Hitch and Roof Cargo Carrying Options for 2008 Lincoln MKZ
Question:
I currently own a 2008 Lincoln MKZ all wheel drive sedan. i am interested in hauling 3 tvs , clothes, pots, pans, dishes , no furniture to the Florida are. With the my car, as described , be able to handle that weight and make it to florida successfully?
asked by: Daniel G
Expert Reply:
Good for you for checking out your car's capabilities before you use it to tow. Not everyone does that!
Lincoln includes the following statement on page 176 of their online owner's manual for your 2008 MKZ: "Never tow a trailer with this vehicle. Your vehicle is not equipped to tow." All is not lost, as there are still several ways to transport your cargo items on the MKZ; it just won't be with a trailer.
If you were to install Curt Class I hitch # C11329 on the MKZ you could use a Class I hitch cargo carrier like those shown on the linked page, such as Curt # C18145. Since Class I hitches have a 200-lb tongue weight rating, once you deduct the carrier's own weight (29-lbs for the Curt # C18145) you can still load cargo with a weight of up to 171-lbs. This carrier is ideal for your heavier items.
If you still need more carrying capacity, you can also install a roof rack to enable use of a roof-rack-mount cargo carrier. Metal cargo baskets and plastic cargo boxes, such as the Thule Canyon XT # TH859XT and their Force XT cargo box # TH6356B, can install on a roof rack like the cost-effective Rhino-Rack square bar roof rack made of parts # RRVA126B-2, # RRRLKVA and # DK167. We also have waterproof rooftop bags, like the Rightline # RL100S30, that can mount to your roof even if you don't have a roof rack.
With any rooftop cargo it is often a good idea to use a handy step, such as the fully-assembled, folding step # TE97FR from Telesteps, to make loading and unloading easier.
Products Referenced in This Question
17x46 Curt Cargo Carrier for 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Steel - 500 lbs
- Hitch Cargo Carrier
- Flat Carrier
- Fixed Carrier
- 20 Inch Wide
- Heavy Duty
- Fits 1-1/4 and 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 48 Inch Long
- Class I
- Class II
- Class III
- Class IV
- Steel
- CURT
more information >
Rightline Gear Sport 3 Rooftop Cargo Bag - Waterproof - 18 cu ft - 48" x 36" x 18"
- Car Roof Bag
- Waterproof Material
- Naked Roof Mount
- Roof Basket Mount
- Roof Rack Mount
- Extra Large Capacity
- Long Length
- Gray
- Rightline Gear
more information >
Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Legs for Vortex Aero Crossbars - Naked Roofs or Fixed Mounting Points - Qty 4
- Roof Rack
- Feet
- 4 Pack
- Rhino Rack
more information >
Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 49" Long - Qty 2
- Roof Rack
- Crossbars
- Aero Bars
- 49 Inch Bar Space
- 2 Bars
- Overhang
- Black
- Rhino Rack
more information >
Telesteps Folding Step Stool - Aluminum - 300 lbs
- Step Stools
- Folding Step
- Fixed Height
- 12 Inch Lift
- Aluminum
- 300 lbs
- Silver
- Telesteps
more information >
Thule Force XT Sport Rooftop Cargo Box - 11 cu ft - Black AeroSkin
- Roof Box
- Aero Bars
- Factory Bars
- Round Bars
- Square Bars
- Medium Length
- High Profile
- Small Capacity
- Dual Side Access
- Black
- Thule
more information >
Thule Canyon XT Roof Cargo Basket - Steel - 49" x 40" x 6" - 150 lbs
- Roof Basket
- Cargo Basket
- Aero Bars
- Factory Bars
- Round Bars
- Square Bars
- Short Length
- Steel
- Medium Capacity
- Black
- Thule
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class I
- 200 lbs TW
- 2000 lbs GTW
- 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Concealed Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
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