How to Carry 300 lb Motorcycle with 2007 Nissan Altima

Question:

Im looking at buying a motorcycle carrier which mounts to any class 2,3,or 4 trailer hitch. When I search for my car only class 1 hitches are to be found. The car manual says it can bear up to a 1000lb toung weight trailer. The motorcycle weighs 300lbs and another 50lbs for the carrier. I found an 11/4inch to 2inch class 2 adapter. Would this trailer hitch safely support that amount of weight?

asked by: David R

Helpful Expert Reply:

The only hitch we offer for your 2007 Altima is a Class I hitch, which has a 2000 lb towing/ 200 lb tongue weight (the maximum amount of weight that can be suspended from the hitch) capacity. Using an adapter would lower the tongue weight capacity by half. It's a matter of the structure of the vehicle where the hitch attaches not being strong enough. Attempting to carry that kind of tongue weight would most likely result in the fasteners tearing out of the vehicle and the loss of the hitch and cargo during transport. Which would be not so good.

Long story short, you'd be better off using a small trailer like # K2MMT4X6. This particular trailer could handle a bike up to 6 feet long.

In addition to the Curt Class I hitch # C11352, you'd also need a trailer wiring harness like # 56022. You will also need a ball mount like # C45028 to place the trailer ball at the correct height so the trailer is towed level and a 1-7/8 inch diameter trailer ball like # C40001.

expert reply by: Mike L