Is Surco Cargo Carrier for 2-Inch Hitches # 52018 Compatible with a Class 3 Hitch Receiver

Question:

I have a 2008 Toyota Highlander with a Reese Class 2 hitch and 2x2 receiver box. Will this e98874, which I think is Class 3, fit the hitch box and pin.

asked by: Paul

Expert Reply:

The etrailer Cargo Carrier for 2-Inch Hitches, part # e98874, will fit any of the 2-inch hitches offered for your 2008 Highlander and your existing hitch pin and clip will work with this carrier. If you prefer to be able to lock the cargo carrier to your hitch, you can use an item such as etrailer.com Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock # e98880. I have linked videos for both this carrier and lock.

We offer five different hitch receivers for the 2008 Toyota Highlander; all can be seen using the link provided. All are rated as Class III, have a 2-inch receiver opening and differ only in their tongue weight rating, either 500- or 750-lbs. (Tongue weight is the downward force applied to a hitch from the trailer or accessory item attached to it.) The Surco carrier will work with all of these 2-inch hitches.

You can check the safety/warning sticker on your Highlander hitch to confirm its rated tongue weight capacity.

Apart from the hitch size another check for compatibility with your Highlander for this or any carrier is the clearance distance from the hitch pin hole on your receiver tube. This etrailer carrier offers 19-1/2 inches of clearance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the nearest part of the carrier when in use and 9-1/2 inches in the folded position.
You can check your hitch to confirm if this distance will be adequate. Simply measure from the center of the hitch pin hole back to the rear-most part of the vehicle. As long as that distance is less than 19-1/2 inches then the carrier will clear the back of your Highlander when in use and as long as it measures less that 9-1/2 inches, you would be able to use it in the folded position when not in use. . The link provided will show you all comparable Class III 2-inch fixed carriers in this 20 x 60-inch size.

The etrailer carrier has a maximum cargo weight capacity of 500-lbs. Please note that when you are calculating the tongue weight load on your hitch you need to account for the weight of the carrier itself in addition to your cargo.

For example, if your hitch happens to be rated for 500-lbs tongue weight, then after accounting for the 48-lb weight of the carrier you will be able to safely load up to about 452-lbs of cargo. If your hitch happens to be rated at 750-lbs tongue weight you could load up to the maximum 500-lb cargo weight limit of this etrailer carrier. Your hitch will have a safety/warning sticker on it that indicates its tongue weight capacity, which you should never exceed. It is also a good idea to try to evenly distribute the weight of your cargo across the entire bottom surface of the carrier.

If your loaded cargo will block the taillights on the Highlander you will need a light kit for the carrier.
You can use part # e98943-44LED which includes lights, mounting hardware and the 4-pole flat trailer harness to connect your Highlander lights to those on the carrier. A video for this item is also provided. If your Highlander needs a 4-pole harness you can use custom plug-and-play wiring kit # 118449; an installation video showing its use in a 2008 Highlander is included.