Weight distribution hitch? Opinions needed

RockDog

RockDog

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Athens, Georgia
Hello.
97 Wrangler, 4.0L.
I recently got a 1973 Yamaha DT250. It has a dry weight of 244 lbs. I also have a hitch carrier for dirt bikes, and I'd like to be able to transport my bike with my Jeep. I loaded it up last night and I heard some kind of knock. I got nervous and then unloaded it and left without the bike. I may be psyching myself out, but I'm worried that this is just too much weight on my hitch. I've read other forums of people who are considering getting a bike carrier, but there's not a lot of information about tongue weight capabilities. Should I reinforce my hitch somehow? Do I need to purchase a weight distribution hitch? Do you think it's actually totally fine? Any opinions or advice are appreciated. The last thing I want is for my hitch to drop off on the highway and kill someone. Thanks

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C.J. Roberts said:
I believe that the tongue weight for a TJ is 200lbs. At 244 dry, add the weight of fuel , oil, etc, AND the weight of the carrier, you're over that by probably 100 lbs. or 50%. You would be better off with a trailer.
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I’m not sure how a weight distribution hitch would work without a trailer as it needs spring arms connected to a trailer to work
 
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I just talked to my old physics professor about this. He said it wouldn't hurt to weld the hitch in addition to the bolts that come on it. He said that it also would be a good idea to strap the bike to the Jeep itself, and not just the carrier. He said that he sees where I'm coming from, but that he would go for it. At least this way, if the hitch were to fail and the bike were to fall, I would be dragging it with the Jeep instead of it hitting the car behind me!
 
RockDog said:
I just talked to my old physics professor about this. He said it wouldn't hurt to weld the hitch in addition to the bolts that come on it. He said that it also would be a good idea to strap the bike to the Jeep itself, and not just the carrier. He said that he sees where I'm coming from, but that he would go for it. At least this way, if the hitch were to fail and the bike were to fall, I would be dragging it with the Jeep instead of it hitting the car behind me!
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If the bolts are sufficient the welds are unnecessary.
 
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RockDog said:
I just talked to my old physics professor about this. He said it wouldn't hurt to weld the hitch in addition to the bolts that come on it. He said that it also would be a good idea to strap the bike to the Jeep itself, and not just the carrier. He said that he sees where I'm coming from, but that he would go for it. At least this way, if the hitch were to fail and the bike were to fall, I would be dragging it with the Jeep instead of it hitting the car behind me!
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You are going to have close to 300 - 350 pounds hanging directly off the rear if you do this. As mentioned earlier 200 pounds is the suggested tongue weight, you are well above that. You also need to consider the condition of your frame and suspension. You already tried this and heard a "knock" and decided against it. And strapping the bike to the Jeep itself will not end well if the hitch fails. TJ's are rated to tow up to 2000 pounds. A small trailer is your best and safest bet.
 
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The TJs low tow rating (2000lb) is primarily due to the short wheelbase. Typical tongue weight target is 10%, so that's where the 200 lb tongue weight rating came from.

IF the hitch and attachment points can handle the bike weight the TJ should be OK with it. 300 lb hanging on the hitch is nothing like pulling a 3000lb trailer.

Test it out for yourself. Get a couple of bid dumb friends to stand on the rack and hold on while you try to pop wheelies. Then see if anything broke and report back.
 
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srimes said:
The TJs low tow rating (2000lb) is primarily due to the short wheelbase. Typical tongue weight target is 10%, so that's where the 200 lb tongue weight rating came from.

IF the hitch and attachment points can handle the bike weight the TJ should be OK with it. 300 lb hanging on the hitch is nothing like pulling a 3000lb trailer.

Test it out for yourself. Get a couple of bid dumb friends to stand on the rack and hold on while you try to pop wheelies. Then see if anything broke and report back.
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That will not tell what will happen 1+K miles down the road. I personally witnessed a motorcycle and bumper fall off a motorhome. It was at night and the light show was impressive. The bouncing going down the road will fatigue some part of the components at some point.
 
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RockDog said:
I just talked to my old physics professor about this. He said it wouldn't hurt to weld the hitch in addition to the bolts that come on it. He said that it also would be a good idea to strap the bike to the Jeep itself, and not just the carrier. He said that he sees where I'm coming from, but that he would go for it. At least this way, if the hitch were to fail and the bike were to fall, I would be dragging it with the Jeep instead of it hitting the car behind me!
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It's not just about the physical strength of the hitch. It's also about the dynamic of having that much extra weight behind the back wheels. When srimes mentioned wheelies, he wasn't just being sarcastic. There might very well be enough of a weight transfer to cause braking and steering problems. Get a $300 Harbor Freight trailer frame and make a proper trailer. It'll help keep everybody safer.
 
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bucky said:
The bouncing going down the road will fatigue some part of the components at some point.
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I hauled my CR500 in a hitch mounted heavy steel carrier all over SoCal for a decade without issue or concern. However, this isn't an endorsement as to the suitability of doing the same with a SWB TJ.
 
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RockDog said:
Hello.
97 Wrangler, 4.0L.
I recently got a 1973 Yamaha DT250. It has a dry weight of 244 lbs. I also have a hitch carrier for dirt bikes, and I'd like to be able to transport my bike with my Jeep. I loaded it up last night and I heard some kind of knock. I got nervous and then unloaded it and left without the bike. I may be psyching myself out, but I'm worried that this is just too much weight on my hitch. I've read other forums of people who are considering getting a bike carrier, but there's not a lot of information about tongue weight capabilities. Should I reinforce my hitch somehow? Do I need to purchase a weight distribution hitch? Do you think it's actually totally fine? Any opinions or advice are appreciated. The last thing I want is for my hitch to drop off on the highway and kill someone. Thanks

View attachment 413141
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Beautiful old bike. I had a ton of fun on those back then.
 
srimes said:
The TJs low tow rating (2000lb) is primarily due to the short wheelbase. Typical tongue weight target is 10%, so that's where the 200 lb tongue weight rating came from.

IF the hitch and attachment points can handle the bike weight the TJ should be OK with it. 300 lb hanging on the hitch is nothing like pulling a 3000lb trailer.

Test it out for yourself. Get a couple of bid dumb friends to stand on the rack and hold on while you try to pop wheelies. Then see if anything broke and report back.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, I wasn't being sarcastic. I think a TJ can handle it OK, I just don't know about the hitch. I don't have a hitch on my TJ but did on my XJ and wouldn't worry about carrying a bike on that. But it was a good class 3 hitch.

Quick search and found a CJ doing the test exactly as I described:

 
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srimes said:
Just to clarify, I wasn't being sarcastic. I think a TJ can handle it OK, I just don't know about the hitch. I don't have a hitch on my TJ but did on my XJ and wouldn't worry about carrying a bike on that. But it was a good class 3 hitch.

Quick search and found a CJ doing the test exactly as I described:

Click to expand...

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