Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I normally purchase after extensive research. Not sure what made me rush into buying a hitch for my Kia Sportage... but I bought a class 2 hitch thinking that my Sportage had a limited towing capacity so why get a class 3 hitch for capability that I'll never use.
After installing the class 2, I start shopping for cargo carriers and find everything mounts up to a 2" receiver which means I have to purchase an adapter for just about any cargo carrier because my hitch is 1.25"
I understand the issue is TW (tongue weight) and the leverage from attaching a carrier can multiply the further out from the mount it hangs.
Here's my question. How much can I realistically carry in a cargo carrier if I have a class 2 with a 2" adapter? Tongue weight is 350lbs
I'm interested in the price of this carrier, but not sure I should bother since it's intended for an ATV:
I am fairly sure a class ll could have a tongue weight of up to 300lbs, however, I would go lighter on it myself with an adapter. I would not put more than about 200 to 225 lbs. on it to play it safe. I used to have a pick up bed extender that was a class lll hitch and I really don't think it could ever handle 300 lbs. I broke the weld on it once by hauling too much weight. There was a lot of strain on the extender and the weight made it sag downward at the hitch. The cargo carrier you linked to doesn't look like it could handle 300 pounds to me. I might handle 200, maybe 225.
Too bad you didn't state what year your Kia is. They have different towing capacities and allowable tongue weights. The 2015 is rated for 2000 lbs tow and 200lbs tongue weight, for an example. But the 2013 is rated for 3500lbs tow and 350lbs tongue.
Specifications
Load Capacity 300 lb.
Vehicle Hitch
Receiver Size
2" (Vehicle hitch requires a Class III
or Class IV tow rating.)
Hitch Pin Size 5/8" dia. (with clip)
Too bad you didn't state what year your Kia is. They have different towing capacities and allowable tongue weights. The 2015 is rated for 2000 lbs tow and 200lbs tongue weight, for an example. But the 2013 is rated for 3500lbs tow and 350lbs tongue.
My 2012 is rated for 2000 lbs tow but I can't find the TW anywhere. My primary reason for the hitch is to add additional cargo space. If I go camping, I can't put a cooler in the car along with the tent and other items.
I don't expect to carry anything heavy, just bulky so I think I can stay within 200lbs on the back.
I think the cargo carrier in addition to the car top cargo bag should give me plenty of space for a cross country trip.
I don't have plans for towing anything at this time.
My 2012 is rated for 2000 lbs tow but I can't find the TW anywhere. My primary reason for the hitch is to add additional cargo space. If I go camping, I can't put a cooler in the car along with the tent and other items.
I don't expect to carry anything heavy, just bulky so I think I can stay within 200lbs on the back.
I think the cargo carrier in addition to the car top cargo bag should give me plenty of space for a cross country trip.
I don't have plans for towing anything at this time.
tongue weight ratings are generally 15% of the tow rating, thus your kia would have a tongue weight rating of about 300lbs max. my advice is to keep the tongue load to 250lbs or less with the class two hitch.
I wonder what the tounge weight becomes when you hit a big dip in the road with a 275 lbs ATV sitting on the platform.
You would be better off buying a small utility trailer. At least that could be used for more tasks.
He isn't towing an ATV...
OP, I think you are overthinking it. The ATV cargo carrier should work fine. Just make sure your cooler will fit on it. In my experience, its kinda difficult to get more than 200 pounds on one of those things unless your hauling bricks, rocks (possibly,) or a big deer. They are perfect for coolers, though. On our hunting trips, we've also put a dog kennel on it filled with hunting gear (dog rides in the cab.)
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
