Trailer Hitch cargo carriers - 1up (2 Viewers)

[21200]

As a new owner of a 200 series (picked up my 2021 in December), I thought I would share something here that I have not seen, and a brief search turns up nothing on the topic. If anyone is looking for a hitch mounted cargo carrier, 1up is worth considering.

I have owned this hitch mounted cargo carrier for a few years and been very pleased with it on my past vehicles. I found out this weekend that it fits the 200 flawlessly. It sits up high, fits around the lower hatch like a glove, and because the hitch uses a friction fit you can fine tune how close the clearances are (it also keep the tray from rattling or rocking, which is one of the reasons I got this one vs some less expensive alternatives). The t-track and tie down options on the carrier also make it very customizable and easy to secure all kinds of items.

The additional capacity allowed my family of 6 to take a weekend trip without filling up every nook and cranny of the LC, and without adding a load to the roof or sacrificing aerodynamics.

 

[TeCKis300]

Timely post as I'm working on one at the moment. I've used hitch carriers for awhile now as it's a pretty good substitute for not having a truck. I prefer this over a roof rack as I can put oversized and heavier things like a dryer or large rolling tool chest. While it all stays in the slipstream of the car.

That 1up carrier looks on point and I never knew they even had one! I assume it tilts back and folds up using the same mount as their bike rack?

I've got this one from Amazon that I've also added a flip up attachment to. It's worked well over the years.

Currently working on a swingout one for overland camping. I don't prefer drawers as I need to keep the car flexible for different uses including hauling lots of people. The hitch mount will hopefully hold much of my overlanding, kitchen, propane, and stuff. While allowing the inside to be clear for sleeping. May enough room to sleep 4 with the addition over a RTT.

Mocking it up with some ugly storage boxes but have a pretty Zarges box coming in. Also fabbing some attachments for a foldout table.

 

[21200]

Timely post as I'm working on one at the moment. I've used hitch carriers for awhile now as it's a pretty good substitute for not having a truck. I prefer this over a roof rack as I can put oversized and heavier things like a dryer or large rolling tool chest. While it all stays in the slipstream of the car.

That 1up carrier looks on point and I never knew they even had one! I assume it tilts back and folds up using the same mount as their bike rack?

I've got this one from Amazon that I've also added a flip up attachment to. It's worked well over the years.

Nice! Yes it tilts and folds on the same mechanism. I haven't ever seen them advertise it, but I found it when looking for ways to convert my roof mounted bike trays to a hitch. They offer it in two different widths as well. You can even add the bike trays off the back of the cargo carrier... could get quite long and unwieldy I imagine though.

And yes I think the hitch offers a lot of appeal when needing to carry more gear. I don't put anything on the roof unless I really have to. The addition of the swing out leaves a lot of room for imagination! I would love to see your finished product.

 

[MTKID]

I’ve been barking up this same tree and just doing research. I found Letsgoaero.com had some cool fiberglass hitch enclosures but they are much more expensive than I could justify. Then I saw they have a wide (6’) cargo tray, and what appears to be a pretty inexpensive water resistant expandable bag for that tray.

I was kind of thinking of fabricating a platform for this bag off of an unused aluminum motorcycle carrier I have

Are you welding up your own swingarm @TeCKis300 ? And you have probably seen this while researching which I liked the idea of. Just have to know that your camp spot couldn’t require significant drop offs along the trail or you’d be dragging anything something terrible. I was thinking dropping the hitch at a campsite then going further might work.

 

[TeCKis300]

^Good stuff. Yes, all those same thoughts.

I've used the weather bags before on my larger hitch carrier platform. Great spot for all the really bulky items like tents chairs, cooktop, etc. Lots of generic bags available that will work so long as they're compatible with the platform dimensions.

These hitch addons are great as it allows the car to be configured for different uses without committing the interior to a certain trip type. From travel trailer camping, to hauling, to overlanding is the goal. I'm trying to setup for an overlanding trip ATM with easy sleeping in car and prep for meals. Trip may mix in some technical stuff which is why I'm trying to keep it light, compact and as close to the rear bumper as possible. I did see that setup you posted for ideas and it's great inspiration, though I'm aiming for less is more.

I haven't had to weld anything yet. Since I'm fitting a swingaway mount, most of the mods have been chopping the hitch of the swingaway adapter and hitch platform to bring things in close and tight. My LX is pretty tall with 35s and a 4" suspension lift on AHC high, so the hope is there's less chance of dragging, but if I have to, I will make an adapter to lift the hitch taller still. Also some riveting trying to create some tabletop space on the carrier.

Def could leave all of it at camp, but if I'm overlanding and relocating every day, I can temporarily put the stuff inside the rear as I'm keeping that space largely for car camping use.

 

[04UZJ100]

Timely post as I'm working on one at the moment. I've used hitch carriers for awhile now as it's a pretty good substitute for not having a truck. I prefer this over a roof rack as I can put oversized and heavier things like a dryer or large rolling tool chest. While it all stays in the slipstream of the car.

That 1up carrier looks on point and I never knew they even had one! I assume it tilts back and folds up using the same mount as their bike rack?

I've got this one from Amazon that I've also added a flip up attachment to. It's worked well over the years.
View attachment 2579649

Currently working on a swingout one for overland camping. I don't prefer drawers as I need to keep the car flexible for different uses including hauling lots of people. The hitch mount will hopefully hold much of my overlanding, kitchen, propane, and stuff. While allowing the inside to be clear for sleeping. May enough room to sleep 4 with the addition over a RTT.

Mocking it up with some ugly storage boxes but have a pretty Zarges box coming in. Also fabbing some attachments for a foldout table.
View attachment 2579655

Do you happen to have the link to the amazon one?

 

[TeCKis300]

Do you happen to have the link to the amazon one?

Here's the larger 60"x22" one I use along with a fold up adapter

Amazon product ASIN B01BD5P0RSAmazon product ASIN B00RCJ0F7A

 

[NYC570]

How do you deal with the license plate? I was about to buy the an Amazon hitch a few months back to make more space inside the LX, but the thought of covering the license plate kept me from pulling the trigger

 

[04UZJ100]

How do you deal with the license plate? I was about to buy the an Amazon hitch a few months back to make more space inside the LX, but the thought of covering the license plate kept me from pulling the trigger

Don’t worry about it.....

 

[highfructose]

I looked at the go aero hard...but at like $500 it was a bit much and the reviews weren’t stellar. I settled on this one from Amazon...it comes with metal bits to carry 4 bicycles at a time and is very very large. I took the bike parts off but they go back on easily enough.

i wanted it closer to the vehicle and higher up so I cut some of the tongue off, drilled a new hole for the hitch pin, and added a riser...it appears to improve my potential departure angle and allows for a recovery point or the ability to pull my little travel trailer while the basket is attached. I also shortened the riser and drilled a new pin hole for it too.

it hasn’t arrived, but I’ve had such a hard time installing the hitch pin on the 200 series that I purchased the hitch pin I’ll link to as well. I’m hoping it’ll make securing the pin easier.

also, one of the downsides to using these baskets or putting the baskets on a riser is that you lose the ability to get full access to your tailgate...I sort of solved this by installing a 48” toolbox...I drilled holes through the bottom of it and bolted it to the rear tie downs (after removing them). This allows me to keep full use of my 3rd row (including recline) and also keeps all my tools, recovery gear, and a spare alternator stowed in a safe manner.

between the toolbox and 3rd row I can fit a spare cv shaft, starter, axe, and a few soft items (spare clothes.

ive got a ton of stuff in there.

im thinking I may drill some lash points near where you see the waffleboards on the basket, thereby allowing my to strap an easy up between the basket and the truck. I think I’d still have just enough room to scoot in between the easy up and the rear of the truck in the event I need to get into the hatch on a road trip. The waffleboards were just set there to see if they’d fit and because I was thinking if I lashed them there somehow, I’d have an even larger platform.

Tow Tuff TTF-2762ACBR 2-in-1 Aluminum Cargo Carrier with Bike Rack Amazon product ASIN B00PXNC7K0
Master Lock Hitch Pin, Stainless Steel Barrel Head Hitch Pin, Fits 5/8 in. Receivers, 1465DAT Amazon product ASIN B000COX0MY

 

[TeCKis300]

Instant camp kitchen. Or at least a more convenient camp kitchen.

Using a smallish 52"x18" steel hitch carrier on a Yakima Backswing. Modified both to bring things as close and tight as possible to the bumper, cutting hitches about 2" on each component and re-drilling hitch pin holes. . I choose a steel basket carrier as steel is more resilient to off-road and vibration as aluminum can fatigue in these types of uses.

Got the Zarges 28x13x12 box in. Thing of beauty and I'm a sucker for shiny things. Several functional advantages is that it's extremely light. Robust. Most importantly, it's external size to actual internal storage dimensions is almost the same so very little overhead is used by the container itself. Most storage cases I looked into have tapered sides and use 1-2" of wall structure.

Fab'd a slide out aluminum tabletop. Probably not easy for most to do as I used sheetmetal tools including sheers and a bending brake. Worked out great and is a nice convenient surface for the cooktop. Added a beach umbrella pole mount which is probably not a expedition-ish but should prove functional.

All can be opened up along with the car hatch and tailgate which is what I was hoping for.

Tried to bring it in as close and tight as possible to preserve departure angle and I think I was mostly successful for general overlanding trips. AHC is in low here so it's about 4" higher in actual use. Or about 7" higher than the standard hitch height of a stock 200 for technical stuff.

Would like to bring it in tighter but that has consequences to being able to open the tailgate. The Yakima Backswing also has clearance issues to the tailgate any closer in. A Kuat Pivot would be a better choice to bring it in closer if ultimate departure angle is desired. But then again, it seems to use some proprietary hitch tightener that may not be good to cutoff.

 

[TeCKis300]

Rack and chuck box worked out great. Enough clearance that I was confidently able to traverse medium difficultly trails without any concern of dragging. Was also able to serve up hot trail burgers for 12 in 20 minutes.

 

[highfructose]

I added a Wilco…then decided I wanted a close high mini cargo carrier for Jerry cans, recovery gear, etc. the mini high and tight basket is an old harbor freight carrier I chopped up, shortened, and added a “hitch riser” to. I think I’m going to reinforce the sides of the mini carrier with some of the bits I chopped off to shorten it…then mount the max trax to the outside. That’ll get the tool box and cooler a little lower in the basket.

fits 7 Jerry cans/scepters

View attachment 2760117

View attachment 2760118

View attachment 2760119

 

[highfructose]

Also I can still add a 4 bike rack/xl hitch carrier underneath. I think this will be a good road trip setup.

 

[NY2LA]

Neat idea to flip things around. Might experiment with this myself.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

VERY interesting!

 

[highfructose]

I decided to raise my hitch carrier/bike rack up a bit higher and bolt a hilift to it. I don’t think think it’ll affect departure angle negatively at this height. I can just barely open the hatch…the tailgate will also open, though I need to torque the carrier slightly…it just barely clears. I used the u bolt from a hitch tightener to bolt the hilift on. The hitch riser I used is this one.

Towever 84131 Trailer 2 inches Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter Extender for Towing and Riser for Bicycle Rack, Extra Long Towing Accessories Amazon product ASIN B07PTPJJ7Z
Also, I moved my license plate to the outside of the hitch carrier and added an led license plate light…and some led brake lights. Also some light pod’s wired into the reverse lights bolted to the Wilco.

 

[21200]

I continue to be very happy with the 1UP USA rack. Tslot allows for additional tie down points, its low profile when not in use, and fits like it was made for the 200.

 

[LTSR]

I continue to be very happy with the 1UP USA rack. Tslot allows for additional tie down points, its low profile when not in use, and fits like it was made for the 200.

is your rack the 60" or 48" version?

 

[Gr8Daneger]

I’m quite fond of my Pakmule Swayback.

PAKMULE Sway-Back | Low Rail Jeep Hitch Rack

Got a Jeep and need more cargo space? The PAKMULE Sway-BackHitch Rack fits under your spare tire &allows access to your rear gate. Order yours today!

pakmule.com