Hitch, Wiring, Cargo Bag Recommendations for Transporting Belongings with a 2009 Toyota Corolla  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

Lots of great questions, I can help try to get you some answers.

Let's start with the hitch for your vehicle. The one I recommend is the Draw-Tite # 24913. This has been determined that because of your vehicle's size to only support 200lbs tongue weight (cargo carrier) or 2,000lbs towing (trailer). I was able to find 150lbs tongue weight and 1,500lbs towing was your max page 171 of your owner's manual. This hitch must be torqued down to specifications so you will need to either purchase a torque wrench like # ALL944001 or take it to a local shop and have them torque it down; some auto parts stores will also rent them out. A regular ratchet will not suffice. The torque rating on the Draw-Tite hitch # 24913 does not require you to remove the tow hook per the instructions. If the hitch you were looking at recommends you remove it then you will not be able to reinstall unless instructed to by the directions.

Since your hitch is a Class I hitch receiver there is not a cargo carrier that will fit your 100lb refrigerator, but I have a solution for you. The Detail K2 trailer # K2MMT5X7. As long as you load this properly not to exceed the 150lbs tongue weight then this is the best option I can offer you for the refrigerator. There is the D-Ring Tie-Down Anchors kit # MMP543 that will help with securing your refrigerator to the trailer. A great set of ratchet straps are the # EM34420. It may even fit some of your other items you planned on transporting on your roof. Any accessory that uses the hitch to mount should be secured with a hitch pin and clip or lock; this will prevent the product from dislodging and coming loose while traveling down the road. We offer a tongue weight scale # e99044 that will help you load your trailer properly.

Yes, towing a trailer will affect the cargo and luggage load capacity. If your load capacity is 825lbs and your trailers tongue weight is 150lbs then 825-150=675lbs then you will have to subtract the rest like occupants and vehicle load. Your total towing capacity is 1,500lbs even though the hitch is rated for higher, this is the limit your vehicle can handle.

The 825lbs is the load capacity within the vehicle and roof including tongue weight from the hitch and weight of the hitch. This does not increase for the hitch or cargo carrier.

The wiring harness, I recommend for you is the # 118459. This has custom plugs that will directly connect into your exiting wiring. The powered ModuLite will reduce strain on your wiring system. If connected properly you should have no issue in your vehicle's lighting system. In the long run you may need to replace fuses if the system became overloaded. This will give you a 4-way vehicle plug that will match the 4-way trailer plug on the Little Giant # TLK864.

You will also need a ball mount and ball for your hitch to tow the trailer. The Little Giant will need a 2 inch ball like # 19258. A recommended ball mount for your hitch and Little Giant is the # 3593, this must only be used in the rise position. These two items will put you at the correct level towing height if the trailer is loaded properly.

As for a cargo bag depending on the size and weight you can carry the Rightline # RL100S50 is a popular pick for the naked roof vehicles. Used in combination with the non-skid pad # RL100650 it will secure your cargo to the roof of your vehicle with two mounting options.

You will also need to call the California DOT to find out the legality of the roof bag, this is not something provided to us. The weight capacity of the bare roof is not a specification that is given on most vehicles, this means that it is not designed to hold much additional weight. You will not want to load very much weight on the top of your Corolla's roof, I'd say less than 40lbs.

I have linked all the products mentioned above to this page for your convenience.

expert reply by: Jackie C

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