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Joined: Jan 2018
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OP
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Never owned one or used one. My wife and I are going out west for a loooong camping trip. We will be driving one of our full size diesel trucks. Based on my solo DIY hunting trips I believe we need a trailer hitch cargo carrier for our coolers. I use one for long term storage and another cooler(yeti) for day use. For those that have and use a carrier what do you suggest? I know some have different ways of lowering to access the bed and others are fixed and have to be disengaged from the truck to access the bed. Thoughts on loads? I mentioned the trucks as the vehicle as to help those know the carrier is not going on a Pinto 😀! Thanks
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,475
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I also have a question. Since most obscure the license plate how do the LE`s react to them?
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,252
Campfire Regular
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I just have a cheapo Harbor Freight one that I load the crap out of yearly big game hunting. Never a problem, works as it should. Never had issue with the cops, but I am pretty sure i cover my plate completely. Something to think about I guess if I had an open beer or something...
"Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money." -Tom T Hall
Molon Labe
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,928
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,928 |
I used one on my Jeep to manage hunting season loads. Mine is a Reese and on the cheap side. There are nicer ones that swing away that would be much more useable. Low end ones rust pretty easy, so the aluminum versions may be something to consider. It really comes down to cost. The cheap ones will carry a load, but definitely don’t offer the convenience of more expensive versions. Departure angle needs to be kept in mind and I highly recommend some type of adapter for your hitch that minimizes wobble.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,822
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
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I bought a normal one and welded a cage to it. Now it holds two big coolers with no worries
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,375
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
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I've been using a plain Jane one for many years and worked it hard from coolers, and dead animals to a wood stove over 1000 miles it's been a great way to have extra storage.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,516
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
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I bought one from cabelas last year and have been happy with it so far. Have never heard of anyone being hassled by the po-po's
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,456
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,456 |
I've got a fairly heavy one[from TSC I think] that also folds up. When we use it the folding option is nice[as opposed to removing and storing while staying at hotel etc].
FJB & FJT
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 807
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Campfire Regular
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Don’t have any pictures of mine but when I went looking for one I needed a certain size to hold my snowblower. Ended up building one out of angle iron, plywood and a piece for the receiver. Works great. Dave
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 8,109
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2016
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I have a harbor freight aluminum version with a ramp that folds up for the basket side. Rides just a little low and touched the drive sometimes due to the departure angle. (I could solve that light touch with a tapered grind to the support post from the reciever. It's steel, and runs to the back of the carrier. There is no need to unload it and store it at hotels, just use a locking hitch pin and don't worry about it. Mine has a 300lbs rating, and is used for my wife's mobility scooter. I drive a Ford f150 and need to drop the ramp to lower the tailgate, but otherwise it clears the basket by close to a foot, I think. I cut and welded a hitch extender to raise the unit about 3", but found it made it rock a bit, so stopped using it. No issues with police problems, and it has been in use for at least 3 years, so far.
An unemployed Jester, is nobody's Fool.
the only real difference between a good tracker and a bad tracker, is observation. all the same data is present for both. The rest, is understanding what you're seeing.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Jan 2018
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 |
I have used one a lot. Any brand will likely work just fine. Never had any problems with the poleece.
Be aware that whatever is on your carrier will be covered with whatever you've been driving over.
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual. Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit. My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,813
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,813 |
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,813
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,813 |
Whatever you get, I'd be sure to add lots of reflective tape to it...
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 760
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,464
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
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Here is the aluminum one from Harbor Freight, I've had it maybe 9-10 years and its carried a lot of stuff and still works great. Carried plenty of critters on it:)
"Rather hunt Mule deer than anything else" "Team 7MM-08"
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,763
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,763 |
If you are using expensive coolers, someone will try to steal them! Take measures! Don't forget it's there. Buying a new front end for someone will be expensive. Be aware of your exhaust, it will burn/melt a cooler.
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,450
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,450 |
Be aware that whatever is on your carrier will be covered with whatever you've been driving over. Pay attention to this ... it is dead right. I would not want to haul a deer on one very far on a dusty road. If you're hauling soft luggage, look into one of the heavy duty dry bags used for rafting. The roll up / seal does a pretty good job of keeping the worst of the dust out. Zippered closures don't work all that well. Ice chests seem to flex and breath going over bumps and will sometimes suck in dust as well. Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 28,195
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 28,195 |
If you put one on the front by way of front hitch, I would put sight rods on the corners. For me, it is east to forget it's there, and it matters when making turns into parking lots and such.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,070
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,070 |
I just have a cheapo Harbor Freight one that I load the crap out of yearly big game hunting. Never a problem, works as it should. Never had issue with the cops, but I am pretty sure i cover my plate completely. Something to think about I guess if I had an open beer or something... Same here,I think I paid less than $50 for it and it will hold 300 #'s . Probably more. If I am not pulling a horse trailer I use it with when my slide in camper is on .Gives extra loading area and doubles a s a step in and out of the camper
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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