Carrying a 231 Pound Motorcycle on a 2014 Volvo S60 with 165 Tongue Weight Capacity

Question:

Hello, I have a 2014 Volvo S 60 T5 front wheel drive with a maximum tongue weight of 165lbs and maximum trailer weight without brakes is 1650lbs. I am scheduled July 11 to have etrailer do the install for me, part 13266 Class III Hitch. My order # is 106554366. The motorcycle carrier I want to put on is the Maxxhaul carrier. The motorcycle weighs 231 lbs. With a vehicle tongue weight being 165 lbs, will 231lbs of motorcycle plus the Maxxhaul carrier item# MT70101 exceed the weight limitations of the Volvo. I have concerns the weight of the motorcycle will exceed the tongue weight capacity of the vehicle. Can you confirm and/or advise this setup will not exceed the tongue weight specifications. Thanks

asked by: Don D

Expert Reply:

Tongue weight is the downward force put on a hitch by whatever it is carrying. When you're using a hitch for a carrier, like the cargo carrier you're getting or a bike rack, all of the weight on the hitch is tongue weight.

The etrailer Motorcycle Carrier, part # e98873, weighs about 58 pounds itself. So between it and the 231 pound motorcycle combined the tongue weight you're trying to carry is about 289 pounds. If your Volvo has a 165 pound maximum tongue weight then you're way over your vehicle's capacity.

Instead of carrying the motorcycle on a carrier I recommend getting a small trailer and using your Volvo to tow the motorcycle. You still need the htich, part # 13266, as well as wiring, like part # C56224, and also a ball mount and hitch ball. For a good variety look at our ball mount kit, part # 989900, which includes two ball mount of different rise and drop, two different hitch balls, and two pin and clips.

expert reply by: Charles S