How to Tow a Motorcycle with a 2008 Dodge Caliber

Question:

I currently have a CURT 117171 Class 1 Trailer Hitch with Ball Mount installed on my 2008 Dodge caliber sxt 2.0L I also just bought a dirt bike carrier 36lbs for 1-1/4 recievers. My dirt bike is 206lbs so the total is near 245 lbs. The dodge tongue weight max is 200lbs and 2000lbs towing capacity. Is there any leeway in the tongueweight margins if Im just hauling a dirt bike? Im assuming the tongue weight guideline is more for trailers, and a few extra pounds might not be a super big deal.

asked by: Coleman

Expert Reply:

According to owner's manual for your 2008 Dodge Caliber the gross trailer (GTW) and tongue weight (TW) rating of your vehicle with the 2.0L I4 engine is 1,000 lbs and 150 lbs respectively. Therefore, I cannot recommend you use this vehicle to haul your motorcycle (206 lbs) and carrier (36 lbs) as this would exceed the tongue weight capacity of the vehicle.

The only way I can offer you to haul your motorcycle is on the back of a trailer. In order to use this trailer you would need a trailer hitch, wiring harness, and ball mount/hitch ball. The correct trailer hitch we have for your Caliper is the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part # C11006. For a wiring harness I recommend the Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness part # C56333. For the ball mount/hitch ball I recommend part # C45016 and part # A-80.

expert reply by: Conner L