Top 10 Best Hitch Cargo Carriers
for June 2023

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Hitch cargo carriers are a popular accessory for hitch-mounted trailers, trucks, SUVs, and vans. They're easy to install, and once you've installed a hitch cargo carrier, you can haul just about anything.

Hitch cargo carriers come in a variety of styles, including saddle, basket, and trunk. Saddle and basket hitch cargo carriers attach to the hitch ball, and trunk hitch cargo carriers attach to the frame of your vehicle.

While hitch cargo carriers are easy to install, we recommend taking a few safety precautions before attaching your hitch cargo carrier. First, check your vehicle owner's manual to make sure it is compatible with hitch cargo carriers. Next, make sure the vehicle hitch is rated for the weight of your cargo. Finally, make sure your hitch cargo carrier is securely mounted.

After you've installed a hitch cargo carrier, make sure you know how to load and unload it.

1
9.9
SCORE
OKLEAD Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier 60

OKLEAD Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier 60" x 24" x 14.4" Folding Cargo Rack Rear Tray Hitch Luggage Basket with 400 LB Capacity Fits 2" Receiver for Car SUV Pickup

by OKLEAD

SPRING HOOKS: Hitch luggage carrier with spring hooks design, easy to pull and fold or open the side rails.

The OKLEAD Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier is compact, lightweight, and easy to handle. It has a simple, one-person design. The included hitch pin is easy to insert, and the side rails fold down when not in use. Once assembled, it has 400 pounds of carrying capacity, which is more than our top pick, the Cargo Rack (800 pounds). The Cargo Rack has a larger capacity, but it takes up more space in your vehicle, and its side rails don't fold down. The OKLEAD Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier is lightweight enough to carry by hand, but it's strong enough for heavy loads. The foldable side rails make it more convenient to store and transport. The rack is adjustable to fit a range of vehicles. It works best on SUVs, but it should fit most cars, trucks, and vans with 2-inch receivers. The rack isn't as durable as some of the other units we tested, but it does a good job of distributing a heavy load.

2
9.5
SCORE
KING BIRD Upgraded 60

KING BIRD Upgraded 60" x 24" x 6" Mount Hitch Folding Cargo Carrier Fits to 2'' Receiver

by KING BIRD

UPGRADED SHANK - This cargo hitch carrier is equipped with a folding, angled shank. When use, the angled shank provides additional ground clearance. And ALLOWS FOLDING when not in use

The KING BIRD Upgraded 60" x 24" x 6" Hitch Mount Folding Cargo Carrier is a great, sturdy hitch mount cargo carrier. The vertical bars make it easy to load and unload items, and when folded, it easily fits into most cars. The basket is padded, and the net and straps make it easy to secure cargo. The cargo basket is deep, so it doesn't take up much room when it's folded down. The hitch lock and hitch stabilizer make sure the carrier stays put, and the solid construction makes it both durable and secure. The basket is large, so it can hold considerable weight, and is well-designed enough that it doesn't look out of place on a car. The KING BIRD Hitch Mount Folding Cargo Carrier is an improvement over our previous pick, the KING BIRD Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier, which has a deeper cargo basket and is longer. The KING BIRD Upgraded 60" x 24" x 6" Hitch Mount Folding Cargo Carrier is a sleek, low-profile carrier that is easy to transport and assemble. It lacks some of the sturdier build quality of our other top pick, the Thule Bike Carrier, but it's lighter and less expensive than the Thule Bike Carrier.

3
9.2
SCORE
MAXXHAUL 80779 Aluminum Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier with 47

MAXXHAUL 80779 Aluminum Hitch Mount Carrier Cargo with 47" Long Ramp

by MaxxHaul

Lightweight easy-to-clean, rust-proof aluminum basket with anchor points for securing loads

The Maxxhaul is the savviest option in our guide to hitch-mounted cargo carriers. It fit our 1-ton truck like a glove and, thanks to the longer ramp, we had plenty of clearance for loads up to 500 pounds. The carrier was also easy to lower and lift, and the ramp, which folds down when not in use, was wide and sturdy. The carrier's handlebars were long enough to fit our midsized SUV, and the carrier was easy to tilt from side to side. The carrier's aluminum construction is lightweight, but it's slightly heavier than the alternatives, which are made of steel. The carrier comes with two locks, but we prefer to use a trailer hitch lock. If you're transporting higher loads, consider our runner-up, the 2-inch-thick aluminum TrailWise (1 above), which has a longer ramp and a larger inside load area.

4
9.1
SCORE
CURT 18152 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier, 500 lbs Capacity, Black Steel, 2-in Fixed Shank

CURT 18152 60 x Basket 24-Inch Hitch Cargo Carrier

by Curt Manufacturing

DURABLE BUILD. This trailer hitch cargo carrier is constructed from tubular steel to promote high strength and a lightweight design. It is rated for 500 lbs. It is also finished with an E-coat and carbide black powder coat

The CURT 18152 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier is one of the most versatile cargo carriers we tested. It can be mounted to a standard 2-inch hitch and, thanks to its angled shank, it can also be used with vehicles with low ground clearance. The cargo carrier offers a 500-pound capacity, which is more than enough for most users. The cargo carrier comes with a 10-foot, 8-inch cargo strap, which is long enough to tie down most small cargo baskets. The cargo carrier is also secured by a hitch pin, which locks the cargo carrier to the hitch, and a hitch lock, which locks the hitch to the mounting plate. The cargo carrier is easy to clean, thanks to its mesh base. The crossbars are secured to the cargo basket with four bolts, so you can easily remove them for cleaning. The CURT 18152 features six-inch-high walls around the cargo basket, which you can use to secure a cargo net or cargo bag. The cargo carrier also comes with two 6-inch cargo hooks, which can be used to secure larger cargo baskets. Overall, the CURT 18152 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier is one of the most versatile cargo carriers we tested. It can be mounted to a standard 2-inch hitch, and its angled shank and 500-pound cargo capacity make it perfect for use with vehicles with low ground clearance.

5
8.8
SCORE
Silver Spring Aluminum Hitch Cargo Carrier Utility Basket with Loading Ramp

Silver Spring Aluminum Hitch Cargo Utility Carrier Basket with Loading Ramp

by Silver Spring

All aluminum construction with a reinforced steel support system

This cargo carrier is one of the best choices we tested for hauling large items. It's large enough to accommodate a 4-person snow blower, a 2-person lawn mower, and several large bags of mulch, and it's made of high-quality, durable aluminum. The hitch mount is very secure, so you won't be able to accidentally dislodge it when you're driving. The basket has relatively thick, sturdy side rails, so it's fairly secure even when driving over bumpy terrain. It tilts forward, so it's easy to load, and there's a built-in loading ramp, which makes loading large items easy. It also has a tie-down anchor point, so you can easily secure items to the basket (the tie-down anchor point didn't work on any of our testers' vehicles, though). The built-in tie-down anchor point is useful, but we wish it were sturdier. The cargo basket is wide, so there's plenty of room for two large bags of mulch. The basket also tilts back, so you can unload items without having to lean over, and the sides are high enough that the wheelbarrow doesn't hit the sides. The cargo basket weighs 37 pounds, and the hitch weighs 11 pounds, so it's fairly lightweight, and the hitch mount is easy to install and disassemble. However, it can take up to 20 minutes to install and disassemble, and the instructions aren't great. The cargo basket is easy to set up and disassemble, and it's made of high-quality, durable aluminum. It's durable, too, so it should be durable enough to haul heavy items.

6
8.5
SCORE
AA Products Hitch Mount Steel Cargo Carrier Basket with 49'' Folding Wheelchair Ramp, Fits 2'' Trailer Mounted Hitches

AA Products Inc. AA Products Hitch Mount Steel Carrier Cargo Basket with 49'' Folding Wheelchair Ramp

by AA Products Inc.

VersatileFeatures 49.2''x 26.4'' Ramp to roll up your small wheeled equipment easily. Ideal for transport Lawn, wheelchairs, Scooters, bikes, gears and anything else.Ramp does Not fold down.

The AA Products Hitch Mount Steel Cargo Carrier Basket with 49'' Folding Wheelchair Ramp, Fits 2'' Trailer Mounted Hitches is a sturdy, well-constructed rack at a great price. The steel construction is lightweight but plenty strong, and it folds up when not in use, saving space in your trunk or truck bed. The adjustable limit switch on the hitch tube provides additional security, and the ramp is removable if you don't need one. The hitch mount is strong and fits 2-inch hitch receivers, so most cars, trucks, and SUVs should have no issues.

7
8.3
SCORE
USSerenaY Hitch Cargo Carrier - Trailer Hitch Luggage Rack with Net, Waterproof Cargo Bag and 2 Reinforced Straps - Folding Car Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier L60 X W20 X H6 550lbs Capacity

USSerenaY Hitch Cargo Carrier

by USSerenaY

[Easy To Assemble & Maintain]: The receiver hitch cargo rack came with installation instructions. The hitch mounted cargo carrier's folding shank allows for higher ground clearance and easier to fold up when not in use. Pull-pin to conveniently fold up and out of your way. This hitch basket cargo carrier frees up cargo space inside your vehicle, and also features a mesh base to easily clean up.

The USSerenaY Hitch Cargo Carrier is a sturdy cargo basket for trailer hitch. This trailer hitch cargo basket can support up to 550 pounds. The trailer hitch cargo carrier is constructed from heavy duty steel to promote high-strength and a lightweight mesh design. The trailer hitch cargo carrier has 2 sturdy metal support poles on each side of the basket and an extra-thick folding receiver tube to fasten all extra camping gear in the trailer hitch cargo carrier. The trailer hitch cargo basket's overall size is 60" X 20" X 6". The trailer hitch cargo carrier comes with everything. The trailer hitch cargo basket's 2 yellow ratchet straps help to fix cargo and support the trailer hitch cargo carrier. The trailer hitch cargo basket's 4 pcs red reflectors provide a safe driving experience at night or smog situation. This trailer hitch cargo basket is perfect for hauling cargo, camping equipment, luggage or use as a rear bike rack.

8
8.3
SCORE
Ark Motoring Hitch Cargo Carrier, 60 x 24 x 6-Inch, 500 lbs Capacity, 2-Inch Folding Shank, Black Steels

Ark Motoring Hitch Cargo Carrier

by Ark Motoring

Extra Storage Capacity: Get an extra roomy 10 square ft. of space behind your vehicle with Ark Motoring hitch-mounted cargo carrier! The 2" shank works great with any vehicle that has a 2" receiver, and the folding design also allows it to be folded up when not in use.

The Ark Motoring Hitch Cargo Carrier is a large, durable, and versatile cargo carrier. It's ideal for transporting large items, and it folds up for easy transport, too. The high-quality steel construction is built to last, and the powder-coated finish is tough and corrosion-resistant. The hitch mount is steel, too, and there are two tie-down straps included. The cargo net is quite large, and the 36-inch length allows you to wrap it around larger items or pack it tightly. The basket itself is large, too, which is a major plus because it makes it easier to transport large or bulky items. The basket is also larger and wider than most, so it's more spacious than competitors. However, this basket is a bit difficult to load and unload. The tie-down straps rattle against the side of the basket, and it's tricky to get everything into place. Also, the basket is a bit wobbly, so some items slip into the basket and are hard to pull out. All in all, the Ark Motoring Hitch Cargo Carrier is a sturdy, high-quality cargo carrier that is ideal for hauling large items.

9
8.3
SCORE
Rage Powersports Apex CCB-F4820-DLX 48

Rage Powersports Apex CCB-F4820-DLX 48" Long Basket Steel Folding Hitch Cargo Carrier

by Apex

Expanded metal design allows dirt and debris to wash through the carrier

The Rage Powersports Apex CCB-F4820-DLX 48" Long Steel Basket Folding Hitch Cargo Carrier is a durable, easy-to-install and easy-to-carry basket that can hold up to 500 pounds. The steel basket has 4 adjustable tie-down points, and when folded up, the basket sits against the hitch receiver, so you don't have to worry about it getting in the way of your vehicle's components. The basket is heavy and durable, and it's coated with a scratch-resistant powder coat, so it's not only easy to clean, but it also won't rust. The included tie-downs are long enough for most loads, and the steel basket is long enough and strong enough to hold 4 bicycles or a kayak. The basket's locking mechanism is tight enough to hold even heavy loads, and it's easily adjustable. The basket is easy to install, and it's designed to stay attached to the hitch receiver, so it's pretty much uninstall and reinstall. The basket is also easy to transport, and when it's folded up, it can fit in almost any trunk or rear cargo area. The only complaint we have about the basket is that the included tie-downs can be too short, so they won't fit all loads.

10
7.6
SCORE
Leader Accessories Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier With Stand Foldable Cargo Basket 60

Leader Accessories Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier With Stand Foldable Cargo Basket 60" L 20" x W x 5" H with 500 LB Capacity Fits 2" Receiver

by Leader Accessories

THICK STEELS: 2 piece construction with durable powder coat finish that resists the elements, scratches, and rust.

The Leader Accessories Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier with Stand is a surprisingly versatile, sturdy, and practical option. The frame is made of high-quality aluminum, and the platform is 6.5 inches tall, which offers excellent stability. The 500-pound capacity is impressive, and we liked how solid and well-constructed the carrier felt. It has a locking mechanism and latch to ensure it stays in place. The hitch mount is easy to install and offers both 2-inch and 1.25-inch receiver sizes. The stand is sturdy and stable, and it offers three height settings, so you can set the cargo basket to your desired level. The legs fold up inside the cargo basket, so it doesn't take up much space when it's not in use. The carrier is also significantly lighter than other comparable options, so it's easy to carry. The only drawback is the price, which is significantly higher than most other cargo carriers. That said, the Leader Accessories Cargo Carrier with Stand is one of the most versatile and practical options we tested, and it's still worth considering if you're on a budget.

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