Determining if 2017 Mazda CX-9 Can Handle Weight of Dirt Bike with Hitch Mounted Carrier  

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Expert Reply:

To see if your 2017 Mazda CX-9 can handle the combined weight of your 340 pound dirt bike and carrier, you will want to take a look at your owner's manual for the vehicle's tongue weight capacity. Mazda does not make their manuals available online so I wasn't able to pinpoint this number.

From what I could find though from other sources, it looks like the CX-9 has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Typically a vehicle's tongue weight limit will be 10 percent of its towing capacity, which would give you a tongue weight capacity of 350 pounds. If you find this to be accurate after checking your manual, you will not be able to safely carry your 340 pound bike with a hitch-mounted carrier, as the carrier itself also needs to be factored in. Your best option in this instance will be to tow your dirt bike with a small trailer like the Detail K2 # K2MMT5X7.

If you find that the tongue weight capacity on your Mazda is a bit more though, then it's just a matter of making sure you choose a light enough carrier that puts your combined weight below both the hitch's and vehicle's capacity. The MaxxTow Motorcycle Carrier # MT70101 that you referenced weighs just about 50 pounds.

The Draw-Tite # 76020 Hitch itself, which is confirmed to fit your CX-9, weighs around 35 pounds but you will not need to factor in this weight. This Class III hitch features a tongue weight capacity of 675 pounds (but you will still need to fall below the vehicle's limit if it is lower).

I have attached a couple demonstration videos on these products that you can also check out.

expert reply by: Chris R

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