Hitch Hauler Mods - Anyone got ideas?

[Black T]

I can't afford a roof rack to haul my extra fishing/hunting/camping gear, so I found an aluminum hitch hauler on sale at Menard's this week. I quickly assembled and I began to brainstorm mods.

Does anyone else have ideas that I could steal to make it more functional?

The List
1) Add small trailer lights and wiring for visiblity to other drivers
2) Plastidip (everything else on 4runner is blacked out)
3) Cut some plywood to lay on top of hauler to make small picnic table
4) Add fishing rods holders

 

[GrantK]

Some thing lockable to cover the top so you can stop for lunch without worrying.

 

[Antman]

Spray or brush-on bedliner would be a better choice than Plastidip for this application. First time you hauled say, firewood, the Plastidip would peel off. Bedliner is tough stuff.

Sounds like a fun project! :snacker:

 

[brockeverly]

I do not know that you will be able to add too much as it is aluminum, unless you find someone/you can weld aluminum. I love the hitch basket, bringing home trees, etc is so much easier. I have been thinking off adding walls around mine to carry firewood but have not got around to it yet.

 

[Antman]

I have an aluminum one as well. I think the weight limit was the same as the steel one...400#??. Anyway, you could get creative without resorting to welding stuff.
Mini hijack

I have mostly used mine to haul the pink Jeep (Gasp!) Powerwheels to 4yr old driving adventures. I get some funny looks from people with it hanging back there! The 2yr old gets towed in her wagon behind the Jeep(she refuses to ride shotgun!). Check it out...

 

[Black T]

Spray or brush-on bedliner would be a better choice than Plastidip for this application. First time you hauled say, firewood, the Plastidip would peel off. Bedliner is tough stuff.

Sounds like a fun project! :snacker:

Spray on bedliner sounds like a good plan. What would you suggest I use to scuff the aluminum for better adhesion? Wire wheel on grinder? Some kind of chemical?

No power wheels needed for this guy yet, but when the times comes I will be modding!!

 

[Antman]

Spray on bedliner sounds like a good plan. What would you suggest I use to scuff the aluminum for better adhesion? Wire wheel on grinder? Some kind of chemical?

No power wheels needed for this guy yet, but when the times comes I will be modding!!

Man, I am NOT a great painter. DON'T use a wire wheel! You will heat up the aluminum and actually melt it a little. Maybe a scotchbrite? As long as it's clean though, I think you can just go ahead and spray a few coats on it if it's bare aluminum like mine.

Maybe I'm wrong- better to consult a forum painter!

 

[brockeverly]

Spray on bedliner sounds like a good plan. What would you suggest I use to scuff the aluminum for better adhesion? Wire wheel on grinder? Some kind of chemical?

No power wheels needed for this guy yet, but when the times comes I will be modding!!

I would clean it with some lacquer thinner and scuff it with some sandpaper if it were me. I am not a painter so I do not know that is the best way, but that is what I would do.

 

[philsey]

..... Check it out...

Oh look, he's done the cuph... er bottleholder mod to her trailer.

His son's got cooler tires than he does...

 

[Antman]

How dare you call the cutest 4yr old GIRL in the world a boy?:lmao:

ALEXandra...

I'm actually thinking of putting suspension under that powerwheels. I've been looking at it, and it would be pretty easy.....

 

[phillyd2]

Just wait till SHE is 5.

Now, you have the second cutest Alexandra on the forum.

 

[Antman]

Just wait till SHE is 5.

Now, you have the second cutest Alexandra on the forum.

Cool pic! What a driver! They should hook bumpers and have a pull-off!

Sorry for the hikack. OP!

 

[phillyd2]

Even if one day in the future she discovers the cure for cancer and eliminates world hunger, when interviewed I will still point to her first wheelie as the proudest day. But, if she ever convinces Toyota to again offer a 4Runner V8.....all bets are off. :jump:

 

[Black T]

Cute kids. Update to original post.
I bought red LED lights and a trailer wire kit to replace the stock reflectors that came with the rack. Also bought a can of bedliner. Here goes nothing!

Hopefully I will be posting pictures soon.

 

[rlinger]

Firewood

Note, here is much firewood I took camping in January. I would probably not want to carry much more due to overall vehicle stability. The TieDowns worked well, but I would have preferred ratcheting tie-downs overall.

This is about 1/4 of a Rick.

Good luck!