Choosing a Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier

Consider load weight, capacity and construction to stow that extra space while RVing.

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Words by Perry Mack

Until reality catches up with science fiction, space inside your vehicle will always have a limit. Hitch mounted cargo carriers (HMCC’s) provide extra storage space on-demand. When it’s time for that rugged camping adventure, just connect it to your hitch, load it and get on your way.

Before we talk about how to choose a HMCC, let’s decide if it is a good option for you. Driving with a loaded carrier means your vehicle just became .9 m (3 ft) longer. What type of campsites do you access? Tight turns will be tougher to navigate and you’ll have to be extra careful backing up during three-point turns. 

If you are towing a trailer, a hitch mount cargo carrier has an advantage over roof mounts in that they can sometimes carry more than your roof rack and are much easier to access with the lower load height. Loading 136 to 226 kg (300 to 500 lb) on your roof can be backbreaking. Plus, you don’t have to be as mindful when you load a HMCC as you can pull items from the middle of the rack, which is not easily done with a roof rack. Rooftop carriers are less aerodynamic, usually making the drive noisier, the vehicle less fuel-efficient and increasing the clearance height of your tow vehicle.

At the beginning (not end) of the road, you may not have a choice. For instance, if your designated RV (or tow vehicle) storage space and racks are maxed out with a kayak and camping gear, then a HMCC could be a better choice.

Sizes and Load Capacities

They come in sizes up to 1.5 m (5 ft) and varying widths, usually starting at 45 cm (18 in) with advertised weights of up to 340 kg (750 lb). However, the weight carrying capacity is dependent on your hitch. A typical receiver mount on a travel trailer has a max tongue weight of 159 kg (350 lb.) You can attach a 340 kg (750 lb) capacity cargo rack but it’s unsafe to load it beyond the 159 kg (350 lb) maximum of your receiver hitch.

Construction

Materials of HMCC’s are usually steel or aluminum or a combination of both. The advantage of an aluminum carrier is it’s often half the weight of a steel carrier, perhaps 15 kg instead of 30 kg (33 lb vs. 66 lb) to achieve the equivalent load-carrying capacity. The aluminum bars will be bulkier, which means you may lose some interior storage space. This is an important fact to research since almost all carriers are advertised using their outer dimensions.

Some carriers are undersigned to fold into a vertical position when not in use, making it easier to back up and walk around your vehicle. Unload it at your campsite and then fold it vertical – a handy feature if you don’t have storage for your carrier on the road or at home. In another case of give and take, the folding option does mean the extra joint adds some movement to the rack, meaning it may not feel as solid.

Foldable raised sides are a feature that will allow you to store taller items more securely and/or stack smaller items. They’re often made of lightweight fencing, so they are best for a lightweight load. There are also bags available to cover your load and protect your gear from the elements. Specialized hitch carriers exist to carry kayaks and paddleboards, and others offer a swing-out camp kitchen.

Another option is to buy or build a cargo box. Buying saves some work. You choose the size and features you want and then lay down your cash. Building your own lets you customize the size and features you want, but naturally, you may need the tools and skills to create it.

Regardless of what you choose, even distribution of the load is key. All cargo mounts we’ve used have been wobbly from side to side. Keep your loads close to the vehicle with the heaviest mass in the centre and lighter towards the edges, with everything secured so there is no movement of cargo. A rough road can shift the load to one side and cause a catastrophic failure of your carrier. 

The maximum weight capacity is calculated based on an evenly distributed weight. Two people standing in the middle will hold, two people standing on one side will break the carrier. Add in the extra force of a bouncing load on a rough road and you’ll be picking up the yard sale of property that’s left on the road like debris from a sinking ship.

Our choice was the DK2 HCC502A aluminum folding cargo carrier weighing in at 14.5 kg (32 lb) at a 127 cm wide x 61 cm wide with a 10 cm rail (50 x 24 x 4 in), which we bought on sale from Canadian Tire for $189.95 plus taxes. It doesn’t have a mesh screen floor to contain smaller items, nor does it have extended storage sides as some carriers do, but our plan is to buy/build a lockable box. We like the lighter weight of the aluminum construction as we like to save on weight when we can. The max carrying capacity is 227 kg (500 lb). It’s more than our RV can hold with their max 350 lb tongue weight, but it’s not even close to our 2011 Silverado 3500HD diesel, which can take up to 680 kg (1,500 lb) on the tongue.

We like the fact that it folds up so we don’t have to move it very often and we are less likely to hit something when backing up. We also like the three heavy-duty steel, powder-coated supports beneath the bed rather than the typical two – and some less expensive carriers have none.

Unfortunately, the aluminum basket is not welded. The bottom platform is riveted together and the top carrier frame is attached by 40 M5x12 screws. Welds would have been preferred. But apparently, there is a limit as to what you get for $200. Time will tell how well it lasts.

Other accessories you may need include a receiver hitch adapter. When you choose your carrier make note of the carriers’ receiver size (most are 5 cm (2 in)) and compare it to your vehicle. Adapters are available to increase or decrease the size to fit. Once again, the part with the lowest load capacity is your maximum (i.e. the weakest link in the chain is the strength of your chain).

Adding a hitch-mounted cargo carrier can provide a 0.5 cubic metre (16.5 cubic ft) or more of easily accessible, affordable storage space – and that could be plenty to easily bring along all of the extra essentials you need.