Will The etrailer Cargo Bag # 988501 On A Cargo Carrier Interfere With Exhaust On A 2010 Ford Flex

Updated 12/09/2010 | Published 12/08/2010

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Cargo Carrier Bag - Water Resistant - 20 cu. ft. - 59" x 24" x 24"

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$137.32

Reese 60x24 Hitch Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - 500 lbs Capacity - Glossy Black

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$345.84

24x60 etrailer Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - Tilting - Folding - 500 lbs

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Question:

I have an 2010 Ford Flex with exhaust tail pipes on both sides. I was looking at the tow ready rear hitch cargo carrier 24 x 60 part # 63153 with the extra large carrier bag #988501. My concern is whether the exhaust gases coming from the tail pipes will burn through or melt the cargo bag?

asked by: Paul

Expert Reply:

The Tow Ready 24x60 Railed Cargo Carrier, part # 63153, has an angled shank which will raise the carrier 2-1/2 inches from the center of the hitch receiver opening. This distance will help the cargo carrier clear the area where the exhaust gases would exit from the tailpipes. You can measure up 2-1/2 inches from the center of your hitch receiver on your 2010 Ford Flex and see where the cargo carrier would be located on your vehicle in relation to the tailpipes.

I am including a picture of the Tow Ready cargo carrier on a vehicle to give you an idea of how it will sit on the rear of a vehicle and a video link of a review on the cargo carrier.

The etrailer Cargo Bag, part # 988501, is made of a very heavy duty PVC coated nylon ripstop material that is rainproof and heavily constructed. The cargo bag would have to be right next to the hot tailpipe for it to get damaged by the exhaust gases coming out of the tailpipe. With the cargo bag installed on the Tow Ready cargo carrier, it is a distance from the exhaust pipes on the vehicle, so you should have no problem with the cargo bag getting damaged by the exhaust gases.

If you think you are wanting more clearance from the exhaust pipes I also have the etrailer 24x60 Folding Cargo Carrier, part # e09974. This platform will sit 2 inches above the hitch receiver opening. The folding carriers extend farther from the vehicle to account for the folding mechanism so this might also help your exhaust situation. This model has 19-1/2 inches from the hitch pin hole to the carrier when it is in use. It is a folding carrier so you will want to make sure the carrier will clear the rear of your vehicle when folded up. You will want to measure the distance from the center of the hitch pin hole on your hitch to the farthest part of the rear of the vehicle. This measurement will need to be less than 9-1/2 inches for the cargo carrier to fit your vehicle when it is folded up.

expert reply by: Jeff D