Tongue Weight - Differences in KJ models?

OVerLoRDI · **Joined:** Mon Oct 10, 2016 1:11 am **Posts:** 1

Hey guys, new to the forum, but in the market for KJ (only compact SUV that seems to fit my criteria).

I'm looking to haul a Motorcycle hitch carrier. Bike is about 450# and the carrier is about 90#. So let's say 550# for a total Tongue weight. I cannot realistically rent or store a motorcycle trailer.

I've read some conflicting info and I wanted to get a clarification. Is the tongue weight limit 750# for all engine configs that have the tow package or is it only the CRD? Would a v6 w/tow Package have the 750# tongue limit?

Thanks!

P.S. Almost bought a CRD yesterday, but the owner hadn't done the 100k maintenance and wanted 9k for it... seemed steep with the 100k maintenance overdue so I passed. No mods, all stock, so I'd be in for the list of mods to get setup to a place that makes me happy.

pontipine · **Joined:** Sat Sep 28, 2013 2:55 pm **Posts:** 26

Since you are aren't really towing anything the tow package is not relevant.
What you need is a heavy hitch rated for that tongue load with weight distribution (meaning it can handle torque as well as tongue weight.
I tow a hybrid trailer with that tongue weight and it takes a lot of torque from the weight distributing springs to get the nose back down. This is done to transfer weight back to the front wheels so they have traction for steering and braking. I would not tow without it.
In your case with just a carrier hanging off the back you don't have that option so the nose will be pointing up. I would not recommend it. The jeep will have squirrely handling and may even be unsafe to drive. It has a very short wheelbase which doesn't help.

dennyb · **Joined:** Wed Aug 13, 2014 4:27 pm **Posts:** 110

For hauling a motorcycle that way on the rear bumper you wold be a danger on the road. Get a small trailer to place it on. This will keep the weight on the bumper and rear of the jeep down. Tongue weights are calculated at 10 percent of towed trailer weight. Hitches with 5000 pound capacity only have 500 pound tongue weight allowed.

If you dont want a trailer get a front tire clamp towing bar.
http://www.motorcycle-rack.com/MFWT.html

mass-hole · **Posted:** Tue Oct 11, 2016 10:31 am

Yeah you could probably do a wheelie with the motorcycle weighing down the back like that. My two carbon fiber mountain bikes and 30 lbs bike rack cause the rear to squat a bit. You would at least need a set of air bags but that doesnt keep your front tires from unloading.

The MAX tongue weight is 500lbs not 750. Some aftermarket hitches like mine will say 750, but that rating is for the hitch itself, not the Jeep. The other thing is the hitches are not meant for a direct 500lb tongue weight, which is what it says in the manual. If you do have a trailer with anything over a 300 lb tongue, you are supposed to be using weight distribution bars which are supposed to displace some of that tongue weight on to the front axle of the jeep and back to the trailer axles. Therefore, its actually a lower total tongue weight acting on the hitch than the 500 lbs you measure with the trailer unhooked.

If you look at axle weights from a CAT scale before and after weight distribution it usually looks like this:

Made Up Jeep Alone:

Front: 2000 lbs Rear 2000 lbs

Jeep with Trailer and no weight distribution.

Front: 1750 lbs Rear 2750 lbs(500 lb trailer + 250lbs off the front axle) Trailer axle: 5000 lbs

Jeep with Trailer and weight distribution.

Front: 1900 lbs Rear 2400 lbs(now only 100 lbs from front axle, 300 lbs from trailer) Trailer axle: 5200 lbs

After you hook up the distribution bars, the front axle and trailer axle increase in weight and the rear axle decreases. Your front axle should end up with slightly less load as when the jeep is weighted by itself to ensure proper braking and turning performance. There is no way you can use distribution bars on a hitch rack so you are basically going to be plopping a full 600 lbs of tongue weight much farther behind the rear axle than a trailer would which means your front end is going to unload significantly.

Tongue Weight - Differences in KJ models?

Who is online