Does the Tongue Weight Capacity of a Trailer Hitch Limit the Weight Capacity of a Cargo Carrier

Published 02/18/2016

Question:

Hi, Great website and appreciate all of your videos and direction. I have a 2016 Jeep Unlimited Sport 4 door. I would like to buy a rear cargo carrier for family cargo. I currently have a 2 inch hitch which I believe has a tongue capacity equal to 350 lbs. If the cargo carrier you sell has a max weight capacity of 500 lbs, realistically am I only still only able to load to 350 lbs. unless I change hitch? I wasnt sure if the tongue capacity or overall capacity was different for rear cargo carriers vs. trailers that you may haul behind the vehicle. Thanks for your help!

asked by: Russ

Expert Reply:

You are correct that the lowest component of the system will limit the overall weight capacity. The cargo carrier may be rated for 500 pounds, but the 350 pound tongue weight capacity of the hitch will limit the cargo carrier to 350 pounds.

One important thing to keep in mind is that your vehicle's tongue weight capacity may be lower than the tongue weight capacity of the hitch. If your vehicle has a maximum tongue weight rating lower than that of the hitch, the vehicle's tongue weight capacity will limit the setup.

When I checked the owner's manual for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door Sport, depending on the axle ratio of the vehicle, the tongue weight was either 200 pounds or 350 pounds. I strongly recommend checking your owner's manual to be sure of the tongue weight capacity of your Jeep.

Changing the trailer hitch on your vehicle will not increase the tongue weight capacity of your vehicle.

The tongue weight capacity will limit the cargo carrier the same as it would limit the tongue weight when towing a trailer.

expert reply by: Victoria B