Luckily for you, installing a hitch cargo carrier is pretty easy. Unless you are buying an extra large and heavy duty platform, then it can usually be managed by one person as well. Two people can always work to get it in, but one can do it alone if needed.

How the Hitch Cargo Carrier Works

The hitch actually comes out of the back end of the vehicle so the receptacle is open. The cargo platform is usually a straight and has a reinforced bar that sticks straight out to fit in to the open receptacle hole. The platform will slide in to the open receiver spot and then be secured with a pin. The pin should be extra duty so you know it will hold the platform hitch in place for any type of road you travel over. The pin should also be secured by a lock so it doesn’t’ slip out.

Some platforms are heavy, so to guide it in to the hitch area you might need one person on each end. However, if it isn’t a heavy duty platform, it can usually be lifted by one person in the center at the back. The cargo platform can be slid straight back in to the slit and then securely locked in.

When you have large items on the platform, you will want to secure them down over the cargo platform. Secure them to each other with ropes or bungee cords and then hook them to the vehicle for even more support. Since the cargo platform is only anchored to the vehicle from the center point, you will want to have the heaviest items in the middle and place the lightest items on the sides, preventing the hitch cargo trailer from tilting one way or the other as you drive.

The hitch platform doesn’t require any extra care between uses. The cargo storage system requires no work at all, as long as it is stored in an area where it is protected from the elements when not in use. Remove the hitch platform, place the pin and the lick back in it so that you can find it easily when it is time to load up again. The trick to storing your hitch cargo carrier is while you are away with it.

Securing a Hitch Cargo Carrier

Most likely, when you take the platform camping, once it is emptied you will want to get it off the back of your vehicle. So, you pull it out and set it…where? You are camping outside and it could rain. You are dealing with a lot of people in a campground and don’t want it to get stolen. What are your options?

You can secure the hitch cargo carrier to a tree with a simple bike lock system. Or if you have a large tent and don’t have it full of people or gear, you could stash it under a cot or put your luggage on top of it inside the tent. When it is out of sight, then it is at a lower risk of being taken. And if it gets wet this way, then you will be in trouble because all of your gear will be wet. And then it is probably time to just pack up and go home. Once you get home, dry off the hitch cargo carrier and then let it sit like you normally would.

Safety with a Hitch Cargo Carrier

How many times have you gone and filled up gas cans for the lawnmower or other device that runs on gas in your yard and gagged all the way home? Attaching a cargo platform to the back would have allowed you to get your gas cans filled, attach them on the platform and had a nice ride back home. There wouldn’t have been any gagging and you would not worry about inhaling fumes all the way home. Your nose is in check and that of any passengers you might have had in the car with you.

Spaciousness

There could be a trip coming up where you want to take extra gear either because of the elements or because you are taking extra people along. Instead of making them pack lighter or be crowded, the platform hitch would be a good way to still carpool with the other people and let them have as much gear as possible. The hitch on the back could also make it possible so you have room to take up food instead of having to wait and do the grocery shopping there, which would probably cost you more money.

A hitch cargo carrier might also be a way to get things home from the store or to an appointment. Do you train dogs? How many dogs can you put in your vehicle to head to the park? A dog carrier can be safely attached to the back of your vehicle on the platform for short distances. You could also load up a bunch of purchases at the store on the cargo hitch platform so you had even more room on the inside to fill with purchases.

Finding a Hitch Cargo Carrier

When you travel a lot or haul cargo, you need to leave room in the vehicle for the passengers you have to haul too. The cargo carriers come in many different sizes, so there you can pick one that you think will hold all of the stuff you normally put inside your vehicle, around the bodies sitting in seatbelts. A hitch platform can come in a small size, but also medium and large sizes for vehicles that are larger and can handle a heavier load.

The hitch cargo carrier can be found at department stores that handle a lot of sporting goods or camping supplies. They might not have a large selection of sizes, but if you just want a basic model they may have what you need. A farm supply store will also have a good selection of platforms to look at. If they are a super center that also offers trailers and farm equipment, they might have the heavy duty and large sizes in stock too.

The hitch cargo carrier works in the hitch system you already have with your vehicle. Simply remove the hitch and leave the area open. The slot from the hitch platform slides directly in to the opening and is secured with a heavy duty pin and lock. Load your heaviest items in the middle of the platform and leave the lighter ones for the side. That way, your hitch cargo carrier won’t tilt as you drive down the road or cause excessive stress on the pin holding it in place.

What is a Hitch Cargo Carrier

The hitch cargo carrier is a platform that can be added on to the back of your vehicle to transport items to your destination. Are you going away for the weekend and have a tent and other large items that won’t fit inside? Then you can safely store them on the hitch cargo rack and not have to feel cramped inside your vehicle. The hitch cargo carrier also works well if you have items that you don’t necessarily want to transport inside the vehicle, such as tanks of gas, wood, dirty equipment or things that are smelly.

The hitch rack is placed on to your vehicle through the hitch system. Remove the hitch or ball hitch you have so that the receiver is empty. The hitch rack will have be able to slide right in to the back of your hitch hook up. You will need a large and heavy duty pin to go through the slot in order to keep the rack in place during your travels. The pin should also have another hook in it to make sure it is kept securely in place.

Hitch Cargo Carrier Sizes

The racks come in many different sizes and can be used on lots of vehicles as long as they have a hitch behind them. For example, do you take a quad out in to the woods for hunting? Then you can get a smaller rack that hooks in to the slot built on to the back of the ATV. Do you take your SUV up every time you go camping, but don’t haul a camper and stay in tents? Without the added storage space of a camper, you might need extra places to stash your gear. A hitch cargo carrier is the perfect solution. You can keep the inside of your vehicle from being stuffed and you can safely transport the items on the rack.

There are racks that are small and medium sizes for ATVs, golf carts and even small vehicles. There are medium and large sized hitch racks so that you can store heavier or more items before you go on a trip or a vacation. Some are also heavier duty than others, so check the weight capacity of each before you buy one and find out it isn’t the right size.

Where to Buy a Hitch Cargo Carrier

There are a lot of different places where you can buy a hitch cargo carrier. The first place to look is at an RV center. They offer all kinds of options when it comes to hauling gear. Another place to shop is at the local farming goods store or store where they sell parts for tractors and farmers. They have the racks in stock so that the farmers can haul goods around on their tractors and ATVs.

The hitch rack can be purchased form sporting goods stores or even camping stores. They might not have as big of a selection, but you can at least get an idea for size and how much you need when you look at one in person. If they don’t have the big ones in person, then you can always shop online and search for them.

Manufacturers have a lot of hitch cargo carriers available through websites that deal in custom metal work and other trailers and haulers. Find the size you want that will fit in to the hitch receiver you have. How heavy is it? How much will it cost to ship?
Some hitch racks are very heavy and might cost a lot of money to ship. See if they have an outlet nearby where you can go and pick up the piece yourself in order to save some money. The hitch cargo carrier will be well worth the money you spend because it will free up a lot of room in the vehicle or allow you to pack even more.