It should be fine. Most bikes are less then 1000lbs so I don't think it will make a big difference. Just take it easy! You don't have any other options

 

lol a bike is what 500lbs at most

 

yeah... it's not a heavy bike, either. She's a 2008 Triumph Speed Triple. I have to say, it doesn't break my heart to have to keep her (albeit stored in my parents' barn).

I just worry about my little car sometimes... she's been through some serious road trips and never let me down yet, though!

 

http://owensclassicinternational.com/putnam-hitch-liquidation.html

I'll tell you tomorrow... I bought and installed one of above hitches, a 5x8 utility trailer, and I'm going 600 miles tomorrow with it. I can almost guarantee the focus can take it, i've had a motorcycle (and 27" tube TV) in the hatch before, and it did just fine there.

 

i wouldn't worry too much. just get a hitch that's rated for your load and be sure to give yourself plenty of braking room.

Mike

 

I haul a lot with my focus. The most towing being about 700lbs. and it did great, with an extra passenger and some cargo. You obviously just have to drive slower in every way; longer braking distances, accelerate slower, and so on. I imagine I have done the most towing with my focus here on FJ if not one of the most, towing nearly every weekend, and I have never had a problem, yet.

 

If you have a manual transmission Focus, towing a motorcycle will be perfectly fine.

 

I towed a Uhaul box trailer weighing about 1500 pounds from Colorado to SoCal with a 1981 Honda Accord 4cylinder and she did fine. Should have no problem with a Focus.

 

Owners manual should provide towing weight ratings, ect, ect.

 

600 miles with a motorcycle on a trailer today, and it went really well. As far as braking and acceleration were concerned, it was slightly different, but no more so than having 5 people in the car. However, fuel mileage... suffered...

 

depending where you are in Florida I would have said why don't you take the Auto Train from Florida to DC. Then you would not have to hall the thing so far?
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conte...ename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321200&ssid=136

if you were gonna do it though it is MUCh cheaper to buy the ticket 2 weeks in advance as the rates skyrocket once you get close to your departure date (just like the airlines)

I would think it be safer than driving all that way at slow speed with something in tow, and rather than stopping for a hotel, you just sleep and eat on the train.

You could probably just drive the bike to the train station and have a friend drop your car off for you as well at the station, and then in DC have a friend pic up your car for you and ride your bike to CT.

Once you added up the gas, tolls, mileage, hitch, and trailer it probabaly would have cost the same as well.

 

Just don't do this:

+1 on rpvitiello's suggestion on taking a one way trip to DC and road tripping the bike back.