Hey guys im sorry if i posted this in the wrong place but im really trying to find out what the tongue capacity for my 87 Iroc. Does anyone know?

and if its under 250 pounds is there any way to increase it such as using springs or shocks to prevent sagging?

 

I doubt there is a specified limit. I hope it is under 250 lbs. My S15 says the max tongue load is 200 lbs, with a 2000 lbs max trailer weight, and that is just with the bumper. With a unibody car, I would definitely try to not exceed that.

I wouldn't put more than about 200 lbs tongue load on it unless you want to really reinforce the subframe.

 

Hey thank,

What im trying to do is put my 200 pound dirt bike on the back and with the bike carrier it would be a total of 250 pounds. how do i reinforce the subframe?

Thx

 

Tongue weight should always be no more than 10% of the maximum towing capacity. A 250 load plus maybe a 200 pound trailer is 450 pounds. If the load is positioned properly, the tongue weight should be no more than 45 pounds.

How much can a third gen tow? I think most cars including the f-body have a 1000 pound towing capacity. This means the maximum allowable tongue weight is 100 pounds. This allows the majority of cars to haul small utility trailers and maybe small campers or boat trailers.

Cars are not built like they once were. Find a full size car from the 60's or early 70's and they could tow more than today's small trucks.

 

With a 250 lbs trailer you will probably have less than 100 lbs tongue load.

 

No the bike carrier is not a trailer, it sits right on the hitch so it would need to be 250 pounds on the tongue itself.

what can i do to allow my camaro to do this.

Not able to afford a truck. so this would need to happen.

 

Then it's not a tongue weight. It's a total load capacity. With that much weight on the back of the car, you can't carry much else including passengers.

 

If you try to exceed the 250lb weight limit on the hitch I think you are going to use. It will twist itself! I had one of those receiver type ones on my 84 trans am made of like 1-1/2 square bar right? Don't try to exceed it's limit!

The only way to increase tongue weight capacity is with a higher capacity hitch "not suspension mods" !!!! I don't know what you are intending on pulling with the car but I once dollied my 82 vette with that hitch out of necessity it really was stressed even doing that! ... A small jet ski trailer/motorcycle trailer would be fine though. But ALWAYS check the bolts on the hitch they always loosen after awhile of use.

 

seems like you will need to build your self a receiver hitch to suit your needs make sure you have a 2" not 1-1/4" your best bet is buy a small trailer

 

We shoot for between 12-15%. Below 10% and you are just asking for trailer sway. Especially with 8000lbs loads.

Anyway, the class 1 receiver available for a thirdgen camaro has a max load rating of 200lbs, so even if the car had a higher rating you would be overweight at the hitch. Don't do it.

-- Joe

 

OK woah. First of all im not using trailers!!!! i have no place to out one. I leave my yz 250 at my friends place. so i would HAVE to use a bike an AMC 400 bike carrier.

Next. I have to have a minimum of Class II recieiver. It must be 2 inches because of the carrier that attaches to it.

This is what I am trying to do...
http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle-carrier.htm


So if I get a class II hitch on the back of my car that can hold more then 250 pounds of weight on the tongue NOT trailer, I can carry my bike with out any damage to my car? (not counting bike scratches)

 

I'd say don't do it.. Actually, I'm saying don't do it. I think the class II is beyond the capability of the towing vehicle. I think if you can find an owners manual to prove me wrong, that would be good in your favor. I suggest you try the history board ?

The car HAS a towing specification, I'm not sure what it is. I'm not all that comfortable putting a dirt bike on one of those carriers even if it's within spec.

-- Joe

 

I would tow it with my car. But I would position the load so there was as little tongue weight as possible. I would try to rig it so there was no more than 150lb on the hitch.
These cars don't like a lot of weight in or on their back ends.

 

I don't think you will find a class2 for the car anyways. It's a liability factor to whoever installs or sells it. You best bet and probably only other choice is to beef up a class1.

The reason its rated to 250lbs is look how it's mount using 4 of the bumper bolts that thread into those thin clip on things. Then it bolts into the frame rails. I honestly towed a 21 foot bayliner open bow with it a few times and it was brutal on the car. If that u-haul hitch did that if you were to brace it and weld in a 2 inch receiver it would hold that motorcycle fine.

Nowadays even when you say rent from u-haul they ask you what you hauling on their equipment and what the tow vehicle is and enter it into their computers to see is it is safe to do and if it's not the wont rent to you.

I also think the class1 is rated to 1K gross weight and 150lbs tongue weight. I actually just installed a class3 on my mini van and I can tell you the f-body class1 is a paper weight compared to a class3

 

Ok well it seems ill be calling U Haul tomorrow and see what they can do for me, im not renting. I want to mount that hitch on permanently. and it needs to be a 2 inch receiver so I dont know if a class (I) would have that.

I really think its doable. Seeing how the tongue weight is determined by the hitch you place on the car. And since they dont make class 2 for the iroc, i may have to get one custom made and installed.