Dquackers

I've recently gotten my vehicle back from repairs after being rear ended in July. But after seeing the drastic price increase in repairs due to the fact that I had a hitch mounted bike rack which amplified the internal damage while seemingly looking normal from the exterior. I was wondering what kind of issues other TL owners with hitches installed have encountered or what I should watch out for.

Currently as well as previously, the hitch was installed only to mount a tray style bike rack, which at most would carry 2 bikes. However, as I am now in a senior position with one of my university's SAE racing teams, we go out for testing quite often so I may use my vehicle to tow a small support trailer in the future.

The questions I currently have are:
What kind of maximum tongue weight have people been able to continuously use without failure?
What's the maximum load that you would tow?
What problems may come up during towing?
Anything I need to upgrade before towing?
Are the labels on my hitch accurate? (Max 2000lbs towing / 200lbs tongue)

Any input or experience in these matters would be greatly appreciated.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

I've only used my hitch to transport a bike or two and personally would never exceed what is stated for max weight for towing/ tongue.

pohljm

(Max 2000lbs towing / 200lbs tongue) Has nothing to do with your car. That is what the hitch is rated for. The TL is rated for 0/0 it is specifically indicated in the owners manual that towing is not recommended. Bike carrier isnt a problem, and several people have towed jetskis and that sort of load seems to be what people are willing to try. The glass auto trans is not going to last as long with additional load. I would run an external transmission cooler for sure. Brakes and fluid in good condition and go for it.