Every carrier gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Carriers are grouped by kind, hitch carriers, hitch cargo boxes and truck bed racks, and each group has its own scales.
| 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% |
Where the numbers come from
Load ratings, volume, weight, dimensions, warranty and the rest come from the maker’s product page, spec sheet or manual, or the maker’s own copy on its Amazon listing. Prices are checked at Amazon and the maker’s own store, and the lowest is used.
The factors
Value is the current price for what the carrier gives you, on a log scale, so going from $60 to $30 counts as much as going from $120 to $60. Hitch carriers and bed racks are measured per 100 lb of rated load; cargo boxes per cubic foot of space.
| Group | Scores 0 | Full marks |
|---|---|---|
| Hitch carriers | $150 per 100 lb | $30 per 100 lb |
| Hitch cargo boxes | $150 per cu ft | $40 per cu ft |
| Truck bed racks | $400 per 100 lb | $80 per 100 lb |
Capacity is the maker’s load rating, or a box’s volume. For a bed rack it’s the on-road (dynamic) rating, the one that matters while driving.
| Group | Scores 0 | Full marks |
|---|---|---|
| Hitch carriers | 300 lb | 600 lb |
| Hitch cargo boxes | 8 cu ft | 22 cu ft |
| Truck bed racks | 200 lb | 800 lb |
Weight is the carrier’s own weight. A lighter carrier is easier to install and remove, and on a hitch it leaves more of the tongue weight rating for cargo.
| Group | Scores 0 | Full marks |
|---|---|---|
| Hitch carriers | 80 lb | 30 lb |
| Hitch cargo boxes | 70 lb | 25 lb |
| Truck bed racks | 150 lb | 50 lb |
Features are the things that change daily use, different for each kind:
- Hitch carriers: folds up when not in use (35%), an anti-rattle hitch pin or bolt (30%), tilts down for hatch access (20%), and a cargo net or straps included (15%).
- Hitch cargo boxes: a locking lid (35%), waterproof seals (35%), tilts for hatch access (15%) and anti-rattle mounting (15%).
- Truck bed racks: adjustable height (50%) and no drilling needed to install (50%).
A feature the maker doesn’t mention either way gets half its share.
Warranty is the length of the warranty: 1 year scores zero and 5 years full marks. A limited lifetime warranty gets full marks.
What isn’t scored
Finish, receiver size, material, platform dimensions and looks are listed but not scored. Fit matters most: make sure a hitch carrier and its load stay within your hitch’s tongue weight rating and its receiver size matches, and that a bed rack is made for your truck’s bed length. Independent tests are listed where they exist, but there are too few to score.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.