We’ve all been there. The car is packed for the annual family vacation. Every square inch of the trunk is a complex puzzle of suitcases, coolers, and oddly-shaped sports equipment. The back seat is a fortress of pillows and backpacks, leaving the kids with just enough room to breathe. You glance in the rearview mirror only to see a mountain of luggage completely obscuring your view. That feeling of being cramped, disorganized, and slightly unsafe is the unofficial start to many adventures. It’s a problem that can turn the excitement of a road trip into a stressful ordeal before you even leave the driveway. Failing to solve this space-crunched puzzle means sacrificing comfort, leaving essential gear behind, or compromising safety on the road—none of which are acceptable options for a memorable journey.
- ENHANCED SECURITY. This trailer hitch cargo carrier keeps your items secure during travel, featuring 6-inch high walls around the cargo basket. These walls can be used to fasten a cargo net or cargo...
- ADAPTABLE. This cargo hitch carrier is equipped with a folding, angled shank. The folding feature allows the cargo carrier to be folded up when not in use, and the angled shank provides additional...
- EASY TO CLEAN. This hitch mounted cargo carrier frees up cargo space inside your vehicle and keeps messy items outside your vehicle. It also features a mesh base to easily clean up messes
Before You Buy: A Hitch Cargo Carrier Crash Course
A Cargo Basket is more than just a metal rack; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your vehicle’s interior and expanding your adventure potential. By moving bulky, dirty, or oversized items outside the cabin, these carriers free up precious space for passengers and essentials. They are invaluable for hauling everything from muddy camping gear and coolers dripping with condensation to extra luggage for a cross-country move. The primary benefit is transforming your vehicle into a more capable and comfortable hauling machine, keeping messes contained and your interior pristine. You gain peace of mind, better visibility, and the freedom to bring along everything you need, not just what you can cram inside.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who regularly pushes the limits of their vehicle’s storage capacity. Think of families with SUVs heading out on camping trips, hunters needing a place for their gear (and their quarry), or anyone moving a college student into a dorm. It’s for the adventurers, the planners, and the “just-in-case” packers who own a vehicle equipped with a 2-inch hitch receiver. However, it might not be suitable for those who drive a small sedan without a hitch or only need extra space on a rare occasion. For them, a temporary rooftop bag or even renting a larger vehicle might be a more practical, albeit less convenient, solution.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The physical footprint of the carrier is paramount. A model like the CURT 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier 500 lbs offers a generous 10 square feet of platform space, a significant upgrade over smaller 48-inch models. You must ensure the carrier’s width doesn’t dangerously exceed your vehicle’s width and that its depth won’t interfere with parking or maneuvering in tight spaces. Always measure your vehicle’s rear and consider how the carrier will impact its overall length.
- Capacity/Performance: A carrier’s weight capacity is its most critical performance metric. A 500-pound limit is substantial, but it’s crucial to remember two things: this weight must be distributed as evenly as possible, and your vehicle’s hitch must have a tongue weight rating that can support both the carrier (70 lbs) and its contents. Exceeding this limit is a serious safety hazard. Look for features like high walls and ample tie-down points which enhance performance by keeping cargo secure.
- Materials & Durability: Hitch carriers are exposed to the harshest elements. Most are made from steel for its strength, but the finish is what determines its lifespan. The CURT carrier uses heavy-duty tubular steel protected by a dual E-coat and black powder coat finish. This combination is designed to resist rust, scratches, and UV damage. While excellent, we’ve found that even the best coatings can be compromised, so inspecting welds and considering a preventative coat of rust-resistant spray paint can dramatically extend the carrier’s life.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Think about the entire lifecycle of the product. How easy is it to assemble and install? At 70 pounds, this carrier can be unwieldy for one person. Features like a folding shank are a massive convenience, allowing you to fold the carrier vertically when not in use, saving you from having to constantly remove and reinstall it. A mesh base, as seen on this CURT model, is also a huge plus, as it allows dirt and water to fall through, making cleanup as simple as a quick spray with a hose.
Keeping these factors in mind, the CURT 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier 500 lbs stands out in several areas, particularly with its smart design features. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.
While the CURT 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier 500 lbs 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 models, 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)
First Impressions and Key Features: Unboxing the CURT 18153
The CURT 18153 arrives in a large, heavy box that immediately signals the substantial nature of the product inside. Our package, like those reported by some users, showed some signs of its journey, but the components within were well-protected and undamaged. Laying out the pieces, we were struck by the thickness of the tubular steel and the clean, consistent welds. This isn’t a flimsy, lightweight accessory; it feels engineered to handle its full 500-pound rating.
Assembly was straightforward and, following the advice of other experienced users, we loosely fitted all the bolts before tightening them down completely. This simple trick prevents any alignment issues and makes the process much smoother. With a good socket wrench, we had the entire basket assembled and ready to mount in under 30 minutes. The instructions are a bit small, but the design is intuitive enough that they serve more as a confirmation than a critical guide. The finished product has a sleek, utilitarian look with its carbide black powder coat, and the integrated reflectors are a thoughtful safety touch that we appreciate.
Key Benefits
- Excellent ground clearance thanks to the angled, rising shank
- Convenient folding design for easy storage and parking
- Generous 60″ x 24″ platform offers ample cargo space
- Robust 500-pound capacity supported by heavy-duty steel
Potential Drawbacks
- Heavy at 70 pounds, potentially requiring two people for installation
- Finish can be prone to rust without preventative care in key areas
On the Road: A Deep Dive into the CURT Carrier’s Real-World Performance
A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a piece of gear like the CURT 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier 500 lbs, you have to load it up, hit the road, and live with it. We did just that, mounting it on our test SUV for a series of trips ranging from a short haul of camping equipment to a long-distance family vacation drive. This is where its design choices truly shine—and where its few quirks become apparent.
The Angled, Folding Shank: A Masterclass in Practical Design
The single most defining feature of this cargo carrier is its angled, folding shank. In a market full of flat, non-folding competitors, this design is a game-changer. The angled shank provides a crucial few inches of rise, lifting the entire basket platform higher off the ground. This might not sound like much, but in practice, it’s the difference between smooth sailing and a heart-stopping scrape. We navigated steep driveways, campground entrances, and uneven parking lots without a single instance of bottoming out. For anyone with a vehicle that isn’t a high-clearance monster truck, this feature alone is worth the investment. One user on a lower-slung SUV confirmed this, noting their previous flat carrier constantly scraped on rolled curbs, a problem that this CURT model solved entirely.
The folding mechanism is equally brilliant in its simplicity and effectiveness. After unloading at our destination, we didn’t want to leave a 5-foot platform sticking off the back of our vehicle, nor did we relish the thought of unhitching and storing a 70-pound steel rack in a hotel room. With the CURT, you simply pull a pin, fold the basket up 90 degrees until it’s flush against the rear of the vehicle, and re-insert the pin. As one happy traveler noted, the process takes “about ten seconds.” This convenience is transformative, making the carrier a practical, leave-on accessory rather than a temporary-use hassle. This design does cause the carrier to sit further from the vehicle, which proved to be a hidden benefit. On our test SUV, a 2015 Toyota Highlander, we had full, unimpeded access to the rear tailgate even with the carrier installed, a massive plus for loading and unloading the main trunk space.
Capacity and Stability: Hauling 500 Pounds with Confidence
With a 60-inch by 24-inch platform, the sheer amount of gear this carrier can swallow is impressive. That extra foot of width compared to standard 48-inch carriers makes a world of difference, easily accommodating larger coolers, multiple storage bins side-by-side, or bulky tents. The 6-inch high walls provide a secure perimeter, giving us confidence that our load wasn’t going anywhere, and the tubular steel railing offers countless attachment points for ratchet straps or a cargo net.
We loaded it with approximately 200 pounds of gear for our longest test trip, including a large cooler, three suitcases, and a tent. The carrier felt rock-solid. We did notice a slight amount of play within the hitch receiver, which is normal for any hitch-mounted accessory. To eliminate this, we took a cue from another user and installed a simple hitch tightener—a small, inexpensive anti-rattle clamp. With this addition, the carrier felt like an integrated part of the vehicle’s frame. There were no rattles, clunks, or sways, even on winding country roads or hitting potholes at highway speeds. One user’s report of a 5,000-mile round trip from Tennessee to Utah and back, loaded with hundreds of pounds through rainstorms and mountains, perfectly mirrors our findings. This carrier is built for the long haul and performs flawlessly under pressure. For those who need a serious hauling solution, this carrier delivers the space and stability you demand.
Durability and Finish: Built to Last, With One Caveat
There is no question about the structural integrity of the CURT 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier 500 lbs. The heavy-gauge steel and robust welds inspire confidence. During our testing, it took every bump and jostle we threw at it without flexing or showing any signs of stress. This is a piece of equipment built to endure years of heavy use, a sentiment echoed by a user who reported it looked “no worse for wear” after a 4,500+ mile trip with a 300+ pound load over all types of terrain.
However, the one area that requires owner attention is the finish. While the E-coat and carbide powder coat provide a strong primary layer of defense against the elements, they are not invincible. We, along with several other users, noted that rust can begin to form on areas where the paint is thin or has been scratched, and particularly inside the open ends of the steel tubes where moisture can collect. One user reported surface rust appearing after a trip to a coastal area due to the salt in the air. This is not a dealbreaker, but it does require a proactive approach. We strongly recommend taking the advice of one savvy owner: before you even assemble the carrier, invest in a can of high-quality rust-resistant spray paint (matte black matches perfectly). Take a few minutes to spray the inside of the shank and any exposed weld points. This small, ten-minute task will pay huge dividends in longevity, ensuring your carrier remains rust-free and looking great for years to come.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our positive experience with the CURT 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier 500 lbs is widely shared among other owners. The overwhelmingly positive sentiment centers on the intelligent design. One user, driving a 2012 Dodge Durango, stated they “love it” for their 3,000-mile trip, specifically calling out the fold-up option as the deciding factor. Another, who put it through a grueling 5,000-mile journey on their Nissan Pathfinder, reported it “held up great” and that they “couldn’t tell it was even on the car” while driving.
The critiques we found were consistent and mirrored our own observations. The most common complaint is the carrier’s 70-pound weight. One user, a self-described “small woman,” noted she could fold it herself but that installation and removal were definitely a two-person job. The other significant point of feedback revolves around rust prevention. A user who saw rust after just one week lamented the “cheating painted” finish, reinforcing our recommendation for a preventative spray coat. A very specific issue was raised by a Toyota 4Runner owner who found the shank was about a quarter-inch too long, bumping into their under-mounted spare tire. This serves as a critical reminder for all potential buyers to measure their vehicle’s hitch setup and clearance before purchasing.
How the CURT 18153 Compares to the Alternatives
While the CURT 18153 excels as a general-purpose cargo hauler, specific needs might lead you to other solutions. Here’s how it stacks up against some different types of cargo products.
1. MAXXHAUL 50945 Wheelchair Carrier 500 lb Capacity
- Universal Hitch Compatibility: Designed to fit all 2" x 2" Class III and IV hitch receivers, this cargo carrier offers versatile compatibility with a variety of vehicles.
- Optimal Dimensions: With outer dimensions of 50" x 29-1/2" x 8-3/4" and inner dimensions of 49" x 27-3/4" x 7-1/2", this cargo carrier provides ample space to transport your belongings securely.
- Impressive Weight Capacity: With a maximum distributed weight capacity of 500 lbs, this cargo carrier allows you to transport a range of items or loads.
The MAXXHAUL 50945 is a highly specialized carrier built for a different purpose. While it shares the 500 lb capacity, its primary feature is a 47-inch integrated ramp designed for loading wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Constructed from lighter aluminum, it combats rust better than steel but is tailored for a specific user. If you need to transport a mobility device, the MAXXHAUL is unquestionably the superior choice due to its ramp. However, for general cargo like luggage, coolers, or camping gear, the ramp is unnecessary added complexity and weight. The CURT’s simpler, more versatile basket design makes it the better all-around choice for the average road-tripper or family.
2. Kolpin 53360 Front Rack Gear Basket
- Easily add extra front or rear storage to your ATV and transport up to three 5 gallon buckets, tools, and more
- Fit to most front or rear tubular rack
- Perfect for use on the trail, farm, ice fishing, or just about anywhere
The Kolpin 53360 operates in an entirely different universe. This is a small, lightweight basket designed to be mounted on the front or rear rack of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). It is not hitch-mounted and has a much lower weight capacity suitable for carrying tools, small coolers, or trail gear. Comparing it to the CURT is like comparing a backpack to a rolling suitcase; they are both for carrying things, but the application and scale are completely different. The Kolpin is perfect for off-road enthusiasts needing extra utility on their ATV, while the CURT is the solution for expanding the cargo capacity of passenger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans for on-road travel.
3. Last Boks Full Size Truck Bed Cargo Box
- SECURE YOUR CARGO - protect your truck bed, and keep things in reach with the innovative Last Boks cargo box. This versatile truck bed accessory pulls out through the opening onto your tailgate,...
- STURDY AND DURABLE CARGO BOX ORGANIZER - Made in the USA and constructed of high molecular weight polyethylene with a skid resistant cap. Lightweight and durable, this truck bed organizer only weighs...
- USE FOR - This is the perfect truck bed accessory to help you transport large personal items. Use it to transport tools, groceries, golf clubs, gas cans, plants, flowers, and more. LastBoks full size...
The Last Boks system is an innovative solution for truck owners, but it serves to organize rather than expand storage. It’s a heavy-duty cargo box that lives inside your truck bed and can slide out onto the tailgate for easy access. It’s designed to protect your gear from the elements and keep it organized and secure *within* the existing footprint of your truck. It does not add any external cargo space. The CURT, on the other hand, is all about adding new, external space to any vehicle with a hitch, including a truck. A truck owner might even use both: the Last Boks for secure tool storage and the CURT carrier for hauling extra coolers or bulky items that won’t fit under a tonneau cover.
The Final Verdict: Is the CURT 60 x 24-Inch Cargo Carrier Your Next Road Trip MVP?
After extensive testing and analysis, we can confidently say that the CURT 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier 500 lbs is a top-tier solution for anyone serious about expanding their vehicle’s hauling capabilities. Its strengths are numerous and significant: the brilliant angled shank provides fantastic ground clearance, the folding mechanism is incredibly convenient, and the sheer size and strength of the platform can handle almost any recreational cargo you can throw at it. It’s a thoughtfully designed workhorse that directly solves the problem of vehicle space constraints.
Its few weaknesses—namely its hefty weight and the need for a bit of proactive rust-proofing—are minor trade-offs for the immense utility and durability it offers. We wholeheartedly recommend this carrier to families, campers, adventurers, and anyone with an SUV, truck, or van who is tired of playing “trunk Tetris.” It is a reliable, robust, and intelligently designed piece of gear that will make every road trip more comfortable and capable.
If you’ve decided the CURT 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier 500 lbs is the right fit for your adventures, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API