Heres a hitch question, I want to use a motorcycle carrier, hitch mounted with a 50” tube . The distance to the bike from the hitch pin will be 47” . I need the distance to be able to use the door. The weight of the scooter and carrier will bea little less than 400#s. The hitch is rated at 600#s tongue weight. Does distance added from hitch translate to more tongue weight, like leverage? Heres a pic of the hitch tag.
Yes, the leverage will be a huge factor and will NOT work. Just too much weight that far back.
To give you an idea in extremely simple stationary (static) terms, figure 600# @ 12" is 7,200 in/pounds of torque. So, 400# @ 47" is 18,800 in/pounds of torque which is more than twice. I wouldn't feel save exceeding 1.5 times the designed load. And this is not taking into account the weight rating and torque applied to the hitch. Usually, the hitch is only rated for 500# tongue weight (figured based on a standard 12" insert), above which you must usse an equilizer hitch which counter acts the additional torque with springs.
Of course, if we add in the motion (dynamics) from the truck bouncing down the road causing the long extension to bounce greatly, you would be looking more at 10 times the rating.
What you could do, if make a light weight trailer that is fastened to your rear hitch in two places and two swival wheels to provide the support. Or, bing the scooter in next to the camper with a slide/pivot mechanism to allow the scooter to be easily moved out of the way.
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You don't have enough hitch to do what you're trying to do.
Either upgrade the receiver to a super heavy duty class V model, or carry the motorcycle on the front hitch, or carry the motorcycle on a trailer, or eliminate the door-opening requirement and carry the motorcycle snug up to the back of the camper.
Reelescape1 wrote: There is a calc tool somewhere on here if you search
I too have been looking for that calculator, and have not found it. Can someone please post it?????
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I'd try a front mount if your scooter weight is under 400. That's where I carry my bike and really like it,plus very little bounce. Helps with weight distribution too. JMO
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