Will a 230 lb Bike and a 30lb Carrier Wear Shocks Down on a 2016 Chrysler 300S

Question:

Hello, Last year I purchased a class III Curt hitch and dirt bike carrier for my 2016 300s. My question is whether the shocks can handle the weight over a long period of time? My bike weighs 230 and carrier 30lbs, the tongue weight is 350. Im just concerned the weight over time will break my shocks. Am I wrong? Thanks

asked by: Jason H

Expert Reply:

Whenever you will be adding extra weight from a trailer or hitch mounted accessory it is always important to refer to your owner's manual to ensure that you are not exceeding the weight capacity. It is also necessary to note that your weight capacity will either be limited by your vehicle or the trailer hitch, whichever has the lower rating.

I looked up the owner's manual online for your 2016 Chrysler 300S and it states on page 457 that you have a max Tongue Weight (TW) rating of 100 lbs. Even though your Curt trailer hitch, like part # C13093, is rated for more than that, you are limited to the 100 lbs rating of your 300S. This means that the 260 lbs of TW that you are putting on your vehicle is definitely hurting the suspension and possibly the frame itself. I recommend checking your copy of the owner's manual to verify the rating.

The manual did state that you can tow up to a 1,000 lb trailer (with a 100 lb TW) so that might be something worth looking into especially since your vehicle is only a few years old. If you do plan on towing then you will need a wiring harness like the Tekonsha T-One # 118658 and a ball mount kit like part # 989900. I have attached a helpful article on ball mounts for you to check out to make sure you choose the correct one for your application.

expert reply by: Jon G