The Best Hitch Cargo Carriers for Maximizing the Storage Area

Yes! You Can Haul That!

With one of these hitch cargo carriers when traveling, camping, and doing other things, it is not hard to fill up a vehicle. This can make a ride feel more cramped and longer than it should be. Beyond that, there are things that simply will not fit inside of a vehicle, even if you have an SUV. Bicycles and coolers are always a problem for most people. It is this idea that spawned the invention of car cargo space. Racks that are outside of the vehicle’s cabin.

Instead of having a cargo rack on your vehicle’s top, you can pull it behind you on the hitch. That is what our best hitch cargo carriers can do. They allow you to secure anything whether you are traveling to town and back or across the country. We hope that one of them will meet your needs.

List of the Best Hitch Cargo Carriers

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#1. CURT 18153 Basket Trailer Hitch Cargo Carrier

This hitch cargo carrier is rated to hold up to 500-pounds, making it ideal for camping supplies, luggage, and more. Interior space measures 58″ x 19 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ and it weighs about 59-pounds. It is designed to fit a two-inch receiver. This cargo area frees up your vehicle’s interior space while protecting everything you want to carry. It features enhanced security for your items with its 6-in high sides. It also has reflectors on the frame so that other drivers can see it day or night.

The cargo carrier is built from tubular steel. This means it has a lightweight yet durable design. It is then finished with an E-coat as well as carbide black powder coating. In short, it will not rust or corrode no matter what type of weather you are traveling through.

Conclusion: This cargo carrier is high-quality according to most people. However, weight can be a problem for some. It may make it hard to lift and attach. The good news is, you only have to do it once since it can fold up when not in use if you want. Overall, it should work for most families. Also, you can check out our guide for the best car trailer winches or Jeep winches.

#2. MaxxHaul 70107 Hitch Mount Compact Cargo Carrier

This MaxxHaul cargo carrier measures in at 53” x 19-1/2” exterior and 51 x 17.5 x 4.7-in interior. The distance between the hitch pin hole and the carrier itself is 6.5-inches. It is lightweight at only 27-pounds.

It can carry up to 500-pounds using only a 2” hitch receiver. There are reflectors and a powder coat finish on it to increase safety and rust-resistance.

Conclusion: One of the biggest complaints about this product is that damage does happen because of poor packaging. It may end up beat up and dinged up. However, most people say that it still goes together easily and that it is well worth considering. This been a pick in our hitch cargo carriers list.

#3. ROLA 59502 Vortex Steel Cargo Carrier

When you want a high capacity hitch carrier, you may want to consider the ROLA. It is ideal for coolers, camping gear, and much more. You can put this on the back of any car, truck, SUV, or other large vehicles to gain extra space when you need it. All you need is the two-inch ball on the back.

You can upgrade and have a lighting system on it, but the basic one will have reflectors to ensure it is visible during the nighttime hours. Overall, it measures 56” x 23” x 5.25” and weighs 74 pounds. It does come with a five-year warranty for parts and labor.

Conclusion: In the manufacturing process, bolt holes are made large. Most people say that it needs a washer which can be purchased at a hardware store. Otherwise, this is a good tow hitch carrier that seems very sturdy and dependable. It also looks nice compared to others. We have also written a complete guide about the electric car scissor jacks or Brake Pads.

#4. KING BIRD Upgraded 550LBS Hitch Mount Folding Cargo Carrier

This upgraded 550LBS capacity folding cargo carrier measures in at 60″ x 24″ x 6″. It fits two-inch balls and comes with the trailer hitch lock, a hitch stabilizer, the net, and straps. It can even work well if you have a vehicle that sits low to the ground thanks to an angled shank. When folded, it will stick out from the vehicle approximately 19-inches.

King Bird provides a lifetime warranty. They also offer a 90-day no questions asked, full refund if you are not totally happy with your purchase. This is because they stand behind their product completely and build it to last.

Conclusion: It is important to note that a hitch pin is required for use of this cargo carrier, however it is not included. If you choose to purchase this carrier, you will want to have the hatch pin before it arrives to save yourself from having to go to the store before using it. In all other ways, this seems like a solid choice for most people.

#5. Merax Trailer Hitch Cargo Carrier

Merax provides us with a bumper luggage rack that can hold up to 360-pounds. It has a platform that measures 60 x 24 x 14.4-inches. One thing that sets it apart from most hitch cargo carriers is its 14.4” high sides. You can worry less about bumps in the road causing everything to shift or fall.

It has a foldable shank and sides so that you can store it on the vehicle when not in use. It works well with all types of vehicles. This rack carrier is also made from heavy-duty steel and then coated in a powder finish. Road grime, dampness, and other elements will not affect its performance. When driving at night, there are red reflectors to alert other drivers that it is there.

Conclusion: There are times when people do not get enough instructions for putting this together. However, most say that it is very simple, with or without them. The pieces that do not fit well are typically the bolts that hold it together. Misaligned holes and such. This can be a problem for some, but also not generally a big concern. It can lead to a little wobble, but for the most part, everyone says it is durable enough to hold up for their needs.

#6. Pro Series 63153 Rambler Cargo Carrier Basket

This is a very robust cargo carrier that measures 60 x 24-inches. It can hold up to 500-pounds which makes it ideal for most situations where you need more carrying capacity than your vehicle has available. 5.5-inch rails all around will keep items securely in place.

It is made in two pieces. Both have a durable powder coat finish that will ensure no matter where you go or what the weather may be, it will hold up. It only weighs 59 pounds. It has a limited one-year warranty to cover imperfections during the manufacturing process.

Conclusion: This cargo carrier is nice looking and able to keep up with most people’s needs. There is some concern about poor welds, which could be an issue for some people. Others are able to repair imperfections if they are a problem. This is why we feel it is definitely something you should be aware of before you buy.

#7. MaxxHaul 70108 Hitch Mount Aluminum Cargo Carrier

This aluminum style cargo carrier measures in at 49 x 22.5”. The interior dimensions are 47-1/4 x 20-1/4 x 6-inches with the 6-inch side rails. It has a 500-pound capacity which allows you to carry supplies and more for your adventures.

Aluminum is the preferred choice for some people since it naturally resists corrosion. It is also a very lightweight cargo option that could be easier to put on a vehicle than steel tubbed ones. This is proven by the fact that it weighs only 29.4 pounds.

Conclusion: This cargo carrier has bad directions for putting it together. However, most people say that once you get it together, it is a high-quality carrier. The key is to put it together so that all rough edges are hidden away. It will stay together better and last you much longer.

#8. ZENY Universal 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier

Zeny is a steel cargo carrier that mounts to a hitch. You can load it with up to 500-pounds and it is black powder-coated to ensure long-lasting use. When you are on a road trip, this basket style cargo carrier can hold basically everything you want it to. You can save the interior capacity of your vehicle for people and items that you do not want to get wet from bad weather.

The basket measures in at 53 x 19 x 4-1/8. This means it has smaller sides than most, but the design of it will allow you to secure your load using bungee cords or straps. It will work with any two-inch hitch receiver and the hitch pin is included.

Conclusion: This cargo carrier has been tested and can hold up to 500-pounds. However, some people feel that it looks too flimsy for heavy-duty work. The square tubes are only about 2” thick, which does not look very good. Those who have pushed its limits though say that it is not a problem at all. It deserves a place in our hitch cargo carriers list.

#9. CURT 18109 Tray-Style Trailer Hitch Cargo Carrier

If you do not plan to carry bulky items that you cannot tie down, you may want this tray-style cargo carrier. It can hold up to 500 pounds and does not have sides that may get in the way of loading or unloading. It also has integrated tie-down holes that make it simple to keep items in place.

You can use this cargo carrier for a variety of things, including deer carcasses. It is easy to clean and fold up when you are done with your adventures. It weighs only 34 pounds and measures 31.2 x 20.5 x 3.8 inches.

Conclusion: This hitch cargo carrier is good at what it does. It can haul a lot of things. The key is to balance out the load and not worry about the looseness around the hitch. In other ways, it could meet your needs, depending on what you hope to use it for.

#10. F2C Universal Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier Basket

The F2C is a 53″ x 19″ cargo basket that can carry up to 500-pounds. It is black steel and has 4.2” side panels for added security of whatever you are hauling. It weighs only 22.7-pounds.

One nice thing about this is the fact that it is a universal fit. It works on 2-inch hitches, but it can be mounted in the front or rear of a vehicle. The cargo carrier cleans up quickly so you can use it for hunting or for hauling luggage.

Conclusion: One of the biggest complaints is that there are unclear instructions for assembly. The bottom center bar does not have a clear label showing which side is up. This can make putting it together tricky, but not impossible. In all other ways, this carrier seems to be a good option for most people. It could be right for your vehicle as well.

Final Thoughts
Basically, any of the best hitch cargo carriers can work for the right person. Most are able to hold up to 500-pounds so that you can save the space in your vehicle for the things and people that matter most. They all have the ability to fold away when not in use. Most of all, they save gas over other vehicle cargo options such as a roof rack.

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Penh J. Bunnarong

Penh J. Bunnarong is an IT guy who has a background in Technology bachelor's degree. He is very passionate about sharing his knowledge on high tech, gadgets & tools, and sports & outdoors.

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