Best Receiver Hitch Cargo Carrier
Hitch cargo carriers are a great way to add extra storage space to your vehicle. They attach safely and securely to the rear of your car and can be used to carry everything from extra luggage top motorized wheelchairs. Once you have established what kind of hitch you have on your vehicle, then you can easily make sure you buy the right cargo carrier; the only thing to ensure is that the one you buy will support the weight of whatever items you want to transport.
Here is a list of the Best Receiver Hitch Cargo Carrier
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Top 5 Best Receiver Hitch Cargo Carrier
1. Pro Series Cargo Hitch with Cargo Bag Bundle
Rating: N/A
If you have a lot of extra luggage to transport, then the Pro Series cargo hitch is the perfect addition to your vehicle. I found it perfect for large camping trips, as the 500lbs weight capacity is more than enough for a large tent and any extra equipment. It fitted very securely onto my car’s 2-inch receiver, and the cargo hitch itself was pretty safe too, with higher sides than most to give you that added security that your precious camping equipment isn’t going to fall out halfway down the highway.
It appears to be pretty well-made too and is apparently protected against rust – essential for something which is going to spend so much time exposed to the elements. Some assembly was required, but it was relatively easy to fit together in just a few minutes.
Pro Series Cargo Hitch with Cargo Bag Bundle Video Review
A great bonus with this particular hitch cargo carrier is that it actually comes with its own bag, which is made from a tough, waterproof fabric and has sealable interior compartments for valuables. This is a great choice if you have a larger car or truck and need to transport a lot of extra kits, but its width means it doesn't really work if you own a smaller vehicle.
2. Rage Powersports 48″ Basket Style Bumper Cargo Hitch Carrier
Rating: 4.2 / 5.0
This is significantly smaller than the Pro Series hitch cargo carrier, but that makes it a much better option if you have a smaller car, or only have a few extra pieces of luggage to transport. Its best feature is undoubtedly the 9-inch railing – one of the highest I came across and something that gives you real peace of mind as you’re driving that your belongings are safe.
One of the major downsides was that it doesn’t come with any assembly instructions; even though it is quite easy to put together, instructions would be useful for people who aren’t so technically minded. However, it is easy to install and its smaller size means that it can be stored away easily at the end of the journey without getting in the way.
It isn’t as robust as some of the other hitch cargo carriers on the market, however, and I wouldn’t trust it with anything more than a few bags of clothes; not for you if you need to transport heavy-duty camping gear.
3. Highland 1042000 Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier
Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
This hitch cargo carrier is a really mixed bag when it comes to its best and worst features; it has lots of fastening points, which makes it a really secure carrier to install, yet has sides that are just 2.5-inches high, meaning that anything you transport has to be very securely fastened if you don’t want to lose it en route.
On the plus side, this is a really well-made piece of kit. It feels solid and sturdy and looks like it will last for years if you take care of it. Assembly couldn’t be easier; the carrier comes in two parts which simply fasten together and you’re ready to go.
Its specifications say it can hold up to 300 lbs of weight, but if you’re planning no transporting stuff of that size you will need to be careful how you load it, as this carrier has a slight tendency to wobble if the weight is spread unevenly. I just felt a little unsafe using this carrier fully loaded, and it took a long time to get everything strapped into place. If like me, you worry about security a little too much, then this won't give you much peace of mind.
4. Red Hound Auto Bumper Hitch Cargo Carrier Basket
Rating: 4.4 / 5.0
Red Hound Auto have addressed the rust problem by constructing their cargo hitch carrier from aluminum bars. This has an added benefit of making it look and feel stronger than the usual steel mesh design as it maintains its shape, even when loaded to the max.
However, while this design may be one of the major strong points of the Red Hound Auto hitch cargo carrier, it is also its downfall, as it takes ages to put it together. All the bars have to be bolted into place, and you will need to use tools to ensure that everything is out together securely before you use it.
Designed to fit 2-inch receivers, it has a pretty hefty 500 lbs capacity, which is more than enough for a camping trip or a large family holiday - provided you have enough time and expertise to put it together! If you want a cargo carrier that can just hook up and get you on the road, this isn't the best choice.
5. TMS 500 Lb Hitch Mount Dual Aluminum Cargo Carrier Basket
Rating: 4.4 / 5.0
This is another hitch cargo carrier manufactured from aluminum, rather than coated steel – which also means that you will need to set aside at least an hour for the construction if you want to be sure of getting it right.
However, once it is put together, this is a really great device that attaches securely to either Class 2 or Class 3 receivers – and which can carry different weights depending on which receiver your vehicle has; 350 lbs if your vehicle has a Class 2 receiver and an impressive 500 lbs if it has a Class 3 receiver.
TMS 500 Lb Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier Basket Overview
Installation can be a bit fiddly, and I needed to secure it in place with some extra tape to prevent an annoying wobble, but once that was done this was a great hitch cargo carrier for our camping trip. The 8-inch sides keep everything securely in place, yet the basket was actually quite light to move around once we had finished out journey.
Conclusion
All in all, there are lots of advantages and a few disadvantages to each of these hitch cargo carriers. If you're not adept at construction skills, for example, you should buy the Pro Series, Rage Powersports or Highland carriers; but if you're more concerned with ensuring that you have a strong and secure basket, the Red Hound and TMS aluminum bars-design give you great peace of mind.
My favorites, however, were the Rage Powersports and Pro Series carriers. Although they are bidding of the more flimsy-looking steel mesh, they both gave really large capacity and high sides, which means you don't need to spend so much time stripping everything down. They both attached securely to my vehicle, and I would recommend the Pro Series if you own a large car or truck and the Rage Powersports carrier if, like me, you own a smaller car.
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