Options for carrying extra cargo

[Overkill]

I'm going on a hunting trip with my dad and one of his friends in October. We will be driving my 4Runner to Wyoming, and while all of our gear will fit inside, I believe we're going to need extra space for coolers. Between us we have 3 mule deer tags and 2 antelope tags, so hopefully we'll be bringing back quite a bit of meat. What options do I have for extra cargo space? I was thinking about getting one of those trailer hitch cargo carriers and strapping the coolers down to it. I also considered a roof rack, but I'm not sure what kind of weight it could support? I was also thinking it might be a pain to load/unload cargo on the roof every day while we're on the road.

A trailer is a little out of reach for me right now. First, I can't afford a nice one right now, and I don't want to pull a junky one all the way from Alabama to Wyoming. Second, I don't really have a good place to keep it at home, and my home owner's association requires that it be out of sight when not in use. I haven't ruled it out completely, though, if it is the only option.

I've also considered renting a trailer from U-Haul or somewhere, but I think it would be nearly as expensive as buying something to rent it for 10 days.

Anyone have any suggestions/ideas?

 

[GForce_4Runner]

I did the same thing two years ago (Cal to Wyoming) for antelope hunting. Space was tight, and we only brought back three animals. I use a Yakima LoadWarrior basket with the Megawarrior basket extension - I was able to get a lot of gear up top like BBQ, table, tarps, etc. Check out yakima.com for these.

I wanted to keep the coolers inside the car to help keep everything cool. We took the large 150qt coolers which eat up a ton of space inside. You'll need to get pretty creative in order to fit everything. Are you camping or staying at a hotel? Camp gear will take up some space too...

Greg

 

[Overkill]

We're staying in hotels while traveling and at the guide's hunting lodge while we're hunting. That helps some - all we have is clothing, guns/hunting gear, and the coolers. Since there are 3 of us, we'll be able to fold down part of the rear seat, but not all of it.

 

[javendan]

i have one of those hitch baskets and that will def help with the cooler/s.

just be careful on the side with the exhaust pipe... one of my plastic coleman coolers got really hot on that side. luckily, i was able to shift it to the other side.

also, keep in mind how much weight you're going to have hanging out there if you go that route. if you have stock suspension and are sagging now it'll only get worse. safety could be a concern.

the roof is an option and i also use a coleman basket, from the costco deal years ago, w an extension and that helps with popup tent, chairs, tables, etc.

there are 4 of us and i upgraded my wife's 2k 4x4 with performance products 2" lift springs and bilsteins and that setup works great... stock suspension was toast at about 60k. she has over 120k now.

good luck, good hunting and travel safe!

i'm working on a small 40"x48" trailer from harbor freight to help w the gear when we camp.

joel

 

[Overkill]

If I go with the hitch-mounted route, I'll definitely get the exhaust turned to exit on the side instead of from the rear. It'll be enough of a challenge to keep everything cool without dumping hot exhaust back there!

 

[javendan]

or fashion a type of heat shield.

joel

 

[boondoggle]

I just went to uhaul.com and got a quote for a 4x7 utility trailer for 10 days in Alabama and it was only $150. A 5x8 was $180.

Might be the easiest way to go man.

 

[Gerdo]

*Have people pack lite.
*Get a hitch mount carrier if you think that will give you enough capacity. Spend the money on a good one that can handle the weight. The cheap HF ones are just that, cheap.
*If you meet the space, borrow a trailer from a friend.

Remember that a trailer and/or anything on the roof will decrease your gas mileage.

 

[Overkill]

I just went to uhaul.com and got a quote for a 4x7 utility trailer for 10 days in Alabama and it was only $150. A 5x8 was $180.

Might be the easiest way to go man.

Renting a trailer will be $165 (11 days because I'd have to get it the day before the trip) + $88 for insurance. I know it's a lot less than buying a trailer, but I could buy a heavy duty hitch-mount carrier for less than that and be able to use it forever. That's my effed-up rationale, anyway...lol. I wish I knew someone with a little trailer in good enough shape to comfortably tow that far, but everyone I know uses their trailers for short distances so they cheaped out...not that I have room to talk here!

Thanks for the feedback so far, guys. I've got 7 weeks to get it figured out!

 

[nevada]

Renting a trailer will be $165 (11 days because I'd have to get it the day before the trip) + $88 for insurance. I know it's a lot less than buying a trailer, but I could buy a heavy duty hitch-mount carrier for less than that and be able to use it forever. That's my effed-up rationale, anyway...lol. I wish I knew someone with a little trailer in good enough shape to comfortably tow that far, but everyone I know uses their trailers for short distances so they cheaped out...not that I have room to talk here!

Thanks for the feedback so far, guys. I've got 7 weeks to get it figured out!

assuming you fill all the tags, how do you plan to get them back home? theres no way you can haul them on a hitch carrier.

a trailer is your best choice. have the people you're going in with chip in on a trailer. small flat deck trailers are cheap. use it down and back. if after that, theres no way to keep it, sell it.

 

[Overkill]

assuming you fill all the tags, how do you plan to get them back home? theres no way you can haul them on a hitch carrier.

a trailer is your best choice. have the people you're going in with chip in on a trailer. small flat deck trailers are cheap. use it down and back. if after that, theres no way to keep it, sell it.

We will be bringing the processed meat back home, not whole animals.

 

[nevada]

We will be bringing the processed meat back home, not whole animals.

so you wont be using the hitch carrier to haul anything down there? just empty coolers?
and, still 3 filled tags will be a lot of weight.
with 3 people and gear...that doesnt leave much room inside.

 

[Overkill]

so you wont be using the hitch carrier to haul anything down there? just empty coolers?
and, still 3 filled tags will be a lot of weight.
with 3 people and gear...that doesnt leave much room inside.

Empty coolers on the way out there, and (hopefully!) full coolers on the way home.

 

[talonjade]

I think this is a general issue of space and availability of options.

Fact:
You have or will have too much extra gear (assuming you all do your jobs out there!:trophy and will not be able to effectively transport both the gear/ yourself/ and the meat you will be taking back...


I hope you get it figured out

 

[Overkill]

I think I may get everyone to load up their clothes and hunting gear to do a "test run" in the next week or two. Maybe that'll give us a better idea how much additional capacity we're going to need.

 

[boondoggle]

Maybe you could rent a trailer up in Wyoming. Sounds like you might not need it on the way up (haven't seen how much gear you have). That would only save you a couple of days though. And I don't know how convenient a Uhaul place will be to where you're hunting.

Besides, it's always nice when you give yourself an effed up rationale to buy a new toy (instead of renting it).

I don't know how much trailers go for down there but maybe just buy one, use it for the trip and resell it. You're transporting meat though, so you'll definitely want to keep it cool. Not sure how that would be on a trailer.

 

[TRDCal]

I think you'd be surprised what you can fit inside. If your only 3 then you can fold down the big part of the rear seats. Put all your coolers in and then pile gear on top of them.

Another thought is maybe your taking the wrong vehicle. Not to say the 4runner isn't up to the challenge but if you could take a pick-up truck, gas mileage would be similar and you can load them to the sky. Just like the Beverly Hillbillies!

 

[Overkill]

I think you'd be surprised what you can fit inside. If your only 3 then you can fold down the big part of the rear seats. Put all your coolers in and then pile gear on top of them.

Another thought is maybe your taking the wrong vehicle. Not to say the 4runner isn't up to the challenge but if you could take a pick-up truck, gas mileage would be similar and you can load them to the sky. Just like the Beverly Hillbillies!

My 4Runner is the best option we have. Dad has an Explorer Sport Trac that is starting to act less than reliable, and the other guy has an old Dodge Ram 1500 extended cab that I wouldn't trust to drive across town much less across the country. My wife drives a Lexus CT200h which would be great on gas mileage if you could fit more than a gym bag in the back. :lmao:

 

[Martinjmpr]

I think if you look around you may be able to find a one-way rental from WY to AL. That will cut your cost by quite a bit because you won't need to pick it up until the day before you leave to come home.

A small enclosed trailer will fit all your gear and your meat, and let you ride in comfort.

If you go on CL, you can find trailers pretty cheap. Maybe even buy one in WY? I paid $100 for my 4 x 8 utility trailer, although it had no lights and floor boards were rotted out. Still, my total investment is probably less than $500 at this point.

Another option might be this: Pack all your gear in the 4runner for the trip to WY. After you bag your game, pack the meat in the coolers for the trip home, and drive home with just the meat and your guns - ship everything else back via UPS or the Postal Service or something. Think about it, you aren't going to need it right away when you get home, are you?

BTW, where in WY do you hunt? My brother, dad and I hunt antelope every year outside of Laramie. We started hunting there when I was going to school at the University of Wyoming (Go Pokes!)

 

[Overkill]

I think if you look around you may be able to find a one-way rental from WY to AL. That will cut your cost by quite a bit because you won't need to pick it up until the day before you leave to come home.

A small enclosed trailer will fit all your gear and your meat, and let you ride in comfort.

If you go on CL, you can find trailers pretty cheap. Maybe even buy one in WY? I paid $100 for my 4 x 8 utility trailer, although it had no lights and floor boards were rotted out. Still, my total investment is probably less than $500 at this point.

Another option might be this: Pack all your gear in the 4runner for the trip to WY. After you bag your game, pack the meat in the coolers for the trip home, and drive home with just the meat and your guns - ship everything else back via UPS or the Postal Service or something. Think about it, you aren't going to need it right away when you get home, are you?

BTW, where in WY do you hunt? My brother, dad and I hunt antelope every year outside of Laramie. We started hunting there when I was going to school at the University of Wyoming (Go Pokes!)

A one way rental will not work as the empty coolers are going up there with us. I suppose we could look into using cheap or even disposable styrofoam coolers and doing a one way rental. Hmm, that may work actually...

We talked about shipping the stuff, but I think that would cost as much as, if not more than, renting a trailer.

We're hunting with 7J Outfitters near Sundance, WY.