I am trying to determine how the tongue weight rating affects the weight capacity for a hitch mounted bike carrier. I own a 2010 2-door sport with 3.21 axle ratio.
I understand that for towing the axle ratio primarily determines the tow capacity for the vehicle. The owners manual states for a 2-door sport model with 3.21 axle ratio the towing capacity 1000lbs with a tongue rating of 100lbs. For the exact same model with a 3.73 axle ratio the towing capacity is 2000lbs with a 200lb tongue weight rating. It seems to me that the tongue rating should also be based on the frame and suspension design. I don't see how the axle ratio should affect the tongue rating of the vehicle when all the other vehicle design characteristics are exactly identical. I know that a bike carrier is somewhat of a special case in that the vehicle isn't being used to pull a trailer but the tongue rating is the key factor when determining how much weight can be put on the carrier without affecting the steerability of the vehicle. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience on this?
I understand that for towing the axle ratio primarily determines the tow capacity for the vehicle. The owners manual states for a 2-door sport model with 3.21 axle ratio the towing capacity 1000lbs with a tongue rating of 100lbs. For the exact same model with a 3.73 axle ratio the towing capacity is 2000lbs with a 200lb tongue weight rating. It seems to me that the tongue rating should also be based on the frame and suspension design. I don't see how the axle ratio should affect the tongue rating of the vehicle when all the other vehicle design characteristics are exactly identical. I know that a bike carrier is somewhat of a special case in that the vehicle isn't being used to pull a trailer but the tongue rating is the key factor when determining how much weight can be put on the carrier without affecting the steerability of the vehicle. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience on this?