2007 Ford Escape rear hitch/Shock upgrade needed?

[CS1983]

I'm thinking about getting one of these: http://www.discountramps.com/ultimat...SABEgLeDPD_BwE

for my TW200. I had one before, but I had a Dodge Dakota long bed then, and it weighed down the rear more than I'd have liked.

This would be going on my Ford Escape w/ a typical Uhaul trailer hitch.

TW200's stock wet weight is ~279 pounds. I've done some stuff on mine, so let's call it 285.

My concern is it would weigh down the rear too much for stock shocks.

Anyone have any insight on if I'll *need* to upgrade rear shocks, or if I should be fine?

The bike will extend beyond the bumper by about 1.5 feet or so.

Thanks!

[Great-Kazoo]

How many miles on the stock ones? If over 50K they should be changed out.

[CS1983]

How many miles on the stock ones? If over 50K they should be changed out.

They might have been before I got the vehicle. I'll need to go through the paperwork. The previous owner was a very meticulous senior citizen. If the manual said clean steering wheel with a q-tip covered in rubbing alcohol at 23,987 miles, at 23,986 he was making sure he had q-tips and rubbing alcohol on hand.

[ray1970]

285 pounds? There are probably a couple of guys on the forum that weigh more than that. Would you feel the need to upgrade anything if one of them wanted to ride with you to the range?

What's the max tongue weight rating of your receiver?

[CS1983]

Class III hitch w/ 500 max tongue, according to Uhaul's numbers.

If one of our larger fellows on here wanted to ride to the range, I would expect them to be in a more evenly distributed weight position, not hanging 1.5-2 feet off of the back bumper.

[ray1970]

If one of our larger fellows on here wanted to ride to the range, I would expect them to be in a more evenly distributed weight position, not hanging 1.5-2 feet off of the back bumper.

Well you're just too nice. I'd make the guy ride on the back bumper.