Rack N Hitch: FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What Rack or Hitch will best fit my car?

It all depends on what you want to carry on your vehicle and what vehicle you plan on using. We can help you understand what your best options are then it will be up to you to decide what will best suit your needs. The best part is at Hitch ‘N Gear we want you to be satisfied. If you are not happy with your purchase and you are within your 30 days of purchase we’ll be more than happy to swap out the product.

What is the Difference between a class 1, 2, and 3 hitch?

Class 1 hitch: Receiver size is 1 1/4”. The Maximum allowable trailer weight is 2000lbs* and the maximum amount of tongue weight is 200lbs.*

Class 2 hitch: Receiver size is also 1 1/4”, however, the maximum allowable trailer weight is 3500lbs* and the tongue weight can be 350lbs.*

Class 3 hitch: Receiver size is 2” sq. The maximum trailer weight is usually 5000lbs* and tongue weight of 500lbs.*

*These weights are entirely dependant on your vehicles towing capacity. If you have questions please contact us and we can help you!

How do I know if I need Trailer Brakes and a Brake Controller?

The requirements for trailer brakes vary depending on where you live. Generally speaking its a good idea if your going to tow over 2500-3000lbs. However local laws and regulations should be read and understood before you try to tow a trailer without them. Please call if you have any questions as this is a safety matter and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

How do I know if I need a Break-Away Kit?

Anytime you have trailer brakes on your trailer you need a break away kit. If your trailer breaks away from your vehicle the break away kit will cause the trailer brakes to turn on and stop your trailer from moving, therefore minimizing any damage that may occur to you or other people.

Whats the difference between hitch brands?

Essentially there isn’t much difference between the brands. One may have a round cross tube while another may have a square one. Some brands have slightly different weight ratings. The difference between one or another can be compared to the difference between Kleenex or Tissue.

I have a bike rack that fits a 2” Class 3 Hitch Receiver and carries 4 bikes. I now have a different vehicle with a 1 1/4” Class 1 Hitch Receiver. Can I put a 1 1/4” to 2” adapter on my hitch and use my old bike rack?

This is definitely a possibility. However you wont be able to carry all 4 bikes anymore as your new hitch’s tongue weight is less than half of your old Class 3 hitch. Also, whenever you add an adapter of any kind a good rule of thumb is to cut your tongue weight capacity in Half.

So your new hitch has a tongue weight of 200lbs. With the adapter your new tongue weight is reduced to 100lbs. With the average weight of a bike rack being anywhere from 25-60lbs you could only put one maybe two bikes on the rack before you start approaching your maximum tongue weight. If you need to carry 3 bikes we sell a few different lightweight bike racks that allow you to carry up to 3 bikes on a class one hitch. Please call or drop by for some advice!

Our family is going camping, what is the best way to carry all of our camping gear and 3 bikes?

There are a number of solutions, however, for an active family the best solution is to put a Cargo Box and Roof Rack on your vehicle to carry all your excess camping gear. A hitch mounted bike rack will carry all 3 bikes easily. Call us or drop by to view our selection. We have a solution for everyone!

How do I determine what size of Cargo Box will work best for me?

The size of cargo box you can use is largely dependant on your vehicle. A few guidelines can be followed to pick the right size though. For instance: Are you a skier or boarder? How long are your ski’s or snowboard? Do you Golf? How large are clubs and bag? Do you need to fit into underground parking? Do you want to carry other things on your roof rack as well as a cargo box? Our staff is extremely knowledgeable and can ask you the right questions to guide you in your search.

I have searched all of the fit guides on the internet and nobody makes a rack for my vehicle, is there another option?

Yes, depending on your vehicle we can do a custom install. We can install a “factory style” roof rack directly onto your vehicle. This option is permanent and can be a great selling point later on. If you think that this is the option for you give us a call or drop in for a free consultation.

I want to tow a trailer and use a hitch mounted bike rack, are there options for this?

Yes, whether its a dual purpose ball mount or a bike rack with a ball mount all ready on it we can help you find a way to get it done.