Hitch Vertical Weight Limit

[prism7118]

Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone knows the vertical weight limit for the hitch receiver (such as a hitch receiver bike rack). For example, the Tesla Model X limit is 120 pounds and the Model Y is 160 pounds despite having much higher max tongue weight limits. From what I have read, the physics of a free hanging vertical load are much different than the tongue weight of a trailer which is why the vertical weight limit is much lower than the max tongue weight. I searched the forums and the manual without avail. Anyone know the official vertical weight limits (for both R1S and R1T)?

Thanks!

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[Donald Stanfield]

The hitch on the R1T is a class 4 so use those ratings. I could be wrong, but a class 4 is rated for over 500lbs tongue weight.

 

[Zoidz]

I have never heard of this being different before so I did a little research. Tesla appears to be the ONLY manufacturer that declares a difference between vertical weight and tongue weight. It seems that they believe the weight dynamics of a trailer (tongue weight) vs a bike rack (vertical weight in their terminology) are different and that the bike rack puts more stress on the hitch, presumably due to the torque created by the rack since it is not supported like a trailer with wheels would be. This could be a function of how the Tesla hitch is attached to the vehicle and perhaps excessive torque moment on it is a concern.

Every non-Tesla discussion defines or implies tongue weight and vertical weight are the same thing….?

Personally, I would ignore the Tesla concerns with respect to Rivian. The Rivian will laugh at the load created by a 4 bike rack.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I think for the Rivian you shouldn't worry about it. I had a 562 lbs motorcycle on a rack and didn't notice any deflection. Full disclosure though, I didn't end up driving with it up there because the rack itself felt too flimsy and needed reinforcement.

 

[prism7118]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. It's interesting that Tesla is the only one who really differentiates the two scenarios. They must have skimped on something structurally with their hitch hardware.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. It's interesting that Tesla is the only one who really differentiates the two scenarios. They must have skimped on something structurally with their hitch hardware.

Generally the concern is you have a lot more leverage on the hitch when it's cargo vs a trailer.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. It's interesting that Tesla is the only one who really differentiates the two scenarios. They must have skimped on something structurally with their hitch hardware.

Can’t speak to the Y, but on the X it’s because of how the hitch connects. Instead of sliding into the receiver tube, it’s grabbed on vertically with the ball bearings. You like it up and slam it in for it to lock into place.

 

[teddyang]

The hitch on the R1T is a class 4 so use those ratings. I could be wrong, but a class 4 is rated for over 500lbs tongue weight.

I think it's a class 5 hitch?

https://rivian.com/support/article/what-type-of-tow-hitch-do-rivian-vehicles-come-with

 

[usofrob]

It looks like class 4 only goes up to 10,000 pounds. So, it makes sense that it's class 5. But the max tongue weight for a class 5 is really high, like 2,000-2,500 pounds. What's Rivian's max tongue weight?

 

[DirtyJester]

I have always been told that a general rule of thumb for tongue weight is 10-20% of towing capacity. Depending on who you ask lol

 

[cohall]

I came across this article today, which I found interesting.

https://www.torquenews.com/11826/te...tch-controversy-says-11000-lb-tow-rating-isnt

Apparently, the vertical load limit for a Cybertruck is only 160 lbs for a bike rack, and less than 400lbs for a motorcycle carrier. I'm not a Cybertruck basher, but that seems like terrible engineering to me. You can't even carry many dirt bikes on a carrier for a truck that has 11,000 lbs towing capacity.

Has anyone found what the R1T or R1S official vertical limits are?

 

[Dark-Fx]

Has anyone found what the R1T or R1S official vertical limits are?

I haven't found the unofficial limits yet either.

.

 

[Zoidz]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. It's interesting that Tesla is the only one who really differentiates the two scenarios. They must have skimped on something structurally with their hitch hardware.

Yes, they did skimp on something structurally - Aluminum vs. steel.

Steel - Tensile strength = 60,000+ lbs; Yield strength = 36,000 psi.
Alum - Tensile strength = 13,000 lbs to maybe 43,000 lbs; Yield strength = 5,800 to maybe 15,000 psi.

We don't know the specific grade of aluminum, whether it is heat treated, etc. But it's clear that aluminum is not as strong as steel - most people know that by practical exxperience.

To clarify the issue, since a trailer uses a ball that rotates, the net tongue force is essentially vertical pressing down, and in horizontal tension when pulling. There is essentially no torque moment (lever or twisting force) on the hitch.

With a bike rack, since it is fixed to the hitch, it can be represented as a lever applying rotational torque to the receiver/frame. The difference in material strength becomes important.

 

[Dark-Fx]

With a bike rack

I have some recent experience with aluminum fatigue.

i

 

[BrianB]

The idea that “vertical weight” is different than tongue weight makes no sense. It’s as if tongue weight wasn’t the vertical force on the hitch ball.

Now if your bike rack weight is farther back than where a hitch ball would be, the weight on that rack would need to be less, to account for leverage.

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