Could KJ with OME HD springs carry a 300lb Dirtbike on hitch

loosvelt · **Posted:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:05 pm

Thinking about getting one of these.

http://www.motorcyclecarrier.net/11a.jpg

Could the KJ pull it off with OME HD's. My bike weights 300lbs. Would it sag like crazy?

MtnRunner · **Joined:** Wed May 28, 2008 8:32 pm **Posts:** 89

i am the most noob guy on this board. but i would have too say no. i have heard talk about after-market bumpers being too heavy and making the KJ sag too much. no telin what a 300 pound bike would do

loosvelt · **Posted:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:45 pm

Oh, with stock spring most def. I assume even with OMEs it's a long shot. But knowing this board there is someone that has either used one of thes before, for better or worse, or had loaded the KJ rear down with some heavy loads. I'm sure they'll share thier tales.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:46 pm

ya you should be fine, when you tow have usually have that much weight on there depending on how much you are towing, I do that w/ my dirt bike, I believe that its rated for 500# so dont exceed that

MtnRunner · **Joined:** Wed May 28, 2008 8:32 pm **Posts:** 89

ah, old man emu. i saw OME and OEM registered for some reason.

good luck!

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:48 pm

you should still be okay if it was stock, I mean thats what i did you will see some saggin especially w/ stock coils but mine wasnt too bad bc my bike is only 175-200#

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:12 am

I tow a camper with a tongue weight of 300lbs. I believe the max tongue weight of the hitch is 750lbs lbs, just dont go over the limit of the Jeep which is 1100lbs or so.

once I get everything loaded its probably over 500lbs in the back. Given I have air bags, you will be just fine with OME HD springs.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:22 am

I wish I could remember the figures. When you add weight to the back end a certain amount of weight on the front axle is shifted to the back axle. That is why overloaded vehicles get light steering. This added weight makes a 300 pound object a lot more heavy. It effects all components in the rear such as tires, springs, axles etc. That is something to remember.

Terry

CD · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:23 am

There was a guy that posted a few months back, some may remember. He carried his road bike on a rack behind the KJ, his post was about changing his coils and shocks to the JBA 4" coils and shocks in the rear. The reason was (if I can remember right) was to hold the back of the KJ up as the weight of the bike was too much for his current lift.

I will see if I can find the therad.

Personally I'd say don't do it, the rating on the tow hitch is for pulling not lifting.

CD · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:31 am

Can't find the thread, hope somone can remember it as you may find it interesting.

C co Crusader 2/127 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:52 am

it will cary a dirt bike just fine. I thow min e on the hitch all the time....

Bodz123 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:24 am

Same here, I carry my wr 250f on the back of my Jeep quite often. Even on 3hr + road trips and have had no problems.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:47 am

For the people that do it. How safe are you? When I had a tent camper I would move it all around using my riding mower. Would it have been safe to head down the road that way? Of course not. Just think about it. I'm not trying to start an argument, I just don't want someone on here to say you had a bad accident.

Terry

DryBones · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:35 am

If you can't put 200-300 lbs on the back of the KJ than why bother even having a hitch? My 2 sons in the back seat are easily over 300 lbs, am I only suppose to drive it alone? What about luggage and camping gear that I fill the back with? I guess I can't have that stuff in there either or I might sag? Let's get real here a 200-300 lbs motorcycle is not the same as jumbo camp trailer. Will he sag over time? probably but it's a Jeep...just use it and replace the coils later on when and if they get bad. I would think the OME HD's will hold up quite well for him.

stepping down off Terry's soapbox (thanks for letting me borrow it) :lol:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:46 am

thats true terry but when you put weight on the hitch its putting the weight behind the axle. What Fulltimer was getting at is it makes a lever and a fulcrum. Its actually lifting the front tires off the ground which makes turning not so fun if its over loaded.

The good thing is we all know the max tongue weight on the liberty is 750lbs if you have a WD setup. This means it puts weight back on the front axle so you can turn.

It will be just fine with 300lbs.

XC204 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:08 pm

Just install Airi Lift air bags or the like in what you have can be aired down when not loaded easy to put in price was under $100 I think.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:16 pm

well this is how i see it if you have a 16' trailer on there 60% of the weight is supposed to be up on the front of the trailer, which in turns puts the weight on the ball, and if you have the OEM hitch its tongue weight is rated for 500# or 750# i cant remember for sure, but yes it will sag a little but it will also sag about the same as if you had the trailer on there

atleast thats how i see it, and Terry when I put my dirt bike on my cargo carrier I use several straps and make sure the bikes springs are being compressed a little so i know it doesnt move and Ive never had any problems what so ever

jdorris · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:08 pm

Quote:

Personally I'd say don't do it, the rating on the tow hitch is for pulling not lifting.

There are two ratings, one for tongue weight and one for towing (pulling). Otherwise it would be hard to find a trailer that weighed less than 750 #'s empty. There shouldn't be much sagging with the HD springs in the back and only 300#'s. As far a towing weight, I believe it is 5000#'s.

Best thing to do is try it, get it strapped down tight, drive around town. Make some stops and turns and check straps then ease it on the highway and see how it performs. Like towing a trailer the key is to remember that it is back there (shouldn't be hard since it'll block the rear window) and drive accordingly (read not like a bat outta hell).

Xodius · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:53 pm

I have seen 1 maybe 2 KJs with a similar system and never heard any problems. I don't do it but I do not have a dirtbike, lol. I would think it would be fine. OME or OEM...with OME being better of course

DryBones · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:38 pm

who is this Terry everybody keeps talking about? :lol:

Could KJ with OME HD springs carry a 300lb Dirtbike on hitch

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