Best Hitch Cargo Carrier (2026): 5 Carriers Compared by Size, Bag and Warranty

The trunk is full, the back seat is full, and the camping gear still sits on the driveway: a trip with a loaded car asks for space the car does not have. This guide rounds up the best hitch cargo carrier options for the extra load, carriers that mount on a trailer hitch and carry the bulky gear outside, and ranks them by basket size, capacity, bag and warranty.

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Picks for the garage

#	Product	Shop Score	Buy
1	Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier Rack Basket	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
2	VEVOR 60 x 24 x 6 in Folding Hitch Cargo Carrier	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	MaxxHaul 70108 Aluminum Cargo Carrier With High	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier Rack Basket	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	MaxxHaul 70107 53" x 19-1/2" Hitch Cargo Carrier	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier Rack Basket

MeeFar·9.6/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 60 in x 20 in x 6 in tubular steel hitch basket rated for 500 lbs, with a 16 cubic foot waterproof bag, cargo net, ratchet straps and reflectors.

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Pros

• 60 in x 20 in x 6 in basket with a mesh base that is easy to clean
• Rated for 500 lbs with a 16 cubic foot waterproof bag
• Angled shank adds ground clearance for offroad and low-riding vehicles
• Reflectors add visibility at night, with a cargo net and ratchet straps included

Cons

• 60 days is the briefest stated warranty here
• No coded lock is listed for the bag
• No ramp or wheels are listed for loading
• Fits a 2 in receiver only

2

VEVOR 60 x 24 x 6 in Folding Hitch Cargo Carrier

VEVOR·9.6/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 60 in x 24 in x 6 in folding steel hitch basket rated for 500 lbs, with 5mm supporting tubes, a waterproof bag, a coded lock and reflectors.

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Pros

• 60 in x 24 in x 6 in basket, the widest here, rated for 500 lbs
• 5mm supporting tubes with a hook stabilizer for bumpy roads
• Waterproof bag with a coded lock, cargo net and ratchet straps
• Folds when not in use, and reflectors add visibility at night

Cons

• No warranty term is stated
• No high side rails are listed
• No ramp or wheels are listed for loading
• Fits a 2 in receiver only

3

MaxxHaul 70108 Aluminum Cargo Carrier With High

MAXXHAUL·9.5/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 49-1/4 in x 22-1/2 in x 7-1/4 in aluminum hitch basket rated for 500 lbs, with high side rails, reflector lenses and red corner accents.

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Pros

• Extruded aluminum basket with a steel under support frame, rust resistant and lightweight
• High side rails with tie-down points keep cargo in place
• Reflector lenses and red corner accents enhance visibility
• 21.38 pounds, the lowest stated weight here

Cons

• 49-1/4 in basket is the smallest here
• No waterproof bag, cargo net or straps are listed
• 90 days warranty, shorter than the 1 year MeeFar warranty
• Fits a 2 in receiver only

4

Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier Rack Basket

MeeFar·9.5/10 Shop Score

i

The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 53 in x 19 in basket rated for 500 lbs, with a 9 cubic foot waterproof bag, cargo net, ratchet straps and a hitch stabilizer for a Class III or IV 2 in receiver.

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Pros

• 1 year warranty, the longest here
• Rated for 500 lbs with a 9 cubic foot waterproof bag, cargo net and ratchet straps
• Fits Class III or IV 2 in receivers on trucks, SUVs and cars
• 36.0 pounds with a user manual for easy assembly

Cons

• The cargo bag is not heat-resistant, so keep it clear of exhaust heat
• 9 cubic foot bag is the smallest stated bag here
• No reflectors are listed
• No coded lock is listed for the bag

5

MaxxHaul 70107 53" x 19-1/2" Hitch Cargo Carrier

MAXXHAUL·9.4/10 Shop Score

i

The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 53 in x 19 in x 5 in heavy-duty steel hitch basket rated for 500 lbs, with high side rails and a 2 in x 2 in receiver fit.

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Pros

• 500 pound capacity with high side rails
• Outer basket 53 in x 19 in x 5 in with an inner basket of 51 in x 17-1/2 in x 4-1/2 in
• Heavy-duty steel built for demanding loads and rugged conditions
• 22.3 pounds, light for a steel basket

Cons

• No waterproof bag, cargo net or straps are listed
• No reflectors are listed
• 90 days warranty, shorter than the 1 year MeeFar warranty
• Fits a 2 in receiver only

Compared on paper

Specs are the manufacturer’s ratings as listed, collected 14 November 2026. Where a listing contradicts itself, both figures are shown.

How the points were given

Each carrier is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, with the weights published on our How We Pick page. Reflectors earn safety points: the MeeFar 60 in carrier, the VEVOR and the MaxxHaul 70108 list reflectors, so those are the only picks with a safety score above zero, and all but the VEVOR state a warranty term.

Shop Scores range from a low of 9.2 to a high of 9.8, with each tool positioned by its weighted points proportionally, and more points always yields a higher score.

What the listings tell you

We read the listings for the 5 carriers in this roundup. Every carrier here is rated for 500 lbs and fits a 2 in receiver, and the basket sizes run from 49-1/4 in to 60 in long. The bags run from 9 cubic feet to 16 cubic feet where the maker states a size, and the weights run from 21.38 pounds to 36.0 pounds where the maker states a weight.

Buying guide: the best hitch cargo carrier for a road trip

Basket size

Basket size sets how much bulky gear rides outside: the baskets here run from 49-1/4 in to 60 in long, and from 19 in to 24 in wide. Measure the gear before ordering, and check the inner basket too: the MaxxHaul 70107 lists an inner basket of 51 in x 17-1/2 in x 4-1/2 in inside an outer basket of 53 in x 19 in x 5 in.

Capacity and receiver

Every carrier here is rated for 500 lbs and fits a 2 in receiver, so the choice is not capacity but fit: check that your receiver is a 2 in Class III or IV receiver, and keep the load within the rated 500 lbs. A hitch stabilizer cuts noise and movement while driving, and the MeeFar sets include one.

Bag, net and straps

A waterproof bag keeps gear dry in rain, and a cargo net with ratchet straps holds it still. The MeeFar 60 in set pairs a 16 cubic foot bag with a cargo net and ratchet straps, the MeeFar 53 in set pairs a 9 cubic foot bag with a net and a pair of ratchet straps, and the VEVOR adds a coded lock to its bag. The MaxxHaul baskets list no bag, net or straps, so add your own.

Visibility at night

Reflectors keep a loaded carrier visible after dark. The MeeFar 60 in carrier, the VEVOR and the MaxxHaul 70108 list reflectors, and the 70108 adds red corner accents. If your load blocks the tail lights, add lights before a night trip.

Warranty

A warranty term tells you how long the maker stands behind the carrier. The MeeFar 53 in carrier carries a 1 year warranty, the MaxxHaul baskets carry a 90 days warranty, the MeeFar 60 in carrier carries a 60 days warranty, and the VEVOR states no warranty term. If a long warranty matters to you, it is worth ranking above a bigger bag.

Garage Fit Check

• Measure the receiver first: every carrier here fits a 2 in receiver, and the MeeFar 53 in set is made for Class III or IV receivers.
• Check the basket against the driveway and the garage door: the VEVOR basket measures 60 in x 24 in x 6 in, and the MaxxHaul 70108 measures 49-1/4 in x 22-1/2 in x 7-1/4 in.
• Keep the bag clear of exhaust heat: the MeeFar 53 in bag is not heat-resistant, so watch the hot air from the exhaust pipe.
• Fold the carrier when it is not in use: the VEVOR folds, and the MeeFar 60 in set has a fold arm.

FAQ: garage tools

Do hitch cargo carriers need lights?

None of the 5 carriers here lists a light. The MeeFar 60 in carrier, the VEVOR and the MaxxHaul 70108 list reflectors that add visibility at night, and the 70108 adds red corner accents. Check your state rules before a night trip, and add lights if the load blocks your tail lights.

Are hitch cargo carriers safe?

Yes, when the load stays within the rated capacity and the carrier fits the receiver. Every carrier here is rated for 500 lbs and fits a 2 in receiver, and the MeeFar 60 in and VEVOR sets add a cargo net and ratchet straps to hold the load in place.

How do I install a hitch cargo carrier?

Fit the shank into a 2 in hitch receiver, Class III or IV, and tighten the hitch stabilizer to reduce noise and movement while driving. The MeeFar sets include a hitch stabilizer, and the 53 in set comes with a user manual for easy assembly.

What is a hitch cargo carrier?

A basket that mounts on a trailer hitch and carries cargo outside the vehicle: a steel or aluminum frame with a mesh base, high side rails on some models, and a waterproof bag, cargo net and ratchet straps on the kits that include them.

Related: the cargo towing category, the best tool box for pick up trucks, and the best come along for vehicle recovery. Also see a dolly with wheels for moving gear to the carrier.