[Gunman9]

Hi all,

Been a while but bought a new 2017 Honda Rancher 420 4x4 and would like to put a cargo carrier on it to haul corn and other hunting stuff to my feeders. I was looking at the STRONG 2" receiver hitch and the 300lb cargo carrier from HF. My question is what is the weight capacity as far as maxing out the receiver hitch? Strong said they do not test for that and do not have an answer. I know the tow weight is 850lbs and the tongue weight is 30lbs on the stock hitch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[SamUK]

I would stick to manufacturers recommendations, at least until your warranty is up. You'll get away with more but is it worth voiding your warranty if something were to happen?

The general rule of thumb is, can you stop the weight your towing....? If you can't then it's to heavy. If you can't stop it, don't tow it.

 

[mrbb]

typically you don't want to have more than 20% of the MAX tow rating on the hitch on a truck, on an ATV I would go even lighter, they are NOT made to use hitch haulers, the leverage they extend on things can do damage rather easy all the more so when you get that weight going in a bounce from driving over un even ground
your 150% better off with getting a small tow behind trailer
not to mention your approach and departure angle will be almost nothing with that sticking out behind the atv.

that or just stick your corn in bags and haul on your rear rack, I have hauled 300 plus lbs countless times (keeping weight over the axle),it sure sags the suspension, but it not going to bend things like a hitch hauler might and do damage to your drive train, frame or rear drive!

 

[Gunman9]

typically you don't want to have more than 20% of the MAX tow rating on the hitch on a truck, on an ATV I would go even lighter, they are NOT made to use hitch haulers, the leverage they extend on things can do damage rather easy all the more so when you get that weight going in a bounce from driving over un even ground
your 150% better off with getting a small tow behind trailer
not to mention your approach and departure angle will be almost nothing with that sticking out behind the atv.

that or just stick your corn in bags and haul on your rear rack, I have hauled 300 plus lbs countless times (keeping weight over the axle),it sure sags the suspension, but it not going to bend things like a hitch hauler might and do damage to your drive train, frame or rear drive!

Thanks for the info. I would go this route but I have a QuadBoss Weekender mounted on the rear rack for the GF. I wouldnt haul anything over 150lbs in corn or the weight of a deer. Do you think that would pose a problem if I went that route? Thought this would be an easy solution to a problem.

 

[mrbb]

I honestly wouldn;t use one, if for no other reason, than the huge loss in approach and departure angle, would be dragging that carrier even in small dips
then think, if in snow or muddy roads/trails, everything in it will be slopped up to no end, same with a dead deer in it?
and I wouldn;t want to be stressing the hitch like that with leverage
think of holding a brick in your hand, close to your body! and then extend your arm all the way out and hold it there?, bug difference in weight and stress, and that's just a small brick? and not being bounced and all on the end of things?

a trailer would be a much better idea if you ask me?

 

[alloutdoors]

Hi all,

Been a while but bought a new 2017 Honda Rancher 420 4x4 and would like to put a cargo carrier on it to haul corn and other hunting stuff to my feeders. I was looking at the STRONG 2" receiver hitch and the 300lb cargo carrier from HF. My question is what is the weight capacity as far as maxing out the receiver hitch? Strong said they do not test for that and do not have an answer. I know the tow weight is 850lbs and the tongue weight is 30lbs on the stock hitch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I would stay away from the 2" receiver approach because 300 lbs leveraged, 2' feet away coupled to lateral movements from side to side is very likely going to destroy the machine, IMO. I would suggest consider getting a nice small trailer to transport that much corn or figuring out a safe way to put on the front and rear rack, likely multiple trips.

 

[SamUK]

We tow 1/2 ton of horse muck to the muck heap at least 20 times a day during the breeding season, the season is roughly 5/6months long. The bosses 09 420 rancher has had two sets of OEM swing arm bearings during this season.
That gives you a good idea of possible damages and repairs due to neglect. The stock tow bracket is also twisted. I'm quite surprised that the axle hasn't bent and that the wheel/axle bearings have held up this long.
I've since advised him to upgrade to a foreman due to the rear ended being that little bit stronger and being able to cope with such abuse.

 

[creed82]

Hi all,

Been a while but bought a new 2017 Honda Rancher 420 4x4 and would like to put a cargo carrier on it to haul corn and other hunting stuff to my feeders. I was looking at the STRONG 2" receiver hitch and the 300lb cargo carrier from HF. My question is what is the weight capacity as far as maxing out the receiver hitch? Strong said they do not test for that and do not have an answer. I know the tow weight is 850lbs and the tongue weight is 30lbs on the stock hitch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Personally, I feel far more comfortable with pulling a small ATV trailer than the leverage and load on the trailer hitch itself. I have a 2016 Rancher. I think the hitch mechanism is strong, but I worry that would be excessive and I don't know where the weak point is in that rear axle/hitch. It would be horrendous if the axle itself broke, or the axle mounts rather than the hitch.