Hitch-Mounted Bike Carrier, slightly over rating?

Hey all! This is my first post so be gentle . I've got an 09' Reg. Cab, 2.7I taco and I want to haul my DR-Z 400 (319 lb wet weight) on a hitch-mounted carrier (I have a pretty much permanent topper that I built myself on the bed).

The problem I'm facing is that if I use a steel (48 lb.) carrier, I'll be over the 350lb tongue weight of the hitch (320lb bike + 50lb carrier = 370lbs.). I'm somewhat aware of towing ratings (tongue weight is 10% of towing/trailer weight or in this case 350/3500) but in my case, if the 370 lbs. is solely at the tongue, can I get away with the 20 extra pounds granted the hitch is rated for it? I realize that if you haul a trailer, extra weight will cause extra sway and sag and such, but if it's ONLY tongue weight, will my truck be ok with it? I'm not too worried about a little sag at the rear (insert sexual joke) as long as it won't damage the truck.

Also, which hitch should I go with for the 2.7l tacoma? I'm having a hard time finding class 2 hitches, unless I should be going with a class 3? Thank you fellow Toyota owners! Any and all info is GREATLY appreciated! If it helps at all, I live in CO and would be doing some hauling along the hilly I-70.

 

I'll be interested to hear some of the responses to your question. I have a 2010 Access cab with the 2.7l and 5sp 4x4.
I put one of the hitch mounts on my truck and loaded up my Yamaha XT250.

I didn't feel comfortable with my 291lb bike on it. So, I never took a trip (well except around the block). Instead, I already had a utility trailer, and I invested in a rocking/locking front wheel chock and bolted it onto the bed. With this set up, I have a very stable, and I feel more secure transport.



That being said, that picture is of my son and his WR250R, so now I have two of those wheel chocks, and though a tight squeeze, I have them stagger mounted and can get both bikes in the trailer for our trips to our cabin in the mountains.



Gives me enough room to strap a gas cans and a couple other things in the trailer, keeping my capped bed available for sleeping bags, riding gear, for our trips.

Of course, you probably don't have a spare utility trailer hanging around. So, good luck with your quest.

Oh, by the way, my hitch mounted carrier is for sale.

 

Thanks for the input Jere, that's a beaut of a WR250R! I'm assuming your Access Cab has the same tow ratings at 350/3500? Just curious how your truck felt with the bike on the back and do you think the uneasy feeling about the bike's security could be remedied by a steel carrier vs. an aluminum one or would that just mean more unnecessary weight? Cheers.

-Lance

 

I use one of the HF hitch mount carriers on my truck here n there on bigger camping trips (with factory tow package) to haul my WR450F (that has been CA street plated - if you know CA this is a unicorn of a bike) Anyways. 275ish wet stock, probably close to 285 now with lighting and bigger tank.

Anyways, never had an issue with the hitch, the HF carrier i did sleeve the main tube with another square tube inside of it to beef it up. Needless to say. OP you will be fine, get a proper hitch that bolts to factory hitch locations

 

Thanks bud. As my Taco crawls past 93k on worn shocks, would it be wise to not only replace, but upgrade my shocks/springs to something a bit more capable for towing?

 

Probably. 93k on shocks, they are done. Replace those and maybe look into airbags or new springs if necessary

 

You'll be fine. And yes, the truck will ride better with new upgraded shocks. If the truck squats too much, you may want to look into air bags or upgraded leaf packs.

 

I’ve hauled my XR650R on a heavy duty steel hitch carrier, off-road. I haven’t had any issues......yet

 

The physical weight of the bike+ carrier isn't of any concern, its the moment created from the distance... basically that steel hitch isnt going to experience much stress, if the carrier is rated for the weight you're fine... not to mention its aluminum and going to fail far before your hitch.

 

Truck had no problem, it was me watching the bike through the rear-view mirror as it jiggled around. I did not feel the strapping points were far enough from the wheel trough for the kind of security I'd like. No scientific stress testing, just a gut feel. To me, if a strap fails when mounted in my trailer, the bike might fall over, but still be in the trailer. If a strap fails while on the hitch carrier, feels like it will be bouncing down the road, either totally disconnected, or perhaps worse, partially disconnected and hopping along behind my truck.

Again, I had no such failure, I just didn't like the risk/reward equation.

 

Really appreciate the feedback all, sounds like I'll be ok. I'll be ordering a class 3 hitch and a bike carrier here soon and I'll post some pics with my rig in the upcoming weeks! Haven't seen too many other Reg cabs with hitch trailers, so hopefully other Taco owners can learn from this thread! Thanks again.

In the meantime, here's some fun pics of Ted the Taco, topper that I made, my bike, and my dog Rango
-Lance

 

white regular cab 4x4 2nd gen..... oh lawdy im gonna need to change my pants. Such a good lookin lil truck man. And the bike will make it look even better.

Figure out a proper strapping technique and you will be good. On my HF carrier i go from each bar close to the grip down and back to the middle tube with standard moto straps (good rhino straps

$33 Rhino USA Motorcycle Tie Down Straps (2 Pack) Lab Inspected 2200lb Break Strength, Steel Cambuckle Tiedown Set with Integrated Soft Loops - Better Than a Ratchet Strap (Black 2-Pack)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M07K9YW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) which i use a standalone soft tie to go around the bars and use a hook, then its built in soft tie as a backup just in case. I also throw a second standard moto strap on the side closest to the tailgate as a backup, that way if the main fails the bike wont lean out to the back of the truck (if back strap fails the bike falls into the truck and no harm no foul.

I then do a ratchet strap from the mid point around the rear tire once then back to the mid point, helps with wobbling forward n back of the bike.

Also the HF carrier has a good wobble clamp that you tighten down so the whole assembly doesnt tilt side to side. Overall very sturdy (after i sleeved the main tube).

What carrier are you going with?

 

Thanks for the info bud. Think I'll go aluminum, and I've read several other threads/reviews on this Black Widow Carrier, several other DR-Z owners gave it praise too!https://www.discountramps.com/motor...Rj&ppcstrkid=1069721600&ppcsu=xhg7f5djqlusist

 

Rango is a great name for a dog!!

as far as the "moment arm" mentioned in a post above, you could buy yourself a bit of insurance by adding a pair of straps to connect the hitch rack to some point on the camper shell. it would be nothing to at least take up that small poundage over.

 

This thread is great.

You can say that again. I’ve got a wr400 plated in CA.




Anyway I was curious about getting a HF carrier as well.

 

I have a DRZ 400 and load it on my truck using my Joe Hauler carrier. I recommend this brand because they have been around forever and are great.

Mine is mounted to my All Pro Bumper/hitch.

 

Personally I wouldn't do it without upgrading my hitch. If you get under there and look at how it's bolted up you'll realize why the tongue weight is lower.

 

This one is nice also: http://www.mototote.com

 

I use a VersaHaul carrier for my DR200 or a KLR650 on my '09 DCLB. The truck has the upgrade leaf recall and a set of SumoSprings to help the rear suspension. No issues with over 2 thousand miles hauled.

On pavement I use 4 straps & a fork block. For any off pavement hauling I add tire/wheel tiedowns.

Augmented rear lighting with a LED brake/turnlight strip.

With my Leer cap this package is a great way to camp & ride the wilderness.