• Compact cars can typically tow loads weighing up to 1,000 lbs. to 1,500 lbs. gross load.
  
• Large Rear Wheel Drive cars and minivans can be tow rated up to 3,500 lbs.
  
• Light Duty pickup trucks and SUVs can be tow rated up to 5,000 lbs
  
• Special Heavy Duty Pickups and SUVs with heavy duty tow packages can be tow rated up to 8,000 lbs.
• Dually pickups with Fifth wheel or Goose neck tow packages can be rated to tow 10,000 lbs. or even more.
  
  

Hitches are rated for TWO Critical Weight Units, gross towing weight (GTW) and tongue weight Limit (TW). With the many receiver hitch accessories available today you should be sure you know not only what the LOAD LIMIT you can tow is BUT how much the weight limit is you can safely place on the tongue of the hitch. The following chart shows classes and general weight ranges of those classes. ALWAYS consult a dealer of your vehicle and or hitch brand to know what is correct for YOUR set up!

Many motorcycle, small utility, and boat trailers can be towed with small vehicles and a class I or II hitch. Larger utility and Big Bike motorcycle trailers requite a full size tow vehicle with a class II or larger hitch. Motorcycle towing set ups such, as the Motorcycle Caddy and dirt bike carriers like our Bike Lift require a 2 inch receiver hitch with minimum 500 lbs. tongue weight limit AND a large, Heavy Duty set up tow vehicle (no cars or mini-vans),    NOTHING LESS    will do. Bumper mounted trailer balls (like some rentals) are NOT recommended by Motorcycletrailer.com to tow anthing we sell. Always consult a local factory dealer, or reputable shop that installs hitches to determine your trailer hitch needs.

Trailer Loading and Tongue Weight
Trailer tongue weight (TW) is the amount of downward weight on the tongue. The tongue weight should be 10 to 15% of the total trailer weight. For example, a trailer with a gross weight of 1500 lbs. should have the load evenly distributed so that the tongue weight is 150 to 225 lbs.Too much tail weight may cause the trailer to weave back and forth becoming the trailer wagging the dog. Too much tongue weight can damage the hitch, as well as lower the rear and raise the front of the tow car. This condition will cause your vehicle to handle sloppy and brake much slower. Load the heaviest cargo on the trailer floor in front of the axle. A front to rear balance of 60% to 65% should provide a good tongue weight to pull smoothly. NEVER load a trailer for a negative or very neutral tongue weight as this can actually act to shove the rear of the tow car up during heavy breaking.

Hitch Height
Any trailer should sit close to level when atrtached to the tow car. Hitch height is measured from the ground to the base of the trailer ball. Typical hitch height to the ball should be around 15 to 18 inches. If the trailer coupler is too low or too high, our RHOST1 (Receiver Hitch Offset Tube) can be used to adjust the hitch height up or down.

Every Time You Couple a Trailer

• Always inspect the hitch and tongue for cracks before towing a trailer.
  The trailer ball should be lightly greased.
• The safety chains should be long enough for tight turns and be crossed for better handling in case of a hitch or coupler failure. The safety chains should not drag on the ground for they can wear to an unsafe condition in a very short time.
• The lighting hookup wire should have enough slack for tight corners yet not drag on the ground. Petroleum based grease should not be applied to plastic electrical connectors such as 4-pin flat plugs. If a water seal or lubricant is required, use silicone grease.
• Check lug nut tightness before each trip. The lug nuts should be approximately 90 ft. lbs.or very tight with a small to medium size lug wrench. Also recheck any wheel that has been removed and replaced after towing 25 to 50 miles. Do not drive a loaded trailer with a missing lug nut or damaged lug bolt. Wheel lug nuts are usually tightened evenly in a star pattern for 5 lug wheels or a cross pattern for 4 lug wheels, crossing over to opposite sides as you work around the wheel.
  

Wheel Bearing Maintenance
Trailer wheel bearings or axle bearings should be greased every six months and before long trips. It is a good idea to check them occasionally on long trips, especially when hauling a heavy load. Do this by carefully feeling the hub for excessive heat. Caution: If the bearing is adjusted too tight or is running without grease it can get VERY hot! A hot bearing needs immediate attention. Most often either more grease or proper adjustment will ease the problem, but replacement may be necessary.

Note: Boat trailers are a particular source of wheel bearing problems as they are often put in and out of the water. A warm bearing that is suddenly cooled by being immersed in water tends to suck water into the inside as the air cools and shrinks. The water causes the bearings to rust and fail. Spring-loaded pressurized bearing protectors help to eliminate this problem.

Trailer Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) Rating
Trailer springs, axles, tires and chassis are all rated for a total maximum weight. The gross vehicle weight is the empty trailer plus the deck, box sides, stake sides, and everything that is attached to or inside of the trailer. For instance, if the GVW rating is 1,600 lbs. and the empty trailer weighs 400 lbs., a properly loaded cargo of 1,200 lbs.may safely be towed in this trailer.

Titling and Registration of a trailer that is assembled from any kit is required in most states. Some states, in a few cases, may even require a physical inspection by the DMV or Highway Patrol to complete registration. All trailers offered direct by Motorcycletrailer.com will ship factory direct to you and include a Mnaufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO). This paperwork includes a Federal Vehicle Identification Number to ensure the new owner can take title from their state of residence.
All use taxes and fees relating to trailer title and registration are the responsibility of the trailer buyer.

Trailer registration requirements and vehicle code interpretations vary widely from state to state, and even between counties within some states. For specific information, contact your local county or state licensing authority. For your convienience, we have posted a state DMV links table below