Increase max tongue weight for ebike rack

[derichio02]

Is there documentation that states using an extender reduces load capacity by 1/2? I have the extender from 1UP to work with my Dual Ebike carrier. My bikes weigh 80lbs each so they would be plus the weight of the bike rack(47lbs). So about 207lbs total which is higher than the 175lbs (half of 350) . The 1UP extender seems a bit more stout than the Yakima so wondering the halving of the capacity is an extender limitation or hitch limitation(I have both). I also have the raptor hitch but with no supports

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[cbrenthus]

Agreed, just trying to address the twist it could put on the rear frame also. I'm looking at welding a piece along the length of the rear frame, or add a couple of frame stabilizing bars like they did in the Braptor.

I was thinking this as well - if it attaches to the frame the same way as the stock receiver, without any additional support, then I'm not sure it could handle more weight.

Is there documentation that states using an extender reduces load capacity by 1/2? I have the extender from 1UP to work with my Dual Ebike carrier. My bikes weigh 80lbs each so they would be plus the weight of the bike rack(47lbs). So about 207lbs total which is higher than the 175lbs (half of 350) . The 1UP extender seems a bit more stout than the Yakima so wondering the halving of the capacity is an extender limitation or hitch limitation(I have both). I also have the raptor hitch but with no supports

I think if you look around you can find some calculators, but it isn't necessarily 1/2. Basically, extending the hitch creates a lever effect that magnifies the weight of the cargo. Just like grabbing a breaker bar for a tough nut, the farther back the weight is from the hitch, the greater the force is on the hitch (pivot point). Therefore the longer the extender, the higher the force and the lower the capable weight of the cargo.

The other thing about this is that if you are on flat ground and nicely paved roads, you are much better off then hitting some heavy bumps.

 

[cynicalrider]

ETrailer.com sells a Draw-tite hitch for Broncos with max TW of 675 lbs. I got one to replace the stock hitch that is limited to 350 lbs. Works great. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Ford/Bronco/2022/DT37GR.html?VehicleID=20226004594

I'm running this because I did not want to run an extension and need additional stabilizers.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Everyone yammers on about exceeding the 350 lb tongue rating and gets all herky jerky over it but says nothing when people slam on 2k lbs of overland accessories on the back of the truck.

 

[carrellslake]

I'm running this because I did not want to run an extension and need additional stabilizers.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Everyone yammers on about exceeding the 350 lb tongue rating and gets all herky jerky over it but says nothing when people slam on 2k lbs of overland accessories on the back of the truck.

All that weight you describe isn’t being held up by nothing but the hitch bolts. Apples and oranges.

 

[cynicalrider]

All that weight you describe isn’t being held up by nothing but the hitch bolts. Apples and oranges.

Yes but tow capacity is calculated not only by crossmember strength, but braking ability, suspension components, etc. And if your tongue weight is also being calculated by those factors, then every other piece of weight added to the vehicle is negatively affecting it's towing capacity as well. There are far more factors at work, but everyone seems to think if you push the rated tongue capacity you are immediately going to die in a fiery accident but says nothing about severely overloaded overland rigs with everything under the sun slammed on it.

IMO people need to use common sense in what the rigs can handle and there is no "this is the only way to safely do it" mentality because people pick and choose what their opinion of "safe" is.

For my personal situation the max frame is rated at 675 lbs and is significantly thicker than the ford OEM mount. So as the max frame pushes the fulcrum point further out on the vehicle it is also a significantly stronger receiver.

Here is a comparison of the two:

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Now would I ever offroad with this setup? Absolutely not. But for what the OP is trying to accomplish it's not bad, but admittedly it's no raptor setup either. I would love additional bracing on the rear crossmember for piece of mind but I am not ready to hack the exhaust on a truck with 400 miles on it. Oh and my total weight with the above setup is 300ish lbs, but I run into the OP's issue with the fact that it is an extended hitch and supposedly cutting my carrying capacity to only 175 lbs.

 

[YOLO]

ETrailer.com sells a Draw-tite hitch for Broncos with max TW of 675 lbs. I got one to replace the stock hitch that is limited to 350 lbs. Works great. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Ford/Bronco/2022/DT37GR.html?VehicleID=20226004594

Can you really increase max tongue weight by replacing the hitch? My understanding was that these hitches might be rated for 675#, but that the vehicle is still only rated to 350#, regardless of the hitch upgrade. Have you had any issues with weight? I'm wanting to get a MotoTote and total weight of the bike and carrier would be around 425#...

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