Bam Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 so i'm looking to buy a trailer hitch for our car, the only ones they sell are CLASS 1's, which say they are rated at 2000lbs towing or 200lbs tongue weight. But I'm not towing anything, I just want to put a 4 bike rack on it, or maybe a 24" x 48" cargo carrier on it. So does the 200lb tongue weight apply in my situation? Because I'm sure that either 4 bikes or a cooler/couple big ass suitcases could weigh more than 200lbs...so what do I do? I mean you would think a trailer hitch could handle 4 bikes or whatever if it can tow 2000lbs, so what would break/bend? What am I risking? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 tongue weight is just that...whats the weight of the rack? it could be pushing those limits by itself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 You need to think about leverage on the hitch. While the "lever" isn't too long on a bike rack and might be okay, I doubt putting a box with 200+lbs would last very long. Those hitches just bolt to the uni-body on cars, so its not like they're in near as strong of a place if it was bolted to the frame of a truck. I wouldn't trust it bouncing down teh highway like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted September 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 tongue weight is just that...whats the weight of the rack? it could be pushing those limits by itself Not sure, haven't bought a rack yet, just researching everything now. I thought tongue weight was the actual weight...hmm, guess I'll just have to find a 2" receiver, pretty gay especially since I know my car can't tow shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted September 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 does anyone make a class 2 or 3 hitch for a 2003 focus sedan or a 1998 civic sedan? i need to be able to carry some bikes, how are these people that i see with bikes on them doing it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 Not sure, haven't bought a rack yet, just researching everything now. I thought tongue weight was the actual weight...hmm, guess I'll just have to find a 2" receiver, pretty gay especially since I know my car can't tow shit. well think like this..the weight at the tongue is max 200 lets say the rack weights 120. and the bikes weigh another 80. your at the 200 limit there. now more then likely, the rack weights 130 or so, and the bikes weigh 100(most bikes weight 25 or so each, if not heavyer) then as your going down the road, the rack and bikes are bouncing along...doubling if not more the that much wieght. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 does anyone make a class 2 or 3 hitch for a 2003 focus sedan or a 1998 civic sedan? i need to be able to carry some bikes, how are these people that i see with bikes on them doing it? yes there are.. http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/1319963983.html most are specail order tho, i can tell you that much...talk to brady @ PPC or scotty..im know they can hook you up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted September 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 The racks I'm seeing weigh about 30-45lbs, and I figure my bike can't weigh more than 25lbs, maybe more, and my fiancee has the same bike just women's, and our kids bikes are tiny, so like 10lbs each...i guess bikes aren't really a concern...but luggage. I would think a few suitcases might over do it... thanks for the link but the poster obviously doesn't know what he's selling. that looks like a 1 1/4" receiver which from my research means its a class I, because all class II and III's come with a 2" receiver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 look at it a little closer...it has the reducer in the center to run the 1 1/4 ball mount Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bruh Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 class 3 hitch on a civic for focus....hahahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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