Recommended Solution to Fight Sag on Nissan Quest with Coil Springs When Carrying Motorcycle
Question:
I have a 2013 Nissan Quest with your Curt III hitch on it. It sits pretty low. I would like to get a motorcycle hitch mount carrier for my dirt bike—but I’m concerned it will be too much weight for the set-up. I don’t totally understand HW and could use some guidance. If the hitch can take the weight—Will it make the rear sag so much I won’t have any clearance to leave angled parking lots?
asked by: Zach S
Expert Reply:
The tongue weight (or hitch weight) is the maximum amount of weight that the frame of the vehicle can withstand without being damaged. You'll also always be limited to the lowest rated component in your towing setup, so even if your hitch says maximum 500-lbs tongue weight, but the vehicle is only rated for 350-lbs (which my research indicated), you will be limited to that 350-lbs. This means that any carrier and motorcycle must have a combined weight of less than 350-lbs.
When it comes to the sag, there's a good chance that the vehicle will sag a bit with 350-lbs on the back of it, so you might want to consider using the Sumo Springs Coil Helpers # CSS-1195R to help fight some sag. These won't give you more carrying capacity, but they do help fight sag that can occur with a motorcycle carrier on your hitch.
If you don't have a motorcycle carrier I recommend the Ultra-Fab Motorcycle Carrier for 2" Hitches - 500 lbs # UF48-979033 because it only weighs 50-lbs, so it's going to allow you to carry a motorcycle that weighs up to 300-lbs. This is one of the lightest weight carriers we have available and will work on a Class III hitch with a 2" receiver. Pairing these 2 together would be a good idea, and while you're still going to have some ground clearance issues because of the limited ground clearance of your vehicle when unloaded, it's going to give you some extra help that should help reduce incidents where you bottom out.
I've linked some review videos of these parts for you to check out, but outside of using a smaller trailer, this would be the best way to reduce sag and still take your bike with you wherever you needed.
Products Referenced in This Question
Coil SumoSprings Custom Helper Springs for Coil Spring Suspension - Rear Axle
- Vehicle Suspension
- Rear Axle Suspension Enhancement
- Jounce-Style Springs
- Standard Duty
- SuperSprings Intl
more information >
Ultra-Fab Dirt Bike Carrier for 2" Hitches - With Ramp - 77" Long - 500 lbs
- Hitch Cargo Carrier
- Motorcycle Carrier
- Fixed Carrier
- Heavy Duty
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Class III
- Class IV
- Steel
- Ultra-Fab Products
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 350 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- Visible Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
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