Better Clearance to Carry Trailer Hitch Mount Wheelchair Carrier on 2011 Mazda CX-7

Updated 07/23/2020 | Published 07/16/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Multipurpose Ball Mount with 2" Receiver for Bike Racks and Cargo Carriers - 7,500 lbs

(232)

$70.92

Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches - 2-1/4" Rise/Drop

(897)

$220.84

Question:

I have a 2011 Mazda CX-7 with a 2 inch hitch. I have a cargo carrier with a ramp transport lawn mower, snowblower, etc that folds up from you about a year ago. When I fold-up the cargo carrier it does not quite clear my back bumper. Additionally, due to dips in the road and my driveway, the cargo carrier slightly scraps the road. To solve this issue for the bumper, I was thinking about purchasing a hitch extender. To solve the issue about ground clearance, I was thinking of purchasing a hitch riser. On your website, I noticed that the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Adapter MT70070 may solve both problems and allow for future flexibility on small trailer towing needs. Is it possible to use a cargo carrier with a ramp on the upper receiver? If not, what do you suggest in solving my issues. Thanks in advance for your attention in this matter.

asked by: Jason L

Expert Reply:

The issue that you are going to run into if you use Roadmaster Dual Hitch Extender # RM-077-2 is the tongue weight capacity will be reduced 50 percent. However, if you use a ball mount like # D210 you will get a 6 inch rise and 7-1/2 inch extension from the hitch pin hole to the center of receiver's hitch pin hole.

Best of all with the D210 the capacity is not reduced. I have included a video review of this ball mount for you to check out.

expert reply by: Chris O

Tamsen

7/19/2020

I have a similar question to the original. I have a 2007 Toyota RAV4, with a MaxxTow 70260 in a Class III 2" square hitch. I have had the carrier on the vehicle for several months, but have not yet put the four-wheeled mobility scooter on it. The reason is that, even with nothing on it, the carrier sags so low that it scrapes really bad, even over very minor dips or bumps in the road. Even when the carrier is folded up against the back of the vehicle, I have to go very slowly over dips, or it drags on the street. I got the heavy-duty shocks installed, which was another $500.00+, because the salesperson told me it would do the trick. By the way, I didn't get this from you. I spent $469.99 at a dealer for it. Then, with the heavy-duty shocks at $500.00, I've already spent almost a thousand bucks for something that doesn't work. I'm very frustrated. So, anyway, I'm afraid of what the carrier would do with any actual weight on it. I was thinking of getting something like a Blue Ox 7" Hi-Low Adapter Tow Bar or a Road Master 048-6 High-Low. I'm desperate to be able to use this wheelchair carrier/ramp, but I can't do it as it is now. I'm also afraid that, between the weight of the wheelchair carrier (about a hundred pounds) and the scooter itself (about 150 pounds), it will be too much for the hitch. I believe the TW on my hitch is either 350 or 400 lbs. Can you help me?

Chris R.

7/23/2020

Unfortunately this isn't too uncommon of an issue. Some vehicles are just better at handling tongue weight like this than others. It sounds like you'll still be under the RAV4's actual tongue weight capacity with the 250 pound loaded carrier weight, although it wouldn't hurt to verify this in the owner's manual. A high-low adapter would give you more ground clearance, but it's not going to help with sag (in fact it may even hurt it since you're adding another connection point, essentially weakening the setup). Your best option may be to add a couple stabilizer straps like # 18050 to add another connection point between the carrier and vehicle.