Experience w/ hitch cargo basket?

[UARandy3]

Has anyone had any experience with hitch cargo baskets? It's getting close to hunting season, and I'm going to need one for transporting gear and game. I'm thinking one that can fold up when not in use would be ideal to prevent unneccessarily scraping it over hills and stuff. Also, what size basket have you used? I see them most commonly in either 60x20x6 or 48x20x6.

Thanks

 

[peter78]

I really like them. Since it is in the back, there is less wind resistance and it doesn't affect mileage that much. Mine is 20 X 60. I bought a fairly cheap one, those fold up models look really nice.

You can carry up to 500 pounds on the back of the 4Runner. I can use it for both of my 4Runners, it just fits in the hitch. It is nice to have, when you need more room. The only part I don't like is, if your on a long trip and you stay in a hotel, do you remove the items or keep them there and hope they don't get ripped off.

 

[jdmaccord6]

I have one as well, but it is not foldable. I like it better then a roof basket because of the reduced wind resistance. The only downfall is if you need to load/unload larger things into the trunk, it is in the way. I have a cable lock snaked through the things on mine when/if i have to park it in public for an extended time for security.

 

[UARandy3]

I really like them. Since it is in the back, there is less wind resistance and it doesn't affect mileage that much. Mine is 20 X 60. I bought a fairly cheap one, those fold up models look really nice.

You can carry up to 500 pounds on the back of the 4Runner. I can use it for both of my 4Runners, it just fits in the hitch. It is nice to have, when you need more room. The only part I don't like is, if your on a long trip and you stay in a hotel, do you remove the items or keep them there and hope they don't get ripped off.

After seeing your pictures, I def like the size of the 60x20....seems to take up the majority of the width of the vehicle. Mine won't be loaded up with anything most of the time, so I'm really leaning towards one that will fold....also I think it will help with getting around the hunting land without worrying about it getting in the way.

Do you think one with the 5 or 6" rails around would be beneficial or more in the way when trying to load it?

 

[theizzardking]

After seeing your pictures, I def like the size of the 60x20....seems to take up the majority of the width of the vehicle. Mine won't be loaded up with anything most of the time, so I'm really leaning towards one that will fold....also I think it will help with getting around the hunting land without worrying about it getting in the way.

Do you think one with the 5 or 6" rails around would be beneficial or more in the way when trying to load it?

i'd like higher rails esp if your going to be hunting with it, makes more of a box to attach stuff to, i'm pretty sure i've seen people driving around with deer on one of those things.

the higher rails seem like more security to me and i'd also look for a wire cargo net you can lock on there and keep stuff on the back and away from thieves.

 

[jdmidwest]

Wally had some on clearance a few years back designed for a four wheeler but fit a 2" receiver. It came with a z shaped bracket that lifts it up higher for clearance. I also use a standard hitch haul.

I have used them for several years since I traded in the truck for an SUV. I carry coolers, wood, decoys, etc on the back of my rig all of the time. I did get the Hitch Hauler in a bind a few years back crossing a ditch in the Blazer. I have not had a problem with the 4 wheeler style. I keep my cooler outside so it does not leak on the carpet, same goes with duck decoys. It has hauled a deer or two also.

It works great to keep the nasty things out of the back of your rig. If you need to keep something clean back there, invest in a couple of big rubbermaid tubs as they tend to pick up road slime or mud.

 

[UARandy3]

I definitely think having the rails would be worthwile. They will probably help keep things on the rack a little better and allow for attaching ratchet straps and bungee cords.

jd - that's a good idea about the rubbermaid tubs.

 

[peter78]

I think rails would really help. On mine it is just like the one pictured with the deer. I drilled holes in the side, so that I could attach some web tie downs. Also, the fold up one would be nice. I bought mine a few days before I went on a 5 week trip which ended up in Newfoundland. It was a great way to add some extra stuff. The picture with the canoe is in Newfoundland, inside of the canoe was my roof bag full of sleeping bags. The car was really packed.

One nice thing about using the hitch packer on the 4Runner, is you can roll down the back window and get some things in the back, without having to take it all apart.

 

[UARandy3]

I've decided that I will definitely be getting one with the rails. Now I've been looking into the foldable ones.
I found this one: http://www.discount-trailers.com/folding-hitch-basket.htm
The only problem with that one is that it will hang a bit lower and stick farther out of the hitch due to the folding mechanism. After looking at that one, it seems as though it might actually be even more in the way and in danger of damage or getting in a bind like jd had mentioned above. What do yall think? I'll keep looking around and see what else I can find.

Thanks for all the input so far!

 

[peter78]

I've decided that I will definitely be getting one with the rails. Now I've been looking into the foldable ones.
I found this one: http://www.discount-trailers.com/folding-hitch-basket.htm
The only problem with that one is that it will hang a bit lower and stick farther out of the hitch due to the folding mechanism. After looking at that one, it seems as though it might actually be even more in the way and in danger of damage or getting in a bind like jd had mentioned above. What do yall think? I'll keep looking around and see what else I can find.

Thanks for all the input so far!

You may have a point there. It does sit further out and is a little bit lower. I have hit bottom a few time with my basket. The 4th generation hitch is about 4" higher than the 3rd, so your 3rd gen. could very well hit when turning into a steep driveway or something like that. I think the price is good, I paid $60 for mine.

 

[UARandy3]

I found this folding one also. It isn't quite as wide (50 instead of 60), but also doesn't seem to stick out nearly as far....which is one of my main concerns. I would like one that folds up, but would rather have one that doesn't fold up and isn't as much in the way in regards to departure angles like the previous one I posted.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/50x20-FOLDING-CARGO-CARRIER-LUGGAGE-BASKET-HITCH-HAULER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem439ac6c540QQitemZ290359526720QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories