the hitch mounted Cargo basket. like?

[elky McElkerson]

i found a Tractor Supply store. i looked at the web and they have a nice light aluminum unit. not expensive at all.

i\'m planning for my Arizona road trip to hunt deer. bringing a friend and he loves to bring stuff. my tacoma is just kinda small for two guys packing for a hunt. arrow targets, and empty ice chest, and water jugs for desert hunting takes up a lot of truck real estate.

anyone running a hitch basket? i hope it isnt wobbly. i hope to use it to hold the empty chest and empty water jugs..(and fill the jugs from a hose when i get there) any hit to mpg?

pro\'s cons?

 

[bowhunter]

I use one that I built to haul my freezer. This gives me more room in the truck bed for my gear and sleeping quarters. I have not had any problems with the setup. I can\'t open my tailgate with it on but the truck topper opens fine. I have to crawl over the freezer to get into the truck. No problem if you are agile. One problem that could exist is if I had a flat tire. I would have to remove the freezer because the crank hole to lower the tire is on the rear of the bumper. I built mine because I wanted it bigger and stronger than the ones on the market.

 

[cohunter14]

Cliff, I think they could be very handy. My only concern would be if you end up on a 4x4 trail where you bottom out and then go uphill. I would assume that you could end up dragging the basket in a scenario like that, which could cause all sorts of different issues. If you aren\'t going to be on any trails like that, I would think it would work great. I also wouldn\'t worry about the MPG as I would think it would be a very minimal difference.

One other idea would be to build some cheap sides for your truck. We did this a long time ago before we would bring a trailer to camp and it definitely helped a lot. Here is an example of what I\'m talking about:

 

[elky McElkerson]

I have a topper.

My wife compared my trucks to a woman\'s purse. We fill it no matter how big it is



Sent via Jedi mind trick.

 

[colorado russ]

I use one Cliff AFTER I\'ve filled the back of my truck and shut the topper!! My Dad built it so its\' much heavier than the light aluminum ones. I didn\'t notice any movement nor change in MPG the one time I\'ve used it. I can get a 150 qt Igloo cooler on mine with a little room left. Generally pack stuff in the cooler on the way down then use it for meat, if needed, on the way back.

 

[Don K]

I have one that I built that works great when I need it.

Just don\'t forget its back there when you back up that extra length in the back may cause you to hit something.

Also like mentioned you have a chance to bottom it out not only off road but sometimes entrances and exits to parking lots that ramp up or down. With the Tacoma your probably high enough to not worry.

Lock it up so it doesn\'t grow feet and walk off.

I have never been hassled but I do know people that have gotten tickets because they used one of these and when loaded it blocked their rear license plate.

 

[WW]

When I have the truck popup camper on, I take my tail gate off. I put my generator, extra gas, and what have you on the rack. Seems to work OK for me. Mine is just a K-Mart cheapy.

 

[cnelk]

I have considered on getting one too.
Just for that extra room without pulling my trailer.
I also have a topper with a deck so I can put gear below and a bed on top.

If I do get a hitch carrier, I will add a couple stabilizer bars to each side that go up under the bumper so it doesnt rock like I see many do

 

[colorado russ]

I forgot to add that whatever is on the hitch carrier will get lots of road grime/dirt on it. Might want to consider tarping whatever is on the back.

 

[elky McElkerson]

I have considered on getting one too.
Just for that extra room without pulling my trailer.
I also have a topper with a deck so I can put gear below and a bed on top.

If I do get a hitch carrier, I will add a couple stabilizer bars to each side that go up under the bumper so it doesnt rock like I see many do

They make a $7 clamp that locks it tight. I can\'t remember what they call it. I\'ll find it.


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

 

[WW]

I forgot to mention, on my camper I have an eyebolt on each side to tie the camper down to brackets on my truck bumper. So I have been putting a ratchet strap from the eye bold to the outside edge of the cargo basket. I also made a piece of 3/8 plywood to fit the bottom of it. I didn\'t trust that expanded metal. Remember, I did say it was a K-Mart cheapy. LOL!