How to Determine Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carrier Weight Capacity on 2010 Chevrolet Traverse

Published 10/21/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"

(264)

$164.54

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

(288)

$182.21

20 x 59 Curt Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - 500 lbs

(1102)

$244.63

Curt Stretchable Cargo Net - 38" Wide x 65" Long

(230)

$27.80

Question:

I have a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse LT2 AWD WITHOUT the tow package. Here are the specs I have found: GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING - 7700 lbs MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY - 5200 lbs MAXIMUM PAYLOAD - 1444 lbs GROSS WEIGHT - 6459 lbs CURB WEIGHT - 5066 lbs I would be using Hitch Receiver Curt 18150, and Curt Cargo Carrier 13424 Unless you have other recommendations. We would be loading the interior with about 1000 lbs People + Cargo I would primarily me putting in about 150lbs of cargo onto the carrier, but would want to know the maximum if there is anything left!. Thanks in advance for your help!

asked by: Richard

Expert Reply:

The Curt Class III hitch # 13424 that fits your 2010 Chevrolet Traverse LT2 has a tongue weight (TW) capacity of 500-lbs when used with a hitch-mount cargo carrier like their # C18150. (TW is downward force on the hitch.) The vehicle weight rating that matters for this kind of application is the car's TW. This is usually about 10-percent of the gross towing capacity and should be noted in your owner's manual. I checked an online version of the 2010 Traverse manual for its TW rating but I could not find this; your printed owner's manual should have it or you can obtain this figure from your local dealership.

If the car has a lower TW rating than the Curt hitch you will need to abide by that lower rating to determine the overall cargo load you can carry. If the car is also rated for 500-lbs TW then your permissible cargo load will be as follows: 500-lb car/hitch rating minus the 50-lb weight of the carrier leaves a 450-lb cargo weight capacity. If on the other hand the car were rated for less, say 400-lbs TW, then your loaded cargo capacity would be 400 - 50 = 350-lbs for loaded cargo on the carrier.

If you care to add a cargo net to help secure your loaded cargo you can use part # C18201.

You'll also want to make sure that your total payload - passengers, cargo, etc - remains within the car's rated capacity. The online manual I reviewed indicates that the maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR) for your AWD Traverse without tow package is indeed 7700-lbs. Its specified maximum trailer weight is 2000-lbs. It is therefore possible that the car's TW rating could be as low as 300-lbs, which is 15-percent of the 2K trailer weight. Again, check your manual or with your local dealership to confirm.

expert reply by: Adam R