Trailer Hitch and Wiring for a 2011 Honda CR-V to Tow a Motorcycle on a Trailer  

Expert Reply:

Not at all. Tongue weight is the downward forced applied at the hitch receiver. Tongue weight is typically 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. So for example if a trailer weight 2,000 pounds total including cargo then the tongue weight would be around 200 to 300 pounds. I have linked a help article to the right that shows how to determine tongue weight.

However, even though the trailer hitch is rated for 350 pounds tongue weight, your 2011 Honda CR-V is rated lower, and you need to go by the lower rating. Check the owners manual to confirm but I am sure that the capacity of the CR-V is 1,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 150 pounds tongue weight.

But not to worry, depending on the trailer you could still easily tow the 550 pound motorcycle and be within the capacity of the vehicle.

But with 350 pounds or 150 pounds tongue weight capacity you would not be able to use a hitch mount carrier because it carries the full weight of the bike and carrier on the hitch and that would exceed the tongue weight capacity of the hitch and vehicle.

If you go with the Curt hitch # 13555 then you will also need a few other items to tow. I recommend etrailer ball mount kit # EBMK4. It comes with a ball mount with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop, interchangeable ball set, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag. If the ball mount kit does not have the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, use the link I have included to the right that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

For trailer wiring you can use # 118427. I have linked videos showing the hitch and wiring installations and several other helpful links on hitches and towing for you.