Current Folding Hitch Cargo Carrier Will Not Hold Weight - Looking for One to Hold 500-lbs
Updated 08/08/2013 | Published 08/06/2013
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Question:
I purchased a folding cargo hitch carrier and I am not pleased with it at all. When loaded with cargo it slopes down at the end of the carrier so that my cargo is not level. Because of this it will scrape the ground on incline or decline driveways. This is the first time that I have used it and I am not pleased. I want to know if the Surco folding cargo carrier would be level with a load of 500lbs in it and what is so different about the Surco folding cargo carrier so that it would be level for me to justify paying twice the amount that I paid for the carrier I have right now.
asked by: Gerald B
Helpful Expert Reply:
The Surco Cargo Carrier # 52018F that you referenced has a weight capacity of 500 lbs with a 4 in shank rise and is designed to fit 2 inch receivers. This will help with the ground clearance that you are concerned with.
You will need to check the owners manual for your towing capacity. Your tongue weight rating is typically 10 percent of the towing capacity and that is the weight limit you have for your vehicle. If the weight of the carrier plus what is loaded on it exceeds the tongue weight capacity of the hitch or vehicle rating, it might explain why your carrier is sagging in the rear.
If you happen to be using a 1-1/4 inch receiver with an adapter for a 2 inch accessory you are most likely overloading the carrier. When you use an adapter it cuts your tongue weight in half which seriously limits your load.
As a side note, non-folding carriers are typically stronger than folding ones because the hinge mechanism allows for some slack.
A 500-lb rated, fixed, cargo carrier for a 2 inch receiver is the Pro Series # 63153. This carrier also has a 2-1/2 inch rise in the shank which will help with your ground clearance. I have attached a brief video of this carrier.
One thing to keep in mind is that sagging is not unusual when carrying such a heavy load, with that being said, the use of a stabilization strap such as Curt # 18050 may relieve some of the stress of the load.
