Best Hitch Cargo Carriers: Instantly Add Extra Carrying Capacity

These rugged and user-friendly hitch cargo carriers give you the extra cargo capacity to go far.

Best Overall

Mockins Folding Cargo Carrier

Best Value

Camco Eaz-Lift Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier

Honorable Mention

Arksen Folding Cargo Rack Carrier

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Whether you drive a compact sedan, a seven-passenger minivan, or a pickup truck, there are times when you just don’t have enough cargo space. Long road trips, camping trips, college move-in days, and the like can become a frustrating Tetris game that often leaves you sweating and cursing by the time you get on the road.

Quickly and add valuable extra space with an easy-to-install hitch cargo carrier. It gives you the space you need when you need it and stores easily when you don’t. When it comes to durable and dependable cargo carriers, the market is saturated with options. To help you efficiently narrow down your research, I’ve done much of the legwork for you and created a list of my top picks, along with some advice on what to look for to ensure you’re getting the hitch cargo carrier that best suits your needs.

Summary List

Best Hitch Cargo Carrier Overall: Mockins Folding Cargo Carrier

Best Value: Camco Eaz-Lift Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier

Honorable Mention: Arksen Folding Cargo Rack Carrier

Best Compact Carrier: MaxxHaul 70108 Hitch Cargo Carrier

Most Versatile: Leader Accessories Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier With Stand

Best Low Profile: MaxxHaul 60″ x 22″ Aluminum Cargo Carrier Rack

Our Methodology

When it comes to choosing the best hitch cargo carriers, I wanted to provide you with a well-rounded list that features a good variety of reputable manufacturers with solid track records of providing high-quality, reliable products. I included a wide range of price points to suit any budget. I focused on cargo carriers that use the latest technology and that feature innovative, rugged designs suitable for a wide variety of vehicles and uses. For more information on the selection criteria, click this link to The Drive’s Gear About page, which explains our methodology further.

Best Hitch Cargo Carrier Reviews & Recommendations

Best Hitch Cargo Carrier Overall

Mockins Folding Cargo Carrier

Best Value

Camco Eaz-Lift Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier

Honorable Mention

Arksen Folding Cargo Rack Carrier

Best Compact Carrier

MaxxHaul 70108 Hitch Cargo Carrier

Most Versatile

Leader Accessories Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier With Stand

Best Low Profile

MaxxHaul 60" x 22" Aluminum Cargo Carrier Rack

Our Verdict on Hitch Cargo Carriers

The Mockins Folding Cargo Carrier is hands down my top overall pick for a reliable and rugged hitch cargo carrier. This comprehensive kit comes with everything you need to not only add more cargo space, but store it and secure it properly for your journey. It’s also offered at a decent price point. For a budget-friendly option that’s also durable and dependable, check out the Camco Eaz-Lift Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier. It’s a straightforward, sleekly designed basket-style hitch carrier constructed from heavy-duty, yet lightweight powder-coated, alloy steel.

Consider Secondhand

When we start shopping for tools and products, we never overlook the secondhand market. In fact, it’s usually the first place I look. Whether you’re scrolling through Amazon’s Renewed section, eBay for car parts or tools, or flipping through the pages of Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, you have hundreds of thousands of used tools, parts, and gear ready to be shipped to your doorstep. Refurbished to like-new status, they’ll be willing to give you many more years of faithful service all while saving you money. 

If those options don’t have what you need, your local salvage yard is great for car parts, while swap meets are a great resource you should tap. Just Google either and head on down.  

Secondhand Tips

To make your secondhand search easier, here are two tips to finding the best deals and making sure your new-to-you stuff wasn’t destroyed by the previous owner. 

  • When going with an online seller, make sure they have a high user rating and a great reputation among other consumers. 
  • When buying secondhand, do your homework. Shop around and compare pricing between sellers to make sure you’re not getting taken to the cleaners.

What to Consider When Buying a Hitch Cargo Carrier

While there are many similarities between a lot of the best hitch cargo carriers on the market, it’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all consideration. There are several important key factors to familiarize yourself with to ensure you’re getting the best choice to suit your needs and that will hold up to the serious wear and tear over time and continue to securely carry your important gear when you need it most.

Hitch Cargo Carrier Key Features

Weight Capacity

You’ll notice that most of the hitch cargo carriers on my list support between 400 and 500 pounds, which is plenty to easily meet most people’s needs for carrying extra cargo. However, if you’re considering carrying multiple heavy items, be sure to double check the combined weight of everything prior to loading it onto the carrier. No one wants their carrier to fail while they’re cruising down the highway at 70 mph.

Dimensions

Depending on the size of your vehicle, the dimensions of your cargo carrier can be very important. If you drive a large truck or SUV, this may not be such a big deal, but if you’re rocking a compact car or sedan with lower clearance and a narrower wheel base, you’ll probably need to opt for a more compact and smaller carrier. Also, be sure to consider the dimensions of the items you want to carry. There’s no point in purchasing a cargo carrier that isn’t large enough to hold your equipment or gear. 

Hitch Receiver Size

Most hitch cargo carriers are designed to fit into most standard Class III and IV two-inch hitch receivers. Be sure to double-check your receiver hitch size prior to purchase, though, just to be on the safe side. If you don’t know what size your receiver hitch is, simply measure the opening with a measuring tape or ruler. If you have a 1 1/4-inch receiver opening, you’ll likely need to purchase an adapter to use your hitch cargo carrier. Keep in mind that this will also reduce the tongue weight capacity of your hitch receiver by 50 percent. You’ll have to either ensure that the weight of your cargo carrier doesn’t exceed that capacity or consider upgrading your car’s hitch to remove any limitations.

Hitch Cargo Carrier Pricing 

You can get a straightforward, basic, yet strong and durable, budget-friendly hitch cargo carrier for $85 to $150. These will offer a heavy-duty carrying capacity and are constructed from durable steel or aluminum that is corrosion-resistant. If you’re looking for a foldable hitch carrier that offers added features, such as anchoring accessories, a storage box, etc., plan to spend closer to $200 to $350, depending on the bells and whistles you want.

FAQs 

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

Q: What can I carry on a hitch cargo carrier?

A: The options for what you can carry on your cargo carrier are varied. On a standard 55-60 inch carrier, you can fit multiple suitcases and luggage, a wide variety of camping gear, coolers, lawn chairs, camp stoves, kids toys, up to three medium to large size moving boxes, inflatable rafts or boats, pet crates, and much more. Just be sure to stay within the maximum weight limit for your particular career. 

Q: How far can a cargo carrier stick out?

A: This depends on the state of residence. Some states have no restrictions, while others have a range from 3-15 feet. Check your state’s regulations on this website.

Q: What precautions must be taken if driving with cargo?

A: Check with your local DMV regarding specific cargo-carrying regulations. It’s always a good idea to ensure you use proper tie-down equipment that is in good condition, including ropes, bungees, chains, straps, ratcheting straps, hooks, etc. You should use at least one tie-down for each separate item.

Q: Do hitch-mounted cargo carriers need lights?

A: Your cargo carrier only needs lights if the cargo obscures the tail lights of your vehicle. This may be more of an issue with smaller cars and lower clearance vehicles than larger trucks and SUVs.

Q. How fast can you drive with a hitch-mounted cargo carrier?

A: While you can technically drive up to any posted speed limit with your hitch cargo carrier attached, it’s always a good idea to use caution. Making sure your charger is properly secured is a must, but that doesn’t guarantee that gear won’t shift unexpectedly or come loose if you drive too aggressively.

 

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