Recommended Cargo Carrier and Hitch for Rear of Travel Trailer

Updated 06/02/2014 | Published 05/29/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Ultra-Fab 2" Motor Home Trailer Hitch Receiver for 4" x 4" Bumpers

(636)

$58.39

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

(1172)

$337.69

Curt RV Bumper 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver

(824)

$127.26

Question:

I have a travel trailer with a 4 inch By 4 inch steel bumper. Do you have any cargo platforms that will bolt onto the 4 inch Bumper? something around 24 inch by 6 0r 7 feet

asked by: Glenn

Expert Reply:

We do not offer a bolt-on cargo carrier, but you could certainly use a hitch mounted carrier.

The first step would be to install a hitch like the Curt # E-100. The hitch is compatible with 4 inch square bumpers, and offers a 350 lb tongue weight capacity, which means that the weight of the carrier used plus the weight of the gear carried upon it could weigh no more than 350 lbs. Because of the extended distance between the rear axle and the back bumper of the average travel trailer, anything installed at the rear of the trailer is going to be subjected to increased bouncing forces they wouldn't face if installed on the rear of a passenger vehicle. (Remember how bouncy the back seat of the school bus was? Same principle.)

Because of this, I would be personally cautious about the weight of anything carried on the rear of a travel trailer. I'd want to leave as much 'cushion' as possible, and not get too close to that 350 lb capacity. I'd recommend the Pro Series # 63153, which the largest we offer at 24 by 60 inches. The angled shank provides increased ground clearance.

I'd strongly recommend contacting the manufacturer of your Travel Trailer, in order to determine the towing capacity of the rear bumper. If the capacity of the bumper is lower than the capacity of the hitch, you'd need to abide by the lower capacity.

expert reply by: Mike L