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Whether you travel a lot, camp a lot, or simply transport messy items a lot, you’ll know how great a hitch cargo carrier is.
They supply extra storage outside of your car, giving you lots of extra space for holiday essentials and also allowing you to keep messy items away from your car’s stylish interior.
A quality cargo carrier will allow you to store lots, and sometimes even give you the ability to attach your bicycle or scooter to give you more variety in where you can cycle.
But finding the perfect cargo carrier for you isn’t easy. There are so many different options available and this makes shopping for a cargo carrier difficult.
Finding one that fits your needs as well as one that fits your car can be difficult. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the best hitch cargo carrier on the market.
We’ve ranked all the best cargo carriers available, and even included a buyer’s guide so that you can understand how we came to our decisions.
If that wasn’t enough we’ve also included an FAQ section to answer any questions you may have throughout your search.
Follow this guide, and you’ll find the hitch cargo carrier for your car easily.
In a hurry?
If you have a holiday soon and need a hitch cargo carrier quickly, you should consider the CURT 18153 60 x 24-inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier.
This amazing addition to your car is packed full of excellent features which makes it great value for money and an excellent choice, including:
- A 60 x 24-inch basket with a 500-pound capacity for plenty of storage.
- 6-inch high walls surrounding the basket for added security and the ability to attach a cargo net or bag.
- Highly adaptable and comes with a folding, angled shank that can be folded away when not in use providing additional ground clearance.
- It features a mesh base which can be easily cleaned and provides lots of extra storage outside of the vehicle, a great place to store messy items so that your car will not get dirty.
- 500-pound capacity
- Highly adaptable
- Easy to clean
- Available with added extras
- Heavy-duty and durable
- Secure
- 500-pound capacity
- Heavy-duty steel
- Easy to assemble
1. CURT 18153 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier
Our favorite hitch cargo carrier on the market is the CURT 18153 basket cargo carrier. This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a carrier which will supply you with lots of room for all the things you need to transport.
The cargo carrier has an internal measurement of 60 x 24-inches, with a capacity of 500-pounds. Its design also comes with 6-inch high walls surrounding the basket for added security and the ability to fasten the basket’s contents to the side to ensure nothing will fall out while you are driving. These sides also give you the ability to fasten a cargo net or bag to the carrier to store your personal belongings.
This cargo carrier is also easily adaptable. It is designed with a folding, angled shank which can be easily folded away when not in use and provides additional ground clearance while in use. The base of the carrier is constructed with a mesh base which is easy to clean, so even the dirtiest of products will not damage the base.
It is created with a durable build of tubular steel which provides a lightweight feel with lots of strength and comes with reflectors for added visibility while you’re on the road. With all these amazing features, it’s clear why we’ve ranked this the best hitch cargo carrier on the market.
- 500-pound capacity
- Highly adaptable
- Easy to clean
- Reflectors for added safety
- Durable build
- Enhanced security
- No notable drawbacks
2. ARKSEN Folding Cargo Carrier
We also love the ARKSEN folding cargo carrier. This is another excellent choice if you’re looking for a sturdy cargo carrier to hold lots of different items.
The ARKSEN folding cargo carrier comes with a capacity of 500lb when distributed across the carrier, and measures 45 x 59.75 inches. It comes with 6-inch barriers to allow you to safely attach and secure your belongings to the carrier and ensure they will not fall off while you are driving.
Similarly to the CURT carrier, this one also comes with a steel mesh bottom which can be easily cleaned and also safely holds your items.
The cargo carrier is built with a heavy-duty stainless steel frame dipped in a black epoxy powder coating for durability. Its basket comes with a foldable design allowing you to fold and unfold the device as and when necessary.
The basket design also has a strong square tube construction for even more durability and strength when carrying heavy loads. This amazing option will fit with any 2-inch trailer hitch opening and can be bought in different sets if you want a cargo net or bag included with your purchase. With all these wonderful features, there’s no doubt that this is one of the best options on the market.
- Available with added extras
- Heavy-duty and durable
- Secure
- 500-pound weight capacity
- Foldable design
- No notable drawbacks
3. MaxxHaul 70107 Hitch Mount Compact Cargo Carrier
Another great choice is the MaxxHaul 70107 Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier. Similarly to the other two cargo carriers we’ve already looked at, this also has a 500-pound weight capacity.
The inside of this carrier measures at 55.5 x 17.5 inches with 4-inch walls for added security, while the exterior measures 54 x 19 x 5 inches. It is designed with heavy-duty steel for durability, with a black powder coat finish to add even more strength to the design. The design along with the strength of the cargo carrier allows this device to provide instant cargo space for any journey you need to take.
This is an excellent option as it is compatible with any class III and IV standard 2-inch hitch receivers, making it a good option for lots of different motors. It has an easy to assemble design so that you can fit it yourself without having to pay any additional fees for the fitting of the hitch cargo carrier. It is highly versatile and durable, making it an excellent choice for all different tasks.
From camping to moving dirt. From hauling firewood to transporting your luggage to the airport. It’s got so many different uses, and with reflectors to ensure you will always be visible on the road, there’s no question that this is a great choice if you’re looking for a new cargo carrier.
- 500-pound capacity
- Heavy-duty steel
- Easy to assemble
- Reflectors for safety
- Versatile
- The instructions can be easy to understand initially
4. Mockins Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier
You should also consider the Mockins Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier. This design is slightly more basic than the options that have come before it but it’s still an excellent choice if you’re looking for a cargo carrier.
Just like all its competitors who have come before it, the Mockins Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier has a 500-pound distributed weight capacity making it a great choice if you need to transport heavy things. The carrier itself also has dimensions of 60 x 20 inches with 6-inch barriers to ensure everything is held secure within the basket itself.
In fact, this carrier actually offers even more security than most on the market, with multiple tie-down points located throughout the design. This cargo carrier also comes with a waterproof cargo bag, 2 ratchet straps, and a cargo net to hold your belongings safe in the carrier. This device is incredibly sturdy, as it is built with heavy-duty steel and reinforced with a mesh floor.
The mesh floor is designed to be easy to clean so that no matter the weather you will be able to keep the carrier clean. It is designed to be compatible with any 2-inch hitch receiver and also comes with a 2-inch shank rise for improved ground clearance. If these features weren’t enough, this device can also fold away for extra convenience when not in use. So it is clear that this is one of the best options on the market if you’re looking to buy a hitch cargo carrier.
- 500-pound capacity
- Tie-down points
- Additional accessories included
- Heavy-duty, durable build
- Easy to clean
- Powder coat is prone to scratching
5. Erickson 07496 Cargo Carrier
Finally, you shouldn’t forget the Erickson 07496 Cargo Carrier which comes with sides for added security. Sticking with the theme of this guide, the Erickson 07496 also has a 500-pound capacity to easily transport all your belongings for whatever activities you feel necessary.
Whether it be transporting supplies, a convenient way to carry your suitcases when you have a smaller car, or a great way to transport your fishing supplies for a trip, this is a great all-round cargo carrier.
This carrier comes with a 58 x 17.5-inch design, with 18-inch sides surrounding the carrier. These sides are the highest of all the carriers we’ve looked at on this list, and are guaranteed to supply extra security to your belongings.
Then when you don’t need them, the sides can be easily folded away or even removed for ultimate ease of use and convenience. This device is designed with extra-strong steel which is coated with black powder for protection against rust and corrosion and extra durability. This device provides a lot of storage space and is compatible with any 20inch hitch receiver making it an excellent choice. If you want a device that is easy to use with high durability, this one might be the perfect choice for you.
Best Hitch Cargo Carrier – Buyer’s Guide
A hitch cargo carrier can be an excellent addition to your car. They provide extra storage outside of your car making them an excellent choice if you have a car with limited storage or need to transport large and messy loads.
There is a huge variety of hitch cargo carriers on the market for you to choose between. But this can make it confusing to know which one is the best for you.
That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to the best hitch cargo carrier on the market. It’s packed full of all the information you need to know before you make a purchase, with helpful tips to ensure you make the choice that is right for you.
Capacity
One of the most important things you should consider when buying a hitch cargo carrier is the capacity. This is very important as the capacity dictates how much weight you can hold in the carrier at one time. A large carrier may seem like a good idea but unless it has a large capacity to match, this might not be a good purchase to make.
The majority of cargo carriers will have a maximum capacity of 500-pounds, just like those we have included in the list above. However, some will go higher. If you are transporting high weights you will want a large capacity, if you are consistently transporting high weights this will be even more important.
However, you should be careful when purchasing as some manufacturers will exaggerate the capacity to make their product more appealing. You will be able to tell whether they are exaggerating by observing the carrier. For it to hold a high capacity, it will have to have a strong build material and a good weight to the device.
Some companies will advertise a lightweight design that can also hold high weights, however, most lightweight carriers will be unable to hold 500-pounds.
Dimensions
Similarly to the capacity, you should also consider the size of the carrier. The bigger a basket the carrier has, the more you will be able to carry within it.
Most carriers come with standard measurements, with internal dimensions usually being between 58 and 60 inches in length, and 20-24 inches in width. A carrier with these dimensions will be able to hold lots easily.
However, a large carrier isn’t always necessary, you should consider what you plan to use the carrier for and buy one accordingly. It is pointless spending out on a large carrier if you only want to transport very small items.
Build Quality
You should also consider the build quality of the carrier. The material that the hitch cargo carrier is built out of will have a direct impact on the durability and sturdiness of the device.
You will notice that hitch cargo carriers are built out of a variety of different materials, but the most common are stainless steel, aluminum, and polypropylene.
However, the most common build material is stainless steel. This heavy-duty material is strong enough to withstand bending under the pressure of heavy loads, it will also resist surface damage through its sturdiness.
Whereas polypropylene and aluminum carriers tend to be a lot more lightweight. This can make the installation process easier but also means the carrier is more likely to break and be unable to carry heavy loads.
If you plan on using the cargo carrier regularly your best choice will be stainless steel as this will be able to withstand the everyday wear and tear damage.
Whereas if you plan on using the cargo carrier infrequently, or for light items, a polypropylene or aluminum carrier might be a better choice for you.
Hitch vs Roof Carrier
The final thing you should consider before buying a hitch cargo carrier is ‘Am I making the right choice?’
As well as hitch cargo carriers you can also get rooftop carriers. They are similar because they both provide you with additional storage outside of your vehicle, but hitch cargo carriers have the edge.
They provide much easier access to the things you have stored in the carrier and require no climbing to reach them. They also provide more security to your belongings as hitch carriers normally come with lots of attachment points to which you can connect your belongings to.
Finally, hitch carriers normally provide a lot more storage than rooftop carriers. With a rooftop carrier, you are limited by the size of your car’s roof which is usually a lot narrower than your car’s hitch.
This gives you a lot more room to store things if you buy a hitch cargo carrier instead of a rooftop carrier, so you should consider all of your options before you make a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you install a hitch yourself?
Yes, you can install a hitch to your car by yourself. DIY installation has become a lot more common in recent years and can be surprisingly easy.
This depends on the make and model of your car, as well as the hitch type. But most of the time you will be able to install a hitch by yourself.
Do hitch cargo carriers need lights?
If your cargo carrier will obscure the tail lights of your vehicle, then yes you will need to buy a hitch cargo carrier that has lights installed on it.
If your vehicle’s lights are not disturbed by the hitch cargo carrier then you will not need to buy one with lights, however, it is a good idea as it will ensure your car will be visible.
Can you put a bike rack on a hitch cargo carrier?
Depending on the style of the hitch cargo carrier, you may be able to attach or convert it into a bike rack.
If the cargo carrier has sides or bars this will prevent you from being able to attach bikes, however, you may still be able to buy a suitable converter.
