We’ve all been there. The bags are packed, the cooler is bursting at the seams, and the kids have claimed every last square inch of the back seat. You stand in the driveway, staring at a pile of “essential” gear—camping chairs, a portable grill, maybe a couple of muddy hiking packs—with a sinking feeling. The family SUV, which seemed cavernous at the dealership, has suddenly shrunk. This is the classic road trip conundrum: the clash between your adventure aspirations and the finite reality of your vehicle’s cargo space. For years, our solution was a roof-mounted carrier. It worked, but the constant whistling on the highway and the painful drop in fuel efficiency—a nearly 10 MPG hit on our last trip—made us question if there was a better way. We needed a solution that was efficient, accessible, and didn’t require a stepladder to load. This search led us to the world of hitch-mounted cargo carriers, a category where the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier immediately stood out for its promise of robust capacity at an almost unbelievable price point.
- Impressive Weight Capacity: With a maximum distributed weight capacity of 500 pounds, this hitch cargo carrier confidently supports your cargo needs, ensuring secure transportation
- Generous Basket Dimensions: The outer basket dimensions measure 53 x 19 x 5 inches, while the inner basket provides ample space at 51 x 17-1/2 x 4-1/2 inches. This spacious design accommodates various...
- Sturdy Steel Construction: Crafted from heavy-duty steel, this cargo carrier is built to withstand demanding loads and rugged conditions, delivering reliable performance over time
What to Consider Before Buying a Hitch Cargo Carrier
A cargo carrier is more than just a metal basket; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your vehicle’s interior and enabling bigger, better-equipped adventures. Whether you’re a family heading to the beach, a hunter transporting gear, or a homeowner hauling supplies, these carriers solve the fundamental problem of limited space. By moving bulky, dirty, or awkwardly shaped items outside the vehicle, you not only free up room for passengers but also keep your interior clean and organized. The main benefits are clear: expanded carrying capacity, improved passenger comfort, and the convenience of keeping messy gear outside.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who frequently finds their vehicle’s trunk or cargo area overflowing. This includes families on vacation, outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and even small business owners. If you have a vehicle equipped with a 2-inch hitch receiver and need to carry items that won’t easily fit inside, a hitch carrier is an excellent investment. However, it might not be suitable for those who need to frequently access their vehicle’s rear hatch (as a loaded carrier will block it) or for those who need to transport items in a fully weatherproof environment without purchasing a separate cargo bag. For those concerned about aerodynamics or who don’t have a hitch, a rooftop cargo box might be a better, albeit more expensive, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Pay close attention to the inner basket dimensions. The MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier offers a generous 51 x 17-1/2 inch platform. Measure your largest items, like coolers or storage bins, to ensure they will fit comfortably within the carrier’s side rails. Also, consider how far the carrier will extend from your vehicle and if it will interfere with parking sensors or backup cameras.
- Capacity/Performance: A 500-pound distributed weight capacity is standard for many steel carriers, and it’s more than enough for luggage, camping gear, or coolers. However, always remember this is a *distributed* limit. Avoid concentrating all the weight in one spot. Also, be mindful of your vehicle’s tongue weight capacity, which you should never exceed.
- Materials & Durability: Most hitch carriers are made from powder-coated steel, which offers a great balance of strength and cost-effectiveness. The quality of this powder coating is paramount. A thin or poorly applied coat can chip easily, exposing the steel to moisture and leading to premature rust, a common issue with budget-friendly models.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Consider how easy the carrier is to assemble, install, and remove. At over 22 pounds, the MaxxHaul is manageable for most adults. For long-term care, plan on inspecting the carrier for rust periodically, especially after exposure to rain or road salt, and be prepared to touch up any compromised areas with rust-resistant paint.
Keeping these factors in mind, the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier stands out in several areas, particularly its value proposition. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top cargo solutions, including rooftop options, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- HEAVY DUTY STEEL CONSTRUCTION: 1 Piece construction with matt black powder coating finish that resists the elements, rust and scratches.
- DURABLE BUILD - Tubular steel in black epoxy powder coating to promote high strength and a lightweight design. and covered in a rust free coating. It is rated for 200 lbs
- 【LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY】Free up space in your vehicle with this roof rack cargo basket that can hold up to 200 Lbs. Overall dimensions include: 46"(L) x 36"(W) x 5"(H)
Unboxing and First Impressions: A Utilitarian Powerhouse
The MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier arrived in a single, dense cardboard box. A word of expert advice echoed by other users: open this box outside. The manufacturing process leaves behind a fair amount of metal shavings and dust, which you don’t want in your living room or garage. Inside, the seven main steel components were partitioned, though some jostling during transit was evident. We noticed minor scuffs and scratches in the powder-coat finish, a common observation for products in this price range. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s something to be aware of if you live in an area with harsh winters and salted roads.
The components themselves feel substantial. The heavy-duty steel construction is immediately apparent, inspiring confidence in its claimed 500-pound capacity. The mesh floor is welded securely, and the high side rails—a key feature we were looking for—are tall enough to provide genuine security for taller items like coolers and storage bins. Assembly hardware is included, but the instructions are spartan at best. As we laid out the pieces, it was clear that assembly would be intuitive for anyone with basic mechanical skills, but a complete novice might find the lack of detailed guidance frustrating.
Key Benefits
- Excellent value for the price point
- Robust 500-pound distributed load capacity
- High side rails provide excellent cargo security
- Simple, straightforward design is strong and effective
Limitations
- Powder-coat finish is thin and prone to scratching/chipping
- Assembly can be tricky due to potential hole misalignment
Deep Dive: Putting the MaxxHaul 70107 to the Test
A spec sheet can only tell you so much. The true measure of a cargo carrier is how it performs under real-world conditions—from the initial frustration of assembly to its stability on the highway during a cross-country trek. We put the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier through its paces to see if its budget price entails unacceptable compromises or if it truly is the value king it appears to be.
The Assembly Gauntlet: A Test of Patience and Technique
The assembly process for the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier is where most users either succeed with ease or fail in frustration. After reading numerous accounts of misaligned bolt holes, we approached the task with a specific strategy that proved to be the secret to success. The golden rule is this: do not tighten any bolts until every single one is in place.
Many users who report issues make the mistake of fully tightening the main shank bolts first, which pulls the two basket halves together so tightly that the upper support rail holes no longer align. We confirmed this ourselves; tightening prematurely makes final assembly impossible. Instead, we loosely threaded all the nuts and bolts by hand, starting with the two main basket platforms and the central hitch tube. As one clever user discovered, attaching the top support rails first and creating a “V” shape allows the holes to line up perfectly. Once the bolts are through, you can push down on the assembly to flatten it out before tightening everything down. This small trick, absent from the minimalist instructions, turns a potentially infuriating experience into a manageable 15-minute job.
You will need your own tools. A good socket set and a wrench are essential for getting the bolts properly torqued. The carrier is assembled from two main halves, which bolt to the central hitch support bar. One user noted a helpful detail: you can mount the basket with the center bar “up” or “down” relative to the hitch tube, which can adjust the ground clearance by an inch or two depending on your vehicle’s hitch height. This small bit of versatility is a welcome, if undocumented, feature.
On-the-Road Performance: Stability and Real-World Capacity
Once assembled and mounted to our SUV’s 2-inch receiver, the carrier felt solid. With an internal dimension of 51 inches long by 17.5 inches wide, it easily swallowed two large Rubbermaid-style bins and a medium-sized cooler, with room to spare for camp chairs. The 4.5-inch-high side rails are a standout feature, providing a secure perimeter that prevents cargo from shifting. This was a specific requirement for us, as we didn’t want to rely solely on ratchet straps to keep our luggage from sliding off the edge.
We loaded the carrier with approximately 250 pounds of gear for our test trip. On the road, it performed admirably. There was a noticeable lack of the wind noise and aerodynamic drag that plagued our old rooftop carrier. This was confirmed by one user who switched from a roof rack to the MaxxHaul and saw their gas mileage jump from 20 MPG back to their usual 30 MPG. That’s a significant, real-world saving. We checked our load at a rest stop after three hours, and nothing had shifted. The carrier remained tight and secure throughout a 15-hour journey, mirroring the experience of a user who took it on a long-distance trip through the rain with complete confidence.
Like any hitch-mounted accessory, there can be a small amount of wobble or play where the shank inserts into the receiver. This is normal, but for those who want a rock-solid connection, investing in an inexpensive anti-rattle clamp or hitch tightener is a highly recommended upgrade. It completely eliminates any minor bouncing or clanging noises when driving over rough pavement.
Durability and Finish: The Achilles’ Heel
If the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier has a weakness, it is undeniably the quality of its finish. The black powder coat is thin and appears to be easily compromised. Our unit arrived with several small chips and scratches, and user feedback overwhelmingly confirms this is the norm, not the exception. For users in dry climates, this may be a purely aesthetic issue. However, for those of us in the Northeast or other regions where roads are salted in the winter, these imperfections are an open invitation for rust.
An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure here. We strongly recommend that before you ever use the carrier, you give it a thorough inspection. Take a can of black rust-resistant spray paint (like Rust-Oleum) and touch up any and all chips, scratches, and especially the welds, which are common points for moisture to collect. Some users even apply a full additional clear coat for maximum protection. This is a small, proactive step that will dramatically extend the service life of the carrier and prevent it from becoming a rusty eyesore after one season. It’s a compromise, to be sure, but it’s a reasonable one to make for a carrier at this price point. If you’re unwilling to do this minor prep work, you may want to invest in a more expensive, better-finished product. But for the savvy user, the impressive structural integrity of the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier makes the extra effort worthwhile.
What Other Users Are Saying
The consensus among users is overwhelmingly positive, with a few consistent caveats. The carrier is widely praised for its incredible value and sturdiness once assembled. One user, who used it to haul the meat from three 120-pound pigs on the back of his Subaru Crosstrek, was thoroughly impressed by its strength. Another found a creative use for it, discovering that the mesh gaps were perfectly sized to hold the fat tires of his 70-pound e-bike, providing a far more affordable transport solution than a dedicated fat-tire bike rack.
The negative feedback almost universally centers on two issues we also encountered: assembly difficulties and the paint quality. One frustrated user noted they had to “bend the heck out of it to get the top braces to align,” which is a classic symptom of tightening other bolts prematurely. Others shared photos of chipped and peeling paint straight out of the box. As one reviewer aptly put it, “This product is exactly what it is – the lowest cost import from overseas…I have some black Rustoleum…that I can finish this product with, but I shouldn’t have to.” This perfectly encapsulates the user experience: you get a rock-solid frame for a bargain price, but you may need to provide the finishing touches yourself.
How Does the MaxxHaul 70107 Compare to the Alternatives?
While the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier is a leader in the budget hitch-mount category, it’s important to understand the broader cargo solution landscape. Your specific needs might be better met by a different type of carrier altogether, such as a rooftop basket, or a hitch carrier with different features.
1. Wildroad Roof Rack Cargo Basket with Extension
- 4” ROOF RACK: Upgraded 4” fence basket by lower 2” height to accomplish extreme lightweight cargo rack, get great passability for your adventures. Aerodynamics designed wind fairing reduces wind...
- HEAVY DUTY: Wildroad roof basket made of solid and premium steel pipe can hold up to 150 lbs cargo. Durable black powder coating prevent it from all weather conditions. Highest standard craftsmanship...
- VERSATILE ROOF BASKET: Suitable for carrying camping supplies, firewood, luggage, hunting and fishing gear, and more during camping, road trips. U-bolt with plastic sleeve provides stronger grip to...
The Wildroad offers a completely different approach to cargo management. As a rooftop basket, its primary advantage is leaving your hitch receiver free for towing a trailer and keeping your rear view and backup sensors unobstructed. It’s significantly larger in surface area (64″x 39″) but has a much lower weight capacity of 150 lbs. This option is better for bulky but lightweight items like camping gear or luggage. However, it will be harder to load and will have a much greater impact on your vehicle’s fuel economy due to aerodynamics.
2. Leader Accessories Roof Rack Cargo Basket 64
- EXTRA LARGE SIZE：Overall Dimension w/ Extension: 64"(L) x 39"(W); Perfect Car Top Luggage Holder for hauling extra cargo bags, camping equipment, luggage and more
- 150LBS CAPACITY: Free up space in your vehicle with a roof rack cargo basket that safely and securely holds up to 150 lbs of cargo, gear and equipment.
- ADJUSTABLE FIT: It utilizes your vehicle's cross bars, easily mounting roff rack with four universal U-bolts, accommodating square cross bars less than 4.6" wide x 1.35" thick or round bars less than...
Similar to the Wildroad, the Leader Accessories basket is another rooftop solution. It shares the same dimensions and 150 lb capacity, making it a direct competitor in the roof-mounted space. The choice between this and the Wildroad would come down to minor design differences and price. Compared to the MaxxHaul hitch carrier, it presents the same trade-offs: it preserves hitch access and rear visibility at the cost of lower weight capacity, more difficult loading, and a significant penalty to fuel efficiency.
3. Mockins 60″x24″ Folding Trailer Hitch Cargo Carrier w/ Cargo Bag
- TOUGH CARGO HITCH CARRIER : Built to hold up to 500 lbs., this cargo carrier hitch mount rack features a sleek frame that balances durability with style. Measuring 60"x24"x6", our large vehicle cargo...
- WATERPROOF CAR HITCH CARGO CARRIER BAG : Sized at 60"x24"x31", the Mockins Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier Bag delivers 25 cubic feet of spacious trailer hitch storage . Built with abrasion-resistant vinyl,...
- ROAD-READY TRAILER HITCH CARGO RACK : Stay visible & compliant with the Mockins Luggage Rack for Hitch , featuring a built-in license plate bracket & reflectors for added safety. Designed with a 2"...
The Mockins carrier is the most direct competitor to the MaxxHaul. It boasts a similar 500 lb capacity and mounts to a 2-inch hitch. Its key advantages are the folding shank, which allows the carrier to fold up vertically against the vehicle when not in use for easier parking and storage, and the included accessory package (waterproof bag, net, straps, etc.). This is a significant convenience upgrade. However, these features come at a substantially higher price point, making the MaxxHaul the clear choice for the user on a tighter budget who doesn’t need the folding feature or the bundled accessories.
Final Verdict: Unbeatable Value for the Hands-On User
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier represents one of the best values on the market for expanding your vehicle’s hauling capabilities. It is not a premium, flawlessly finished product, and you should not expect it to be. Instead, it is a utilitarian workhorse that delivers on its core promise of providing a strong, secure, and spacious platform for up to 500 pounds of gear.
We recommend this carrier to any budget-conscious adventurer, family, or homeowner who needs a simple, robust solution for hauling extra cargo and isn’t afraid of a little hands-on assembly and preventative maintenance. If you follow the “loose assembly” rule and are willing to spend ten minutes with a can of spray paint to touch up any imperfections, you will be rewarded with a carrier that will serve you reliably for years to come. For the price, its performance and capacity are simply unmatched.
If you’ve decided the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API