Will Adding a Trailer Hitch to a Honda Fit Void the Warranty

Updated 06/09/2015 | Published 06/07/2015

Question:

im thinking of buying a honda fit but will need to put a hitch on it so i can occasionally use a cargo carrier like the one you sell - i dont intend to use the hitch to tow anything, but would like to use it safely to carry loads of around 300-400 pounds with the cargo carrier its rated to 500 pounds. will installing a hitch void the manufacturers warranty if I dont tow with it but only use it for the above stated purpose?

asked by: Jeffrey

Expert Reply:

Consumers of aftermarket products are protected by the Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The Act states that if something breaks on your vehicle and you take it in for warranty repair, the dealer must honor your warranty unless whatever modifications you have added to your vehicle actually caused the problem in question.

With a hitch on a Honda Fit you would not be able to carry 300 to 400 pounds. The hitches for the Fit are Class I hitches rated for a maximum of 200 pounds tongue weight. You also have to subtract the weight of the carrier. So if the carrier weighs 40 pounds you would be left with 160 pounds capacity.

This coincides with the capacity of Curt cargo carrier # C18145 which is rated for a maximum of 200 pounds when used in a Class I trailer hitch. This carrier weighs 29 pounds so you would be able to carry 171 pounds maximum.

If you can tell me what year Honda Fit I can make a hitch recommendation.

expert reply by: Michael H