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If your roof rack is full or you skipped one altogether, this hitch cargo carrier adds room for more gear. It mounts to a 2 inch hitch receiver and works as a modular hitch rack that carries bike racks, ski mounts, and cargo boxes from most brands.
Yes. The Benton Basic Hitch turns your 2" hitch into open mounting space for the same accessories you'd normally put on a roof rack. Instead of lifting bikes, skis, or camping gear overhead, you get waist-height access that makes packing easier and safer.
If you've looked at modular cargo systems that promise flexibility but require you to invest in an expensive ecosystem, the Basic Hitch offers the same freedom in a simpler and more affordable form. It fits racks and cargo boxes from most major brands like Thule, Yakima, Kuat, and Benton. You can use the accessories you already own or choose the brands you prefer without committing to a proprietary system.
If you'd rather skip a roof rack entirely, or already have one that's running out of space, the Basic Hitch gives you a convenient place to carry your gear. It lets you mount bike racks, ski racks, cargo boxes, and many other accessories in a spot that's easy to reach. It works as a standalone solution or as added capacity and gives you more room without changing how you travel.
Most hitch cargo carriers are fixed platforms or baskets. What you see is what you get, and the shape limits what you can carry. The Basic Hitch is different. It uses a four-bar layout that lets you change the spacing of the top bars as needed, so the rack adjusts to your gear instead of the other way around.
The top bars slide side-to-side, giving you flexibility in how you space them. You can bring them closer together to mount two Benton ShellRaiser cargo boxes (B44FR - sold separately) without storing loose bars, or spread them apart for multiple bike or ski racks. If you want a different layout, the bars lift off easily. In most setups, sliding the bars creates the spacing needed for cargo boxes, bike racks, ski carriers, or a mix of gear.
Each bar has channels along the top and sides, so accessories from brands like Thule and Yakima bolt directly in. There are also channels on the bottom for mounting fishing rod holders and other accessories vertically when the rack is folded up. The crossbar shape also works with clamp-on mounts, so gear that wraps around the bar instead of sliding into a track still fits. For everything else, you can strap items directly to the bars using the anchor points at each end. The Basic Hitch is a flexible platform that supports whatever combination of gear your trip requires.
The rack tilts down even with both boxes loaded, so you can reach a cooler or other items inside your vehicle without unloading the boxes.
When you're not using the rack, or if you're using it to carry smaller items like skis or snowboards, it folds up against your vehicle. This keeps the footprint smaller for parking in a garage or tight spaces. If you choose to remove the rack entirely, the compact folded position also makes it easier to store in your garage.
Mounting a hitch accessory can be more of a chore than you'd like. You slide in the shank, wiggle it around, and end up on your hands and knees trying to see daylight through a pin hole. The Basic Hitch fixes that with a collar that lines things up automatically so you can stay on your feet. Set the alignment once, and you won't have to touch it again unless you're moving the rack to another vehicle.
The Basic Hitch uses an anti-rattle hitch pin that tightens the connection to your vehicle, so you don't hear metal clanking while you drive. That banging may be rhythmic, but it's not music. Once it's installed, the only thing left making noise is your playlist and whoever's singing along too loud.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
88% were satisfied with this product
12% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
Claire H.
7/6/2026
I'm so happy we had a solution for what you were needing! Once you take the cargo carrier out on its first trip, please let us know how it goes!
Do you have a question about this Modular Hitch Rack?
Condition: Surface Scratches
Notes: Item has cosmetic scratches.
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Kate F.
3/11/2026
Right on Zachary! The lights look great, thanks for the picture and videos. Have to make sure our family pet members have all their gear too, glad we had the right part to transport it.