I'd probably get away with it most days, especially during the daytime. But the possible hassles from police is the main reason I don't use this carrier unless it's just for bicycles (plate can be seen with bikes mounted). I may use it on a trip someday if it will be mounted long enough to justify moving the plate and lighting. Thanks for visiting.
Great video to newbies. I'm 45 & have never had one so this is exactly what I was looking for. I have a reciever on order & can't cobtain my excitment to go on a cross country tour with one. Since my car is an older 2 dpor roof racks aren't an option which is what I originally wanted but finding a roof rack to fit my car is harder than installing a reciever surprisingly. Very informative thank you.
Glad it was helpful! I'm about to test a lockable truck bed box that should fit on the basket. Although it carries only half of a rooftop box, it's weatherproof, lockable, and shouldn't impact fuel economy since it hides in the car's draft. Good luck!
I have a related video in which I mounted an aluminum truck box to my rack and then added a license plate holder and lighting. It works well. Thanks for visiting.
That Jetta was beautiful. I grew up in a 94 passat stationwagon. So when a 94 sedan came up for sale I jumped on it. Thanks for the useful information. In Denmark you can get a extra license plate for carriers or bikeracks. Lights are mandatory too - usually built into the racks for sale here.
@@StealthGTI the usual plates are black letters and numbers. The 'third licence plate' is red - hopefully making it less attractive to steal for use on cars✌️
Nice. Gives better understanding on the limits of the carrier . One thing that would be a deterrent for me is not being able to open the hatch. But given all the specs it could still be a good way to transport addition cargo on a day trip. I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving it outside overnight at a hotel.
Thanks for visiting, Dave! I don't recall if I addressed hatch clearance in this video. But the hatch does clear on my most recent setup. See it at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HFLxRdmohiM.html. Take Care!
Very nice! I just bought a new carrier that has a hollow shank. I chose it because I like the style of hitch tightener that works with it. It has two inches less rise, but will still work for me. I plan to carry a truck box on it and have added lights and a license plate relocation point. I will feature a video about it soon. Thanks for visiting.
@@markchidester6239 - Of course. This platform will never see more than 140 lbs, including the weight of the box. Most of the time, I suspect it will be less than 100 lbs.
Awesome video! Also a fan of small cars - we recently completed our 9,000+ km Alcan Hwy road trip in our humble little Toyota Sienta (JDM), which runs on the same 1.5L engine as the Toyota Echo. I'm exploring the hitch-mounted carrier but am mostly worried about the cantilever effect AND rotational forces this introduces. How noticeable was the impact to your car's handling and suspension? I mention rotational forces to cover both the carrier's rotation around the hitch and also the (potential) over-rotation of the car as you turn. The pot-holes and rollercoaster sections of the Alcan (and other Alaskan / Yukon hwys....) are no joke. I'm trying to figure out if all those pot-holes might cause the carrier to rotate and torque the heck out of the trailer hitch / bumper, resulting in damage to the frame....
There was a formula that I used. I don't recall the math, only that my takeaway was to not carry more than 100 lbs back there. I don't think 100 lbs on a carrier can over-leverage the hitch. Thanks for visiting!
Have you considered adding some straps in some configuration to help to support some of the weight of the rack? Like, maybe add some webbing loops to a bolt that is accessible inside the hatch? I have done similar to secure a canoe to my car,but I've never seen anyone suggest it for a cargo carrier.
I appreciate that! Search my channel for "hitch mounted cargo draft" and you should find a video about a hard-sided cargo box that I made from a truck bed box. Thanks for visiting!
You bet! Check out this follow-up in which I have a metal box and a license plate mounted: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HFLxRdmohiM.html. Thanks for visiting!
Any time! I hope you found it helpful. See an update at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HFLxRdmohiM.html, if you're interested. Thanks for visiting!
Any issues with the exhaust? I previously used the cargo carrier with my Tacoma, which had a side exhaust so no issues now I have a Silverado with a dual rear and I was wondering if the heat or anything else could damage anything in the carrier
No issues, Michael! If you look closely, you'll see that the tray sits a few inches above the tips. Most of the cargo trays that I've seen with melted cargo have been right in the path of exhaust flow. That's why I chose a tray that has a 3-inch rise in the shank. Thanks for visiting!
I've pulled a very small utility trailer with solid 2 ft high walls and I think my mileage was around 16 miles per gallon yet if I just have this back carrier on and a top carrier instead my mileage went up to 18 plus miles per gallon which is significant. One thing I noticed though with my bike rack on I'm getting 17 miles per gallon must be due to the bikes sideways nature against the wind
The walls on my "baby trailer" are 18 inches tall. I've never tested MPGs with the open trailer. But I knew I'd see better economy if I built a lid, which I did. I actually get better fuel economy with that trailer and its lid than I do with a rooftop cargo box. See all about that trailer at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gDvo3jwrZno.html, if you're interested. Thanks for visiting.
@@StealthGTI Aud $31 Is about 20 USD so it's really pretty cheap end I don't think there making much money As there normally purchased by elderly people who use them in there mobility scooter carriers so the price is pretty low
To my knowledge, folding racks are only available in 2" mounts. As you said, it will lengthen the load, which will also add to the cantilevering effect. Also, I don't think reaching for a release pin under my low platform would be terribly fun. HAHA! Then, with the platform raised and stowed vertically, now my hatch is blocked. So, no thanks! ;-) As for noise, I don't think noise will be a problem on a loaded hitch. Thanks for visiting!
The Crosstrek is on my short list of possibilities in the future. The "VW Fan" in me wants a Tiguan or Atlas. But it's hard to ignore the aftermarket support of the Crosstrek. The available skid plates, rocker guards, and winch mounts help to make up for whatever shortfalls a Crosstrek might have when compared to more capable 4x4s. Thanks for visiting!
The tray features a riser that lifts the cargo out of the exhaust stream. I've never had a problem. The same cannot be said of cargo trays that sit level with the exhaust tips. Hot exhaust flow WILL melt plastic cargo bags and even the paint from the carrier. Thanks for visiting!
If your vehicle has a flat 4 pin trailer light connector you can buy a set of water-resistant plug in LED trailer lights for around $25. Just mount them to the corners (maybe add vertical marker rods for you and following drivers!)
Thanks for the suggestions! I hate to say it, but I think there are just too many inattentive drivers on the road for me to add anything else that costs money or can be damaged. I had been lightly rear-ended a few times. Lights would have been smashed and vertical marker rods would have been bent into my car. Maybe I'm too skeptical. HAHA! Check out an update at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HFLxRdmohiM.html, if you're interested. Thanks for visiting!
I had tail lights on one of my setups on a previous car. I wound up smashing one as I backed up to a fence... "I *think* I can make it!" HAHA! Thanks for visiting!
@StealthGTI Thanks so much for all the incredible content and detailed reviews. I'm planning a cross country road trip with my GTI. Your channel has been a lifesaver! I had a quick question... I can't tell in the videos but did you have to cut / modify the plastic panel under the bumper to fit this hitch Curt 11412 hitch? Thanks again!
George - I don't have a Curt hitch. Mine is an EcoHitch, which does require trimming of the bumper skin. The benefit of the EcoHitch (over Curt) is that attaches to more structural points and sits higher from the road. See more details and photos at stealthgti.com/torklift-ecohitch-and-carry-on-trailer/. I'll try to get some photos of my cuts uploaded. My site is misbehaving at the moment. As for the Curt 11412, it's cheaper, easier to install, and does NOT require trimming. However, it also will decrease ground clearance when traversing steep driveways or large speed bumps. I also think it is more vulnerable to developing rust since it's in the path of flying detritus from the road. See more photos of that hitch at www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Curt/C11412.html. I want to record a long-term review of my EcoHitch. For all I know, it's rusting out of sight. ;-) I touch-up paint the receiver every fall. Have fun on your trip and thanks for visiting.
You're carrier has reflectors... 👍...have you ever had it hit, when empty, in a parking lot because the driver could not see something so low as they turned into/out of a parking space?
The carrier has been hit a few times. It's the primary reason why I don't put LIGHTS back there (more expensive to repair). The best hit was someone behind me in a drive-thru. Apparently, he didn't think he was close enough to my bumper. So, he pulled forward and bumped me. Not realizing that he was in contact and wondering why he couldn't move closer, he gave it a bit more gas and drove his plastic bumper onto the edge of the carrier. We got out and met at the back of my car. I said, "Yeah, that's YOU hitting ME." I think his facia was damaged when he pulled back. I knew that whatever damage he had done to my carrier was superficial; so, I drove off and enjoyed my breakfast. HAHA! Thanks for visiting.
Thanks for the video(s), they have been really helpful. I use my TDI as a roadside assistance service provider and I think the cargo carrier shown in the video (@ 1:38) could be a great solution to toting around 4 5 gallon gas cans at all times. The CURT 18110 however does not seem to sit at the same height nor is it adjustable in terms of distance from the vehicle. Would you be willing to disclose the manufacturer or where I may purchase the carrier featured in this video?
Unfortunately, that carrier was discontinued long ago. I have since switched to the Curt 18110, mostly because of its threaded hitch pin hole. It allows me to use a 1/2" bolt that fastens and acts as an anti-sway part. I kind of like it even though it doesn't allow me to position the tray as close to the bumper as the older unit. Thanks for visiting!
None. The elevated rack allows hot exhaust to pass beneath the rack. See this photo for reference: i2.wp.com/stealthgti.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cargobox-02.jpg. Thanks for visiting.
I'm not sure what you mean by "on the wagon style." The Golf and Alltracks are nearly the same. So, I see no reason why they wouldn't open with similar allowances or restrictions. I'll note, though, that one inch higher on the bag or a little closer to the bumper can make a huge difference. So, you have to manage that, too. Thanks for visiting!
HAHA! It sure looks that way! See the write-up for this trip at stealthgti.com/our-tour-of-the-northern-united-states/ to learn why we went the way we did. My wife and I recently traveled through OK (twice) on a recent coast-to-coast road trip. I'm about to do the trip again, but will miss OK. Thanks for visiting.
Thankyou so much for this segment. I have a subcompact front wheel drive suv and was considering this option for carrying extra cargo. Now I'm not so sure I will do so. I too am concerned about covering the tail lights and license plate. Any thoughts on a aluminum cargo carrier for less weight on the hitch vs steel? Also, have you seen a cargo carrier that is 30 to 40 inches wide instead of the typical 48" wide ones? Can't seem to find one. That smaller of a dimension sure would cause less of a worry regarding covering up the tail lights. Thanks again
Thanks for visiting! There are carriers that are around 36 inches, but they're made for ATVs and may not be suitable for carrying much. Watch my video about a 46-inch wide box that I tried and you may change your mind. See the video at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HFLxRdmohiM.html. The hollow shank of the steel rack that I featured is probably just marginally heavier than an aluminum rack, which would probably have a solid shank. Also, your SUV may have a higher hitch than mine. My hitch is just nine inches above the ground at the bottom of its opening. If yours is 11 inches or higher, then you could possibly buy a carrier with a straight shank, which will give more clearance for your tail lights. Of course, that's a null point if your SUV's tail lights are in the bumper. If that's the case, then you WILL want to add tail lights to your carrier, which isn't hard (see the video I linked above). Good Luck!
Thanks, Eli! I use an EcoHitch that I installed long before sharing videos here. See the details on my website at stealthgti.com/torklift-ecohitch-and-carry-on-trailer/. Thanks for visiting!
What says that for lbs you have to divide by feet? I never understood how the units of the distance are chosen. If I were to measure un KG, what would be the distance unit for that? In your case 2 ft is 0.6 meters that would increase my weight if I divide :) .
It's just a guideline. Divide by three for each meter, I guess. The key take-away is to not load a cargo rack to the hitch's max capacity. Cut the weight in half and you should be okay. Thanks for visiting.
The carrier does not seem to impact handling so long as it's not overloaded, the roads are smooth, and the suspension is still in good shape. Thanks for visiting.
I would do just that if I expected to leave the carrier installed for a week or longer. Otherwise, I'm a tad too lazy to bother with routinely switching back and forth. ;-) Thanks for visiting.
In the UK it is illegal to obstruct the car registration plate and rear lights so the quick and simple remedy is to use a inexpensive tail board which has indicator lights and registration plate fitted available from a car accessory shop and simply strapped onto the rear load and plugged into the electrical towing connector, takes no more than 2minutes to fit and be legal.
When a rack lists its carrying capacity, it is listing the RACK's capacity and not the hitch. On your Yukon, I have no doubt that you could have a Class 3 hitch that's good for 500 lbs at least. In your case, if the rack is rated for 300, then you have to respect the lower of the two ratings. In my case, I limit the 300-lb rack to 100 lbs since my hitch is rated for 200 lbs (200 lbs divided by 2 ft to account for cantilevering). Thanks for visiting.
No. Warner Music Group another other copyright holders are very aggressive about pursuing creators who use music that's licensed by them. As a result, I feature only royalty-free music in my videos and have even been minimizing that over the years, using music only in the opening and closing minutes of my videos. I am a fan of DT, though, and would love to set some of my work to their music. However, I'm not jumping through the ever-moving flaming hoops and/or forfeiting revenue to make it happen. Thanks for visiting.
I don't think it affects MPGs at all because it rides in the car's draft. I never tested MPGs with my hitch tray installed. However, it is more aerodynamic than a rooftop box or trailer, without a doubt. I'd consider using my cargo tray again if I knew the tray would be on the car for a longer period. I'd move the license plate if I planned to have the tray mounted for more than a few days. Thanks for visiting.
please PLEASE I need HELP! could someone please tell me what is the name of the hitch attachment that's sandwiched between the hitch and the cargo carrier at 8:09 ? my cargo carrier tilts downwards thus scratching the ground at times, you would help me immensely if you take the time to provide me with this info, please
Javier - That piece is part of the carrier. In that example, the platform is able to tilt-up so that the tray is against the vehicle when it's not used for cargo. On my carrier, at 1:38 for example, the carrier is elevated to lift it higher above the ground. Coincidentally, it also raises it above the exhaust heat. About your car, is it level, or are you loading it heavily enough to cause the rear end to sag? Is your car lowered? Either of those things will contribute to reduced ground clearance at the back of the carrier. You may benefit from getting a carrier like mine (link in the description). It'll lift your carrier tray upward by three inches. At $85, it's a relatively inexpensive fix for your problem. Thanks for visiting.
@@StealthGTI thank you so much for responding ! and yeah , the rear of my carrier sags even when empty, and yeah , the hitch on my car is already really low, since my car is a prius V 2015, but I bought a hitch adapter that has an "L" shape but imagine the L rotated one turn to the left, so it raises the connection point for the cargo tray about 9 inches, but even then, the tray is really slanted towards the ground, and I did install 3 "U" bolt bracket or anti rattling devices in the 3 different connection points, and that doesn't help, I think Im gonna have to get rid of that cargo carrier entirely and buy one that folds up like the one shown in your video, I just first need to make sure that when deploying the tray, that it allows for it to be stopped at different angles, to off-set the slope , so that when is empty is pointing a little bit towards the sky , so that when it's full is at 180 degrees as it should, ... thanks again!
I'm considering one of these for our '97 Honda CR-V to haul a set of track tires with when I take my Civic to track days. Tire trailers are difficult to find & are extremely expensive for what they are ($1000+) and we'd be hauling various tools, supplies, and our dog in the CR-V so I wouldn't want to cram the tires in there. 4 wheels with tires strapped down to the cargo carrier. What do you think about that?
I've done it! I used to do the same thing behind a car I used to autocross. See a photo at i1.wp.com/stealthgti.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/war_wheelcarrier-02.jpg Thanks for visiting!
It sure can! That's why I don't use the carrier for anything that will block the plate. The only exception was when I drove a few miles to take the photos shown in this video. With that said, I have a new hitch-mounted cargo solution that I will test soon. It will have the license plate at the back as well as its own lighting. That video will probably publish in August. Thanks for visiting.
@@StealthGTI I've been researching vans for years now. Most recently I was thinking about a shuttle bus to convert so it would be a little studio apartment on wheels where I can boondock and cities or just outside cities and continue my a computer science degree online. My destination is southern California though in between LA and San Diego. However recently I found that I could be very comfortable in a Dodge caravan minivan or Toyota sienna and it would just be so much easier than trying to park and hide out in a big vehicle. They're super reliable and their fuel economy is way better than any used work van that I can find. Especially here in the Northeast with all the rust, vans that are big enough to stand in just our way out of my budget and I don't want van life to be expensive cuz then it just defeats the point of it
@@Tyler-ug1hs - Very nice. Oddly enough, I've watched several videos that feature a Prius conversion. Apparently, hybrids are very good campers because of the large battery banks and automatic engine start for recharging the batteries. That doesn't mean that I want a Prius. BUT the new Sienna hybrid could be a contender for some in the future due to its hybrid power management.
@@StealthGTI watched this video when it first came out and watched it again the other night, as you can see this comment was meant to go on another video. Really enjoyed this video tho and your others on cargo options for small cars. All the best and thanks for replying to my random comment that won't have made any sense to you.
To my knowledge, that is not an option in Virginia. They only allow two tags since someone would certainly use the extra on another car to avoid paying the registration fees. Thanks for visiting.
@@StealthGTI oh wow. Hugely different to the UK where it’s the car that’s registered and anything towed must have a matching plate to the car/lorry/van/tractor etc
There's a show for nearly any kind of car. I show my ordinary-appearing cars to support the show efforts and to get a great parking spot. ;-) Thanks for visiting.
Question: you mentioned it's best to not exceed 100lbs of cargo. Does this include the weight of the cargo-carrier itself, or do you mean 100lbs additional cargo? I recently bought an aluminum Tow Tuff Aluminum Luggage + Bike Rack carrier which weighs 48 lbs on its own. My car is a Subaru sedan rated for 300 pounds tongue weight. I'd definitely rather be on the safe side. Any advice would be appreciated!
I recommend 100 lbs of actual cargo, not including the weight of the rack itself. That's due to my car's 175-lb tongue limit. In the case of your Subaru, you could probably haul 200 lbs back there. I think I may have shared a graphic in the video that explains the cantilever effect of the rack. Thanks for visiting!
Gee - I appreciate your offer. However, I'm quite pleased with the products I already have; plus, I use them only occasionally. Thanks for writing. -Scott
Does exhaust heat cause totes to warp or melt with a hitch carrier??? Looking into the same solution for camping w. Subaru.. TIA for your answers... Great info :)
I haven't had any problems with that. The load is far enough away that the exhaust cools or dissipates enough to not harm anything. Thanks for visiting!
I don't leave hitch-mounted cargo unattended for very long. I've also since added a metal box for additional security. See details at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HFLxRdmohiM.html. Still, I would leave anything valuable inside for longer than a lunch stop. Yeah, I don't trust most places. HAHA!
You're welcome! I have a related video, something to the effect of carrying cargo in the draft. It features a similar carrier, but with a truck box. Thanks for visiting!
