# 1
24x60 Reese Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - 500 lbs
Desperately needed a cargo carrier for camping in my F-150 Super Crew, and did a ton of internet research before buying. I have to say first off that this is one of the biggest carriers available, both in width @ 60" (foremost) and depth, and total weight capacity is excellent at 500 LB's. When you begin looking, what you'll notice right away is that carriers with brand names, and in smaller form factors are between $300 to $700! While I don't claim to be an expert on cargo carriers, I'm sorry but I don't want to spend that much money on something that you stack ice chests and cargo boxes on. I want to spend $$ on camping equipment that I have to have for my trips..... Further to this, I would say that the quality of construction on this carrier is excellent. The welds are very good, and the gauge of steel used (frame) and quality of the powder coat finish are perfect. They also can supply (option)a regular (bulbs) or led tail light kit (more expensive) for the carrier which in my opinion is a must. The tail light kit is superb and fits the oval openings perfectly with the supplied rubber inserts. The wiring harness supplied fits the lights well, however, as noted in other internet reviews is not of adequate length to reach some harnesses. My truck is already outfitted with a tow package, so all I had to do was hit the auto parts store and purchase an 48" extension. No big deal, and only costs around $5. Assembly was very easy. The Carrier comes in two halves, and the unit is joined at the center (floor level) by a very robust 2" receiver bar that has a height offset to keep the carrier higher off the ground. Three large bolts go through the carrier halves and through the bar using locking nuts, and then four smaller bolts, both leading edge and trailing edge (center) connect the top half of the carrier. While the smaller bolts come with washers, the big bolts on the bottom do not. I would strongly recommend that you purchase some large washers for the bottom bolts as well. Again, not a big expense, and they will help with wear and tear on the bar and frame. Weight of the assembled unit is significant, so plan on having someone there to help you put it in the hitch. Why pull your back out trying to do it solo. :) I'd guesstimate that the carrier weighs about 60+ LB's. One other item to note is that the height of your cargo in the carrier may cover your license plate on the rear of the vehicle, so it would be a good idea to mount a license plate frame on the carrier so that you can move your plate to the carrier instead, that way it will be visible. They also make a cargo bag for this carrier, which looked good, ballistic nylon I believe. I didn't need it because I won't be putting anything on the carrier that can't get wet in a storm, etc. In summary, for the money, I don't feel you can beat this carrier. BTW - Your unit will likely arrive with the outer cardboard totally destroyed, as they don't use very robust exterior packaging, however, your internals should be fine as they are zip tied to the carrier frame, and the corners of the carrier are protected by very thick foam. Mine arrived with the outer cardboard trashed, but the carrier and parts inside were just fine. First trip with the carrier will be in a couple weeks, so once I have road tested it I will update the review.
Solid carrier with plenty of room! Wow, I put this carrier to the test on a 1,600 mile road trip with our 2007 Toyota Highlander and was not disappointed. Plenty of room to store luggage for a family of four plus a load of Christmas presents. We kept everything secure and dry with the etrailer.com 20-cubic foot cargo bag and kept side movement to practically nil with the anti-rattle hitch pin. All around, the whole set up was rock solid and looked great! I highly recommend the light kit as well. With the cargo bag fully maxed out, the Highlander's taillights were blocked. And since we do a fair amount of driving at night I also added some reflective tape all around the top bar to give not only the sides some visibility, but also the back to get the attention of those not-so-attentive drivers behind me. Lastly, the kit was easy to put together; it came with spacers but I did not need them to obtain a flush assembly; the separation problem some have reported during assembly was avoided by torquing down the bolts around the nameplates before the main bar bolts, just as others have reported to have worked for them.
# 2
24x60 Curt Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - Folding - 500 lbs
Just wanted to do a follow up with you in regards with a Hitch Cargo carrier I had purchased from you before the holidays. Not sure if you need my order number or not to prove it but just wanted to give some feed back. I did send you some pictures with it installed,not sure if you had received them or not. They were before and after pictures before I added some more reflective tape on the carrier for more safety. I did have some trouble in order to keep the carrier stationary with it having to much play in it. Wasn't as stiff or secure as I would have liked it, but with really tighting up the bolts on the hitch shaft & carrier it was alot better. I do have a problem where it does like to keep getting loose and I have to keep tighting it which I dont think I should have to keep doing. The bolt has actually began to cut into the black powder coat as it's the only was to tighten it for it to remain secure. It will sway or have to much play in it if I don't tighten it. And the layer of powder coat on it is pretty slim. I use to deal with, apply and work with powder coating on products for years learning all that I could as it was a new job I took a path in with a company. So I know a bit about it. I just wish they had done a thicker layer or some kind of added protection layer on top of the basic simple application they did on the carrier. But I guess this is something I can do later on to perfect it and give the carrier a long life. Wasn't aware when I purchased the carrier that only a small coat was applied. I should have done more research with pricing but already did research on what kind and who to use when buying so I assumed etrailer was the place to shop & buy. I did very much glad I was able to talk with you,help me out and figure out what I was looking for. Giving me a my options,not pressuring me, being so helpful making it easy to purchase and delivery. When I had no idea what I was getting into you did make it extremely comfortable,personable and customer friendly helping me out every step of the way. So I guess in the long run the extra pricing is being paid for the customer support, friendly & helpful service, along with being able to call anytime getting a person and not a computer for any help or problems that I might encounter. And for that alone, it makes it worth it. Just didnt know why Curt sold things to them and the price is different when I thought I was getting a great deal already. But wanted to let you know they are being sold cheaper elsewhere than e-trailer. And it's not even a holiday special..lol I hope this email can give any insight on the product and makes sense also. I will find out starting Jan. 12th when we start traveling into the cold how everything holds up, and pray that it does great in the cold. With it being in warmer weather now I do have to admit I'm a bit scared. I hope the cold won't give me problems with constantly having to tighten things down, things can stay tight and secure without coming loose, and for the bag to hold up more than anything. On my time will tell. Maybe this can help anyone else seeing what it looks like on a Jeep Wrangler Sport also with the rear mounted tire. It's close but everything fits without a problem,no clearance issue's or mounting issue's what so ever. However, I did add more reflective tape so the Curt cargo carrier was more visible for driver's that don't pay attention and not much was offered for the cargo carrier. I have both pictures before and after, with more tape and without, and it adjusted up & down. I did have some trouble with it moving around some hitting the rear tire so I just used a bungee cord to secure it tight against the tire to correct it. This is mounted on a 2011 Jeep Wrangler Sport so this model covers many types and years. Can be very helpful for any other Jeep owners and can use this for any reference. This is gonna help use so much and wish we had this on the 1st move we had out to Cali. I don't have any pictures yet with the luggage and bag full yet, but will try and get them over to you when we use it and pack it up. Should help also for anyone with concerns what is looks like full, any taillight problems, license plate, etc.
Purchased this to go on a 2015 Toyota 4Runner. From the Unboxing everything went well. 11 Bolts to put this beast together, if you have help allow them to help you because on the top frame when you mount the two baskets to the center frame it can kind of be aggravating by yourself. I put this thing together by myself in about 20 minutes with zero urgency of getting it done so it could be done quicker. Overall my first impression of this thing is well-built, nice weight, great black finish, and its heavy but not to heavy. I have severe back problems and I can still lift it and put it in the hitch. I have not field tested it yet but will be shortly for a trip to Florida and once that is completed I will update my review with a Field Test. I honestly want to give this thing 5 stars I really do. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is because it seems when they measured and cut the hole for the hitch pin they didn't measure it when the whole weight of the basket was pushing down on the square tube going into the receiver hitch, now with that being said all I had to do was pull up on the furthest part of the basket and the Hitch Pin went in. Now also with that being said I haven't read any issue of that on any other reviews before I purchased this thing and trust me I went through almost all of the reviews (just how I am) so might just be a small defect and would no way deter me from buying one again. I am beyond happy with the purchase so far and would buy it again every time If i needed to. Im not some paid spokesperson and no one coerced me into doing this. I just believe that If real people are buying this product then real people need to review it. Again I love the Carrier so far and once I field test it I will update my review. Thanks Ya'll
# 3
Rola Roof Cargo Basket - Steel - 54-1/2" Long x 40-1/2" Wide x 5" Deep - 130 lbs
After reading a lot of reviews, I ordered the Rola roof cargo basket with extension last weekend. On Thursday, the packages arrived at my door. The basket and the extension are black powder coated and of very strong and solid construction. No visible damage from the factory or shipping. Assembling the 3 pieces was easy. I read some reviews that said one or a couple of the screw holes did not align very well and there were no holes pre-drilled on the front for mounting the plastic wind deflector. I was fortunate that neither was true on mine. All the holes aligned fairly well and there were 4 pre-drilled holes in the front for wind deflector mounting. However, I did have one of the holes on the side that was just a tad too large so the screw would not have much bite going in. In fact, I could easily use my fingers to screw it in all the way in and take it out. There was no way to totally secure the screw - it just kept spinning once it's in. I figured it probably wouldn't be a big deal because there were 11 other screws to hold the pieces together and it did seem pretty solid. I ended up using some loctite on that particular screw, which may or may not do a good job. As some of the other reviews have suggested, the joints where the front, rear and extension tubes are joined together are not very precise (although joining them was a breeze) - several have visibly larger gaps, which is the culprit of developing rust for a lot of people when water gets in those joints. I applied silicon right away on those joints after I put the pieces together and let it dry overnight. This should prevent water from getting in the joints and developing rust. I'd recommend everyone doing so, regardless of which brand of basket you buy - it's impossible to have the joints so precise and air tight to the degree of water proof. Make sure you use the kind that's meant for outside and sun-proof :) A whopping $5 will save you a lot of headache down the road. This evening I mounted the basket with extension on top of my '06 4Runner. Yes, the basket is pretty heavy, but even mounting it by myself wasn't difficult at all. The brackets seated very well on the factory cross bars and the baskets sits on top of my truck very securely. I'm glad that I got the extension (I suggest you do too!) - the length is perfect for the 4Runner and it provides a much larger area to tie your cargo down. I know some people are concerned about not being able to use their sun/moon roof with the extension. It probably covers 1/2 to 2/3 of my moon roof, but there's plenty of clearance underneath for the moon roof to operate. I've looked at some pictures of the trucks with the basket without extension mounted and I think it looks sort of weird being that short and you lose quite a lot of cargo area. I love the low profile of the basket. It's just tall enough to function perfectly, but it looks so much better than Yakimas, Thules, and most other off brands. AND I was so excited to confirm that I had plenty of clearance to get through my garage door opening!! I think with most other baskets, I would not be able to park my truck in the garage anymore unless I take them off. That's why my big Thule roof cargo carrier always sits in the garage until I go on backpacking trips with my dogs. My Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd ride in their crates when they're in a vehicle and friends and I usually have quite a bit of gear that needs space in and on top of the vehicle :) I took the truck out just now for a spin on the highway to test the basket out. It was 8:30 at night and a lot quieter than day time. I could hear some wind noise once I got above 60 mph, but it was fairly minimal. It's certainly a lot quieter than my Thule cargo carrier. And I had the stereo OFF!! The whine from my BFG AT KO coming from underneath was more noticeable than the wind noise generated by the basket. I do agree with several other people's reviews and think that it would be even better if the manufacturer made the plastic wind deflector longer and cover the entire width of the front - I don't know why they didn't or don't. It would further reduce wind noise and look better too. The fastest I went during the test drive was 75 mph and there was no rattling whatsoever. I have not tested the basket with cargo loaded - will do on the next backpacking trip :) But I'm very confident that it will hold its own very well given the sturdy and solid construction. If they could make it a big lighter without sacrificing strength and rigidity, I would be even happier. Overall, I'm very satisfied with the purchase! I'm glad I did not spend more money getting a Yakima or Thule. The Rola is a really high-value product and I would rate it an "excellent" despite a couple of minor QA issues. Its strength and sturdiness give me peace of mind and I LOVE the lower profile it has compared to most other brands of baskets! Etrailer did a great job statusing me via emails after I placed my order and shipping it out so fast!
Looks sharp on the 2014 Subaru Outback!!! I have been looking at the various cargo baskets for weeks and finally decided on the Rola Cargo Basket. I couldn't be happier. The basket fits perfectly on the new Outback. It doesn't look to small like the Yakima Loadwarrior (a.k.a the OEM cargo basket) or too large like the Yakima Megawarrior. It also isn't cheaply made like some of the other cargo baskets. Assembly was a breeze and I highly recommend purchasing/using a all weather silicone to prevent rust. Etrailer is a great company and upgraded my shipping for free! Delivery took about 3-4 business days and their customer service staff kept me updated along the way.
# 4
24x60 Curt Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - 500 lbs
Package arrived as scheduled. Packaging was not in the best shape, looks like it had been caught on something and one side was ripped open, then taped shut. I opened the box and the packaging around the shelf was not real secure, causing the shelf to slide back and forth inside the box. This caused some minor scuffing on the rails of the shelf, but nothing major. Assembly was easy, but I would recommend that when you put it together, start with the two plates that join the shelf, then use the three bolts for the actual hitch post. I did it the other way and when I tightened the three bolts, it separated the shelf on the top side. I ended up using a tie-down strap to pull the tow pieces together so that I could get rid of the gap on the top rail of the shelf. Once I did this, the shelf came together just fine. The anti-rattle locking hitch pint is GREAT! Installed easily and eliminated any extra movement from the shelf. Equipment is satisfactory, shipping and packaging could use some improvements. Overall satisfied with the purchases.
Quick delivery. Solidly built cargo tray and easy to put together. Using it at the rear of my 24' travel trailer. Using it with extra large waterproof cargo bag. Great combo. Had 18 hours solid rain and all bag items were bone dry!!!!
Used with etrailers anti-rattle hitch lock. Worked great at the rear of my travel trailer along with etrailers waterproof bag! I remove it for winter otherwise its on camper spring , summer and fall.
Barb B - 11/03/2016
# 5
MaxxTow 30x50 Wheelchair Carrier w/ 48" Long Ramp - 2" Hitches - Folding - Steel - 500 lbs
Bought this to haul my generators and lawnmowers. This is the perfect size for my 200 lb. generator. Package came very quick by UPS. Package was in good shape with NO damage. Easy to assemble. All pieces and parts were included with excellent instructions. I assembled it and installed by myself in one hour. The anti-rattle adaptor fit perfect, even though I have a 2 &1/2 inch hitch receiver with a 2 inch adaptor. The ramp fits perfect in the bed of my truck, with my fifth wheel hitch if I have to tow my fifth wheel or boat. Ramp was easy to insert in the receiver by using my 2 wheeled dolly to assist in getting it started, which reduced the total weight of the ramp. Another excellent product from E Trailer.
I use the cargo hitch every week and often multiple days in a row for work. I used to breakdown my magliner/camera cart before and after set as well as for location moves during a shoot, but now i just ramp it up and ratchet the cart to the carrier. -I have not noticed any significant swaying or movement when it is in the down position and my 4Runner drives like nothing is there. -When in the upright position, the carrier has a tendency to lean right or left when I turn, so i just fasten it with the same ratchets that I use for securing my cart. -It weighs about 80 pounds and can be a little tricky to attach solo, but ive got a quick little system and now its no problem. I also generally leave it on. -with its frequent use, the 2" square connecting shaft has bent a few degrees, probably from some low speed road impacts when going through dips in driveways, etc, so it doesnt sit evenly off the back of my 4Runner, but thats not terrible, it just looks wonky when folded up and when in use in the down position. -It has made some loud scratching sounds when it drags on the asphalt, maybe some plastic casters would be a good idea. -I like that it clears my lights and license plate. -The anti-rattle/stabilization block doesnt cinch down on a 4Runner hitch due to no clearance and welding spots, maybe it does on other vehicles. -I have otherwise found it to be very solid, out of my view when driving, and well worth the buy. I have had a few in the past and this is the best for my application.
# 6
22x59 Rola Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - 600 lbs
As others have mentioned the shipping box was a bit beat up but arrived quickly with all parts and minimal scratches in the powder coating. Ordered on a Sunday afternoon and half the order arrived on Wed, the rest on Thursday. Setup was quick and I did purchase washers for the rear bolts to give a bit more coverage. I also ordered the Rola LED light kit and cargo net. Both fit perfectly. This thing is strong! Prior to loading I stood on the carrier while on the hitch and jumped up and down. Barley any flex and I am not a light guy by any means. There was very little play once in the receiver and I did not notice any rattles or excess noise on our week long 600 mile road trip. I did not use any type of anti rattle device. With the cargo on the back the passengers and dogs loved having the extra room to move around. As all of my vehicles have hitches so this will be a great addition any time we need extra room or carrying capacity. One thing to note if you are not ordering any pins or locks is that a 5/8 inch pin does not work, you need to have a 1/2 inch pin. Luckily I had both so I was able to use my existing hitch receiver lock. I included pictures of it installed on a 1994 GMC G2500 van. I was able to open both rear doors before loading although the door mounted full size spare did eat up a bit of room. The hitch on the van is bent from an accident by the previous owner so on my application the rack does tilt in towards the vehicle a bit. This is solely due to my hitch, not the rack itself. I did try it on my pickup and it sat nice and level. If you are looking for a cargo carrier I highly recommend the Rola.
The Rola carrier has a couple thousand miles on it now after several trips and is still holding up great. I do keep it in the garage when not in use so that helps keep it looking good.
Brian - 08/10/2018
After reading reviews for products for a couple months, I settled on and purchased the Rola Cargo Carrier (Item 59502) along with the Tuffbak (Item 59119) and the LED Light Kit (Item 59516) for a recent trip to gulf coast of Florida with my family. Typically with my wife and myself, we don't need the extra room - but I took my parents with us, so needed extra cargo room. This setup worked great on the back of my Toyota 4Runner. The back hatch will not open with the cargo carrier loaded down, but the back window rolled down in the 4Runner making getting to stuff in the cargo area a breeze. As some others had mentioned, the packaging on the carrier (from Rola not etrailer) could be somewhat more sturdy as part of mine had some scratches that I covered with some paint. The carrier itself is incredibly sturdy and love the design. Another reason why I purchased this carrier was being able to add the LED lights which was a great feature. I did not use the hitch pin that came with the product, as I needed one that would lock. Using a locking hitch pin, I also added a hitch stabilizer and had no issues with it moving. I assume using the pin that comes with it would keep you from having to use the stabilizer but I preferred the pin would lock. The lights installed easily and plugged right into the car and worked flawlessly. The bag says its water resistant and not waterproof, however, we had pretty substantial rain on the way home and nothing in the bag got wet. I also added a master lock thru the zipper pulls on the bag and an additional ratcheting tie down. I have zero complaints and it worked great. I had to contact etrailer because one package was delivered but the other was not and I only had one tracking number. They were quick to send me an additional tracking number and even messaged to make sure it made it the next day. Great customer service, would definitely use them again.
# 7
20x59 Curt Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - Folding - 500 lbs
It was very hard to figure out what kind of cargo carrier would be the best for my needs, until I got on your website. Your videos are very informative to help with making the decision of which cargo carrier was best. It was very easy to put together, and very strong (I put my husband in it)this is perfect for our vacation transportation.
THE BEST PRODUCT I EVER BOUGHT FOR HAULING. WE USED THIS FOR VACATION, WOOD, TRAVEL TO OUR SUMMER HOME.. ITS GREAT
Cynthia D - 06/09/2017
I had researched what type of carrier I wanted to buy and settled on this one. I was a good size, folded and has a railing to attach straps to. I also wanted to buy a cargo bag and anti rattle hitch lock but was not sure which ones were the right ones for my vehicle and this carrier. I called the company and spoke with a woman who was very friendly and helpful. She was able to confirm that the cargo bag I was looking at would be a good fit and told me what anti rattle hitch lock would work best. I placed the order and could not wait to receive the items. I received a e-mail within an hour confirming my order and that the order had been shipped. I received the order in two days rather than three as I had been told which was a nice surprise. I put together the carrier by myself and put it on my 2012 Dodge Durango and it fit perfectly. I was very pleased. The instructions could be done a little better but I am very pleased with the service and product so far and am looking forward to using it on our first trip. I feel confident that I got the best products to fit my needs and a great price.
# 8
Rightline Gear Sport 3 Rooftop Cargo Bag - Waterproof - 18 cu ft - 48" x 40" x 19"
We purchased this product for a family vacation from Michigan to Arkansas. Initially it seemed to be perfect for what we needed. The vehicle used did not have cross bars so we had to bring the straps through the car. We used the product exactly as instructed and put nothing but a 3 suitcases and 2 dufflebags into it. On our way home, we had a rainstorm while at one of our short stops. Because the straps pressed against the seals around the door, our vehicle seats, inside roof and floor were soaked. We proceeded to our overnight location. While unloading, we noticed that our items that were in the product were soaking wet, and had to find a laundromat to wash and dry our clothing. When we removed it from the rooftop, we found that due to the straps rubbing from the wind force, the product had tears in it. At this point, we had to figure out how to fit all of our items into the vehicle which made for a very uncomfortable ride for the remaining several hundred miles home. I would not recommend this product for anybody!
Cargo bag is great!. Waterproof, durable with easy set up and take down (as advertised) PROVIDED TIE-DOWN STRAPS ARE HORRIBLE!!!! Drove from Houston, TX to Miami, FL. Stopped in Bonifay FL to rest for the night. During the 10 hour drive to Bonifay, I had to pull over at least 10 times to adjust and/or tighten the straps. They did not stay tight. Over time they would work themselves loose and start to slap the top of the vehicle. That night I was going to fold it up pack our luggage in the Tahoe and return the cargo bag as soon as I got back from our vacation. I was very happy with the cargo BAG so I decided to go to the local WalMart and purchase a few ratchet straps instead. Once I tied down the cargo bag with the new straps, instantly it felt more secure. I threw the provided straps in the trash. We didn't have any problems for the rest of the trip to Miami including the 18 hour drive home. Something needs to be done with the cheap plastic clips on the provided tie-down straps. They do not stay tight. Over time they work themselves loose and start to slap the top of the vehicle. I knew the load wasn't going to go anywhere so a few times I would just let it slap the top of the truck for miles because I was tired of dealing with it. I would definitely recommend this product, but If you are going to purchase this product I would suggest you use a couple ratchet straps, it will definitely make your trip a lot less stressful.
# 9
Thule Force XXL Rooftop Cargo Box - 21 cu ft - AeroSkin Black
It's been a good cargo carrier. It's pretty spacious. We use it for travel from Ohio to Fla so we can get in and out of the truck without everything in the way. We've also put cans for deposit up there and stinky stuff we didn't want to smell in our vehicle in there. We've threatened the kids that's where they'll ride, too. Haha! It's easy to open since you can open it from either side. It was easy to install. No complications!!
This unit is very easy to mount on the roof. It is light enough, despite its size, for me to get it on and off the roof of the minivan by myself. It also has very good capacity even if the shape is odd. On the down side, it can be difficult to latch properly once it is loaded. The plastic covers don't fit together easily and then the key won't turn all the way. Even after using it quite a few times, it remains a challenge, and you can't take the key out unless it is completely latched (which is a good thing). Overall, it has made it unnecessary for us to rent a trailer as we did previously, which was the main purpose.
# 10
Thule Force XL Rooftop Cargo Box - 17 cu ft - AeroSkin Black
This thing is GREAT!! fits on top of my 2018 Highlander PERFECT!!! I ordered it with Thule crossbars and they are a perfect pairing!! it arrived with a small $3 piece broken and I emailed etrailer and they sent a new one out right away, after asking for pictures that I never sent! customer service was outstanding and the product is awesome! We purchased this because we have 3 kids and no cargo room in the HL when all 3 rows are in use so we needed something to go on vacation, and I didn't like the thought of hauling an empty cargo tray around in my hitch on vacation while staying in hotels!
This thing is GREAT!! fits on top of my 2018 Highlander PERFECT!!! I ordered it with Thule crossbars and they are a perfect pairing!! it arrived with a small $3 piece broken and I emailed etrailer and they sent a new one out right away, after asking for pictures that I never sent! customer service was outstanding and the product is awesome! We purchased this because we have 3 kids and no cargo room in the HL when all 3 rows are in use so we needed something to go on vacation, and I didn't like the thought of hauling an empty cargo tray around in my hitch on vacation while staying in hotels!
# 11
19x60 Curt Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Aluminum - Folding - 500 lbs
Very easy to assemble but it did not fit in the upright position on my 2011 Chevy Traverse. The license plate is in the bumper and the sides of the carrier impact the bumper on either side of the license plate when folded upright. The sides of the license plate are molded plastic that protrude from the bumper to house the lights for the plate. The simple fix was to bend the sides in a bit. That solution was better than trying to figure out how to extend the carrier further from the bumper to allow for another inch of clearance. The bend was easy using vice grips as the sides are aluminum. For the price and the 2X/year that I'll use this for beach chairs or extra luggage it's fine despite the fact it was not a perfect fit. What I like best is that it folds up and that it is very lightweight. It would be easy to stow on the roof rack if parking is tight or just to get it out of the way when accessing the trunk. And it'll come in handy if I ever have to haul the mower or blower to the shop since it's low ground clearance makes for easy loading and will keep my vehicle's interior from getting dirty. It would be nice if it came with a license plate holder that could be used in both flat and upright positions. I'll drill holes in the sides to mount the plate. A notice should be included to ensure that the license plate is not blocked from view when in use. We are driving to FL again this year and our concern is that Barney Fife will hassle us for an obstructed view of the plate. Last year we used a turtle top carrier but it is so high up on an SUV its impractical for quick trips to the beach. This carrier will be great for the cooler and sandy beach chairs and stuff. I'm thinking a large mesh utility bag to help keep all the stuff contained and make securing the load easier would be a nice extra. Last, it shipped on time and the order was complete with an additional item , a hitch lock, that all arrived in perfect condition. You need a lock for this b/c it is so light it'd probably be gone if you left it unlocked in a parking lot. Ordering was very easy! Thanks E-Trailer
The Cargo Carrier was easy to assemble. The fact it's aluminum and not steel makes it light weight and easy to handle compared to the steel counterpart. The nice size makes it handy to store in the box of the pick-up or fold up on the hitch. Endless applications, just stay under 500 pound loads.
# 12
MaxxTow 30x50 Wheelchair Carrier w/ 60" Long Ramp - 2" Hitches - Folding - Steel - 500 lbs
I bought this carrier for my dad's power chair. His truck sits high so we needed the 60" ramp. I haven't used the carrier yet because it is a surprise for him so I can't give 5 stars. I'm giving 4 for the ease of ordering, fantastic shipping and quality of the carrier. I ordered this carrier on a Sunday afternoon and it arrived Wednesday evening! I did opt for the express delivery which states 3-5 business days. I assumed I'd get it Thursday at best but I was pleasantly surprised. I put it together by myself using a grand total of 5 wrenches. I could've reduced that number to 2 if I'd used adjustable wrenches but I had ratchet wrenches on hand to fit everything. Speaking of that, all the bolt/nut sizes are emperial (not metric) and that made it easier. I had it un-packed, assembled and installed on my truck to fit test everything in under 30 minutes. It is a little heavy and awkward for one person to lift/mount but it isn't impossible. I'm of average height, weight and strength and managed it without too much strain. The fact that it is heavy is a good thing, in my opinion. I'd be afraid of a steel carrier of this size if it wasn't substantially heavy. The finish is very good, all components were in the packaging and I'm very satisfied with my purchase. I'll come back after we've put some miles on it and see which way I need to amend my review!
The only complaint that I have is the ramp angle and edge. The ramp, even being longer, still has a sharp angle that makes loading a power chair difficult. It isnt a ride on process. The edge of the ramp is 1 steel tubing and it is difficult to get the chair wheels over it. The problem comes when loading because you cannot get up any speed to bounce over the edge because you will slip off the edge.
Ryan - 11/11/2016
overall, not a bad product. could be better in its fit and finish. The ramp is a little heavy and awkward if your disabled, and the pin chains do break as has been mentioned. I replaced the pins with better ones from a hardware store. This is best used with an suv or pickup as it has some weight. Our Nissan Quest was NOT up to the task of putting a 250-300 lb scooter on it. The aforementioned vehicles with a proper hitch (preferably PU/SUV with class4, 2inch hitch) would do best and loading items that do not have leading and trainling wheels/arms like my wifes electric scooter. a small 4 wheel electric chair perhaps, mowers, tiller, small 4-wheeler would be great choices. It needs a bit of height off the ground so it does not scrap. (ours did constantly because of a very soft suspension). The locking arm(s) are a little awkward, but servicable. The ramp has the lip from the frame to 'jump' over, so a small ramp like a door sill to make a smooth transition would be welcome for small wheeled items, large 10-12 inch wheels should have no problem with angles or the blunt frame edge of the ramp. Overall a good value depending on what you are hauling, and with what you are hauling it with. For the money, its a good size with long ramp. I would NOT recommend using it with an HD jazzy scooter with trailing arms and center drive wheels. If you have a machine that is just front and rear wheel setup, you should be ok. I stress this because of personal experience. This was replaced by a Bruno chariot lift because, (1) it got hit by a bad driver and bent out of usable condition, (2) our vehicle required a different setup to carry our heavy item. With care and attention to detail, a person should be able to get years of service. Has lots of holes and frame work with to tie onto or use straps. I am including a frame picture of scooter to know what to avoid...
# 13
Thule Transporter Combi Hitch Mounted Enclosed Cargo Carrier - Tilting
The Hitch and Cargo carrier are very easy to install and looks great in the 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. It fits with the spare tire on the back.
Easy to access, convenient I bought this a couple of years ago to free up space in our SUVs while traveling and tailgating. I love it and constantly get questions about it from other people. It is easy to access, locks, keeps things dry and protected. Because of the dimensions, I do recommend packing things in duffel bags rather than hard suitcases, and you'll be able to get a lot more in it. It does not interfere with you view or driving. In fact, you may forget it is attached. The only disadvantage of this model (compared to the Terrapin) is that it can be difficult to tilt and get back if it is fully loaded and you need access to the tailgate.
# 14
Rola Swinging Enclosed Cargo Carrier for 2" Trailer Hitch
Will suit my needs I purchased the swing away model. Its bulk requires two people to move safely when empty, though I have moved it myself. There is no point to having the unit for extra space but not being able to get to the back ½ of the vehicle. Defeats the purpose! The unit requires some assembly of the metal hitch mounted carrier to the plastic tray. The instructions recommend you mount the hitch into your car receiver and I echo that. During assembly, I ran into a problem. The washers that came with the unit were not correct. They sent eight ½ inch fender washers which could not be used. They sent four 3/8 inch washers which I actually needed 12 of. I had to purchase 8 more 3/8 washers to finish the assembly. Not a big deal, but inconvenient. It looks like they sent me a tilting hardware pack with the swing away model. I also purchased the license plate kit. This involved drilling a 1” hole in the tray. I was not thrilled about drilling the hole in my new tray. The other problem is that drilling the hole is not trivial. A 1” twist drill is probably not in everyone’s tool kit. You can not use a wood spade bit as it will drill a hole through the 2nd wall of the shell before you get the hole drilled in the 1st wall. I used a hole saw with no center tap. I drilled a piece of wood and used that to guide the saw into the tray where I wanted it. Other than that, the installation was straightforward. Upon opening the box I made the following observations. The shell of the pod seems adequate. I plan to use the pod for Ski trips and I hope that the plastic does not get to brittle in the cold weather. A cracked shell will render the unit worthless. I would like to have seen a better attempt at waterproofing the lid. Also, the pod drain in the literature is essentially a hole drilled in the bottom of the unit and a small friction fit plug you fit into it. Just seems flimsy to me. If the plug pops out, water could enter the unit without warning. The clips that hold the lid down and keep the pod in the tray look light to me. I have seen these types of brackets on my hardshell golf case and have had problems with them breaking. I suppose there is not a lot of stress on these but know from experience I will have to be careful in using them just the same. I especially feel that care will be needed when removing the pod from the tray. Be sure to close the clips on the pod bottom before putting the unit on the ground or you could break them. They hang down below the pod bottom. And don’t consider the clip’s locks as security locks. The locks will keep the clips from opening unexpectedly, but won’t keep a determined thief out for even one minute. I initially thought the removable pod and tray might be an asset. I now feel it to be a liability. I doubt I will ever use the tray without the pod, and now have a potential point of failure between the pod and tray. It does help to be able to remove the pod when mounting the hitch bracket as it is heavy and awkward. In all, I think this unit will meet all my needs. While I have some reservations about the Rola as noted, I seriously doubt I will have problems. Besides, it comes with a 5 year warranty! If I do have problems, then stay tuned as I will post back when I have more experience with the unit.
sorry for taking so long to reply, but been busy. As you can see from the pictures attached the box is installed and works very good. I have a few comments on it and how it goes together. The main part went together very well and quite quickly, it does take two people for the most part, which is no big issue, my main concern is why the licence plate light is not supplied with the box, already installed, as this is necessary in most states/ provinces and therefore should already be part of the complete box assembly. The other concern is the quality of locks provided on the box and the rack. The ones provided are very inferior to those provided on the Thule box. To date I've not used the box on a trip, but feel it will work very well.
We have now used he Rola to go to Florida twice and a good friend of ours has it back down in Florida for the balance of the winter. We love it, with the exception of the locks on the box. It is too bad that these are not the same of some other type of roof boxes that would make it much more secure and less of a concern when parked over night at a hotel motel. We have shown the box on the vehicle to several people and to my Lincoln Dealership, who has shared the pictures I sent to you will owners who are interested. All in all we are very happy. Cheers Al W. PS change the locks....UPDATE: One point to add to my last comment, is that Ive added an extra foam sealer around the lid and today have had no issues of water inside the box. A cheap addition that works. At least so far.
Al W - 02/13/2015
# 15
23x56 Rola Dart Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - Folding - 450 lbs
Arrived quickly, very sturdy shipping box and well packaged. Easy to assemble, note that the assembly instructions are only online (just a QR/link in the box itself). If you don't have something to view them it would be useful to print them out beforehand. Very easy assembly, took 30 minutes to build (it helped that I had the tools and parts laid out beforehand). Works perfectly, handle locks and unlocks the basket easily. Very sturdy (and very heavy), takes some effort to put in the receiver. But the lift/lock mechanism is very easy to use and works very well. Except... The shank does not rattle, but the hinge assembly is a little loose so the basket can wobble from side to side. I'm tempted to torque the hinge bolt, but worried it would bind. It comes pre-built, there is no mention of the hinge bolt in the instructions at all. In the pictures (if you look closely) you can see the amount of play in the basket's shank (look at the pin on the right of the pictures). In one the basket is pushed to the right, in the other to the left, there is significant slop. The walls of the hinge are much wider than necessary (approximately 3/16" wider than the shank). Perhaps "squeezing" the sides to reduce the slop (again worried about binding)? Reduced to four stars because of this.
Installed on 2010 Odyssey EX-L with factory trailer hitch/wiring harness This review is for BOTH the Rola Dart 23x56 Cargo Carrier - 2 Hitch - Fold *AND* the Rola LED Light Kit for Railed Cargo Carriers Carrier: impressive build quality. Have not used yet; only just installed and mounted. But it is clearly constructed to last and looks great. Latch mechanism for raising and lower is very durable and hardware is very heavy-duty. LED Light Kit: lights look and work great, with separate LEDs for tail lights and break lights. Unimpressed with the manner in which they mount into the carrier. Rather loose-fitting. I don't think they are at risk of falling out, but I was expecting a more snug "snap" when I pressed the lights into the rubber gaskets. Wiring harness is well constructed with very tight-fitting connectors. Should hold up well for many years. Very happy with etrailer.com communication and speed of order processing/shipping. Thank you!
# 16
24x60 Surco Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - Folding - 500 lbs
Thank you Surco and etrailer. I couldn't be happier with this cargo carrier. First off Made in the USA Fantastic quality of craftsmanship. So easy to assemble that I simply supervised my 9 and 11 year old while they did the work. (I did the final tightening of course) I've always been skeptical of hitch mounted carriers being held together with seemingly flimsy nuts and bolts but the heavy duty hardware provided with this unit dispelled any previous doubts I had about that. My grandmother, mother, sister, and niece are all visiting me for the summer and I will be driving them from place to place while they are here, including one long road trip down to south Padre island and back. I needed something to add some cargo space to my Toyota Highlander in order to accommodate their large luggage items. Rather than install a roof rack, I opted for the hitch mounted carrier for several reasons. Aside from being less expensive and easier to install it also does not increase wind resistance and road noise as well as being versatile in that I can easily move the carrier to my Prius or my full size pick up whenever I need a little extra space on either of those vehicles. I am an extremely informed and discerning costumer. It is not very often that make a purchase that I'm so completely satisfied with. Thanks again.
This cargo basket came recommended by the tech support guys at Etrailer. The construction is excellent and it fit perfect on our 2007 MDX.
One year later, and absolutely no problems with the cargo carrier. We do not use it alot, and store it in our shed. However, it is very handy and cannot accommodate an incredible amount of stuff. Very satisfied with the purchase.
Ernie L - 02/08/2015
# 17
Thule Hyper XL Rooftop Cargo Box - 17 cu ft - Two-Tone Black and Silver
# 18
17x46 Curt Cargo Carrier for 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Steel - 500 lbs
I wanted a small trailer for my 1 1/4" hitch on my Prius V to fit two Rubbermaid Roughneck Trash Barrels for trips to the town Transfer Station. The 17.5" aprox depth of the basket of this trailer fits the bottom of the barrels just right. I judged that a 60" wide would not fit three barrels anyway and that might be too heavy a load, so the 47" x 17.5" inside dimension of this was best. The attached photos show two barrels in the trailer. Some have complained that the assembly instructions are lacking. Here are some tips: The bottom platform pieces should be placed so that the tubing is flush at the central rails, the flat rails with 4 holes that bolt to the center 1 1/4" square tube are a bit wider than the square tubing that make up the bottom platform and the extra lip should point down so you have a nice flush platform in the bottom of the tray where you will be putting stuff. If you have those pieces upside down, you would have a little ridge sticking up on each side of the central square tube and that would not work well as well as the bottom of the tray, and the "T" connectors would not fit correctly. Group the fasteners and you will have three bunches (manufacturer had the nut/bolt/washers assembled together in my shipment) A) 18 small diameter bolts/nuts/washers - those are for the flat A shaped braces which hold the bottom platform halves to the top railing halves. B) 8 medium diameter bolts/nuts/washers - those are for the fore and aft "T" connectors C) 4 large diameter bolts/nuts/washers - those hold the left half and right half of the platform together. Using the smallest bolts, fasten the "A" braces to the bottom platform halves, then bolt to the top platform halves, leave them loose with about 1/8" of play. Now you have two half assemblies of the bottom tray. Place the middle 1 1/4" square "hitch" piece between the two half assemblies and line them up but do not put the 4 big bolts in yet. Put the two "T" connectors at the back and hitch side. The "T" connector with the reflector goes at the back, and the reflector points toward traffic. The other one goes on the hitch side. Loosely bolt the "T" connectors using the 8 medium bolts and then fasten the two sides together snugly with the 4 big bolts. Then tighten all other fasteners. A ratchet and metric sockets and an adjustable wrench to hold the nut while tightening the bolt head is much handier than two wrenches.
I was looking for a basket style hitch carrier that was not too big. Most carriers I saw were 60 inches long. This one is 48 inches and was just what I was looking for. I like everything about this carrier: the looks, style, size and weight. I will be using it to carry beach equipment during our summer vacations to the Outer Banks, NC. The assembly instruction page leaves alot to be desired as there is one picture trying to explain how to completely assemble the carrier. You can figure it out, but will take some time and multiple looks at the one diagram. It took me about 1.5 hours to assemble. Some other facts for those of you looking for a hitch carrier to use on a Jeep Wrangler. I have a 2013 Wrangler Unlimited with the factory installed trailer towing package & 2 inch receiver. You have to use a hitch extender with this particular carrier in order to clear the rear mounted spare tire. The JK Wranglers need approx. 12 inches out from the center of the hitch pin hole. Also, you will not be able to fully open the tailgate as the tire will hit the carrier. If you went with a flat carrier (not the basket style of this Curt one), you most likely would be able to open the tailgate and clear a flat carrier. Troop, the customer service rep who assisted me with my order was fantastic.
# 19
23x60 Stromberg Carlson Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - 500 lbs
Received everything in a timely manner - 2 days. My order included the cargo carrier, a cargo bag, and a Curt anti-rattle kit. Just a note for newbies like me. The shank is the part of the accessory that is inserted into the receiver (the part that is attached to the vehicle). The Curt anti-rattle kit does not fit properly with this cargo carrier. The instructions for the anti-rattle kit indicates that it will fit in the shank of all Curt products... I have a Curt receiver... I rigged the anti-rattle kit to work with this cargo carrier but it's a bit of a pain. The cargo carrier box appeared to have been opened previously. The box was torn open already. I found the instructions and determined that all the parts were there so no harm no foul. Easy-to-follow assembly instructions but having a friend to help would have sped things up a lot. Easily attaches to the receiver and bingo. All done. Light weight. I can carry it and mount it to the vehicle by myself with ease. I will be buying some reflective tape to put along the back of it. I want it to be more visible to anyone following - especially in the dark.
Decided to have a front end hitch receiver mounted on my pick up to carry two bikes while towing my camper. Didn't want my bikes/cargo tray taking a beating at the rear of a 24' camper. Went together easily. Used Stromberg's bike adapter kit and had no trouble with this new set up. With camper the bikes go up front, regular use I would just move to rear of truck. No issues with bikes secured up front. Needed this wider tray so the bike closer to the truck did not have the foot pedal touching the truck's front grill.
# 20
Yakima SkyBox 21 Rooftop Cargo Box - 21 cu ft - Black Carbonite
What a great product. It actually gets used on our 4 door pickup allowing our 5 person family to travel without using up bed space. Always dry and super easy to install with 2 people (I have installed it alone, just not as easy on a pickup truck). No noise and very secure. Very happy with this purchase.
Adds much needed space for long trips. Excellent construction. Like any other roof top carrier, the gas mileage does decrease but the trade-off is worth it.
It is a great addition for long trips. Good construction!
Rich S - 09/11/2017
Nice! You did a fine job on procesing by order. You made sugesstions on which items would best serve my purpose, without trying to sell me something I did not want. Very good communication skills. I will be looking for a Cargo Carrier after I get my Hitch installed. I will pass the word about your company. Good expience, will do more in the future. Thanks, Mike
Mike
Bar-nunn, WY
It was my pleasure. I dont usually write reviews but in this case, etrailer is an excellent company and it was the least I could do. The Rola basket has worked really well and have used it several times on family vacations. Im actually in the market to by a new, bigger cargo basket Yakima Load Warrior wextension and I was wondering if etrailer offers any discounts for returning customers? I would be more than happy to write another review with pictures of this helps!