fdoucette

Hi, I've been searching the forums and the inter webs.

Looks like Thule and Rola are the rear cargo carriers to look at (I already will be using a roof carrier, but have trips with 4 people, dog and lots of bike stuff, so need extra space)

What are your thoughts?

Also, I've been reading concerns about things getting heated/melted from the rear exhaust, what can I do to prevent this?

Thanks in advance!

Fred

Acrad

Never had a problem with things getting heated/melted. The racks usually are far enough back it isn't a problem.

I can't give you any insight on hard covered rear carriers. I've only used the rear carrier baskets exposed and with soft bags.

Looking at this Thule example.. only 150lb capacity.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo...le/TH665C.html

I use this fairly cheap price-wise but heavy duty Curt unit.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo...rt/C18153.html

Weight capacity 500lbs... although never pushed mine more than 300lbs or so.

If you need to keep things dry I use one of these mounted to the rear carrier.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo...er/988501.html

tecman

Some threads on this.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...e-storage.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...o-carrier.html

bbqsoup

I have an aluminum one that can fold up which is nice.
Get the aluminum one. Harbor Freight has some with good price and can hold 500 lbs.

https://m.harborfreight.com/500-lb-capacity-aluminum-cargo-carrier-92655.html?utm_referrer=direct%2Fnot%20provided

Acrad

bbqsoup: I wonder if they upgraded that one... I have one of those as well since I buy a lot of stuff at HF. Do note... one I have is probably 10 years old now.

I haven't used it much since I got rid of my Explorer but things I notice... receiver piece has rusted pretty badly in the wet environment of NW and it is noticeably tweaked from loads I have put on it over the years. Although nothing really heavy on an extreme scale other than (5) 6 gallon containers of fuel for my sleds. I think that is probably around 200 lbs.

fdoucette

Can anyone confirm that the need for a heat shield is only for the covered carriers?

That Curt unit looks about the right size and seems to be extended out enough that a shield would not be necessary, but I'm unsure, thus I'm asking ;-)

Any issues in the non-covered ones with stuff flying off the back?

Thanks again!

tecman

LOL, that is up to you with how you pack it

Acrad

Bungie nets and simple tie straps will keep everything on.

https://www.harborfreight.com/36-in-...net-69618.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/700-lb...-pc-62258.html

bbqsoup

I don't think they changed it much. My brother in law got one about 5-6 years ago and it looks the same as the one in the picture lol. It is holding up good for him.
The one I have is similar but not from HF and the sides are a bit lower
With 20% coupon, the HF one is a good deal.

LFIL

I have a Stowaway2 box (biggest one). It is fixed, and doesn't need a heat shield. No exposure to the elements (stays totally dry inside even in heavy rain), lockable, holds 200 lbs. Pretty happy with it. Only issue Is the nuts holding the license plate screws slide around and are hard to find sometimes.

pinoyesv6

I have the Aluminum Harbor Freight carrier with the ramp. Most of the time the ramp is in the way but it works out great when I haul things like my snowblower that I just don't want to lift into the back of the truck.

One thing to keep in mind when getting a carrier is the rear door. The enclosed ones with the swing out is great because you can swing the carrier out of the way of the rear door. I can only the back door with my fixed carrier when it is empty.

DallasDave

iTrader: (1)

+1 for the Harbor Freight unit. I've been using one for quite some time.