Thule TracRac TracOne
The value pick for a pickup owner who needs to carry ladders or lumber over the cab. It is a work rack, not an overland platform.
Amazon $435.34$435.34
When the cabin, the trunk and the roof are full, a cargo carrier gives you room outside the vehicle. These rankings cover the three kinds people buy for camping, hunting and homestead hauling, and compare what the makers publish on the same terms.
A hitch cargo carrier is a steel or aluminum basket or flat platform that slides into your trailer hitch receiver. It’s the cheapest way to carry coolers, fuel cans and bulky gear, and it keeps dirty or smelly loads out of the car. A hitch cargo box is a closed, lockable box that mounts the same way and keeps luggage dry. A truck bed rack stands over a pickup’s bed so you can carry a rooftop tent, kayaks, lumber or ladders up high and still use the bed underneath.
Before you buy a hitch carrier, check your hitch’s tongue weight rating: the carrier plus its load has to stay under it, and a 1¼ in receiver usually allows far less than a 2 in one. For a bed rack, check your truck’s bed length and whether the rack clamps on or needs drilling.
Top Picks
Shop by Type
Hitch carriers
17 rankedOpen baskets and platforms that slide into a trailer hitch: coolers, bins and firewood ride outside the vehicle.
Top rated: VEVOR 60 x 24 Folding Cargo Carrier $150.85
Hitch cargo boxes
4 rankedEnclosed, lockable boxes on a hitch carrier that keep luggage and gear dry behind the vehicle.
Top rated: Buyers Products 1707020 Hitch Cargo Box $509.99
Truck bed racks
13 rankedRacks over a pickup's bed for rooftop tents, kayaks, lumber and overland gear.
Top rated: Thule TracRac TracOne $435.34
Narrow It Down
Prices were last checked October 31, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Best Hitch Cargo Carriers
- VEVOR 60 x 24 Folding Cargo Carrier#1 of 17Full review
A complete budget kit with a full size folding basket, bag and straps, for occasional road trips.
Amazon $150.85$150.85500 lb-Steel - CURT 18100 Aluminum Tray Carrier#2 of 17Full review
A rust proof folding tray for 2 in hitches, for buyers in wet or salted road areas who want aluminum without paying for a ramp model.
Amazon $190.99$190.99500 lb-Aluminum - CURT 18109 Folding Tray Carrier#3 of 17Full review
A budget full width folding tray for 2 in hitches, for buyers who want 500 lb of capacity and do not need tall sides.
Amazon $154.99$154.99500 lb-Steel - CURT 18145 Cargo Basket#4 of 17Full review
A compact railed basket for small cars and crossovers, for anyone who needs one carrier that fits both hitch sizes.
Amazon $118.78$118.78500 lb-Steel - MaxxHaul 50149 Folding Aluminum Carrier#5 of 17Full review
A low cost folding aluminum basket for buyers who want rust resistance and a fold up shank without paying CURT or Elevate prices.
Amazon $148.99$148.99500 lb32.7 lbAluminum
Best Hitch Cargo Boxes
- Buyers Products 1707020 Hitch Cargo Box#1 of 4Full review
A tough, waterproof utility chest on a hitch frame, for work trucks and campers who value capacity over looks or hatch access.
Amazon $509.99$509.9917 cu ft-Plastic - Thule Arcos XL with Platform#2 of 4Full review
The biggest Thule hitch box, for ski trips and large luggage loads on vehicles whose hatch clears the box.
Amazon $1,499.90$1,499.9015.9 cu ft72 lb- - Thule Arcos Box L with Tilt Platform#3 of 4Full review
A premium lockable hitch box for EV and crossover owners who want roof box space without lifting gear overhead and still need the hatch to open.
Amazon $1,749.90$1,749.9014 cu ft82.7 lb- - Yakima EXO SwingBase with GearLocker#4 of 4Full review
A modular swing away hitch system with a lockable box, for owners who want full hatch access and plan to add bike or ski mounts later.
Amazon $1,347.90$1,347.9010 cu ft96.3 lb-
Best Truck Bed Racks
- Thule TracRac TracOne#1 of 13Full review
The value pick for a pickup owner who needs to carry ladders or lumber over the cab. It is a work rack, not an overland platform.
Amazon $435.34$435.34800 lb42 lbAluminum - Malone TradeSport#2 of 13Full review
A well priced aluminum work rack for pickup owners who haul ladders or boats over the cab. Overlanders wanting a low tent platform should look at lower racks.
Amazon $394.95$394.95800 lb58 lbAluminum - Thule TracRac SR#3 of 13Full review
A work rack for full size pickups hauling long, heavy loads over the cab. Weekend overlanders will pay for capacity they may not use.
Amazon $999.95$999.951,250 lb58 lbAluminum - Thule TracRac Pro 2#4 of 13Full review
A contractor rack for full size pickups that carry long, heavy loads above the cab. Clamp on racks suit occasional use better.
Amazon $949.95$949.951,000 lb55 lbAluminum - Thule Xsporter Pro Mid#5 of 13Full review
A light, mid height clamp on rack for a rooftop tent or bikes on a compact or full size pickup. Pick an adjustable rack if you also haul ladders over the cab.
Thule $629.96$629.96600 lb42 lbAluminum
How We Rank
Each carrier is ranked against others of the same kind, and scored on its price for the load or space it gives you, its capacity, its own weight, its features and its warranty.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per 100 lb of rated load; boxes, price per cubic foot | 30% |
| Capacity | load rating; boxes, cargo volume | 20% |
| Weight | the carrier's own weight | 15% |
| Features | folding, tilting, anti-rattle and locking; bed racks, adjustable height and no-drill mounting | 20% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 15% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.