Why Use a Class III 2 Inch Receiver Over a 1-1/4 Inch Receiver for 2007 Toyota Sienna

Updated 08/31/2009 | Published 08/30/2009

Question:

Hi, I have a 2007 Toyota Sienna. The dealer sells a Class II trailer hitch with 1 1/4 receiver. What benefit would there be to buy a Class III hitch with 2 receiver? The Sienna can tow only up to 3500 lbs, so shouldnt the Class II hitch should be adequate?

asked by: Al

Expert Reply:

The biggest reason to go with a 2 inch receiver over a 1-1/4 is the wider range of hitch accessories that are compatible with a 2 inch hitch. You are right that you would not gain any towing capacity with a Class III 2 inch receiver. However, you would gain 50 pounds of tongue weight capacity.

There is a great selection of 2 inch accessories available like bike racks and cargo carriers. To use cargo carriers as an example, we have about 30 different carriers for 2 inch receivers, but only 7 for 1-1/4 inch receivers.

We get several questions a day from customers wanting to use a 2 inch accessory with 1-1/4 hitch. Sometimes we have an adapter that will work, but it reduces the tongue weight capacity by 50 percent which can be a big problem when using a cargo carrier for a road trip, or needing to carry more than 3 bikes.

We have 5 different 2 inch Class III hitches available for your 2007 Toyota Sienna. The Draw-Tite Hitch, part # 75237 is our best seller.

I have linked an FAQ on trailer hitch classes. Also linked is a video installation of the Hidden Hitch Trailer Hitch, part # 87415.

expert reply by: Patrick B