A Plain-Spoken Guide to Adding Cargo Space Behind Your Truck Without Overloading Your Hitch
A hitch cargo carrier slides into your truck's receiver and gives you an open deck behind the bumper for coolers, bins, firewood and gear you'd rather not put in the cab or bed. The right one matches your receiver size, fits what you haul, and stays within your hitch's ratings.
This guide covers receiver sizes, carrier styles, materials, safe loading and the truck-specific checks most buyers miss.
Quick Answer: Choosing a Hitch Cargo Carrier
- Measure your receiver first. Carriers are built for either a 1-1/4" or a 2" receiver opening.
- Pick a style for your gear. Baskets hold loose items, trays suit big flat loads, and ramp carriers roll wheeled equipment on.
- Check every rating. The carrier, the hitch and your truck each have a limit. Stay under the lowest one.
- Plan for lights, plate and tailgate. A loaded carrier can hide your tail lights and block the tailgate.
What a Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier Does for a Pickup
A truck already has a bed, so why add a hitch mounted cargo carrier? Because the bed is often busy. A tonneau cover, bed rack, slide or toolbox can leave little room for bulky or dirty items.
A cargo carrier for pickup truck use keeps wet coolers, muddy recovery gear, firewood and camp bins outside, and leaves the bed free for tools or luggage. It's also handy on holiday road trips, when the cab fills up with people and presents.
If you're shopping for a gift, a carrier also made our list of gifts for truck owners.
Start With Your Receiver: 1-1/4" vs 2" Hitch Size
Every hitch cargo carrier is made for a specific receiver size, the square opening of the hitch on your truck.
- 2" receivers are common on full-size pickups, and most carriers are built for them.
- 1-1/4" receivers show up on some smaller trucks, SUVs and older vehicles. Look for a carrier made for that size, like this Reese 1-1/4" cargo carrier.
Measure the inside of the opening rather than guessing. Avoid adapters that put a 2" carrier into a smaller receiver unless both the hitch maker and the carrier maker approve it. Adapters and extensions move the load farther from the hitch and add leverage.
While you're back there, note your receiver height. Our adjustable drop hitch guide explains how to measure it, and that height affects how close a carrier rides to the ground.
Hitch Cargo Carrier Styles: Basket, Tray, Enclosed and Ramp
| Style | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Basket | Coolers, bins, duffels, loose gear | Raised side rails help keep items in place |
| Tray / platform | Wide, flat or oversized loads | Low or no rails, so straps do more of the work |
| Enclosed box | Luggage and gear that must stay dry | Less flexible for odd-shaped items |
| Ramp carrier | Mowers, wheeled equipment, mobility devices | Larger deck plus a ramp to load and stow |
Hitch cargo basket
A hitch cargo basket has a raised rail around the deck. It's the most popular style for camping and road trips because smaller items are less likely to shift off the side. Mesh floors let rain and mud drain through.
Tray-style carriers
A tray has a lower lip, or none, so you can load items wider than the deck. That makes trays good for lumber offcuts, generators or large totes, but every load depends on good straps.
Folding and Ramp Hitch Cargo Carriers
A folding hitch cargo carrier tips up toward the vehicle when it's empty. That shortens the overall length for parking and backing up, and it means you're less likely to bump your shins on it. The Husky folding hitch cargo carrier works that way.
Folded or not, a carrier left in the receiver can still get in the way of the tailgate on some trucks, so many owners pull it out between trips.
A hitch cargo carrier with ramp is built for wheeled loads. You roll equipment up the ramp instead of lifting it, then stow the ramp for the drive. The Husky cargo carrier with ramp is aluminum, with tie-down points on the deck.
Before you buy one, check the deck size and the carrier's rating against what you plan to load, and confirm your hitch and truck ratings can handle the combined weight.
Steel vs Aluminum Cargo Carriers
- Steel is the most common choice. It's stiff and tough, and a powder-coated finish helps it resist rust. The downside is weight, which makes it harder to lift in and out of the receiver.
- Aluminum is lighter and doesn't rust like bare steel, so it's easier to install and remove often. It usually costs more than a similar steel carrier.
If the carrier lives on your hitch all season, steel is usually fine. If you'll take it off after every trip, a lighter carrier is easier on your back.
Weight Ratings, Tongue Weight and Safe Loading
A loaded hitch cargo carrier puts all of its weight on your hitch. Three ratings matter:
- The carrier's load rating, listed by the maker.
- The hitch's tongue weight rating, usually on the hitch label or in its instructions.
- Your truck's limits, in the owner's manual and on the door-jamb label.
Count the weight of the carrier plus everything on it, and stay under the lowest of those numbers. The load also counts against your truck's payload.
Put heavy items in the middle and as close to the bumper as you can, and keep the load low. The manufacturer's instructions, such as the Reese cargo carrier installation guide, show how the carrier should be assembled and used.
Securing the load and stopping wobble
- Use a cargo net or ratchet straps through the carrier's tie-down points. Bungee cords alone are better for light, small items.
- Add a weatherproof cargo bag for gear that needs to stay dry and out of sight.
- Stop the rattle. An anti-rattle hitch tightener or a threaded hitch pin can cut down on the play between the shank and receiver.
- Recheck everything after the first few miles and at every fuel stop.
Follow the maker's assembly steps and bolt torque, like those in the Husky ramp carrier instructions.
Truck Checks: Tailgate, Lights, Plate and Clearance
Tailgate and spare tire access
On many pickups, a loaded carrier keeps the tailgate from dropping all the way. Pack what you'll need from the bed first. On some trucks, the carrier also blocks the access point used to lower the spare tire.
Lights and license plate
Tall loads can hide your tail lights and license plate. Rules vary by state, so check yours. Some drivers add a light kit or a plate mount on the carrier.
Ground clearance
A carrier hangs behind the bumper, so steep driveways, dips and trail exits can make it scrape. A lifted truck often has the opposite issue: the carrier rides high and the load sits higher too.
7 Things to Check Before You Buy a Hitch Cargo Carrier
- Receiver size: Does the carrier's shank match your 1-1/4" or 2" opening?
- Ratings: Is the combined weight under the lowest of the carrier, hitch and truck limits?
- Style: Basket, tray, enclosed or ramp, based on what you actually haul?
- Deck size: Will your cooler, bins or equipment fit?
- Folding: Do you need it to fold up when empty?
- Material: Steel for toughness, or aluminum for easier handling?
- Truck fit: Will it block your tailgate, spare tire, lights or plate, or scrape on your driveway?
Hitch Cargo Carrier FAQ
Can I put a hitch cargo carrier on a 1-1/4 inch hitch?
Yes, as long as the carrier is built for a 1-1/4 inch receiver. Many carriers are made only for 2 inch receivers, so check the shank size. Avoid adapting a 2 inch carrier down to a smaller hitch unless both makers approve it, because adapters add leverage and can lower the usable rating.
Are hitch cargo carriers safe?
They're widely used and safe when installed and loaded correctly. Match the receiver size, stay under the lowest of the carrier, hitch and truck ratings, and secure the load with straps or a net. Keep lights and the license plate visible, and recheck the pin, bolts and straps during your trip.
Will a hitch cargo carrier block my tailgate?
On many pickups, a loaded carrier keeps the tailgate from opening fully, and some folding carriers still sit in the way when folded up. Before a trip, test how far your tailgate drops with the carrier installed, and pack the items you'll need from the bed first.
How do I stop a hitch cargo carrier from wobbling?
Most wobble comes from the small gap between the carrier's shank and your receiver. An anti-rattle hitch tightener or a threaded hitch pin can take up that play. Also make sure the carrier's bolts are tight, the load is centered, and the straps are snug. Then recheck them after the first few miles.
Can I install a hitch cargo carrier myself?
Usually, yes. Most carriers bolt together with basic hand tools and slide into the receiver with a hitch pin and clip. Some are heavy, so a second person helps with lifting and lining up the pin. Follow the maker's instructions for assembly and bolt torque, and check that the pin is fully seated.
Build Your Truck Your Way With Love-Truck.com
Choosing a hitch cargo carrier comes down to a few steps:
- Match your receiver size.
- Choose the style that suits your gear.
- Stay under every weight rating.
- Check your tailgate, lights and clearance before you hit the road.
Love-Truck.com is an authorized Keystone Automotive dealer. Not sure which carrier works with your hitch? Call (806) 621-1226 for a fitment check by phone.
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