How To Carry Dirt Bikes With 2014 BMW 3 Series 320i xDrive

Question:

Hello I would like to install a trailer hitch for use with a motorcycle carrier I have a dirt bike which weighs 240 lb without gas. The motorcycle carriers are as light as 50 lb. This means I will be over the vehicles rated tongue weight which is a measly 200 lb. Is it possible to install a hitch that can carry 250 to 300 lb? Tongue weight 2014 BMW 320 X DRIVE

asked by: Charles H

Expert Reply:

There is a way for you to carry your dirt bike with the BMW but all of the trailer hitches available for the 2014 BMW 3 Series X Drive are Class I hitches that can only handle up to 200 lbs of tongue weight. Even if there were a higher class rated hitch available for the BMW, it is not a good idea to exceed the tongue weight rating in your owner's manual because you are only as strong as your weakest component. If the BMW is rated for 200 lbs tongue weight you should not exceed that rating.

I recommend pulling a trailer with the 2014 BMW 3 Series 320i xDrive with Curt hitch part # C11367. You need Tekonsha trailer wiring part # 119250KIT to power the lights on a small trailer. I have attached an installation video for both the hitch and wiring for your reference.

For the trailer I recommend Detail K2 Mighty Multi A-Frame trailer part # K2MMT5X7 to the tow the dirt bike. The bed of the trailer is 88" long x 52" wide. I recommend using ShockStrap dirt bike cam buckle tie-down straps part # 297-7RSDB to tie down the dirt bike in the trailer. The shock absorbing technology in the straps eliminates the dirt bike from bouncing around which eliminates the extra wear and tear on the suspension.

The recommended ball mount is Curt ball mount part # C45521 to use with the Curt hitch. This ball mount clears the back bumper of your BMW since the hitch receiver designs are a bit more recessed on the BMW. The 2 inch Curt ball part # A-82 will work with the Curt ball mount to tow the K2 trailer.

Since towing evenly distributes the weight of the dirt bike and the trailer, this setup will not exceed the tongue weight rating of the BMW as long as you do not add extra cargo to the trailer when towing it. The full weight of the dirt bike and the motorcycle carrier counts towards the tongue weight on the hitch since the weight is downward force on the hitch and not distributed like when towing a trailer.