Compatibility and Weight Capacity of etrailer 24x60 Cargo Carrier # e98874  

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Expert Reply:

The etrailer brand 24x60 cargo basket you referenced, part # e98874 would indeed be compatible with the 2 inch receiver on a Honda Pilot. The basket itself does have a 500 lb capacity, but that capacity will be reduced because the tongue weight capacity of the vehicle or the hitch installed on it if it is less than 500 lbs.

Honda bases the tongue weight capacity of the vehicle (maximum amount of downward force that can be safely applied to the receiver) on the number of occupants in the vehicle. The more occupants, the more the tongue weight capacity is decreased.

For example, for a 2WD model with two occupants, the maximum tongue weight capacity is 350 lbs. With 4 occupants, this is lowered to 230 lbs. For a 4WD model with 2 occupants, the tongue weight capacity would be 450 lbs or 330 lbs with 4 occupants.

Even though the tongue weight capacity of the hitch or the carrier itself might be higher, you'll be limited by the capacity of the lowest rated component, which would be the vehicle in this case. The # e98874 carrier weighs 48 lbs, which means that the weight of the carrier plus the cargo placed on it can't exceed the maximum tongue weight capacity based on the number of occupants in the vehicle. You can read more about these capacities in your owners manual.

Given this fact, you might consider a lighter cargo carrier so you can maximize your carrying capacity. The Curt # C18100 is a bit smaller at 19x60, but it's considerably lighter at about 25 lbs. The shank is shorter, so if the distance from your hitch pin hole to the far edge of the back bumper is less than 5 inches, this carrier would work well.

expert reply by: Mike L

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