Hitch Mounted Cargo Basket/Rack

[College Kid]

Thinking of getting one of these for a 3 day trip accross canada in my Jeep TJ. I will be traveling mostly on highways, not likely going to be be anything off pavement. Wondering if you anyone has any experience with these type of racks. Pro's Con's?

I Figure the lower Centre of Gravity would be a good thing, but not really sure past that.

Thoughts?

http://www.sportrack.com/a30850

 

[Rexsname]

They rattle a bit but other than that I think that they are a good solution .

REX

 

[seanz0rz]

the racks arent bad. may limit your ability to reach into the back of your vehicle, but probably not with a jeep. they severly limit your departure angle, so be careful of steeply pitched driveways. also dont overload them past your rated tongue weight for towing or past the weight recommended by the manufacture of the rack.

to prevent the rattling, drill and tap some 3/8 or 1/2 inch holes in your reciever and use grade 8 bolts with blue loctite. thats how i keep my hitch mounted tire carrier from rattling around.

here you can see my bolts in this picture:

 

[calamaridog]

I think I saw one of those on craigslist for about $40 last week. If you can score one for cheap, then I'd say it's great.

 

[jasonL_031]

i had one on my 09 jk 4 door when i did my trip from calgary to pembroke and the only thing i had to do was put a spacer on the jeep so i could put it on cause of the spare tire was in the way. other then that i had to unload it every night to get into the back of the jeep. i only basically used it to carry my 3 25 and 20 L jerry cans. and some pieces of luggage. did really well going to keep using it on my power wagon and jeep.

 

[Cabrito]

Mine doesn't get much use but it's real handy when I need it. I am lucky that mine sticks out enough to open the rear hatch all the way, and the tail gate but just a little bit.

Attachment is the large picture.
.

 

[kerry]

I picked up mine on Craigslist for $40. You can get hitch pins which take the rattle out. They have a large nut which slides into the male portion which is then tightened to one side against the female.

 

[olympiccop2002]

Try to find one that folds up. I've used both types. The fold up ones are nice because you can leave them on the truck/Jeep while you're traveling and not worry about storing it.

 

[College Kid]

Thanks for all the response. I have thought about the spare tire issues and thought that an extender would be needed. How long is the one you have. I figure that I will need one at least 10". How does it affect the load capacity?

 

[rroadkilll]

I ahve one that I use on my Jeep... The spare tire is NOT in the way... 31X10.5 on stock rims...

Here is a pic of how I made mine NOT rattle...

 

[Stumpalump]

I welded this up to hual my dirt bike. It holds a 250lbs bike and my Rokon. I was scared at first but after 3 trips it's seems like a great way to hual around extra stuff.

 

[College Kid]

I ahve one that I use on my Jeep... The spare tire is NOT in the way... 31X10.5 on stock rims...

Here is a pic of how I made mine NOT rattle...

I have being searching every where for a picture like this. you don't happen to have any from the side do you?


my original plan was to mount my aluminum pick-up box to the rack. I should have room for the box and a fuel can. How wide is your rack? I've seen them come in 48" or 60".

 

[rroadkilll]

I have being searching every where for a picture like this. you don't happen to have any from the side do you?


my original plan was to mount my aluminum pick-up box to the rack. I should have room for the box and a fuel can. How wide is your rack? I've seen them come in 48" or 60".

I'll see if I can find any more pics... if not I'll try and take some on Sunday!!!

I use ratchet srtaps to hold it up so it does not sag...

 

[ntsqd]

I ahve one that I use on my Jeep... The spare tire is NOT in the way... 31X10.5 on stock rims...

Here is a pic of how I made mine NOT rattle...

I did a similar thing, only I ran the ratchet straps from under the rack forward and up over the top of the rear bumper and attached to the top-forward edge of the rear bumper.

 

[Czechsix]

The rack I use has been plenty helpful. Damned heavy, but I can carry a bike, desert fireplace, firewood, fuel, cooler, and various other things on it. Not to mention once it's unloaded, it becomes a perfect place to have the stove and cooler. I run additional magmount lights on it though, since when it's loaded folks have a hard time seeing my regular tail lights.