2015 Kia Sportage Hitch & Cargo Carrier Recommendation

Updated 03/16/2021 | Published 03/11/2021

Products Featured in This Question

19x60 Curt Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Aluminum - Folding - 500 lbs

(310)

$193.49

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(204)

$198.46

Question:

Hello, I have a 2015 Kia Sportage and Im interested in getting a class III 2 hitch and a cargo carrier. Im confused about the tongue weight. If I get the curt class III 2 hitch with max tongue weight of 350 and towing of 3500 would a cargo carrier with a max wt of 500 lbs work for the hitch? Im never planning on towing anything with my car.

asked by: Wenter F

Expert Reply:

Hello, thanks for asking this question. Your tongue weight, TW, for a Class III hitch can be anywhere from 300-800 lbs. depending what the manufacturer has rated it to be due to testing; your accessories have max weight capacity rating too. Between these two components, your specific max weight to carry per manufacturer guidelines will be the lesser value of the two used together. But also keep in mind you should check your vehicles owners manual as well, the true max is the lesser value of all three. So if your hitch has a TW of 350 lbs. but your cargo carrier has a max of 500, you can carry the weight of the cargo carrier plus its contents UP TO the 350 lbs. that the hitch is rated for.

For your 2015 Kia Sportage I suggest the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13120. This is a Class III hitch with a Max trailer weight, 3,500 lbs. and a TW of 525 lbs.

For your cargo carrier, I suggest the 60x19 Curt model # C18100. This is 60" long x 19-1/8" wide x 2-3/4"" tall, aluminum, basket-style cargo carrier is lightweight and rustproof. It has a mesh floor and multiple tie-down options. This has weight capacity of 500 lbs. and is itself only 29 lbs.

I have attached links to articles on selecting a hitch.

expert reply by: Michael R