I got the 50# from Post # 9 comment. A 4x8 U-Haul cargo trailer weighs 850# empty. If we add the items suggested in the first 5 posts, you will certainly have more than 200# of freight in addition to the trailer. Besides, that doesn't include things like clothes, cooler, food, camera, chairs, etc. Who ever brings less than they thought they would? They could go in the back seat, or more likely, in the trailer.

And anyway, t2d2, it sounds like you are just trying to be argumentative and trying to put down my total estimates. They are just estimates for thought, not rules.

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I don't know how you would raise your rear suspension on a temporary basis. However, some folks have noticed that their loads are best towed when the vehicle is level and the trailer is level. I usually try to keep my trailers level by adjusting the hitch ball height. As to hauling the tires upright. It's doable, but always harder than flat. The darn things keep wanting to roll around--imagine that! But of course, the tires would extend back almost as far upright as flat. All depends on how they fit on the rack. The tire diameter is probably 25-26" plus the distance from the bumper, plus whatever is behind the tires on the rack. Add in the wheel weight (~30#), and the tire weight (~22#), and the rack weight (25-60#) = 120 + 88 + 40 = 240# possibly. So off the bat, an estimate would be a hitch weight of 240#.
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I have adjustable coilovers that would be my way of temporarily raising the height. Leveling wouldn't be relevant for a cargo hitch I'd assume? Since there is not a pivot point. As far as placement of the wheels I intend to place them as you would see a spare on the back of a jeep (face of the wheel towards the rear). You are saying that it's hard? How so?

 

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Adjustable coil overs, that's good. As to vertically placed wheels, if you were to use a net to cover them, for example, you could limit the side, rolling motion, somewhat, but your base is the round bottom of the wheel. Round bottoms roll. Rolling back and forth tends to loosen tie downs. Flat bottoms don't roll. Depends a lot on the shape of your rack, too. If the tires slipped in like a pocket with rails on the sides, there would be no roll tendency. All cargo platforms are different in size, it seems. There is no standard other than needing a 2" receiver. Here are some options:
Hitch Cargo Carriers - Cargo Carriers - The Home Depot

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No, just trying to keep bad data out of the conversation.

 

Pyramid Stack

Oreo Stack

Size of ratchet straps


So my trip is coming up soon. I've installed a Class 1 1.25 CURT Hitch. I've installed a 18110 CURT Hitch Mounted Carrier along with ratchet straps.

I've test loaded the three wheels onto the carrier. They all managed to fit. Theres about a finger width gap between the wheel and fender still. I'm concerned on proper placement. I've attached pics with two positions I came up with.

The first one I plan on doing a hashtag securement # over the pyramid of wheels, maybe interlacing into the spokes.

The second option was to have them sit upright in the middle of the carrier, with the two sets of ratchet straps going directly across from left to right inside of the center caps. The second set of two ratchet straps would start from the bumper of the car to the end of the carrier but in a crossing form of an X through the center caps as well. So looking at it from above you will have this sort of shape =×=

Would anyone have input on the safest way to approach this? I'm looking at the second option as it might give a bit of extra room for any small luggage bags on each side.

 

I would do like the second pic, but with one full-width front and rear chock to keep them from rolling. If you can get a 2x4 cut length-wise at a 45 degree angle, that would probably work well. Secure it well to the expanded metal below, and the tires can't roll unless they somehow hop it, which shouldn't be possible once strapped down.

Run the ratchet straps through the wheels, not over the tires. The way you have it in the third pic, vibrations will encourage the straps to walk to the point of least tension ... right off the top of the tires. There's nothing to keep them in place on a round object, unless you create a basket strap where the opposing straps are actually connected to each other over the top.

Put a moving blanket between the wheels and the bumper to make sure they aren't rubbing the paint off.

 

So I did that formation, and placed a 1x4 to chock in the front. The rear is chocked by the grate/carrier edge itself. Is it normal to wobble when going over bumps? The wheels aren't wobbling themselves, its the entire cargo carrier. Or is it supposed to be stiff. I can and probably will google it but I'd figure I'd ask while I'm update this thread with a pic.

I'll definitely secure more straps before I go for an extra measure.

 

All hitch receivers have internal play, I assume to account for manufacturing tolerances and rust build-up, either of which could seize things up pretty bad. Some bike carriers have screw systems instead of regular hitch pins, to tension the stinger to one side of the receiver.

If it bothers you, you could probably just break off some cedar shims and tape over them to keep them in place for the trip. Shouldn't be too hard to remove later, as pulling the stinger out would release tension on them.

 

Late late night post but I've arrived in Southern California.

It was an amazing/horrible experience mostly amazing thought. Suprisingly the cargo hitch and tire load was never an issue, (thanks t2d2 and everyone who assisted with there knowledge) although I was almost stranded in Iowa because my starter wasnt firmly mounted (My fault on a rushed DIY). My magic drift lip fell off so I had to tie it back on.

Here are some images. Only from Utah and Colorado cause everything else was corn and desert.

 

Glad you made it ok!! That thing looks sick with the rack on the back.

 

Like a giant wheelie bar.