What Hitch Do I Need for Cargo Carrier? Here Are 4 Great Choice

Before purchasing a hitch-mounted cargo carrier, there’s one crucial piece of equipment you might need to buy. Mainly all carriers of this style don’t include them within their package, and that’s the hitch themselves. However, with so many available on the market, what hitch do I need for a cargo carrier?

To install a hitch-mounted cargo carrier onto a vehicle, you’ll require a trailer hitch. Upon purchasing, you should check the receiver size needed for your vehicle and carrier, but usually, these are 1-1/4” or 2” and should be rated Class I, II, III, or V.

Now you better understand what hitch style is required and the class type; it’s easier to determine which is needed to install this cargo carrier. For those wanting to know the best hitches available, I recommend reading the below guide.

Best four hitches’ for Cargo Carriers

In the hitch industry, various styles, sizes, and weight capacities determine which is suitable for transporting your cargo. Although we know a trailer hitch is required, there are still other variables we must consider before making the initial decision. Before making the purchase, guarantee the receiver size for both your vehicle and cargo carrier is the same supplied by the hitch.

There are a few popular brands within the industry. But two that are more prominent than the rest are Reese and CURT. Undoubtedly, these are the most popular trailer hitches in classes 1, 2, and 5. Therefore, either of the below is an ideal option when purchasing a hitch.  

Each of these is excellent, and it depends on your weight capacity, length, and height, to choose which is more suitable for your application. To decipher whether these are ideal options for you, consider reading the below in-depth guide into all of these.

1. Reese 7028200 Class V Heavy Duty Ball Mount

The first trailer hitch I wanted to mention is the Reese 7028200 Class V. This option will be suitable for almost all hitch-mounted cargo carriers, depending on the receiver size.

It has a substantial loading size of 13,000 pounds, is raised by 3-1/2”, and includes a straightforward installation method. Unquestionably, its quality showcases within the price. But, if you’re searching for a weight capacity of this amount, it’s a cost-effective solution compared to others available on the market.  

• Class type – Class 5
• Receiver size – 1-1/4”
• Weight capacity – 13,000 pounds

2. Reese 7028300 Class V Heavy Duty Ball Mount

Next is the Reese 7028300 Class V. Although it looks like the 7028200 above, there’s a slight difference in sizing that can be more desirable for certain applications. With this, instead of the short 3-1/2” raise, it’s increased to 7-3/4” for cargo carriers requiring a higher trailer hitch.

Apart from that feature, it’s the same. The 7028300 is manufactured from high-quality alloy steel, which can withstand 13,000 pounds of towing weight. Considering what standard carriers can tow, it’s more than enough to ensure optimal safety.  

• Class type – Class 5
• Receiver size – 1-1/4”
• Weight capacity – 13,000 pounds

3. CURT 45027 Class 1 Trailer Hitch Ball Mount

Moving over to a different brand now, and this next option is the Curt 45027 Class 1 Trailer Hitch. Unlike the mentioned, the weight capacity tested for is much fewer at 2,000 pounds. Although this is significantly less, it also showcases in the pricing. Instead of paying around $35 to $75 for Class 5, the Class 1s are much cheaper at roughly $15.

Therefore, before making the initial purchase, it might be best to evaluate the “average” loading weight. By understanding this, you could opt for the class 1 hitch, which is much more affordable. Including this, it’ll also weigh slightly less, reducing the effects cargo carriers have on a vehicle’s fuel consumption.

• Class type – Class 1
• Receiver size – 1-1/4”
• Weight capacity – 2,000 pounds

4. CURT 45017 Class 2 Trailer Hitch Ball Mount

The last mention is the Curt 45017 Class 2 Trailer Hitch. It’s the same model as the 45027 but is manufactured from different materials to make it a class 2 trailer hitch. Because of this, it also has a higher weight capacity of 3,500 pounds.

However, it’s still worth considering your average load weight upon purchasing. Although this can pull an extra 1,500 pounds, it’s still much cheaper than investing into a class 5 or higher hitch. In addition, it follows a straightforward installation method that can easily be set up in a matter of minutes, making it an ideal solution for anyone not familiar with this accessory.

• Class type – Class 2
• Receiver size – 1-1/4”
• Weight capacity – 3,500 pounds

The above states the different trailer hitches available on the market that are highly recommended. As mentioned before, guarantee that the receiver size for both the cargo carrier and vehicle matches the purchased trailer hitch.

If you’re in the unfortunate situation of which you’ve already brought a trailer hitch, but it’s the wrong size, you can consider purchasing an adaptor. Again, this depends on the receiver size, but there are various adapters from 3” – 2-1/2”, 2-1/2” – 2”, 2” – 1-1/2, and so forth. These are usually around $20 each, which is normally much cheaper than any other hitch available on the market.

For those wanting to know more about hitch-mounted cargo carrier, I recommend reading this guide.

Conclusion

After reading this post, you should have a general understanding of which hitch is used for hitch-type cargo carriers. Now, you can make the initial purchase, attach the cargo carrier, and make the first journey with your new storage device.

But, before making the initial trip, ensure the weight capacity of the trailer hitch is suitable for your load; it’s tightly secured and isn’t showing any signs of damage. Knowing this will reduce any hazards that could occur during transportation.