hi hitch guy, your correct about the 200 lb tongue wt. , in the saris manual it says you can carry 3 bikes at 35lbs /each. i have mainly road bikes @18lbs each, ...so i dont plan on stressing the rack out too much. the rack itself is 31lbs. i saw them put the hitch on when the car was on a lift and it looked pretty secure to me. take care, nick