Tailgate down towing on a T@B 320 - with a dirt bike in the bed

You've likely considered tongue weight, right?

What about the radius for turning and backing up?

Twojgrams said:

You've likely considered this-increased cargo weight in the bed would lower the tongue weight, right? Thereby increasing the potential for sway if not compensated by increased cargo weight behind the Tab's axle? 

Umm, I don't agree with this at all.

The force the trailer applies downward on the hitch is not affected by how the tow vehicle is loaded with cargo.

Increased cargo weight behind the T@b's axle incrases the likelyhood of sway issues.  

@twojgrams    I think the whole tow weight capacity/ tongue weight issue is always a bit confusing.  I also tend to think that what is in the rear of the TV impacts tongue weight, but that is incorrect.  I did some digging and learned a better way to think about it.  

Too much weight on the tongue and hitch can bend the tongue and damage the hitch.  It can also effect how the TV handles by pushing down the back end of the TV, taking weight off the front and making steering difficult and potentially less braking power from the front brakes.  This is probably a bigger factor with front TV axle wheel drive TVs. Too light of tongue weight (seems to be a more common occurance) is what causes trailer sway and that is why we always talk about how we load our trailers and have a handy formula for tongue weight based on trailer weight (10-15% of trailer weight).

If you are using a weight distribution system, the weight behind the TV rear axle does count against the tongue weight limits of the hitch.

The TV GAWC and overall weight capacity, I think would be the limiting factor in this scenario.



Sharon

I carry my dirt bikes in the back of my 2001 Dodge Ram while towing our Outback.  I use a ratchet strap hooked through the tailgate cable to ratchet the tailgate up against the rear wheel of the dirt bikes as I don't want to mess with a removable tongue jack.

I've carried three dirt bikes, ramp, four gas cans, and riding gear in the bed of the truck while towing the Outback and I've never had any problems with turn radius issues, and no interference.  The load in the truck has no effect on the trailer tongue weight and I don't worry about it.

@SAM, thanks. I'm taking remedial gravity lessons from @rkj__ offline to get a grip, and to stop hijacking this thread from the question posed by @blackoaktree to whom I must apologize!

Bike as in motorbike.

blackoaktree said:

 I have a hunting trip next week that may inspire me to test off road capabilities of the Outback.

If you do, take some pictures or videos to share. 

I have thoughts in the back of my mind of taking our regular CS-S down some rough back roads, to access  some free camping on crown land.  I'm hoping to maybe go on a few scouting missions next year, to judge feasibility. 

That said, I can't seem to find any pictures or videos of people actually dragging a T@b Outback / Boondock over anything rougher than a smooth dirt road.  Where is the good You-Tube content at?

An old friend of mine did some gnarly stuff with his off road trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDYhGZdeWB8

@rkj__, is that Georgian Bay in the video? Nuts!

Have you considered just removing the tail gate from the truck? I know this is possible on most PU's.

@blackoaktree - is it just one dirt bike you are carrying?  I assume you have a mid-size pickup and not a full size?  On my full size pickup I can load one dirt bike on the driver's side of the bed, tie down the handlebars, then kick the rear wheel over to the right (passenger side) so the tail gate will close.  This only works if you are carrying only one bike, and if the bed of your truck is long enough.

What type of jack did you buy to replace the standard jack?

Telescoping trailer tongue option that includes  motorcycle rack that is released with the removal of one additional pin. Retracts to standard length to maintain DMV PTI no registration fee designation.

@Bill_F - please resize your photo.  Moderator