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Towing Guide
There are a number of factors to consider when using the StowAway2 Towing Model (Item #022.2) in conjunction with a towed trailer or vehicle. This document is a comprehensive guide to:
1) StowAway2 Towing Model2) Towing Weight Capacity
3) Tongue Weight Capacity
4) Trailer Tongue Weight
5) StowAway2 Towing Model Carrying Capacity
6) Towing Model Compatibility with Towed Trailers and Vehicles
7) Towing Model Compatibility with Bike Racks
8) Will my proposed towing setup work with the Towing Model?
1. StowAway2 Towing Model
The StowAway2 Towing Model (Item #022.2) is a fixed frame cargo carrier. Like other StowAway2 models, it features: 12.5 cubic feet of storage space, full-function tail lights, an automotive-grade weather seal, a drain plug, and is covered by a 5 year warranty. However, the Towing Model is the only StowAway2 Cargo Carrier that features an additional 2 inch hitch receiver to allow for the towing of a vehicle or trailer.
The Towing Model weighs 68 pounds and should only be used on vehicles equipped with Class III or Class IV hitch receivers. Its dimensions are 49” Length by 21” Width by 24” Height.
There are a number of capacity issues to take into consideration when using the Towing Model in conjunction with a towed vehicle or trailer.
2. Towing Weight CapacityTowing Weight Capacity refers to the amount of horizontal weight a vehicle’s frame can safely support towing. It is a reflection of overall vehicle strength and is integral in determining what type of hitch a vehicle should be equipped with.
The weight of a towed vehicle plus the weight of the Towing Model and its contents should never exceed the towing vehicle’s Towing Weight Capacity. To determine your vehicle’s Towing Weight Capacity, please consult your owner’s manual or contact your dealer.
3. Tongue Weight CapacityTongue Weight Capacity refers to the amount of vertical weight applied to a vehicle’s hitch that the vehicle’s frame can safely support. It is a reflection of overall vehicle strength and is integral in determining what type of hitch a vehicle should be equipped with.
Tongue Weight Capacity is also an important determining factor in what you can safely tow in conjunction with the StowAway2 Towing Model. The Tongue Weight Capacity of a vehicle with a Class III or IV hitch is generally 350 pounds or greater. To estimate your vehicle’s Tongue Weight Capacity, simply divide its Towing Weight Capacity by 10.
4. Trailer Tongue WeightTrailer Tongue Weight is the weight required to lift the tongue of the trailer from the ground to the receiver hitch.
To ensure that your StowAway2 Towing Model and towed vehicle do not exceed your towing vehicle’s Tongue Weight Capacity:
- The Tongue Weight of any towed vehicle or trailer used in conjunction with the Towing Model should not exceed 100 pounds.
- The Trailer Tongue Weight plus the weight of the gear in your StowAway2 Cargo Carrier should not exceed 200 pounds.
The cargo carrying capacity of the StowAway2 Towing Model ranges between 100 and 200 pounds, depending upon the tongue weight of the trailer or vehicle being towed.
To calculate the cargo carrying capacity of the StowAway2 Towing Model for use with your specific towing configuration, subtract the tongue weight of your towed trailer or vehicle from 200 pounds.
For example, if the towed trailer you are using in conjunction with the Towing Model has a tongue weight of 75 pounds:
| Total Tongue Weight Capacity for the Towing Model | 200 pounds |
| Less: Trailer Tongue Weight | - 75 pounds |
| Equals: Cargo Carrying Capacity of Towing Model | 125 pounds |
When towing a trailer with a tongue weight of 75 pounds, you can safely load your StowAway2 Towing Model with 125 pounds of gear.
6. Towing Model Compatibility with Towed Trailers and VehiclesWhen towing a single axle trailer with your Towing Model, it is generally safe to tow most snowmobiles, ATV’s, jetskis and waverunners. The gross weight of the towed trailer should not exceed 1500 pounds.
When towing a vehicle with your Towing Model, the towed vehicle’s second axle will effectively distribute the weight placed on the towing vehicle’s tongue. Because of this, it is generally safe to tow a vehicle with a gross weight up to 3,000 pounds.
7. Towing Model Compatibility with Bike RacksPlacing a bike rack into the Towing Model’s hitch receiver is not advisable. The weight of the bicycles and the weight of the bike rack, in addition to the weight of the Towing Model and its contents, will almost assuredly exceed most vehicles’ Tongue Weight Capacities. In addition, the added length of a bike rack attached to the back of a hitch-mounted cargo carrier raises additional safety issues. If you’re interested in transporting bicycles, StowAway2 offers both a Bike Rack and a Bike/Cargo Rack combination, which can be viewed under the products section on http://www.stowaway2.com. If you wish to carry bicycles in addition to using the StowAway2 Towing Model, we recommend mounting your bikes on a rooftop bicycle rack.
8. Will my proposed towing setup work with the Towing Model?Before every Towing Model purchase, we gladly dialogue with you to ensure that your proposed setup is safe for use with this cargo carrier. For questions regarding the viability of specific towing configurations for use with our Towing Model, please send us an email with the subject line “Towing Model Inquiry.” In the body of the email, be sure to include your full name, the make and model of your vehicle, the size and class of your hitch, and the tongue weight of the vehicle and/or trailer you plan to tow. To speak with StowAway2 Customer Service please call 800.943.5377.
