity to transport my power wheelchair that unfortunately weighs 435 pounds, but I have been hesitant to do so because of the combined overall weight of the chair and the carrier. The carrier weighs 81 pounds resulting in a total weight of 516 pounds;exceeding the 500-pound tongue weight capacity by 16 pounds.

Is there anything I can do to my 2010 4Runner to increase the tongue weight capacity to accommodate this additional weight? I realize it is only 16 pounds but having read the replies to DScott I would like to see if there is any way to increase the 500-pound tongue weight capacity so that I will be within the prescribed limits. Any suggestion will be truly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[83Mule]

I think the 500lb rating of the hitch is in light of the 5000lb trailer weight and a 10% tongue. I don't think the carrier puts the same load on the hitch as a 5000lb trailer bouncing through a dip as the trailer is leveraging weight through the whole frame from the front axle to the hitch and the bikes are leveraging only from 2' out. Regardless, we have the aluminum 2 bike hauler and with 2 275lb bikes it is no problem behind the 5th gen.http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=261807&stc=1&d=1501451018 This is my single carrier and you don't even feel it in normal driving.

 

[puckitpuck]

Here the $125 Black Widow hitch carrier from Discount Ramp.
I say it is very stable and does it job. Stable when driving on freeway.

The negative would be the ramp that a bit short making it a bit steep when push the bike up on level ground. I walk it up with engine on 1st gear. It would be easier to use side walk or slope up drive way so the ramp level up a bit to the rail.
I'm 5'7" and trying not to drop the bike made it a real work out. It would be even harder if my truck is lifted. I would get the ultimate MX hauler, I can just jack it right up from the ground.

brabbb...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[e60ral]

I think the 500lb rating of the hitch is in light of the 5000lb trailer weight and a 10% tongue. I don't think the carrier puts the same load on the hitch as a 5000lb trailer bouncing through a dip as the trailer is leveraging weight through the whole frame from the front axle to the hitch and the bikes are leveraging only from 2' out. Regardless, we have the aluminum 2 bike hauler and with 2 275lb bikes it is no problem behind the 5th gen.http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=261807&stc=1&d=1501451018 This is my single carrier and you don't even feel it in normal driving.

it's actually worse than the tongue weight of the trailer because the load rating is at the hitch and not a foot or so away from it, and towing a trailer doesn't cause the moment forces that something like this has

 

[83Mule]

I believe the bikes are putting more weight on the hitch versus a static 500 lb trailer tongue...but a trailer isn't always static. If the bikes double their weight hitting a dip wouldn't the trailer equal or exceed that load momentarily? Whatever the mathematical reality I'm not having a problem in real life at just around 600lbs. I only state my situation and in no means think people should do something they are uncomfortable with.