Hitch and Hitch-Mount Cargo Carrier for Use on 2012 Nissan Altima Sedan  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Thank you for giving us the chance to help you with your cargo needs.

We offer several 1-1/4-inch Class I trailer hitches for your 2012 Nissan Altima Sedan and all can be seen on the link at right. All three options share the same 200-lb tongue weight capacity. The Curt hitch # C11352 that you referenced does require you to use a stabilizing strap # 18050 with any non-trailer load, such as a cargo or bike carrier, to maintain your warranty. This particular hitch also requires a bit more effort for installation - the heat shield must be permanently removed - so I suggest instead the Draw-Tite # 24796. This hitch does not require use of the stabilizing strap, does not require removal of the heat shield and actually is a more cost-effective option. Since it offers the very same 200-lb tongue weight capacity I suggest this Class I hitch.

Please note that an anti-rattle hitch lock will NOT serve the same stabilizing function as the Curt strap. If you choose a Curt hitch you MUST use the strap # 18050 in order to retain your hitch warranty. Using the strap is not a bad idea in any case - it will help steady any cargo or bike carrier you use in any hitch. Even if you choose the recommended Draw-Tite hitch using the strap is a great idea for extra safety margin. If you like you can still use a locking hitch pin like the # e98879.

The wiring harness you selected, Curt # 56022, is a fit for your Altima. This harness provides protection for your vehicle's internal wiring and also offers a substantial current output capacity of 3-amps per stop/turn circuit and 6-amps for tail lights that will be sufficient for most trailers. I have linked a video on this harness and also an article that explains methods for routing its power wire.

Your chosen cargo carrier, Surco # 52017, is Class I-compatible and will fit any Class I hitch, but is no longer available. However, you might instead consider the Curt 20x48 Cargo Carrier # C18110. I suggest this carrier over the Surco for your particular application because its shank offers 3-3/4-inches of height rise, while the Surco did not. This means that the Curt carrier will have better ground clearance when you're going up hills or entering a steep driveway and will be less likely to scrape on the ground. This carrier is also a more cost-effective option. It offers the additional advantages of fitting both 1-1/4-inch and 2-inch hitches, which is great in case you ever need to use it on another vehicle, and it weighs 10-lbs less than the Surco did.

Your cargo net choice, the Curt cargo net # C18200, is a great choice.

When using any cargo carrier in a hitch you need to account for the weight of the carrier itself since this too puts a load on the hitch. For example, if you use the recommended Curt carrier # C18110 that weighs 30-lbs, this means that your allowable cargo weight is 170-lbs. Since the hitch tongue weight rating is 200-lbs, we subtract the carrier's weight from that to come up with the safe cargo weight (200 - 30 = 170). Even though the two carriers themselves each can handle 300-lbs, the actual allowable cargo weight is based on the lowest-rated item in the system, in this case the hitch.

You also will want to check your vehicle owner's manual to confirm it's own tongue weight capacity, which could be less than that of the available hitches and carriers. If the vehicle is rated lower than the hitch then the lower figure becomes the limit for the whole system.

expert reply by: Adam R

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