Using a MotoTote hitch carrier to haul your motorcycle is a highly efficient solution, but did you know you can also tow a trailer while using the carrier? With a simple addition of a hitch ball at the end of your MotoTote, you can combine your motorcycle transport with towing. However, there are essential guidelines to follow to ensure safety and performance. Here's what you need to know.

Can You Tow with a MotoTote?

Yes, it is possible to tow with a MotoTote hitch carrier, but there are key considerations that need to be made. The main thing to remember is that the MotoTote, your motorcycle, and the trailer must collectively stay within the weight limits of both your MotoTote and your vehicle.

Weight Capacity: MotoTote and Vehicle Ratings

The total weight capacity of the MotoTote is typically 600 lbs. This weight limit applies to the load on the MotoTote itself, which includes your motorcycle and any additional load from towing. For example, if your motorcycle weighs 400 lbs., you have 200 lbs. of capacity remaining. However, it’s important to note that this remaining capacity translates into tongue weight, not towing weight.

How Does Towing Capacity Work?

When converting the remaining 200 lbs. of weight capacity to towing capacity, you need to apply the standard towing guideline that translates tongue weight to total towing weight. For most towing setups, every 10 lbs. of tongue weight equates to approximately 100 lbs. of towing capacity. This means that with 200 lbs. of remaining MotoTote capacity, you could tow up to 2,000 lbs. (provided your vehicle’s towing capacity supports this).

Key Example:

• MotoTote capacity: 600 lbs.
• Motorcycle weight: 400 lbs.
• Remaining capacity for towing: 200 lbs.
• Translating to towing capacity: 200 lbs. = 2,000 lbs. of towing weight

In this scenario, you could tow a trailer weighing up to 2,000 lbs., as long as your vehicle can handle the combined weight of the motorcycle, MotoTote, and trailer.

Important Guidelines for Safe Towing:

1. Check Your Vehicle’s Towing Capacity: Your vehicle’s towing capacity should always be your first point of reference. It must be capable of towing the total weight, including the MotoTote, motorcycle, and trailer.

If your vehicle's towing capacity is less than 6,600 lbs, you wouldn't be able to fully utilize MotoTote's maximum weight capacity of 600 lbs. Let's break it down using an example:

For a vehicle with a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, we consider the tongue weight limit to be 10% of that - 500 lbs. Your MotoTote weighs 60 lbs, and let's say your motorcycle weighs 400 lbs. So, in total, your motorcycle and the MotoTote use up 460 lbs of the available 500 lbs. This leaves only 40 lbs of tongue weight buffer before reaching the vehicle's limit.

Since the MotoTote and the motorcycle together use 460 lbs of the available 500 lbs of weight capacity, that leaves only 40 lbs of remaining capacity before exceeding the vehicle’s limits. That translates to 400 lbs. of available capacity for towing because we are translating the tongue capacity back to towing capacity.

2. Do Not Exceed MotoTote’s Weight Capacity: Always ensure the combined weight of your motorcycle and the trailer's tongue weight does not exceed the MotoTote’s 600-lb limit. In the example above, this means the combined tongue weight must stay within the 200-lb capacity remaining after accounting for the motorcycle.

3. Proper Hitch Ball Installation: Make sure that the hitch ball is properly installed at the end of the MotoTote and is rated for the load you intend to tow. A secure hitch ball is crucial to avoid any accidents or mechanical failures while on the road.

4. Vehicle and MotoTote Alignment: Ensure that your vehicle is level with the MotoTote and that the carrier is not causing additional stress or uneven distribution of weight when towing a trailer.

Towing with a MotoTote hitch carrier is a great option for those looking to maximize their vehicle's hauling capacity, especially when bringing both a motorcycle and a trailer on an adventure. However, it’s critical to understand the weight limits of both your MotoTote and vehicle and adhere to all safety guidelines for a smooth and safe towing experience. With careful planning and proper setup, you’ll be able to safely transport your motorcycle and tow a trailer all in one go!

If you have any questions about how to set up your MotoTote for towing or need more guidance on weight capacities, feel free to reach out to us!