Best Hitch Cargo Carriers: Get Extra Capacity | Autance

Sporty and strong, the Rola cargo carrier is a great addition to any type of SUV, truck, or van. Highly durable and sturdy, this 600-pound carrying capacity system is ideal for transporting extra cargo, whether it’s heavy bags and luggage, camping gear, fishing equipment, or anything else—this tow hitch rack won’t disappoint.

The Rola hitch rack is made of heavy-duty steel and has a durable black powder finish, ensuring protection against the elements and long-term quality. This two-piece model is easy to install and it fits 2-inch square receivers on various vehicles, including cars, SUVs, trucks, and other larger vehicles.

The compact but rugged Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier offers superior flexibility and a weight rating of up to 500 pounds. It features 6-inch-high sidewalls that help hold cargo in place while in motion, and the open sides open up more fastening points to secure large items. The carrier also has a folding shank that allows the rack to be folded up when not in use, and it features integrated safety reflectors on the frame for better visibility to the people around your vehicle.

This cargo hitch is built from tubular steel to promote durability and keep it lightweight, and black powder coating helps prevent rust and keeps the cargo carrier looking great for the long haul. Installation can be complicated, however, and some hitches need some adjustments.

We had no idea we would uncover a hitch cargo carrier that literally changes the game; consider our minds blown. The Hitch-n-Go Cart from Great Day may be substantially more expensive than the other entries on this list, but you can’t argue any of them will do what this does. Instead of just a platform or basket for the back of your vehicle, this is a four-wheeled cart which will fit through most doorways and has a screw jack system for lifting up once hitched to your vehicle.

Imagine being able to load/unload your cargo rack inside your house, backyard shed or storage unit. It has a cargo capacity of 350 pounds, which is substantially less than the others on this list, but I would rather roll 350 pounds of my stuff into a hotel room, rather than carry 500 pounds a piece at a time.

The cart is welded and powder coated aluminum for years of durable service. The 13- by four-inch pneumatic tires will roll easily over just about anything but beach sand. The wagon weighs in at 45 pounds, while the mount and the lift system add another 17 pounds, meaning this is about the same weight as some of the full steel units in this guide.

Yakima is one of the times names in the vehicle storage and accessory carrier business most known for ski and bike roof racks. The EXO system is based around the SwingBase which attaches to your car’s trailer hitch and allows you to mount anything from storage boxes like this, to bike or ski racks and even a table top. The system isn’t cheap, but is typical Yakima quality.

One of the advantages of the EXO System is the ability to stack attachments. Users can stack two of these boxes or have the box on the bottom and put a bike rack above it. If you choose, you can even put a traditional basket type cargo carrier above this box.

The Gear Locker is obviously closer to an extra trunk than typical baskets, which are essentially an add-on truck bed; this has the pros and cons as well. In a basket, you can stack to whatever height your faith in bungee cords allows. The lid obviously restricts your Y-axis cargo capacity, but also keeps the rain off and locks out prying-eyes and sticky-fingers.

Silly name aside, the King Bird Folding Cargo Carrier has solid features and real capability. Its full tubular heavy-duty steel gives it up to 550 pounds of carrying capacity, and the company backs that up with a full lifetime warranty. There’s also a strong focus on safety, with three reflectors at the bottom of the frame and two large reflectors on the rear for great visibility. The King Bird also comes with a hitch lock, hitch tightener, and elastic netting to secure your load.

Customer service, however, isn’t the best as it’s been reported as spotty at best. And if you do have any issue with the carrier, its construction, the instructions or installation, or if you purchase the wrong size for your application, returns and restocking fees are expensive.

The Arksen Hitch-Mounted Luggage Basket is built to endure life on the road. It features a heavy-duty steel frame with a black epoxy coating for toughness, and its square tube construction can carry up to 500 pounds. Further sweetening the deal, Arksen throws in a water-resistant cargo bag to protect your gear from the elements when strapped to your roof.

Keep in mind, though, that you’ll need to buy your own hitch pin for this basket. It’s also important to note that the rack rides a bit low behind a vehicle, so you’ll want to keep that in mind if you don’t already have a ton of ground clearance to begin with.

The MaxxHaul Cargo Carrier features a unique and useful ramp system that is normally used for wheelchairs and mobility scooters but also helps load rolling items such as a lawnmower or small wagon. The ramp’s rungs are close together, which facilitates loading gear with small wheels as well. Unlike others on our list, the MaxxHaul is built from aluminum, which both prevents corrosion and reduces weight.

It’s still a tough carrier, however, and with a 500-pound capacity, you’ll be able to load up plenty of gear. That said, the included ramp can become slippery when wet, the instructions can be confusing, and only the ramp folds, not the carrier. So weigh your decision carefully.

If you need to haul bikes but only want to install one rack, the Tow Tuff Cargo Carrier should be on your list. It features a clever design with removable pins that let the user convert it from a cargo carrier to a bike rack in minutes. When carrying bikes, the adjustable wheel holders and tie-down holes keep everything secure, and the rack’s heavy-duty steel construction allows it to carry up to 500 pounds.

There have been reports that some hardware could be missing, as well as complaints of the carrier having sharp edges around the periphery of the unit. That isn’t good, especially when you want to strap a bunch of soft bags with woven straps. And, as with a few other examples on this list, the instructions can be confusing.