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Hitch Classes Explained

Five classes, two receiver sizes, and one number that decides whether you can fit a cargo carrier at all.

By Janet H.Last reviewed September 25, 2026
A tow hitch receiver fitted beneath the rear bumper of an SUV

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Hitch classes run from I to V and describe both a receiver opening size and a capacity rating. For a cargo carrier or a bike rack, the number that governs is tongue weight — the downward force on the receiver — not towing capacity. Classes I and II use a 1-1/4 inch opening; Class III and up use 2 inches, which is what most cargo carriers and platform bike racks require.

Quick picks

Tap any row to jump to the full write-up below. Scores are our editorial judgment on published specifications — not a star rating, and not a product we claim to have tested.

#ProductBest forScorePrice
1
Representative photo of a powder-coated steel hitch cargo basket
MaxxHaul 70107Light for a steel basket, which leaves more of your tongue weight rating available for cargo.
Class III, best value7.9
2
Representative photo of a steel cargo basket mounted in a vehicle's hitch receiver
CURT 18153 Folding Cargo CarrierThe folding angled shank is what you buy when a fixed carrier would foul your rear hatch.
Class III with hatch clearance8.5
3
Representative photo of a molded trunk bike rack fitted to a hatchback
Saris Bones EXIf your car has no hitch and fitting one is not on the table, a trunk rack is the route that needs nothing.
No receiver at all7.7

Prices checked September 25, 2026. Product photographs are representative stock images, not the exact unit. Affiliate disclosure.

#1 · Class III, best value

MaxxHaul 70107

Representative photo of a powder-coated steel hitch cargo basket
Representative photo — not the exact unit.

Light for a steel basket, which leaves more of your tongue weight rating available for cargo.

Receiver
2-inch, Class III
Rated capacity
500 lb
Basket
60 x 20 inches
Weight
Low for a steel basket

What works

  • More of your tongue rating stays usable
  • Very cheap
  • Proven design

What doesn’t

  • Fixed shank
  • Powder coat wears on salted roads

Our scoring

Capacity8.5
Hatch access6.0
Build7.5
Assembly7.5
Value9.5

7.9overall

#2 · Class III with hatch clearance

CURT 18153 Folding Cargo Carrier

Representative photo of a steel cargo basket mounted in a vehicle's hitch receiver
Representative photo — not the exact unit.

The folding angled shank is what you buy when a fixed carrier would foul your rear hatch.

Receiver
2-inch, Class III
Shank
Folding, angled
Basket
60 x 20 inches
Material
Steel

What works

  • Folds flat when empty
  • Clears tall hatches
  • Robust

What doesn’t

  • Heavy, which costs capacity
  • Expensive

Our scoring

Capacity9.0
Hatch access9.5
Build9.0
Assembly7.0
Value7.5

8.5overall

#3 · No receiver at all

Saris Bones EX

Representative photo of a molded trunk bike rack fitted to a hatchback
Representative photo — not the exact unit.

If your car has no hitch and fitting one is not on the table, a trunk rack is the route that needs nothing.

Type
Trunk rack, up to 3 bikes
Needs
No receiver
Construction
Injection molded
Storage
Folds flat

What works

  • No hitch needed
  • No metal-to-paint contact
  • Folds away

What doesn’t

  • Bikes hang by the top tube
  • Trunk inaccessible while loaded

Our scoring

Bike fit range8.0
Weight capacity6.5
Loading ease7.5
Security8.0
Value8.5

7.7overall

The classes

ClassReceiver openingTypical tongue weightUsually fitted to
Class I1-1/4 inUp to about 200 lbSmall cars and compact crossovers
Class II1-1/4 inUp to about 350 lbMid-size cars, small SUVs, minivans
Class III2 inUp to about 500-800 lbMid and full-size SUVs, pickups
Class IV2 inUp to about 1,000 lbFull-size trucks and SUVs
Class V2 or 2-1/2 in1,000 lb and aboveHeavy-duty trucks

These are typical ranges, not universal values — the actual rating for your hitch is on its sticker and in its documentation, and it can differ from the class norm. Always use your own figure.

Tongue weight is the number, not towing capacity

A hitch quotes two figures: gross trailer weight, which is what it can pull, and tongue weight, which is what it can support downward at the receiver.

A cargo carrier pulls nothing. Its entire load is downward force on the receiver, so tongue weight is the only figure that applies. Reading the towing number and concluding a Class II hitch can carry 3,500 lb of luggage is a genuine and common mistake.

There is a further subtlety. A trailer’s tongue weight acts right at the ball. A cargo carrier’s acts at the center of a basket extending 20 inches or more behind the receiver, which is a longer lever and a harder load. Some vehicle manufacturers publish a reduced rating specifically for cargo carriers and bike racks — if yours does, use that figure instead.

Which class you need

  • Hitch cargo carrier: Class III with a 2-inch opening for almost all of them. The carrier alone can be 50-70 lb.
  • Platform bike rack: Class III for most; a few are sold in 1-1/4 inch versions with a lower rating and a two-bike limit.
  • Hanging bike rack: Class I or II is usually enough — these are light.
  • Ramp carrier for a dirt bike or e-bike: Class III or IV, without exception.
  • Four bikes: Class III. Four bikes plus a four-bike rack is 170-220 lb.

Adapters that convert a 1-1/4 inch receiver to 2 inches exist. They change the shape and not the rating, they add leverage, and most rack manufacturers advise against them. We would not use one for a loaded carrier.

Finding your rating

  1. Look for a sticker or stamped plate on the hitch itself, usually on the side of the receiver tube.
  2. Check the vehicle owner’s manual, towing section.
  3. If the hitch was fitted aftermarket, check the manufacturer’s documentation for the part number.
  4. Measure the opening with a tape — 1-1/4 inch and 2 inch are easy to tell apart.

If you cannot find a rating, treat the hitch as low-rated. An unmarked receiver is not an unlimited one, and this is particularly true on RVs, where many rear receivers are bumper-mounted and restricted to a bike rack — see our RV carrier guide.

Common questions

What hitch class do I need for a cargo carrier?
Class III with a 2-inch receiver for most hitch cargo carriers. The carrier alone can be 50-70 lb, and your tongue weight rating has to cover the carrier plus everything you put on it.
Is tongue weight the same as towing capacity?
No, and the difference matters. Towing capacity is what the hitch can pull. Tongue weight is what it can support downward at the receiver — and for a cargo carrier or bike rack, which pull nothing, tongue weight is the only figure that applies.
Can I use an adapter to fit a 2-inch rack in a 1-1/4 inch hitch?
Adapters exist and we would not use one for a loaded carrier. They change the shape without raising the hitch's rating, and they add leverage. Most rack manufacturers advise against them.
How do I find my hitch's rating?
Look for a sticker or stamped plate on the receiver tube, then the towing section of your owner's manual. If the hitch was fitted aftermarket, check the manufacturer's documentation. An unmarked receiver should be treated as low-rated.

Sources

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