Hitch Cargo Carriers

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notoriouslyKEN

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Anybody get running a hitch cargo carrier for extra gear? I think I want to get one for family trips to OBX. I was checking out the Curt Manufacturing ones on Amazon. I measured the rear bumper and it's about 60" wide. Curt makes a 60" wide carrier. Never having a hitch carrier before, that seems like it would be very wide on the rear. They have a 48" model, that seems reasonable but I'd worry about it not storing enough. Anyone have one of these sizes and care to weigh in and aid my decision? Is Curt recommended or is there a better manufacturer?

Curt 18153 60" Basket
Curt 18110 48" Tray
 
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[MENTION=172484]notoriouslyKEN[/MENTION] I got a cheapo 48" tray from Amazon for a cross country move recently (don't recall if it was the Curt or not), and I was surprised at how sturdy it was. Didn't rattle around at all. I bolted a large toolbox to it and filled it up.

I carry multiple bikes that are more than 60" log all the time, so I can't imagine you would have any trouble with the bigger one. Just depends on how much you want to put in there.
 
I have the 48” model and like it. Holds a ton of weight. I do wish it was the basket type because it appears that it would hold things a little more secure. However, I added a folding adapter that makes it incredibly heavy and harder to put on, but it’s really convenient to fold it up when not carrying anything. When I get a new one, it will be aluminum for lighter weight.


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I bought one from Northern Tool. Got the Ultra Tow 49" aluminium. They do sell a 60" aluminium model too.

Receiver Hitch Cargo Carriers | Northern Tool + Equipment

The 49" held a 165 quart ice chest and that's about all the space it had for it. Didn't have any handling issues but I do have upgraded springs and shocks. Not sure how a 60" would handle with it weighed down some.

Most states do require a rear license with lights so I also got this:
LED Trailer License Plate Light w/ Mounting Bracket - Clear Lens Command Electronics Trailer Lights 328-003-70BE

If you had the $$ then get this carrier :D
Pakmule Gear
 
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I'm coming off 20 years of owning pickup trucks, so I'm probably going to end up buying one of these too. It would be great to have for filling up fuel cans and hauling waste oil and trash.
 
Looks like 48" is the most popular. I do have a 140qt cooler that I would load onto the carrier for hunting trips. I think that would probably take up all of the space on a 48"er.
[MENTION=138974]pDubs[/MENTION] Any drawbacks to the 60" size that you've found?
 
notoriouslyKEN said:
Looks like 48" is the most popular. I do have a 140qt cooler that I would load onto the carrier for hunting trips. I think that would probably take up all of the space on a 48"er.
[MENTION=138974]pDubs[/MENTION] Any drawbacks to the 60" size that you've found?
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No issue on my end with it. The 60" doesn't stick out past the sides of the bumper at all. The only thing I kinda wish it did was fold up. However that adds pivots and pins and things that could essentially fail or wobble.

If you look in the Amazon review pictures you can see a few 5th gen 4runners to get an idea of how it sits.
 
JWM816 said:
I have been eyeballing the harbor freight hitch rack...

Hitch Cargo Carrier - 500 lb. Capacity
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I bought this one during one of their sales for like $40. I drilled some holes in it so it slides futher into the hitch receiver and sits closer to the bumper. I haul trash to the dump every week, and have carried items as heavy as firewood on it. It's extremely useful and I love having it.

That being said, the powdercoat wore out quickly and a couple of the metal slats are rusted completely through within 3 years. I'll probably go for an aluminum when this one finally falls apart.
 
I got mine on Amazon for like $40. Loaded it up with wood and drove 3hrs to go camping with zero issues. Thinking about drilling new holes to move it closer to the hitch like [MENTION=107760]salong53[/MENTION] said he did.
 
Soneill said:
I got mine on Amazon for like $40. Loaded it up with wood and drove 3hrs to go camping with zero issues. Thinking about drilling new holes to move it closer to the hitch like [MENTION=107760]salong53[/MENTION] said he did.
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Unrelated, but I am surprised they let you in the campgrounds with that fire wood. You are really only supposed to use wood from the area.

How to Help - Don't Move Firewood

It looks like it's actually even illegal in Texas. Texas - Don't Move Firewood
 
pDubs said:
Unrelated, but I am surprised they let you in the campgrounds with that fire wood. You are really only supposed to use wood from the area.

How to Help - Don't Move Firewood

It looks like it's actually even illegal in Texas. Texas - Don't Move Firewood
Click to expand...

As far as they know I bought down the street from the park. But that article seems pretty vague. Something about quarantine regions. Honestly though, 36 years of camping and bringing our own wood here in Texas and never once have been asked about where it came from.
 
This is interesting.
I'm going to move this from the 5th Gen section to OT where more people may benefit.
 
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In case you are interested, with a front hitch receiver.
 

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