Are There Any Driving Speed Limitations When Using a Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carrier

Updated 07/05/2013 | Published 07/03/2013

Products Featured in This Question

19x47 Curt Cargo Carrier for 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Steel - 300 lbs

(1099)

$188.64

17x46 Curt Cargo Carrier for 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Steel - 500 lbs

(1099)

$177.13

Question:

Are there any speed limitations or restrictions when using your hitch carrier?

asked by: Greg

Helpful Expert Reply:

I am not aware of any laws regarding altered driving speed limits when a cargo carrier is in use, but it is simple enough to check your local or state laws. Your local highway patrol can likely provide confirmation if there are any such laws in place in your area.

Hitch-mounted cargo carriers such as the 20 x 48-inch Curt # C18110 for 1-1/4-inch hitch receivers do have weight limits, just as your vehicle trailer hitch receiver does.

This carrier is rated for up to 300-lbs maximum loaded cargo weight. This rating applies to the carrier itself. Your vehicle trailer hitch receiver may not have the same capacity. You should check the safety sticker on your trailer hitch to confirm its rated tongue weight. This is the maximum downward force that can be applied to the hitch. This total downward force must take into account the 30-lb weight of the carrier itself in addition to the loaded cargo.

If your trailer hitch is rated for 300-lbs maximum tongue weight, for example, this means that even though the carrier can handle 300-lbs of weight, your hitch will already bear the 49-lb weight of the carrier. This means that you can load only 250 lbs of cargo weight. You must never exceed the capacity of the lowest-rated component in a system.

If you wish to use a lighter-weight carrier to maximize the cargo weight you can load, you might consider the 20 x 48-inch Curt # C18145, which weighs only 29 lbs. I have linked a product video for your review.

I have provided a link to an article concerning hitch-mount cargo carriers that may be useful to you.