UFG8R Runner
New member
The Problem:
I love my T4R, and I love my dogs. But if I'm ever going to travel with both my dogs and any luggage, I need more space.
I thought long and hard about getting a roof top box. It initially sounded like an attractive idea because they are 1) watertight and 2) lockable.
I eventually ruled out a roof top box for three reasons:
1) It's a pain to load
2) Knowing me, I'd probably forget about it and drive into my garage.
3) It is a relatively limited-use item-- they aren't super versatile (more on this later).
I thought of getting a simple Hitch Hauler, but quickly realized that if I stack much of anything on it, clearance issues would make it impossible to swing my rear lift gate open.
I wanted something:
1) Versatile & easy to load
2) Water tight
3) Lockable
The Solution:
I custom designed my own Hitch Haul / Hitch Box:
A Custom Hitch Haul was a great solution for me because:
1) It's Versatile & Easy to Load:
- No loading a roof top box from a step stool
- No clearance concerns of roof-top boxes (garage, drive-through)
- In Hitch Haul mode, it's easy to load anything I need on it (including a deer if I have a successful hunting trip. Loading a deer in a roof top box doesn't sound like the paradigm of convenience.
2) In hitch box mode, it is lockable and watertight.
3) It's hinged. Now I can stack lots of stuff on the Hitch Haul (or use it in Hitch Box mode), yet still swing it away to open the lift gate:
The hinge is designed to hold an absolute minimum of 300lbs at full swing. Although I've never tested swinging it with more than 350lbs, I expect it would hold close to 500lbs at full swing.
4) It provides lots of storage. I designed the Hitch Haul around a UWS Storage Chest (#TBC-60) that is 60"W X 24"D X 20"H. It holds 16.7 cubic feet of stuff. I had a "cooler rail" welded on top so I can strap even more stuff to the top of the UWS box.
Dimensions: Hitch Haul dimensions are 25" X 61.25" (inside rail to inside rail). The UWS box slides right inside the rails.
Attachment (Hitch Box to Hitch Haul): I drilled 4 small holes in the bottom of the UWS box. Then I simply used 4 small lag bolts with wing nuts to attach (lag bolts are inserted from the bottom up so you have to unlock the box to remove it).
Additional Features:
- Screw in pull pin + safety. You simply unscrew the "T" handle pin and pull the red safety pin when you want to swing it open.
- Built in Brake Lights (GREAT when you stack a bunch of stuff on it)
I've found this setup to be very versatile-- it works great for my needs.
Because I have a lift that raises the height of the vehicle, I haven't had any clearance issues whatsoever. My experience with Hitch Hauls in non-lifted vehicles hasn't always been great, as there can often be a lot of cringe-inducing "tail dragging" when exiting parking lots / off road / etc. If your Runner is stock height, you could easily design it with a 2-3" jog up to allow additional rear clearance.
Dislikes:
- Weight. I haven't weighed it, but I would guess it weighs around 80-90lbs. It had to be engineered fairly stout to hold the weight I wanted to be capable of holding at full swing.
- Attaching to Vehicle: because it is quite heavy, it is VERY difficult to slide into my receiver unless I recruit a buddy. My 5'3" 110LB wife is all the added muscle I need-- it just really helps to have an extra set of hands to balance it while lining up with the receiver.
I love my T4R, and I love my dogs. But if I'm ever going to travel with both my dogs and any luggage, I need more space.
I thought long and hard about getting a roof top box. It initially sounded like an attractive idea because they are 1) watertight and 2) lockable.
I eventually ruled out a roof top box for three reasons:
1) It's a pain to load
2) Knowing me, I'd probably forget about it and drive into my garage.
3) It is a relatively limited-use item-- they aren't super versatile (more on this later).
I thought of getting a simple Hitch Hauler, but quickly realized that if I stack much of anything on it, clearance issues would make it impossible to swing my rear lift gate open.
I wanted something:
1) Versatile & easy to load
2) Water tight
3) Lockable
The Solution:
I custom designed my own Hitch Haul / Hitch Box:
A Custom Hitch Haul was a great solution for me because:
1) It's Versatile & Easy to Load:
- No loading a roof top box from a step stool
- No clearance concerns of roof-top boxes (garage, drive-through)
- In Hitch Haul mode, it's easy to load anything I need on it (including a deer if I have a successful hunting trip. Loading a deer in a roof top box doesn't sound like the paradigm of convenience.
2) In hitch box mode, it is lockable and watertight.
3) It's hinged. Now I can stack lots of stuff on the Hitch Haul (or use it in Hitch Box mode), yet still swing it away to open the lift gate:
The hinge is designed to hold an absolute minimum of 300lbs at full swing. Although I've never tested swinging it with more than 350lbs, I expect it would hold close to 500lbs at full swing.
4) It provides lots of storage. I designed the Hitch Haul around a UWS Storage Chest (#TBC-60) that is 60"W X 24"D X 20"H. It holds 16.7 cubic feet of stuff. I had a "cooler rail" welded on top so I can strap even more stuff to the top of the UWS box.
Dimensions: Hitch Haul dimensions are 25" X 61.25" (inside rail to inside rail). The UWS box slides right inside the rails.
Attachment (Hitch Box to Hitch Haul): I drilled 4 small holes in the bottom of the UWS box. Then I simply used 4 small lag bolts with wing nuts to attach (lag bolts are inserted from the bottom up so you have to unlock the box to remove it).
Additional Features:
- Screw in pull pin + safety. You simply unscrew the "T" handle pin and pull the red safety pin when you want to swing it open.
- Built in Brake Lights (GREAT when you stack a bunch of stuff on it)
I've found this setup to be very versatile-- it works great for my needs.
Because I have a lift that raises the height of the vehicle, I haven't had any clearance issues whatsoever. My experience with Hitch Hauls in non-lifted vehicles hasn't always been great, as there can often be a lot of cringe-inducing "tail dragging" when exiting parking lots / off road / etc. If your Runner is stock height, you could easily design it with a 2-3" jog up to allow additional rear clearance.
Dislikes:
- Weight. I haven't weighed it, but I would guess it weighs around 80-90lbs. It had to be engineered fairly stout to hold the weight I wanted to be capable of holding at full swing.
- Attaching to Vehicle: because it is quite heavy, it is VERY difficult to slide into my receiver unless I recruit a buddy. My 5'3" 110LB wife is all the added muscle I need-- it just really helps to have an extra set of hands to balance it while lining up with the receiver.
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