GreenHybrid Interactive Hybrid Car Resource
Home Discuss Articles Compare Share Shop
GreenHybrid.com   Hybrid Car Forums   Tech Information   Mileage & Specs   Photo Gallery   Buying Guide  
GreenHybrid Mileage Database - Click here to track your MPG! Join Hybrid car discussions today - Create a FREE GreenHybrid Account

Go Back   GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars > Hybrid Cars > Ford Motor Company > Ford Escape Hybrid

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 02-16-2008, 05:37 PM
Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Westin
Location: Cuyahoga Falls, Oh
Hybrids: 2008 Ford Escape
Posts: 5
Default Hauling a dirt bike

I'm looking to haul my dirt bike with my FEH and was thinking about getting a hitch hauler instead of a trailer. Something like this: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...131&hasJS=true

My bike weight about 340. Any thought or help would be much appreciated.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 02-16-2008, 07:36 PM
Active Enthusiast
 
Hybrids: 2008 Escape Hybrid
Posts: 210
Default Re: Hauling a dirt bike

Technically this will work. However, I'm not sure how happy you would be with it. The weight limit (tongue) for a Class II hitch is 350 lbs so you should go to a Class III hitch for this carrier. You would be putting all that weight cantilevered off the rear end. My guess is it would feel like you had 1000 lbs in the back seat.

If I were doing this, I would get a lightweight utility trailer (less than $500). I think it would be easier handling and give you a lot more flexibility in what you could do with it.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 02-17-2008, 04:12 PM
Active Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Ken Etcheson
Location: Louisville, KY
Hybrids: 08 FEH AWD
Posts: 193
Default Re: Hauling a dirt bike

Quote:
Originally Posted by KenG View Post
Technically this will work. However, I'm not sure how happy you would be with it. The weight limit (tongue) for a Class II hitch is 350 lbs so you should go to a Class III hitch for this carrier. You would be putting all that weight cantilevered off the rear end. My guess is it would feel like you had 1000 lbs in the back seat.

If I were doing this, I would get a lightweight utility trailer (less than $500). I think it would be easier handling and give you a lot more flexibility in what you could do with it.
KenG makes some good points. As a long time RV'er, and a pilot, Weight & balance, Weight Moment, and Center of Gravity, are all important. The 350lb. weight by itself doesn't sound like much, but the class III hitch would be the only one I would consider. The relatively long WB on the FEH compared to the overall length wouldn't make the 'moment' too terribly bad. Moment is easy - the further back the weight is, the heavier it is (like picking up a hammer or axe from the end of the handle).

I wouldn't be too concerned doing this for short/infrequent trips, but for long duration or frequent intervals, I like KenG's suggestion to use a lightweight utility trailer. Using that same analogy, I cut/haul a lot of firewood, and I use a Ford Ranger 3.0L V6 engine, manual tranny with a Class III hitch. I load up my 5' X 8' utility axle utility trailer REAL heavy, but I only do it maybe 5 times a year, and only get wood in the local vicinity, so it's not like driving hundreds of miles with this extra strain on the engine/drivetrain.

Consider your total usage and choose accordingly.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Similar Threads
Thread Topic Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Hauling bike? Backseat? Trunk? trip221 Honda Civic Hybrid 10 12-21-2007 09:15 PM
Best for MPG -- Roof rack or Tow Hitch Mounted Rack? GeekGal Ford Escape Hybrid 9 05-25-2006 07:36 AM
HCH2 with a trailer hitch and bike rack Sledge Honda Civic Hybrid 9 04-23-2006 11:49 PM
Can you fit a road bike in the 2k6 HCH? Sledge Honda Civic Hybrid 12 01-04-2006 12:03 PM
another bike rack question berkshires Toyota Prius 4 10-03-2005 03:48 AM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:49 AM.


Home | Hybrid Discussion Forums | Hybrid Articles Archive | Mileage Database | Hybrid Photo Galleries | Compare Vehicles
Terms of Service - Privacy Policy - Advertising
GreenHybrid.com, Copyright 2008
InternetBrands.com Automotive Network

SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51