Please help with another tongue weight question

[JodyT]

I have a 2023 4-dr Outer Banks, 2.7L with a Curt 13493 class III hitch installed. The hitch has a tongue weight capacity of 350 lbs. I have a 7 inch extension on it to clear the spare which I have read reduces the tongue weight by 25%. I have read longer extenders reduce it by 50%. So, 350 lbs. reduced by 25% gives me about a 262 lbs. max tongue weight. I haul two e-bikes on a bike rack. The rack weighs 65 lbs., and the two bikes together weight 214 lbs. This puts me at 279 lbs. which is 17 lbs. over my tongue weight. My question is will 17 lbs. over matter much? If so, any suggestions on how to increase my tongue weight capacity?

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[Squirrel13]

I would think 17#, while over the limit, is within the safety margin but I’m not an engineer. On my F350 paranoia drove me to buy the 3” hitch instead of using a reducer sleeve.

 

[Brian_B]

You probably won’t break anything with bicycles at 17 lbs over. But that’s a medium-sized “probably”. It’s not like your 269 lbs is entirely at the outer radius of your hitch extension, so good odds are are actually within spec, but… there’s calculus involved and I’m not that smart.

The easiest solution would be to throw the spare in the back, or up on a rack, or leave it at home, and use a bike rack that pulls in closer to the body of the Bronco. (You may have already done this, hard to tell based on your photo)

Or take front tire or something off the bikes to reduce their weight.

Past that you are looking at probably welding something to your frame - not easy

 

[Tilzbow]

Get and install the Bronco Raptor hitch supports. There was a thread on here a while back about you might be able to fInd. I’ll look for it and if I find it will add to this thread.

Edit: I’d also get some nylon webbing cinch straps and secure the bike rack to the Bronco’s recovery points under each side of the bumper. That’ll keep side to side movement of the rack to a minimum. See pic on the right for an example.

 

[Tilzbow]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/bronco-raptor-hitch-diy-install-with-pictures.54556/page-3

the thread on the hitch upgrade. May or may not actually increase tongue weight but surely won’t hurt anything but your wallet

Another option is a stout aftermarket rear bumper with an integrated hitch.

 

[JodyT]

You probably won’t break anything with bicycles at 17 lbs over. But that’s a medium-sized “probably”. It’s not like your 269 lbs is entirely at the outer radius of your hitch extension, so good odds are are actually within spec, but… there’s calculus involved and I’m not that smart.

The easiest solution would be to throw the spare in the back, or up on a rack, or leave it at home, and use a bike rack that pulls in closer to the body of the Bronco. (You may have already done this, hard to tell based on your photo)

Or take front tire or something off the bikes to reduce their weight.

Past that you are looking at probably welding something to your frame - not easy

My spare is still attached. I may have to leave the spare at home like you said.

 

[JodyT]

Get and install the Bronco Raptor hitch supports. There was a thread on here a while back about you might be able to fInd. I’ll look for it and if I find it will add to this thread.

Edit: I’d also get some nylon webbing cinch straps and secure the bike rack to the Bronco’s recovery points under each side of the bumper. That’ll keep side to side movement of the rack to a minimum. See pic on the right for an example.

Good idea on the straps to minimize side to side movement.

 

[Fordified1]

Fabricator welder here.
After examining my hitch and mounting of it, the main thing that makes the hitch weak is the cross-member it’s bolted to is pretty thin and could potentially twist like a pretzel with enough weight and leverage on it (extended hitch). Obviously the closer the ball is to that cross-member the stronger the assembly will be.
The good thing however is I don’t believe it will just all of a sudden snap off. It will probably start to sag before it breaks. Of course that depends on what kind of steel that cross-member’s made out of and how well it is welded (or bolted) to the outer frame rails. I need to go back look at that I guess.

Some of the aftermarket rear bumpers actually bolt to the stock bumper mounts AND that hitch mounting also, and that would stiffen it up some. But you won’t get any of them to admit if it helps with your tow rating or tongue weight limit, because they don’t want to be liable for saying it will tow more than the rating.

 

[buzzcutt2]

No real contribution here...other than the QUIKR rack is the best bike rack I've ever owned.

 

[JodyT]

No real contribution here...other than the QUIKR rack is the best bike rack I've ever owned.

Totally agree.

 

[Soulstice]

Tagging in here. If the tongue weight of an aftermarket hitch is 650lbs, is that believable? I just want to hitch up my e-bike and or a cooler rack. I’m just curious what the actual cross member weight limit is? The hitch could be 1000lbs tongue rating but what is the actual limit of that thin Swiss cheese cross member? I need to end up with about 180lbs after all the extensions and racks etc, and I’m hoping to get there with the blue ox and as little added attachments, really I guess I’m looking for a flat out yes or no it’s possible.

 

[Alassise]

Remove the batteries from the bikes, that should give you the weight you are looking for. If that doesn't work, add helium to the bike tires. I wouldn't worry either way.

 

[TruckCamper]

I have a 2023 4-dr Outer Banks, 2.7L with a Curt 13493 class III hitch installed. The hitch has a tongue weight capacity of 350 lbs. I have a 7 inch extension on it to clear the spare which I have read reduces the tongue weight by 25%. I have read longer extenders reduce it by 50%. So, 350 lbs. reduced by 25% gives me about a 262 lbs. max tongue weight. I haul two e-bikes on a bike rack. The rack weighs 65 lbs., and the two bikes together weight 214 lbs. This puts me at 279 lbs. which is 17 lbs. over my tongue weight. My question is will 17 lbs. over matter much? If so, any suggestions on how to increase my tongue weight capacity?

No.... Extending the hitch WILL NOT reduce the tongue weight. It is the exact same weight.

But it WILL create additional leverage which is BAD for the weak hitch design. Essentially it will become a longer lever to try and twist the crossmember mount.

Just remove the spare tire and ditch the extensions. Carry a tire plug kit and air compressor. Much less weight and you'll be able to repair most issues. Plus your swing gate will thank you.

 

[OBXBRONCO]

Any idea which aftermarket bumpers attach to the bumper mounting points as well as the hitch mounting points. That sounds like a good way to strengthen my sagging rear rack.

 

[Fordified1]

Any idea which aftermarket bumpers attach to the bumper mounting points as well as the hitch mounting points. That sounds like a good way to strengthen my sagging rear rack.

@Stinkyfab. Not sure who else.

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