Recommended Method to Transport 300-lb Motorcycle on 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
Question:
i am looking a getting a hitch set up for my 2007 volkswagen rabbit. i am not planning on towing anything but using it in conjunction with my dirtbike carrier. my question is it says tongue weight is 250lbs. does that rating change with rack type setups? i know my bike weighs roughly 300 lbs and the carrier probably weighs an additional 50-80 pounds is this to much for the hitch to handle/ vehicle to handle?
asked by: Chris
Expert Reply:
In order to safely transport a motorcycle on a hitch-mounted carrier on your 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit both the car itself and the trailer hitch you install on it must have a tongue weight (TW) rating high enough for the combined weight of the carrier plus the bike. The only size/class hitch offered for your Rabbit is a light-duty 1-1/4-inch Class I type that has a TW capacity of 200-lbs. Please see the linked page. Even if your bike weighed only 175-lbs, by the time you add the weight of the carrier you could easily be over the hitch's limit or maybe also the car's.
You will need to find a small utility trailer large enough and with the required weight capacity for your bike. Outdoor and farm stores are a good place to look for one.
Pulling a trailer will require a hitch, ball mount, hitch ball and wiring harness. I recommend Draw-Tite hitch # 24825 since it is the most cost-effective choice. With this you can use ball mount # 3594 and either 1-7/8-inch ball # 19256 or 2-inch ball # 19258, whichever matches your trailer's coupler. If the trailer has lights then for a wiring harness use part # 119250KIT.
Products Referenced in This Question
ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector and Installation Kit
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Converter
- Universal Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
1-7/8" Hitch Ball - 3/4" Diameter x 1-9/16" Long Shank - Chrome - 2,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 1-7/8 Inch Diameter Ball
- 1-9/16 Inch Shank Length
- 3/4 Inch Diameter Shank
- 2000 lbs GTW
- Class I
- Class II
- Draw-Tite
more information >
2" Hitch Ball - 3/4" Diameter x 1-9/16" Long Shank - Chrome - 3,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 2 Inch Diameter Ball
- 1-9/16 Inch Shank Length
- 3/4 Inch Diameter Shank
- 3500 lbs GTW
- Class I
- Class II
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class I
- 200 lbs TW
- 2000 lbs GTW
- 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Visible Cross Tube
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Draw-Tite Drawbar for 1-1/4" Hitches - 4" Rise - 10" Long - 2,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- No Ball
- 3/4 Inch Ball Hole Diameter
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Rise - 4 Inch
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- 2000 lbs GTW
- Class I
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Ultra-Fab Dirt Bike Carrier for 2" Hitches - With Ramp - 77" Long - 500 lbs
- Hitch Cargo Carrier
- Motorcycle Carrier
- Fixed Carrier
- Heavy Duty
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Class III
- Class IV
- Steel
- Ultra-Fab Products
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Q&A: Is There a Bumper Mounted Bike Rack Capable of Carrying a Honda Trail 125 Behind a Class C Motorhome
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Q&A: Trailer Hitch Recommendation for 2018 Ram ProMaster 2500 for Motorcycle Carrier
- Article: Best Bike Racks for Electric Bikes
- Article: My Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit
- Q&A: Recommended Motorcycle Carrier for Carrying KTM Adventure on Motorhome
- Q&A: Which Front Hitch that Fits 2022 Ram 2500 Sticks Out Furthest
- Q&A: Can I Carry a Dirt Bike on a 1-1/4 Inch Hitch with a 2-Inch Hitch Adapter on a Honda Accord?
- Q&A: What is the Distance From the Hitch Pin Hole to the Top of the Saris MHS Bike Rack for 1 Bike
- Q&A: Recommended Motorcycle Carrier For Trailer Hitch On Motorhome
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: How to Choose a Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack
- Article: Best Bike Racks for Fat Bikes