Extra Room Out Back: Best Hitch Cargo Carrier Baskets by Size, Rails and Weight

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t change our recommendations or the price you pay.

The best hitch cargo carrier turns a 2 inch receiver into a rack for coolers, camping bins, luggage or the overflow from a move, without stacking anything on the roof. The right one depends on how much platform you need, how tall the rails are, whether it folds up when empty and how much your hitch can actually carry.

We compared five baskets, each from a different brand and each in stock and sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store: a folding steel kit with a bag and net, a CURT folding basket, a budget steel kit, a light aluminum basket and a tall-rail folding carrier. Every one lists a 500 pound capacity, so we focus on size, weight, build and evidence such as sales rank and the warranty field.

That 500 pound figure is the carrier’s rating, not your vehicle’s. The carrier plus its load counts against your hitch’s tongue weight limit, which is often far lower.

Our Top Hitch Cargo Carrier Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. VEVOR 60 x 24 x 6 in Folding Hitch Cargo Carrier: Best Overall Folding Kit

VEVOR’s folding hitch cargo carrier is a 60 by 24 inch steel basket with 6 inch sides that slides into a 2 inch receiver. The listing rates it for up to 500 pounds of cargo and says it fits cars, SUVs, vans and pickups with a 2 inch hitch receiver.

VEVOR highlights what it calls upgraded 5mm supporting tubes and a hook stabilizer for steadier travel on bumpy roads. A black powder coating is meant to protect against rust, corrosion and weather. When the carrier is empty, you fold it up against the back of the vehicle, which VEVOR says is safer and neater than leaving a flat platform sticking out.

Accessories are the strong point. The box includes a cargo net, ratchet straps, a waterproof cargo bag and a coded lock, plus a storage bag to keep the cargo bag in when it’s off the carrier. Reflectors on the frame add visibility at night. Bag or net the load, strap it to the basket rails and double-check everything before you pull out of the driveway.

It suits families and campers who want one purchase that covers the basket and the gear to keep a load dry and in place on the highway.

Why we like it

• Bag, net, straps and lock included
• Folds when empty
• Sold by Amazon.com

Watch out for

The listing gives no product weight or warranty term, so check what the carrier itself weighs before you load it.

Check Price on Amazon →

2. CURT 18153 Folding Hitch Basket Cargo Carrier: Best Folding Steel Basket

CURT makes trailer hitches, and the 18153 is its folding basket-style cargo carrier: a 60 by 24 inch tubular steel basket with 6 inch tall sides, rated for 500 pounds. The 2 inch shank is angled to raise the carrier for more ground clearance and folds so you can tilt the basket up when it’s empty.

CURT’s own product page for the 18153 fills in details the Amazon bullets skip. It lists a mesh base for easy cleanup, built-in reflectors, an E-coat plus carbide black powder coat finish, and inside dimensions of 60 by 23-3/4 by 5-1/2 inches. The page also notes that rear-mounted spare tires may interfere with the folding feature, and states a limited lifetime warranty with one-year finish and one-year parts coverage.

There are no accessories in the box. CURT says the basket easily accepts a cargo bag, cargo net or bungees, and it sells those separately. Day to day, you pin it into the receiver, fold it down to load, and fold it up when you’re parked or backing into a tight spot.

It suits drivers who prefer a hitch maker’s carrier with a published spec sheet and who already have straps, a net or a bag to use with it.

Why we like it

• Angled, folding shank
• Detailed maker spec page
• Durable two-stage finish

Watch out for

At a listed 70 pounds before cargo, it uses up more of your tongue weight limit than any other pick with a stated weight.

Check Price on Amazon →

3. WEIZE 53 x 19 in Hitch Cargo Carrier With Bag: Best Budget Kit

WEIZE’s 53 by 19 inch hitch cargo carrier is a steel basket for 2 inch receivers, rated by the listing to haul up to 500 pounds. WEIZE is blunt about fit: confirm your vehicle has a 2 inch receiver before buying, because the carrier isn’t compatible with other hitch sizes.

The kit is generous for the tier. WEIZE lists two 12 foot tie-down straps rated at 2,200 pounds, a 36 by 60 inch cargo net and a waterproof cargo bag that the brand says protects against road grit, sun and rain. The title adds a hitch stabilizer, and universal mounting hardware comes in the box. WEIZE offers free replacement for missing or defective parts.

The steel is powder coated against rust and corrosion, but WEIZE itself recommends parking indoors and adding truck bedliner paint to make the rack more rustproof. That candor is useful: plan to touch up chips, especially if you drive salted winter roads. The listing doesn’t describe a folding shank, so expect the basket to stay level when empty.

It suits drivers who need extra room for a few trips a year, a holiday visit or a move across town, and who want the bag and straps included.

Why we like it

• Bag, net and straps included
• Top sales rank in the group
• Plain fit warning on the listing

Watch out for

The brand recommends extra rust protection, and the listing doesn’t mention folding.

Check Price on Amazon →

4. MaxxHaul 70108 Aluminum Cargo Carrier: Best Aluminum Hitch Cargo Carrier

MaxxHaul’s 70108 pairs an extruded aluminum basket with a heavy-duty steel under-support frame and a 2 by 2 inch hitch shaft for standard Class III and IV receivers. The title lists a 500 pound load capacity, and MaxxHaul says the aluminum keeps the carrier light and resistant to rust.

Dimensions are spelled out. The outer basket measures 49-1/4 by 22-1/2 by 7-1/4 inches and the inner basket 47-1/4 by 20-1/4 by 6 inches. High side rails keep cargo in and give multiple tie-down points for straps. Reflector lenses and red corner accents are meant to help other drivers see the carrier.

MaxxHaul pitches it for camping trips, long road adventures and hauling items you’d rather not carry inside the vehicle. The listing describes the carrier as easy to install, clean and maintain. The listing doesn’t mention a folding shank, so the basket stays out when empty.

It suits owners of smaller SUVs, minivans and crossovers with a 2 inch receiver who want to save weight, and anyone who lives where road salt eats painted steel. Pair it with a separate bag or net if you carry soft luggage, since the listing doesn’t include one, and strap the load to the rails before you head out.

Why we like it

• Lightest stated weight on the page
• Aluminum resists rust
• Clear inner and outer dimensions

Watch out for

The warranty field reads only 90 days, the shortest here.

Check Price on Amazon →

5. KAIRAY HY1003 60 x 24 x 14.4 in Folding Cargo Carrier: Best High-Rail Carrier

KAIRAY’s HY1003 is a 60 by 24 inch folding steel carrier with an unusual feature: 14.4 inch raised tubular side rails. KAIRAY says the tall rails keep cargo from jolting or sliding, and they fold down to 3.2 inches when the carrier is stowed.

The listing describes one-piece steel construction with a matte black powder coat that resists the elements, rust and scratches. The floor is a mesh surface meant to stop smaller objects from falling through, and two red reflectors are mounted for night visibility. It fits any 2 inch trailer hitch opening, per the listing.

KAIRAY lists a 500 pound distributed weight capacity and adds sensible loading advice: distribute the weight evenly on the platform, keep the load balanced, or fix it in the middle. Tall rails give straps and nets plenty to grab, which helps with coolers, totes and bins that would tip over a 6 inch lip.

It suits campers, tailgaters and anyone moving bulky items who wants high sides around the load and a basket that folds when empty. Because this version ships without a bag, net or straps, budget for those separately, and weigh the carrier against your hitch’s tongue weight rating before loading it up. With the rails folded, the basket sits low and compact against the back of the vehicle.

Why we like it

• 14.4 in rails
• Folds to a low profile
• Clear loading advice

Watch out for

This listing doesn’t include the bag, net or straps, and the carrier alone lists 60 pounds.

Check Price on Amazon →

How We Chose the Best Hitch Cargo Carriers

We started with carriers that were in stock and sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store, one per brand, then compared what each listing states:

• Receiver size: every pick fits a 2 inch receiver; none lists a 1-1/4 inch shank.
• Platform and rails: length, width and side height.
• Capacity and weight: the listed load rating and the carrier’s own weight, which both count against your hitch.
• Build: steel or aluminum, finish, folding or fixed shank.
• Extras and evidence: bags, nets and straps in the box, seller, sales rank and the warranty field.

Only five brands met our seller and stock rules, so this guide has five picks rather than six.

Hitch Cargo Carrier Buying Guide

Best Cargo Carrier for 2 Inch Receiver Hitches

All five picks use a 2 by 2 inch shank, the size found on most Class III and IV hitches. If your car has a 1-1/4 inch receiver, these carriers won’t fit directly. CURT’s guide to 1-1/4 inch receiver hitches says Class 1 hitches typically handle up to 200 pounds of tongue weight and Class 2 up to 350 pounds, and warns that a 1-1/4 to 2 inch adapter can reduce the hitch or vehicle’s tongue weight capacity by up to 50 percent.

Tongue Weight: The Rating That Really Limits You

Every carrier here lists 500 pounds, but that’s the basket’s rating. The weight pressing down on your receiver is the carrier plus everything in it. CURT’s guide puts it plainly: towing capacity is always limited to the lowest-rated component, whether that’s the hitch, an accessory, the vehicle or the cargo rack. By our math, a 70 pound basket on a hitch rated for 350 pounds of tongue weight leaves 280 pounds for cargo, and less if the hitch or vehicle is rated lower. Check the label on your hitch and your owner’s manual before loading.

Best Folding Hitch Cargo Carrier

A folding shank lets the empty basket tilt up against the vehicle, which helps when parking, walking behind the car or backing into a garage. The VEVOR, CURT and KAIRAY all fold. CURT notes that a rear-mounted spare tire may interfere with folding, so check clearance on a Jeep-style vehicle. The WEIZE and MaxxHaul listings don’t mention folding.

Best Aluminum Hitch Cargo Carrier

Aluminum saves weight and won’t rust like bare steel. The MaxxHaul 70108 lists 21.38 pounds, the lightest stated weight here, against 41 pounds for the WEIZE, 60 for the KAIRAY and 70 for the CURT. That difference goes straight back into your tongue weight budget. Steel baskets rely on powder coat, and chips need touching up.

Best Hitch Cargo Carrier With Bag

A waterproof bag keeps road spray, grit and rain off soft luggage. The VEVOR and WEIZE include a bag, net and straps; the CURT, MaxxHaul and KAIRAY listings don’t. Whatever you carry, strap it to the rails; our ratchet strap guide explains working load limits and hook types.

Best Hitch Mount Cargo Basket for Bulky Loads

Rail height matters for coolers, bins and anything top-heavy. The KAIRAY’s 14.4 inch rails are the tallest here, the MaxxHaul’s outer basket stands 7-1/4 inches, and the VEVOR and CURT have 6 inch sides. Spread the weight evenly and keep it centered, as KAIRAY’s listing advises.

Lights, Plates and a Secure Load

A loaded basket can hide your taillights or license plate. State rules on plate visibility and lighting vary, so keep both visible, check from behind before you leave, and ask your state’s motor vehicle agency if you’re unsure. Reflectors on the VEVOR, CURT, MaxxHaul and KAIRAY help, but they don’t replace working lights. A carrier also makes backing up harder to judge; our backup camera guide covers rear views for longer setups, and our trailer hitch lock guide covers locking pins so the carrier can’t be pulled from the receiver.

Loose cargo is a real hazard. An AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study reported by AAA found more than 200,000 crashes involved road debris over four years, and about two-thirds of debris-related crashes came from items falling off vehicles because of improper maintenance and unsecured loads. AAA advises tying loads down with rope, netting or straps, covering the load with a sturdy tarp or netting, not overloading the vehicle and double-checking the load.

How a hitch accessory and the gear on it are treated after a crash or theft depends on your policies. Ask your agent before your next trip; our guides to car insurance in Portsmouth, Ohio and travel trailer insurance in Ohio cover the questions to raise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight can a hitch cargo carrier hold?

All five of our picks list 500 pounds, but your real limit is the lowest rating among the carrier, the hitch and the vehicle. The carrier’s own weight counts too, so check your hitch’s tongue weight rating first.

What is the best folding hitch cargo carrier?

The VEVOR 60 x 24 x 6 inch carrier folds and includes a bag, net, straps and a coded lock, sold by Amazon.com. The CURT 18153 adds an angled folding shank from a hitch maker, and the KAIRAY folds its 14.4 inch rails down to 3.2 inches.

Is an aluminum hitch cargo carrier worth it?

If your tongue weight limit is tight, often yes. The MaxxHaul 70108 lists 21.38 pounds, about a third of the 60 to 70 pounds listed for the KAIRAY and CURT steel baskets, leaving more capacity for cargo.

Can I use a 2 inch cargo carrier on a 1-1/4 inch hitch?

Only with an adapter, and CURT warns that a 1-1/4 to 2 inch adapter can cut the hitch or vehicle’s tongue weight capacity by up to 50 percent. All of our picks are 2 inch only.

Do I need straps with a hitch mount cargo basket?

Yes. A bag or net alone isn’t enough at highway speed. The VEVOR and WEIZE include straps; for the others, plan on ratchet or cam buckle straps hooked to the basket rails.

The Bottom Line

The VEVOR folding carrier is the best hitch cargo carrier for most road trips: a 60 by 24 inch basket with a bag, net, straps and lock, sold by Amazon.com. The CURT 18153 is the hitch maker’s folding basket, the WEIZE kit is the budget pick with the top sales rank, the MaxxHaul 70108 saves the most weight in aluminum, and the KAIRAY boxes in bulky loads with 14.4 inch rails. Whichever you choose, check your hitch’s tongue weight rating first.

Adding a carrier or towing for the first time? Ask your agent how your auto policy treats hitch accessories and the gear you carry. Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or request a free coverage review.