Another Trailer Hitch Thread!

[tplife]

Well, a long look at storage options (16 cubic foot roof box) for the new Prius left me wanting something more than lower mileage, whistling roof racks and a scratched-up roof after a few outings. The better option looks like the hitch-mounted 13 cubic foot box, meaning it's time to choose a hitch. Rather than buying the first thing that crosses a counter at me at Camping World, I'm here to ask the experts. A particular brand? Any real advantage of Class II vs. Class I for this kind of application? Thanks in advance for your valuable comments on this one, I'm really out of my element for a change.

[tplife]

The Reese (Rigid), Hidden Hitch Draw-Tite and Curt seem to be the available hitches, with the Hidden Hitch being recommended for close fit at the rear fascia.

[Arrowhead32]

As our sales history shows, many customers seem happy with Reese or Draw-Tite trailer hitches. As far as the difference between Class I and II hitches, it's really a matter of how much weight/towing capacity your car can handle. I wasn't sure what the Prius could handle so I did a little research on some Toyota community boards and heard anywhere from 1,000-2,000 pounds without a problem, but those weren't the manufacturer's specs.

To give you a better sense of Class I and II and beyond, there's a nifty diagram out there that points to cars, towing capacity and what Tongue Weight and Gross Trailer Weight mean to each: http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com...Research-Guide

Hope this helps and good luck with your search!

[tplife]

As my post stated, I'm adding a hitch-mounted storage box, not a trailer. Towing capacity is only a factor if you're towing. Class II hitches are tough to find for this application, so my tongue weight limitation is 300#, which will allow for a lot of our gear.

[Arrowhead32]

Ah, for a Class I carrier, I would go for Curt brands then.

[tplife]

Sadly the Thule Cargo box fits only Class II receivers, and the available hitches are Class I. So it's back to research, no easy answers here.

[jon46]

I just bought a new car and had a hitch put on it and wireing. I have an chevy equinox. They put a 1 and 1/4 inch hitch on it. I got a 2 inch cargo carrier from e-trailer, then i bought an adapter to bring it from 1-1/4 inch to 2 inch. I just cant put more on it then i can carry with the 1-1/4 inch. But i just plan on putting some totes on it and maybe some folding chairs.

[tplife]

I just bought a new car and had a hitch put on it and wireing. I have an chevy equinox. They put a 1 and 1/4 inch hitch on it. I got a 2 inch cargo carrier from e-trailer, then i bought an adapter to bring it from 1-1/4 inch to 2 inch. I just cant put more on it then i can carry with the 1-1/4 inch. But i just plan on putting some totes on it and maybe some folding chairs.

You might want to rethink that plan to compensate for the new weight limit of your cargo hauler. You cannot use the same load capacity rating of the cargo carrier because it is designed for a Class II receiver, and you are using a Class I. Just like a lever, as you move the load aft from the hitch the load capacity gets lower. Those adapters are intended for towing and not for cargo carriers. I would only do that as a last resort as it will possibly compromise safety.

[jon46]

Everywhere Ive read on these adapters is that they are for Bike racks and cargo carriers and not for towing. Just Im limited to a lighter load as I cannot go over the class 1 weight. Am i missing something?

[tplife]

I contacted our largest municipal hitch installer and he cautioned me that while the adapter would allow me to tow up to my towing maximum using a different hitch/ball setup than a Class I would provide, that it is not for bike racks or cargo barriers/baskets since the adapter extends the distance from the receiver to the device. Think of a lever where it becomes easier to lift an object when you use a longer lever, multiplying force. Tongue weight loads also multiply force, meaning you can much more easily overload your cargo weight and subject it to damage from bounce or breakage. I thought this was good advice, making me rethink trying to get around the limitations of towing/hitch class designations. They are there for good reasons. Using the adapter would mean I'd need to recalculate the load capacity of the cargo box due to the change in physics to ensure safe carrying and no damage to my car or to my expensive gear.