Top 10 Best Hitch Cargo Carriers
for December 2023

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.