No More Junk in the Trunk: The Best Hitch Cargo Carriers

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Sometimes, you just want some extra room. Common extra-storage options include roof racks and cargo boxes, but if your vehicle is equipped with a trailer hitch, there's another choice: hook up a rear cargo carrier.

While perhaps not as elegant as a sleek rooftop pod, trailer hitch cargo carriers do the job just fine—at a far more affordable price point. They're relatively cheap, simple to install, and easy to access when you arrive at your destination.

We've used our fair share of hitch cargo carriers over the years, but for expert advice and recommendations we connected with Chris King of RealTruck to help pick out the best options on the market. With the added expertise King brings to the table, we've rounded up eight of the best cargo carriers you can buy.

"While some cargo carriers may require simple assembly, they are generally very DIY-friendly," King says. So even if gear isn't on your list of stuff to haul, a trailer hitch cargo carrier is a great solution for transporting larger items, like lawnmowers and electric wheelchairs. Here's what to look for.

Things to Consider When Purchasing a Hitch Cargo Carrier

Compatibility: Make sure that the hitch cargo carrier is compatible with your vehicle's hitch type and size. The industry standard is a two-inch hitch, but you'll want to check each carrier's specifications and compare them with your vehicle's hitch rating to guarantee a fit.

Weight Capacity and Ratings: Double-check the cargo carrier's weight capacity to ensure it's strong enough to support your hauling needs. It's also essential to consider your vehicle's tongue weight limit (how much weight the hitch can support). A 300-pound load on a hitch rated for 500 pounds is fine—but not if your tongue's weight rating is only 250 pounds.

Material: Select a cargo carrier made from durable materials. Steel offers impressive strength, while aluminum is lightweight and corrosion-resistant.

Access to Vehicle: Consider a swinging or folding cargo carrier if you need to access the rear of your vehicle. These designs allow you to move the carrier out of the way so you can pop the trunk, hatch, tailgate, or window without unloading your cargo.

Additional Accessories: Determine if you'll need additional accessories, such as bike racks, a ramp for unloading and loading wheeled devices, cargo bags, straps, or nets to secure and protect your load.

Security: Consider the security features of the cargo carrier you purchase. Some come with integrated hitch locks or provide secure attachment points to add locks. Others feature closable and lockable boxes or cages to keep your gear secure.

Ready to shop for the best hitch cargo carriers? Here are some of our favorites and expert picks, from RealTruck and beyond.

The Best Hitch Cargo Carriers

Exo Hitch System

When you're looking for top quality, you look for a brand like Yakima. The Exo Hitch System isn't like others on this list. Rather than being a standard platform with a hitch attachment, this unit is effectively a base upon which you can add a variety of attachments, including a dedicated cargo carrier and a storage cargo box.

You can even stack the unit, for two storage boxes, a cargo rack on top of a box, or even a dedicated bike rack atop your carrier. The options are as varied as your adventures, so you can pick the setup you need for any given road trip.

Trailer Hitch Cargo Carrier

The Mockins Cargo Carrier is a budget-friendly model with all the attachments and accessories you need for a road trip. The fold-up cargo carrier measures 60 by 20 inches, with six-inch rails along the perimeter. It should work with nearly any two-inch receiver and is constructed of powder-coated steel. In addition to the carrier itself, Mockins also includes a 16-cubic-foot weatherproof bag, side tie-down straps, a cargo bag lock, and a storage bag for keeping everything together when not in use. Also included is a hitch lock and keys to prevent anyone from walking off with your hitch while out and about.

Based on the thickness of the rails, mesh, and hitch extension, this isn't nearly as heavy-duty as other options out there. Still, it's yet another budget option that's a perennial best-seller on Amazon with near-unanimous positive reviews from verified buyers.

Folding Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier

The Oklead Cargo Carrier is a foldable, heavy-duty steel luggage basket with 14.4-inch side rails, and it's designed to keep boxes more secure than the low-profile alternatives. Despite their extra height, the side rails can be folded down and the entire unit can be folded up toward the vehicle when not in use.

Oklead rates the load capacity at 500 pounds, and the unit measures 60 by 24 inches. If you consider the 14.4-inch rails, that gives you 12 square feet of secured cargo space—more if you pack things above the railings (although you'll want tie-down straps to keep everything in place).

No bags or accessories are included, but that leaves you the option to pack your gear as you see fit. The construction on this unit is less robust than some of the other options on this list, but dollar for dollar, it's hard to beat.

Poly Cargo Carrier

Made in the United States, this unit is basically a cargo box consisting of a polyethylene cargo carrier with 17 cubic feet of space mounted atop a powder-coated steel frame. The unit is water-resistant, features a lockable, double-walled lid, and can hold up to 300 pounds of cargo.

The hitch works with any two-inch receiver and comes with a hitch pin for added security. It's not the cheapest of the bunch, but it's one of the most secure and weather-resistant models we've selected, and it's made right here in the U.S..

Cargo Carrier