Dual motorcycle carrier (hitch mounted) experience

[clubber]

I put this carrier on my new 4Runner a took a short 6 mile trip to my local riding area. Everything worked fine until I got home, unloaded the bikes and removed the carrier. My 4runner insisted I had a trailer hooked up with nothing in the receiver. I had to put the carrier back on, drive a short distance until prompted "is there a new trailer" after answering the question I could remove the carrier and everything was back to normal.

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[4Runner-Dan]

That's a lot of mass hanging off the back. My bike (311 lbs) and carrier (94 lbs) tends to compromise the high speed dynamic handling of my '25 4Runner.

 

[4RunnerTony]

I guess my Harley would be too heavy. I will have to get a motorcycle trailer if I want to take it with me.

 

[clubber]

Yes, I do drive differently. I will probably try it again this weekend and maybe get more experience and info if it is something I will keep doing or if I will just break down and a buy a trailer.

 

[AmericanAdventureLab]

Ours did the same thing after towing our ATK once, I believe it went away after shutting it down for a while.

 

[Darkchief22]

I put this carrier on my new 4Runner a took a short 6 mile trip to my local riding area. Everything worked fine until I got home, unloaded the bikes and removed the carrier. My 4runner insisted I had a trailer hooked up with nothing in the receiver. I had to put the carrier back on, drive a short distance until prompted "is there a new trailer" after answering the question I could remove the carrier and everything was back to normal.

Theres a TSB out for this. Toyota has to reprogram it to work properly

 

[EL616]

That looks like a hell of a lot of weight putting a hell of a lot of torque on the hitch. Recommended max hitch weight for a TRD Pro would be around 600 pounds, and that's not really accounting for the weight being that far back from the leverage point -- every bump you go over has got to be putting some serious downward force on your hitch. Regardless of any electronic issues with the trailer detection I would not feel comfortable with that setup on a 4runner and would definitely suggest a proper trailer.

 

[clubber]

Those are my same fears. My TRD Pro is supposed to be a class IV hitch and the Black Widow carrier is suggested for class III or IV. I have friends that have been using SINGLE carriers for years and no problems but, like you said it really seems like a lot of force. I don't think I would trust this set up on a long road trip.

 

[clubber]

Theres a TSB out for this. Toyota has to reprogram it to work properly

Yes, I heard that. I only have 500 miles on it so far and I know my dealership will take care of me.

 

[Vincenzo]

That looks like a hell of a lot of weight putting a hell of a lot of torque on the hitch. Recommended max hitch weight for a TRD Pro would be around 600 pounds, and that's not really accounting for the weight being that far back from the leverage point -- every bump you go over has got to be putting some serious downward force on your hitch. Regardless of any electronic issues with the trailer detection I would not feel comfortable with that setup on a 4runner and would definitely suggest a proper trailer.

Get your popcorn ready. I anticipate a Toyota QC bash thread when hitches start bending

 

[EL616]

Nah, not at all. I've been running dirt bikes off my SUV's for years like this. That's about 350-400 MAX that he's got on the back, far less than the 600 lbs you cite. Those hitches are fine and on a solid truck like the 4-Runner, it's absolutely fine. I do like to run it as close as possible to rear fender if possible just because.

Yeah but again it's more the weight being farther back that puts exponentially more downforce than a single bike closer to the hitch, especially hitting bumps. I'd be more comfortable carrying 600lbs close to the hitch than 400+lbs on a six foot long lever. Might be totally fine, might not be. One of those things that works great right up until it suddenly doesn't. I'd still be hesitant, but it's not my truck.

 

[EL616]

The heavier of the two bikes is closest to the vehicle. The second bike (green) isn't a heavy bike. Your mind is playing tricks on you, in that, all that mass looks unsettling. The hitch and the bike carrier are both strong enough to handle this load, as is the 4-Runner.

Where do you feel the point of failure might be?

I understand he has the weight distributed as best he can (heavier bike closer to the leverage point), but even a single 100-pound bike 6 feet back from the hitch creates more torque on the receiver than a single 400-pound bike only a foot or two back. The length of the cantilever increases the torque and bending force in direct proportion to the distance, and every bump in the road can easily 2x or 3x that. Not to mention the load shift from your front to rear axle and the traction and steering implications.

It's like holding a heavy dumbbell right by your chest versus holding it straight out at arm's length. Which one is harder and puts way more strain on your shoulder? Now jump up and down while you do it.

 

[EL616]

Couple of thoughts I'll share. First, there's no arguing your points, however, having done this on many vehicles (carrying dirt bikes on the back using the receiver hitch), in my experience, regardless of vehicle, they have all driven/handled surprising well - at speed, through twisty canyons, elevation, etc. I can't speak on behalf of the OP, but for me, it's never posed a challenge. My 2002 Hylander did drive a bit light in the front, but it always had this tendency. The bike carries and hitches can handle the loads this much I can attest to.

I believe you -- like I said though, it's one of those things that'll be fine right up until the moment it suddenly isn't. Hopefully that moment never comes, but it's worth understanding that you are in fact well over the stated load capacity and your bikes and any drivers behind you are incurring some degree of risk . Do whatever you want with your own toys, but the physics are the physics.

 

[EL616]

You should spend some time on the 5 freeway in Socal. Trucks packed to gill....Stuff flies off and onto the freeway all the time - ladders, etc. You are as passionate about this topic as I am about people that don't secure their dogs in their vehicles.

The existence of trash on the freeway doesn't make me any more inclined to risk both my 4Runner's structural integrity and my motorcycles simultaneously, but you do you. I just thought I'd state for the record, since other users asked, that a 100lb bike on a 6 foot cantilever is in fact putting 600lbs of force on your hitch just by itself, without accounting for bumps. There was misinformation so I corrected it. Do with it what you will.

 

[EL616]

I'm not cranky in the slightest dude, I just understand physics and thought the other users in this thread might benefit from some basic understanding as well. Have a good one.

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