Can my 2015 Jeep Patriot Carry a Dirt Bike using the Curt Hitch and Carrier

Question:

Would I be able to haul my Dirtbike with one of these? I have a 2 in dirt bike hauler. My only concern is the weight. It’s a 2012 kx450f.

asked by: Timothy

Expert Reply:

I looked up the owner's manual for your 2015 Jeep Patriot, and on page 422 it gives all the ratings for pulling a trailer. There are 2 different ratings, if you Patriot has the factory tow package or not.

If you have the 2.0L, or 2.4L motor without the tow package the max tongue weight is 150 lbs.
If you have the 2.4L with the factory tow package or the Freedom Drive II Off road package the tongue weight is 300lbs.

From the research I did your dirt bike weighs around 240 lbs dry. So if the carrier you have is less than 60 lbs you will be under the weight limit if your Patriot has the tow package. Even though the hitches may have a higher tongue weight rating than the Patriot does, you always want to go with the lowest rating out of all the components used. Also, maxing out the tongue weight on your hitch will cause the rear end to squat, causing poor ride quality and handling issues. So while the hitch will be able to handle the weight, I don't think the Patriot is rated for that.

A better option that would not negatively effect the handling and still take your dirt bike with you is a small utility trailer. You can mount a motorcycle wheel chock and strap it down, like # TWSPWM. Obviously if you are using trailer with your dirt bike on it, you'll need a hitch, ball mount, and wiring to complete you towing set up.

The Curt hitch # C13081 would work great for Patriot. For wiring I recommend the Tekonsha wiring kit # 118552. For a ball mount, you'll need to find out what ball size the trailer uses, and if you need a rise or drop to match the trailer. I linked our selection of ball mounts, and an article explaining how to measure to find if you need a rise or drop, as well as a few videos for reference.