I remember the trip vividly. It was a planned week-long camping adventure with the family, heading for the mountains. The SUV was packed to the gills—coolers, tents, sleeping bags, cooking gear, and the kids’ bikes. Every square inch of interior space was accounted for. As I tried to close the rear hatch for the fifth time, a rogue sleeping bag unrolled and burst forth, followed by a cascade of smaller items. It was a moment of pure frustration, the kind every family or adventurer knows well. We either had to leave crucial gear behind or face a trip with zero rear visibility and questionable safety. This is the precise moment when the search for an external cargo solution begins, moving from a “nice-to-have” luxury to an absolute necessity for sanity and safety on the road.
- HEAVY DUTY XXL CARGO HITCH RACK : Constructed with a robust 500 lbs. load capacity, this heavy-duty cargo carrier hitch mount basket easily holds larger & heavier items. With expansive 72"L x 36"W x...
- PLATE BRACKET & REAR LIGHTS ADDED: The Mockins Tow Hitch Cargo Carrier is engineered for tough terrain, featuring a raised shank, hitch lock & hitch stabilizer for improved ground clearance, security...
- SECURE, SPACIOUS, FOLDABLE CARGO TRAILER : No more shifting loads with this trailer hitch luggage rack for car , thanks to 3 heavy-duty trailer cargo carrier ratchet straps with spring-loaded latches...
What to Consider Before Buying a Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carrier
A hitch-mounted cargo carrier is more than just a metal basket; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your vehicle’s interior space, enabling bigger adventures, and simplifying the transport of bulky or messy items. Whether you’re hauling camping gear, landscaping supplies, or large mobility equipment like an electric trike, these carriers offer a convenient, accessible platform without the aerodynamic drag or loading difficulty of a rooftop box. They transform your family SUV, truck, or even RV into a veritable hauling machine, keeping dirt, mud, and awkward items outside the cabin where they belong.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who frequently finds their vehicle’s cargo capacity lacking. This includes large families, outdoor enthusiasts, DIY homeowners, or individuals needing to transport items like generators, pressure washers, or e-bikes that won’t easily fit inside. It’s for the person who values easy access to their gear without needing a step stool. Conversely, a hitch carrier might not be suitable for those who have a vehicle without a trailer hitch receiver, or for those who prioritize constant, unimpeded access to their rear hatch or trunk, as most non-swinging models will block it when loaded.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The physical footprint of the carrier is paramount. You need to ensure it’s large enough for your intended cargo—be it coolers, luggage, or an e-bike—but not so large that it becomes unwieldy for your vehicle. Measure your bulkiest items and compare them to the carrier’s interior dimensions. Also, consider the 6-inch wall height, which helps contain items but may require taller items to be strapped down more securely.
- Capacity/Performance: Weight capacity is a non-negotiable safety specification. The 500 lb. capacity of a heavy-duty model is substantial, but you must also factor in your vehicle’s tongue weight limit, which is often the lower, more critical number. Performance also includes features like a folding shank, which allows the carrier to be stored vertically against the vehicle when not in use, and a raised shank for better ground clearance on steep driveways or uneven terrain.
- Materials & Durability: Most hitch carriers are made from steel or aluminum. Steel, as used in the Mockins carrier, is exceptionally strong and durable but heavier. A quality powder-coat finish is essential to prevent rust and corrosion. Aluminum is lighter, making installation and removal easier, but may offer a lower weight capacity or be more susceptible to damage.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Consider the entire user experience, from assembly to daily operation. Are the instructions clear? Does it include necessary accessories like a hitch stabilizer to prevent rattling, or will you need to buy one separately? Long-term maintenance typically involves checking bolts for tightness and touching up any scratches in the finish to prevent rust.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Mockins XXL 72″x36″x6″ Folding Cargo Carrier stands out in several areas, particularly its immense size and comprehensive feature set. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.
While the Mockins XXL 72″x36″x6″ Folding 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 models, 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)
First Impressions: Unboxing a True Heavyweight
The arrival of the Mockins XXL 72″x36″x6″ Folding Cargo Carrier is an event in itself. The box is massive and, at 82 pounds, requires a bit of muscle to move. As one user noted, the packaging can take a beating in transit due to its size, but our components arrived well-protected and undamaged. The first thing that struck us upon unboxing was the sheer substance of the parts. The steel tubes are thick, and the mesh floor is solidly welded. The black powder-coat finish is smooth and consistent, giving the immediate impression of a product built to withstand the elements, a sentiment echoed by users who praised its fit and finish as being “far superior” to budget brands.
Inside the box, we found a surprising number of accessories: a hitch lock, a hitch stabilizer, three ratchet straps, and the complete lighting kit with a license plate bracket. This all-in-one approach is a significant value-add, saving you from making multiple additional purchases. Assembly is a two-person job, mostly due to the weight and size of the two main basket halves. While the process is straightforward, we concur with some user feedback that the instructions could be more detailed. A little mechanical intuition goes a long way, but we had it fully assembled and ready for installation in under an hour.
Key Benefits
- Massive 72″x36″ platform provides enormous cargo capacity for bulky items.
- Integrated lights and license plate bracket enhance safety and road legality.
- Convenient folding design saves space when not in use.
- Complete accessory package including hitch stabilizer, lock, and ratchet straps.
Potential Drawbacks
- Assembly instructions are somewhat vague and could be improved.
- Installation of the push-in rear lights can be finicky and require significant force.
A Deep Dive into the Mockins XXL Carrier’s On-Road Performance
A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a product like this, you have to load it up, bolt it to a vehicle, and hit the road. We spent weeks testing the Mockins XXL 72″x36″x6″ Folding Cargo Carrier on everything from smooth highways to bumpy back roads, hauling camping gear, landscaping supplies, and even an oversized electric tricycle. Our experience revealed a carrier that is overwhelmingly capable, thoughtfully designed, and built for serious work, albeit with a few assembly quirks to navigate.
Sheer Size and Unmatched Hauling Capacity
The “XXL” in the name is no exaggeration. The 72-inch by 36-inch platform is cavernous. To put that in perspective, it’s large enough to lay two large 150-quart coolers side-by-side with room to spare. During our testing, we easily loaded four large storage totes, a full-size spare tire, and extra fuel cans without feeling cramped. This is where the Mockins carrier truly shines and separates itself from the standard 60×24-inch carriers that dominate the market. This extra real estate is a game-changer for specific use cases. We confirmed what one user happily reported: it’s the perfect size for hauling a large electric trike without any awkward overhang. For RV owners or those with e-bikes, this carrier provides a stable, secure platform that many smaller racks simply cannot accommodate. The 500 lb. capacity feels conservative; the heavy-gauge steel construction and robust welds inspire confidence that it can handle anything you throw at it, provided you stay within your vehicle’s tongue weight rating. The steel mesh floor is also a smart design choice, allowing dirt, water, or mud from your gear to fall through instead of pooling in the bottom.
Intelligent Design: The Folding Mechanism and Raised Shank
Two of the most critical design features for a hitch carrier are its folding mechanism and ground clearance, and Mockins nailed both. The folding feature is incredibly practical. When unloaded, you simply pull a pin, and the entire basket pivots up 90 degrees to sit flush against the back of your vehicle. This dramatically reduces the overall length of your vehicle, making parking in a standard garage or a tight parking spot possible. It’s a simple, robust mechanism that we used constantly during our review period.
Equally important is the raised shank design. The hitch tube angles upward from the receiver before leveling out where the basket attaches. This small detail provides a crucial few inches of extra ground clearance. We intentionally drove over steep driveway inclines and graded dirt roads where lower-sitting carriers would have scraped bottom. The Mockins XXL 72″x36″x6″ Folding Cargo Carrier cleared them all without issue. For anyone with a sloped driveway or plans to venture off the pavement, this feature is not just a convenience—it’s essential for preventing costly damage to the carrier and your gear. The combination of these two features makes the carrier remarkably livable on a day-to-day basis.
Safety and Road-Legal Compliance Features
One of the biggest oversights with many cargo carriers is how they impact vehicle safety. When loaded, a carrier can easily obscure your vehicle’s taillights and license plate, creating a significant safety hazard and making you a target for a traffic stop. Mockins addresses this head-on by including a full set of rear brake lights, reflectors, and a dedicated, illuminated license plate bracket. The kit comes with the necessary wiring and a standard 4-pin plug that connects directly to your vehicle’s trailer wiring harness. The LED lights are bright and functioned perfectly as running lights, brake lights, and turn signals, mirroring the vehicle’s own lights. This is a premium feature that provides immense peace of mind on long trips, especially during night driving or in poor weather conditions.
However, this is also the area where we encountered the same minor frustrations mentioned in user feedback. The lights are a pressure-fit design, held in place by a rubber grommet. Pushing them into the steel housing required a surprising amount of force, and it was easy to push the LED component through the grommet if not done carefully. A little silicone spray on the grommet helped ease the installation, but a bolt-in design would be a welcome improvement. Despite this small installation hiccup, the end result is a fully compliant and highly visible setup that makes this carrier one of the safest on the market. If road safety and legality are high on your list, the comprehensive lighting system on this carrier is a major selling point.
Putting It All Together: Assembly and On-Road Stability
Let’s address the assembly process directly. As noted by several users, the instructions are primarily pictorial and can leave some steps open to interpretation. Some users have reported minor alignment issues or missing hardware. In our case, all hardware was present, but we did have to use a bit of muscle to align the bolt holes when joining the two basket halves. This isn’t uncommon for large, heavy steel products. Our advice is to leave all bolts loose until they are all threaded, then go back and tighten everything down sequentially. It’s a manageable process, but those who aren’t mechanically inclined might find it, as one user put it, “a bit difficult.”
Once assembled and installed, however, any memory of the process fades away. The included anti-rattle hitch stabilizer is fantastic. It’s a heavy-duty U-bolt that clamps the carrier’s shank to the hitch receiver, completely eliminating the wobble, sway, and clanking that plague lesser carriers. On the road, the carrier was impressively solid and quiet. Even over rough patches of pavement, there was no unnerving rattling to be heard. This stability is crucial, not just for the driver’s sanity, but for the longevity of both the carrier and your vehicle’s hitch receiver. The included hitch pin and lock also provide a welcome layer of security, ensuring your carrier stays attached to your vehicle when parked.
What Other Users Are Saying
Diving into feedback from other owners, a clear picture emerges that aligns closely with our own findings. The overwhelming sentiment is positive, with many users expressing that the product “exceeded my expectations.” One owner, who bought it to haul an electric trike, praised it as a “great value for the money” with the “best storage capacity of any cargo carrier,” wishing they had found it first. Another user, comparing it to a competitor, noted that the “quality is far superior” and the “fit and finish, powder coating looks to be well done.”
However, the constructive criticism is just as consistent. The most common complaint revolves around the assembly process. One detailed account mentioned a part with an incorrectly sized hole and missing washers, an issue they opened a support ticket for. Another stated, “Assembly instructions are a little weak,” and “Parts don’t align great but can be forced into place.” The finicky lighting installation was also a recurring theme, with one review describing how the LED light itself can push through the rubber ring during installation. These critiques are valid and important to consider; this is a product that may require some patience and minor troubleshooting during setup.
How Does the Mockins XXL Carrier Compare to the Alternatives?
The Mockins XXL 72″x36″x6″ Folding Cargo Carrier is a specialized hauler, but it’s important to understand its place in the wider market. Depending on your specific needs, a different type of cargo solution might be a better fit.
1. DC Cargo Mall Large E Track Storage Bin
This product serves a completely different purpose. The DC Cargo Mall Storage Bin is an internal organization solution designed to clip into E-Track rail systems inside an enclosed trailer, truck, or van. It’s perfect for organizing tools, straps, and smaller items to keep them from rolling around. If your problem is clutter *inside* an existing cargo space, this is an excellent choice. However, it does not add any external cargo capacity to a vehicle, which is the primary function of the Mockins hitch carrier. You would choose this for internal organization, not for hauling a cooler or an e-bike on the back of your SUV.
2. MAXXHAUL 50″ Hitch Mount Mobility 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 carrier is a more direct, albeit specialized, competitor. Its key feature is the integrated 47″ ramp, making it the ideal choice for loading wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or even push mowers without heavy lifting. It’s also constructed from aluminum, making it significantly lighter than the steel Mockins carrier. The trade-off is a smaller platform (50″ x 29.5″) that is less suited for general-purpose cargo like long coolers or multiple luggage bags. If your primary need is transporting mobility equipment, the MAXXHAUL is purpose-built for the job and is the superior choice. For all other bulky cargo needs, the Mockins offers far more versatile space.
3. Leader Accessories Roof Rack Cargo Basket
- 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...
The Leader Accessories basket represents the main alternative to any hitch-mounted carrier: a rooftop rack. This model offers a large 64″x39″ footprint but has a much lower weight capacity of 150 lbs. The primary advantage of a rooftop basket is that it leaves your hitch free for towing and keeps your rear hatch completely accessible. The disadvantages are significant, however. Loading heavy items onto the roof is physically demanding and can risk scratching your vehicle’s paint. Furthermore, rooftop cargo creates significant wind noise and aerodynamic drag, which will negatively impact your fuel economy. You’d choose this if you need to carry long, lightweight items like skis or need to tow a trailer simultaneously, but for heavy, bulky gear, the Mockins hitch carrier is far more convenient and capable.
The Final Verdict: A Top-Tier Carrier for Maximum Capacity Needs
After extensive testing, the Mockins XXL 72″x36″x6″ Folding Cargo Carrier has earned our strong recommendation. It is an absolute beast of a hauler, offering a rare combination of massive size, heavy-duty construction, and a full suite of essential features right out of the box. The folding design, raised shank, and integrated lighting system are not just bullet points on a feature list; they are thoughtful additions that make the carrier safer, more convenient, and more practical for real-world use.
While the assembly can present a minor challenge due to vague instructions and tight tolerances, the rock-solid stability and immense utility of the final product make it well worth the one-time effort. This carrier is not for the person who needs to haul one extra suitcase. It is for the serious adventurer, the large family, the RV owner, or the tradesperson who needs maximum external cargo space without compromise. If you need to transport bulky, heavy, or awkwardly shaped items and have a vehicle with a 2-inch hitch receiver, this carrier is one of the best and most complete solutions available today.
If you’ve decided the Mockins XXL 72″x36″x6″ Folding Cargo Carrier is the right fit for your hauling needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API