Parts Needed To Haul A Vespa With A 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Question:

Hello there. I was hoping for some help with my 2003 PT Cruiser Turbo GT. I know that a 1.25 hitch can be installed and I have a 1000 lb. towing capacity. My hope was to be able to install a VersaHaul or something similar and be able to put a 225lb. 1960 Vespa VBA on the back but I dont see a way around the 1.25 hitch. Do you have any suggestions? Ive heard of adapters but many people frown on those. This is my first time Ive ever tried towing/hitching with a car. Thanks,

asked by: Tracy B

Expert Reply:

With the vehicle only having a 1000lb towing capacity for the vehicle you would only have a 100lb tongue weight capacity so hauling a cargo carrier with 225lbs on it would exceed the capacity of the vehicle and the hitches that are available for this vehicle. There are adapters that can give you a 2" receiver but the downside is that adapters reduce the overall capacity of the hitch by 50% so you'd end up with too little capacity to haul your Vespa.

The only way you'll be able to safely haul your Vespa with your PT Cruiser would be to purchase a small single axle trailer and load it onto the trailer. To tow a trailer you would need a trailer hitch, 4-pole wire harness (for your lights), and a ball mount. For the trailer hitch I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C11132 and for the wiring I recommend the Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # C55532.

For the ball mount we'll need to first need to do some measuring to ensure that you have the correct rise/drop ball mount so that the trailer rides level. I've attached a help article below that goes over how to measure for this.

expert reply by: Kevin C