Racks For All

Choosing the Right StowAway2 Cargo Carrier

Are you wondering if the StowAway2 Cargo Carrier will work with your vehicle? Which StowAway2 model is most popular for your vehicle?

Here are a few helpful resources:

• Cleared Vehicles List
• Tailgate Clearance Guide
• Spare Tire Clearance Guide
• Online Fit Guide

If you don't find a match in the cleared vehicles list, you can determine compatibility on your own as follows. Determining the suitability of your vehicle for the StowAway2 and then selecting the right model is a four-step process. We want you to make the right choice, so we have provided information in this section to help you do so.

1. Determine the tongue weight capacity and hitch rating capacity of your vehicle (not the vehicle's hitch). The owner's manual is the best source for this information, but you can also contact your manufacturer or your dealer.
2. Determine the Classification and tongue weight capacity of your receiver hitch. This may be found in the owner's manual of the vehicle if it is an OEM hitch, on the hitch itself, or through the manufacturer of the hitch.
3. Determine your receiver hitch opening dimensions, commonly 1.25” or 2”.
4. Read the following information and then review the most popular models  table below before making your decision.

Step 1: Determine your vehicle's tongue weight capacity and hitch rating capacity.

Tongue weight is the vertical weight that the receiver hitch is capable of supporting in a normal driving environment. The tongue weight capacity of a vehicle or hitch is commonly equal to 10% of the tow weight capacity.

All of the automotive manufacturers rate their vehicles tongue weight and hitch capacities based upon the characteristics of each vehicle. Shorter, lighter vehicles tend to have lower tongue weight capacities while larger, heavier vehicles tend to have higher tongue weight capacities. A vehicle's tongue weight capacity can be found in the owner’s manual, or alternatively through the manufacturer or dealer.

Shorter and lighter vehicles are sometimes not suited for the StowAway2 due to their short wheelbase and/or lighter frame structure. Manufacturers of these vehicles tend to restrict the receiver hitches that can be installed on these vehicles to the lighter hitch classifications.

Step 2: Determine the classification and tongue weight capacity of your vehicle's receiver hitch.

Most receiver hitches are rated as a Class I through Class IV hitch, depending upon their loading capacities. Rated hitches are generally bolted or welded to the frame of the vehicle. Some hitches, like hitches bolted to a bumper, are not classified and are not suitable for the StowAway2 under any conditions.

Tongue weight capacities and hitch opening dimensions can vary within a hitch classification, so it is important that you determine the specific characteristics of your receiver hitch before making your final StowAway2 selection.

The following table shows the typical specifications for common receiver hitches, along with StowAway2 models that will work with those hitches (subject to the vehicle’s tongue weight capacity):

 

Typical Tongue Weight	Receiver Hitch Capacity (lbs.)	StowAway2 Model
Class I	200	This hitch is too light for a StowAway2 Cargo Carrier
Class II	250 - 350	LT Model, Swingaway Model with a 2"opening and a 300 lb. tongue weight capacity
Class III	350 - 500	Sport, Sport Plus, Swingaway or Towing Models
Class IV	500+	Sport, Sport Plus, Swingaway, Towing, Spare Tire Models

Step 3: Determine your receiver hitch opening dimensions.

The hitch opening is measured across the inside opening of the hitch receiver. Class I and Class II hitches are commonly equipped with a 1.25" hitch opening and Class III and Class IV hitches feature a 2” hitch opening. However, some manufacturers fabricate Class I and II hitches with a 2” hitch opening to accommodate a greater range of hitch accessories, so please don’t assume that a 2” opening equates to a Class III or Class IV receiver hitch.

The StowAway2 Cargo Carriers, with the exception of the LT model, are designed for use with a Class III or Class IV receiver hitch. Class III or Class IV receiver hitches are always fabricated with a 2" hitch opening and generally have a tongue weight capacity of 350 pounds or more. The carrying capacity of the StowAway2 will be reduced to 150 pounds for Class III receiver hitches with a tongue weight capacity of less than 350 pounds.

Step 4: Most popular StowAway2 models for use with different vehicles.

The following table shows common vehicle types and the most popular StowAway2 model for those vehicles. Before selecting the StowAway2 best suited to your application you will want to confirm your vehicle's and receiver hitch's tongue weight capacities, your hitch opening size, and ensure that you have no spare tire or other clearance interferences on your vehicle.

Vehicle Type	Examples	Most Common Receiver Hitch	Most Popular StowAway2 Model
SUV - Full Size	Suburban, Tahoe, Expedition, Sequoia, Yukon, Escalade, Navigator	Class III or IV	022.3 Swingaway Model
SUV - Mid Size	Trailblazer, Explorer, Durango, 4 Runner, LX 470, Grand Cherokee, Envoy, MDX	Class II or III	032.0 LT Model for Class II hitches, 022.3 Swingaway Model for Class III hitches
SUV - Small Size	Escape, Tribute, Rav4, CR-V	Class I or Class II	032.0 LT model for Class II hitches. Not recommended for Class I hitch.
SUV - Hybrid	Element, All Subarus, Sportage	Class I	Not recommended
Minivans	Caravan, Windstar, Odyssey, others	Class I through Class III	Some Minivans do have the capacity to support a StowAway2 Carrier, some do not. Please check with your owner's manual to determine your vehicle and hitch’s tongue weight capacities.
Full Size Vans	Ford, Chevy, GMC, Dodge models	Class III	022.3 Swingaway model
RV - Class A	Many	Class III or IV	021.0 Sport model
RV- Class C	Rialta, Fleetwood, Coachmen	Class I through Class III	Class I - Not recommended, Class II - 032.0 LT model, Class III - 022.0 Sport Plus model
RV-Conversion Vans	Pleasure-Way, Sportsmobile	Class III	022.0 Sport Plus or 022.3 Swingaway model
Pickup Trucks	All	Class II or Class III	Check  clearance with Tailgate for suitability of any model
Sedans and Station Wagons	All	Class I	Not recommended

Other Considerations

Hitch Converters
The StowAway2 Carriers arenotrecommended for use with a 1.25 " to 2” Hitch Converter under any circumstances.

Hitch Extenders
Hitch extenders are not recommended for use with the StowAway2 except on receiver hitches with a tongue weight rating of 500 pounds or more. We do not recommend the use of a hitch extender of more than 7” in length.

Towing
Our Towing model (# 022.2) is available if you would like to tow a light trailer or car behind your StowAway2. The Towing model is mounted on a fixed frame and is compatible with Class III and IV receiver hitches.The Towing model does not swing out. We do not recommend installing a bike rack into the Towing model receiver hitch due to weight and distance from the vehicle. See the Towing model page for more details.

 

Stowaway FAQs 

Q: Which models will fit a Class I hitch?

A: None.  The Class I hitch is not rated for the StowAway Carrier loads. 

Q: Will my license plate show after mounting the StowAway?

A: In many cases the license plate is obscured by the cargo box. We do offer an optional  license plate bracket and light
that enables you to mount your license plate on the back of your StowAway. Most states do require that the rear license plate be visible.
Please check with your state's laws to see whether you need this accessory.

Q: Can I interchange the cargo rack, bike rack and cargo box on the swingaway frame.

A: One of the main benefits of our swingaway frame is the interchangability of the cargo box, cargo rack, and bike rack on the same frame.
This feature enables the customer to use the same platform for several different recreational applications.
Our fixed frame models do not offer this same interchangability.

Q: What colors do you offer for the cargo box?

A: Black or White