Hitch and Roof Cargo Carrying Options for 2008 Lincoln MKZ  

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Expert Reply:

Good for you for checking out your car's capabilities before you use it to tow. Not everyone does that!

Lincoln includes the following statement on page 176 of their online owner's manual for your 2008 MKZ: "Never tow a trailer with this vehicle. Your vehicle is not equipped to tow." All is not lost, as there are still several ways to transport your cargo items on the MKZ; it just won't be with a trailer.

If you were to install Curt Class I hitch # C11329 on the MKZ you could use a Class I hitch cargo carrier like those shown on the linked page, such as Curt # C18145. Since Class I hitches have a 200-lb tongue weight rating, once you deduct the carrier's own weight (29-lbs for the Curt # C18145) you can still load cargo with a weight of up to 171-lbs. This carrier is ideal for your heavier items.

If you still need more carrying capacity, you can also install a roof rack to enable use of a roof-rack-mount cargo carrier. Metal cargo baskets and plastic cargo boxes, such as the Thule Canyon XT # TH859XT and their Force XT cargo box # TH6356B, can install on a roof rack like the cost-effective Rhino-Rack square bar roof rack made of parts # RRVA126B-2, # RRRLKVA and # DK167. We also have waterproof rooftop bags, like the Rightline # RL100S30, that can mount to your roof even if you don't have a roof rack.

With any rooftop cargo it is often a good idea to use a handy step, such as the fully-assembled, folding step # TE97FR from Telesteps, to make loading and unloading easier.

expert reply by: Adam R

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