Is the a Risk Carrying a Cargo Bag on a Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier on a 2007 Nissan Murano  

Question:

Expert Reply:

I have a few recommendations for you, however, there is a risk of any type of fabric or plastic material being damaged on a cargo carrier with vehicles that have exhaust pipes exiting straight back like your 2007 Nissan Murano.

If a hitch mounted cargo carrier option works best for your needs, I recommend choosing a cargo carrier that offers the most clearance between the exhaust tips and the carrier. The Pro Series 24 x 60 Cargo Carrier, # 63153, that you referenced will offer approximately 10 inches between the exhaust tips and the carrier. I recommend going with the etrailer 24 x 60 Folding Cargo Carrier, # e98874, which will give you a total of 19-1/2" of clearance when in use. The additional clearance helps, but, if I were in your situation, I would add some type of protection between the bag and the exhaust heat to shield the bag from any potential heat.

Another option that I recommend is using a roof mounted cargo bag, however the weight capacity of a vehicle's roof is not as high as a trailer hitch. There are many different cargo bag options. If your vehicle has a bare roof, with no roof rails or crossbars, then you can use a cargo bag like the Rightline Sport 2 Cargo Bag, # RL100S20. This bag has long straps that will run through the inside of the vehicle to hold the bag to the vehicle. It can also attach to roof rails or cross bars. Keep in mind, the surface of your roof was not designed to support weight, so I would not load too much cargo in the bag if it will be sitting directly on the roof.

If you have a roof rack with crossbars, then you could add a roof mounted cargo basket. Some baskets attach to crossbars on your roof and the Rightline Sport 2 cargo bag can sit in the basket. This allows you to support more weight on your roof, but I recommend checking your vehicle's owner's manual for the weight capacity of the roof before loading any cargo.

If your Murano does not have a factory roof rack, you can add an aftermarket roof rack. There are many options available for an aftermarket roof rack. I have attached a link to all of the roof racks for you to check out. Simply select your roof style through the link and a list of compatible roof racks will populate. You can also tell me how your roof is equipped (bare roof, factory side rails) and I would be happy to make a recommendation.

I have also attached FAQ articles on roof mounted and hitch mounted cargo carriers for you to check out.

expert reply by: John H

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