Why is the Hide-a-Goose rated at 30,000 lbs.
when the rail kits are rated much lower?
Although the Hide-a-Goose is rated at 30,000 lbs., Hidden Hitch designs rail kits for non-commercial towing. Non-Commercial Towing is defined as any vehicle any trailer combination not exceeding 26,000 lbs. GCW. Noncommercial also means the gross vehicle weight GVW can not exceed 10,000 lbs. Hidden Hitch does not make rail kits for commercial towing. These must be custom fitted by qualified professionals.

Common Terminology:

Base Curb Weight - The nominal weight of a vehicle with standard equipment and a full tank of fuel. It does not include passengers, cargo or optional equipment.
Commercial Towing - Any vehicle/trailer combination exceeding 26,000 lbs. Gross Combined Weight GCW.
Commercial Vehicle - Any vehicle that exceeds 10,000 lbs. GVW.
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - The actual weight of the vehicle when fully loaded. It is the base curb weight plus the cargo weight.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - The maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle.
Gross Combined Weight (GCW) - The actual weight of the vehicle and trailer combined. This weight should always be obtained by weighing the vehicle and trailer together on a scale.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) - The maximum weight of the towing vehicle and the loaded trailer - including cargo and passengers.
Gross Axle Weight (GAW) - The total weight supported by each axle (front or rear). To compute this weight for your vehicle and trailer combined, take the loaded vehicle and trailer to a scale. With the trailer attached, place the front wheels of the vehicle on the scale to obtain the front GAW. To obtain the rear GAW, weigh the towing vehicle with the trailer attached, but with just the four wheels of the vehicle on the scale. The rear GAW is determined by subtracting the front GAW from that amount.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) - The total weight each axle is capable of carrying. The total load on each axle must not exceed its GAWR.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) – The weight of a trailer fully loaded.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight - The maximum allowable fully loaded weight of the trailer. This weight is obtained by subtracting the towing vehicle’s GVW from its GCWR.
Payload - The combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants and optional equipment that the vehicle is designed to carry. (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus the base curb weight.)
Rail Kit - The components and hardware that mount the gooseneck hitch to the vehicle frame.