How to Carry a 250 Pound Dirt Bike with a 2015 Subaru Forester

Question:

2015 Subaru Forester. I like the Draw-Tite, but want to use a motorcycle carrier on it. Dirt bike weighs 250lbs, carrier is about 100 lbs. recommendations ?

asked by: Bill M

Expert Reply:

Draw-Tite trailer hitch # 75876 has a tongue weight capacity of 525 pounds so the hitch itself is strong enough for the combined 350 pounds of dirt bike and carrier. However, your 2015 Subaru Forester will be rated lower than the hitch and that is the capacity you need to go by. I checked the owner's manual online and it states the maximum tongue weight capacity of the vehicle is 175 pounds.

In order to carry the bike with the Forester you will need to put it on a small trailer made for motorcycles. This is going to be the safest option and reduces the stress on the vehicle because the tongue weight will be lower than if the bike was on a hitch mount carrier.

To tow you will also need a few accessories. I recommend etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not have the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, use the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

And for trailer wiring you can use # 118467 to add a 4-Way flat at the back of the vehicle. I have linked videos showing the hitch and wiring being installed.