What Weight is Affected when Using a Hitch Adapter?

Question:

Hi there, I asked a question earlier about using a dual hitch adaptor to simultaneously transport a cargo carrier and a bike rack. The expert who kindly answered my question #536543 mentioned that the adaptor would reduce the tongue weight capacity of my system. I have a class III hitch mounted on a 2017 Subaru Outback. The hitch is rated for 600 lbs, but the Subaru owners manual recommends a tongue weight limit of 200 lbs. Does that mean that using an adaptor like #MPG544 will reduce my capacity to just 100 lbs? It seems to me that an adaptor will increase the torque at the hitch, but not the actual weight on the Subaru. For example, a hitch calculator I used suggests that increasing the length of an extension could cause torque problems at the hitch, but wont significantly affect the weight born by the axles of the towing vehicle. So should I think of extenders and adaptors as cutting against the capacity of the hitch but not the capacity of the towing vehicle? For example, if I followed this approach, I would say that the limiting factor on tongue weight is the lesser of 600/2 and 200. So my case Id have to make sure that the cargo and bikes plus bike rack plus cargo basket etc. add to less than 200 lbs.

asked by: Peter F

Expert Reply:

Using an adapter like the Malone Dual 2-inch Receiver # MPG544 will cut the capacity of the hitch. For your 600 pound-rated hitch, it will be cut to 300 pounds. It will not affect the weight rating of your 2017 Subaru Outback Wagon (it will remain 200 pounds).

It is correct when you say that the tongue weight is the lesser of 600/2 and 200. In your case, you would make sure that the cargo and bikes plus bike rack plus cargo basket etc. is less than 200 pounds.

expert reply by: Bob C