Best Tow Hitch for '21 - Using for Beach

[RushMan]

I got a foldable cargo carrier off the marketplace for $50. It works great. (sold new from Tractor Supply $179). Then got a weatherproof cargo bag that fits on the carrier perfectly from harbor freight. The combo works great. We have the factory tow hitch. Ordered it that way. Keep an eye on the marketplace, seems there are lots on there.

Nice photo there, illustrating my concern with these hitch carriers.
How are these extended hitch carriers legal anywhere, when they block the view of the license plate when loaded up?

 

[wireman]

3 beach chairs, 2 beach umbrellas, a stroller for a 2 year old and a bag of plastic beach toys. Maybe 50 lbs. The carrier was on the closest setting. It needs room to fold up when not in use so it can't be too close and also to be able to open the hatch with it in the down position. I tend to not overthink things like that. It did just fine. No stress fractures, no undue bouncing, it's a solid setup.

Got it. You shouldn't have issues, not much weight there.

 

[jkeaton]

Nice photo there, illustrating my concern with these hitch carriers.
How are these extended hitch carriers legal anywhere, when they block the view of the license plate when loaded up?

Some states allow exemptions for cargo carriers which may obscure license plates. Some may allow the plate to be blocked when loaded but be fully visible when the carrier is empty. Not something I worry about. I suggest you contact the State Police or Highway Patrol in the states in which you will be travelling and simply ask them about this concern. In states that do not require a front plate, there may be greater sensitivity to the rear plate being obscured.

You always have the option of relocating the plate if you prefer.

 

[RushMan]

Some states allow exemptions for cargo carriers which may obscure license plates. Some may allow the plate to be blocked when loaded but be fully visible when the carrier is empty. Not something I worry about. I suggest you contact the State Police or Highway Patrol in the states in which you will be travelling and simply ask them about this concern. In states that do not require a front plate, there may be greater sensitivity to the rear plate being obscured.

You always have the option of relocating the plate if you prefer.

Thanks, that's was very informative.

 

[awhitebronco]

3 beach chairs, 2 beach umbrellas, a stroller for a 2 year old and a bag of plastic beach toys. Maybe 50 lbs. The carrier was on the closest setting. It needs room to fold up when not in use so it can't be too close and also to be able to open the hatch with it in the down position. I tend to not overthink things like that. It did just fine. No stress fractures, no undue bouncing, it's a solid setup.

I know I'll be using mine for a couple of coolers, YETI 45 and a medium-sized Playmate. The chairs might squeeze on there too but the rest can get in the trunk. I know that the coolers and all of those other things just won't fit without the seats down and we'll have a full car.

 

[jkeaton]

I know I'll be using mine for a couple of coolers, YETI 45 and a medium-sized Playmate. The chairs might squeeze on there too but the rest can get in the trunk. I know that the coolers and all of those other things just won't fit without the seats down and we'll have a full car.

I was surprised how much we could fit behind the seats. We had 3 adults and a 2 year old in a car seat and all the luggage for a 7 day beach trip. All the luggage fit in the cargo area and $400 worth of groceries spread throughout (front passenger floor, rear passenger beside the car seat..... All the beach stuff fit on the carrier. We didn't have any coolers though.

 

[CyberSparky]

I ended up buying a carrier for the roof rack on Facebook marketplace for when we go camping, was used once prior for their trip somewhere and saved me alot of $. I carry a trailer as well when we go camping to bring our kayaks usually so it worked great for us.


As far as the tow bar. I used my Ford Points and paid my dealer $200 to install it, I then used remaining points to buy the trailer lights wiring module and installed that a couple weeks later on my own.

 

[NMhunter]

I bought the ATV cargo carrier from Harbor Freight because it rides higher. If you get stuck in the sand, you don't want it dragging behind you. It is rated for 300 lbs. Even the overweight Yeti coolers don't weigh that much. Just remember, those ratings are probably made for smooth roads. I cut it in half for off roading.

I have a roof carrier also. It hurts my gas mileage by about 5 mpg, and the rear cargo carrier doesn't.

 

[Cwong]

I have the one from drawtite and it works fine. Just go with what ever is cheaper.

 

[NEFKANO]

Like this lightweight cargo hauler originally intended for ATV's... works great for my needs. I Like that it is up higher than level from the hitch for added height... just ordered a 6 inch riser to place it even higher and offer me more clearance on my off roading... this video is without that riser...