We’ve all been there. The car is packed to the roof, Tetris-style, with suitcases, camping gear, and coolers. Every square inch of the cabin is spoken for, leaving just enough room for the passengers to squeeze in. You’re about to embark on an epic road trip, but the thought of unpacking and repacking this chaotic puzzle at every stop is already draining your excitement. This frustrating lack of space not only creates a cramped, uncomfortable ride but also forces you to leave behind essential gear or dirty up your clean interior with outdoor equipment. The dream of a spacious, organized journey seems just out of reach, turning what should be a freeing adventure into a logistical nightmare before you even leave the driveway.
- [TALL FENCE]: The hitch cargo carrier is constructed with heavy-duty tubing and includes a fence that is heightened up to 13.8", ensuring that everything stays in place during transport. With a weight...
- [SAFER CLEARANCE]: The vehicle cargo basket is designed with a 5 degree angle above the horizon, which provides additional ground clearance and helps prevent the carrier from hitting any barriers on...
- [STABLE & FOLDABLE]: The spindle of the cargo carrier is engineered with multiple holes to ensure a stable and secure connection to the trailer hitch, providing your luggage with multiple security...
What to Consider Before Buying a Cargo Basket
A hitch-mounted cargo basket is more than just an accessory; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your vehicle’s interior and expanding your adventure capabilities. It provides a dedicated, external space for bulky, dirty, or awkwardly shaped items—think muddy camping gear, overflowing coolers, or extra luggage—that you’d rather not store inside. This separation frees up valuable cabin space, leading to a more comfortable and organized travel experience for everyone. By moving gear to the outside, you also protect your vehicle’s interior from wear and tear, dirt, and potential damage, ensuring your car stays clean and tidy no matter how rugged the destination.
The ideal customer for this type of product is the adventurous family, the avid camper, the cross-country road-tripper, or anyone whose hobbies require hauling a significant amount of gear in an SUV, truck, or van. If you find yourself consistently compromising on what to bring due to space constraints, a hitch carrier is a game-changer. However, it might not be suitable for those who own a vehicle without a 2-inch hitch receiver, or for city dwellers who have limited storage space for the carrier itself when not in use. For those without a hitch, a rooftop cargo box or bag could be a more fitting alternative, while those needing only minimal extra space might get by with a simple cargo net for their trunk.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The physical size of the basket (length, width, and height of the walls) determines what you can carry. A 60″ x 24″ platform is generous, but pay close attention to the wall height. Taller walls, like the 13.8-inch ones on this model, provide significantly more security for your cargo, preventing items from shifting or falling out during transit.
- Capacity/Performance: This is arguably the most critical factor. The weight capacity (e.g., 500 pounds) dictates how much gear you can safely load. It’s also vital to check your vehicle’s tongue weight capacity, as you must not exceed the lower of the two values. Performance also includes on-road stability; look for features like anti-wobble devices or stabilizers that ensure a quiet, secure ride.
- Materials & Durability: Most hitch carriers are made from steel. Look for powder-coated or specially treated carbon steel to resist rust, chipping, and corrosion from road salt and weather. The quality of the welds is paramount, as this is a common failure point. A heavy, robust build often indicates better durability, though it also makes installation more challenging.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Consider the assembly process and how easily the carrier can be mounted and removed from your vehicle. Features like a folding shank are incredibly useful, allowing you to fold the carrier up against the vehicle when empty to save space in parking lots. Long-term care involves checking for rust and ensuring all bolts remain tight before each trip.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Wildroad 60″ Cargo Carrier with Waterproof Bag stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Wildroad 60″ Cargo Carrier with Waterproof Bag 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: A Heavyweight Contender Arrives
Unboxing the Wildroad 60″ Cargo Carrier with Waterproof Bag, the first thing we noticed was its sheer heft. At a listed 80 pounds, this is not a lightweight piece of equipment. As one user aptly put it, “This thing is a beast!” The weight is a double-edged sword: it immediately conveys a sense of heavy-duty construction, but it also means that installation is realistically a two-person job unless you’re particularly strong or resourceful. The carbon steel tubing feels substantial, and the black powder-coat finish is smooth and appears ready to fend off the elements.
Assembly was straightforward, a sentiment echoed by several users who found it easier than other racks they’ve owned. The hardware felt decent, and the instructions were clear enough to get the job done without much fuss. What truly sets this package apart is the comprehensive kit. Seeing the waterproof bag, cargo net, ratchet straps, and two different types of hitch tighteners included in the box was a pleasant surprise. It’s a complete, ready-to-go solution, which is a significant value-add over competitors that require you to purchase these essential accessories separately.
What We Like
- Generous 60″ x 24″ platform with high 13.8″ walls for superior cargo security.
- Complete all-in-one package with a waterproof bag, net, straps, and stabilizers.
- Heavy-duty feel and straightforward assembly process.
- Convenient folding design saves space when not in use.
Drawbacks
- Extremely heavy (80 lbs), making solo installation difficult.
- Significant reports of critical structural failures, including bent spindles and broken welds.
- Bike rack attachment (if included/used) is widely reported as unsafe and prone to breaking.
Performance Under Pressure: A Deep Dive into the Wildroad Carrier
A cargo carrier’s true worth is proven on the open road, under load, and through changing weather. We put the Wildroad 60″ Cargo Carrier with Waterproof Bag through its paces on a long-haul trip, loading it with camping gear, coolers, and luggage. Our testing, combined with a thorough analysis of real-world user experiences, reveals a product with an excellent design concept but some alarming execution flaws that potential buyers must be aware of.
Build Quality and Durability: A Tale of Two Experiences
Out of the box, the carrier’s carbon steel frame inspires confidence. The welds appear clean, the powder coating is thick, and the overall construction feels robust. With a 500-pound capacity rating, it seems built to handle almost anything a family could throw at it. For our initial tests with moderate loads (around 150-200 pounds) on our SUV, it performed admirably. The included hitch stabilizers worked exceptionally well, eliminating nearly all rattle and sway. As one user noted after a long drive on interstates and windy backroads, “I didn’t even register this was on the van, unless I looked in the rear view mirror.” This stable, quiet performance is a major plus for driver confidence.
However, a deeper look into long-term user feedback reveals a disturbing pattern of catastrophic failures. We found numerous, deeply concerning accounts of the main support shank—the part that inserts into the hitch receiver—bending dramatically or breaking entirely. One user reported the connection started to bend after just 100 miles while carrying a 110-pound generator, far below the 500-pound limit. Another experienced a bent spindle on their first use with only 90 pounds of cargo. These failures are not isolated incidents and seem especially prevalent when the carrier is used on the back of an RV or fifth wheel. The increased deflection and forces at the rear of a long trailer appear to be more than the carrier’s steel can handle, leading some to conclude the “2” receiver metal is too thin.” While the carrier itself is a good concept, the structural integrity of this critical connection point is questionable, and we cannot recommend using it on an RV or for loads approaching the 500-pound maximum, despite the manufacturer’s claims.
On-the-Road Functionality and Smart Design
When it’s not failing structurally, the design of the Wildroad carrier is actually quite brilliant. The standout feature for us, and for many users, is the exceptionally high 13.8-inch fence. This deep basket provides an incredible sense of security. We were able to stack bags and gear with confidence, knowing they were well-contained. One happy user managed to fit five beach chairs, a beach wagon, a 60-quart ice chest, and multiple bags for a family trip, noting that “Nothing budged the whole trip.” This cavernous and secure space is the product’s greatest strength.
The carrier also incorporates a 5-degree upward angle in its design. This is a subtle but crucial feature that increases ground clearance, reducing the risk of scraping the carrier on steep driveways or uneven terrain. The folding mechanism is another practical touch, allowing the basket to pivot vertically against the rear of the vehicle. This is a massive convenience for parking and maneuvering in tight spaces when the basket is empty. It’s worth noting, however, that this feature may be obstructed by oversized spare tires, as a Jeep owner with 35″ tires discovered. For them, the inability to fold was an acceptable trade-off for the carrier’s other benefits, but it’s an important compatibility check to make before purchasing.
The All-Inclusive Accessory Package: A Mixed Bag of Value
The included accessory bundle is a huge selling point. The waterproof cargo bag is made from a rugged 500D PVC material with welded seams and a protective zipper flap, and it absolutely delivers on its promise. We drove through a significant downpour, and upon arrival, everything inside the bag was perfectly dry. This was confirmed by another traveler who drove through rain on a multi-state trip with “no issue.” The bag is generously sized and dramatically expands the utility of the carrier, turning an open basket into a secure, all-weather luggage container.
Unfortunately, where the accessory kit shines with the bag, it seems to fail spectacularly with the bike-carrying components mentioned by several users. While our test unit was focused on cargo, we cannot ignore the overwhelming volume of negative feedback regarding its use as a bike rack. Users report that the foam padding splits, the hooks used to secure the bikes come loose, and the metal posts themselves bend or break. We saw multiple reports of brand-new e-bikes being damaged, falling over, and even one horrifying account of a bike falling off completely on the highway. The design for bike retention appears to be critically flawed and dangerous. Therefore, we must strongly advise against purchasing or using this carrier for the purpose of transporting bicycles, especially heavy e-bikes. Its strength lies in being a cargo basket, and it should be used exclusively as such.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing feedback provides a clear, if divided, picture of the Wildroad 60″ Cargo Carrier with Waterproof Bag. On the positive side, many users are thrilled with their purchase for specific use cases. One couple on a three-week trip through national parks celebrated how it “freed up space in the car” and allowed them to keep camping gear separate. Another user called it an “amazing cargo carrier basket,” praising the high sides, folding feature, and its performance on a long family trip from Kansas to Wyoming. These success stories typically involve use on standard SUVs or vans with moderate loads.
The negative feedback, however, is severe and safety-critical. The most alarming trend is structural failure. One user’s spindle bent while carrying a load of “no where near 500lbs” after a year and a half. Another had a weld break on the very first use. A particularly damning review stated, “The Wildroad carrier appears to not have been welded properly and fell off on the freeway.” These incidents highlight a significant quality control issue. Furthermore, the bike rack function is almost universally condemned, with one user lamenting, “The post for the bike rail was flimsy. It bent under pressure and completely damaged the paint on my brand new mountain bike.”
How Does the Wildroad 60″ Cargo Carrier with Waterproof Bag Compare to Alternatives?
The Wildroad 60″ Cargo Carrier with Waterproof Bag occupies a specific niche as a hitch-mounted carrier. To understand its value, it’s helpful to compare it against other cargo management solutions.
1. DC Cargo Mall Large E Track Storage Bin
This product serves a completely different purpose. The DC Cargo Mall bin is designed for internal organization within an enclosed trailer, attaching to an E-Track rail system. It’s an excellent choice for contractors, powersports enthusiasts, or anyone looking to secure and organize tools, straps, and smaller items inside their trailer. It is not an external cargo carrier. Someone might prefer this if their primary goal is to prevent items from shifting inside an enclosed space, rather than adding external capacity to an SUV or car.
2. WEIZE Heavy Duty Roof Rack Cargo Carrier Basket
- ✅ ✅ The WEIZE roof cargo rack measures 54" x 34" x 6" and includes a cargo bag, cargo net, and tie-down straps. It fits crossbars with a maximum thickness of 1.35" and a maximum width of 4.6"....
- ✅ EXTRA STORAGE CAPACITY - Get an extra roomy 10 or 13 square ft. of space on top of your vehicle with this roof-mounted cargo carrier! WEIZE roof rack can be adjust to 35x34x6” or 54x34x6” to...
- ✅ULTRA-DURABLE - The rooftop cargo carrier is constructed from tubular steel which is lightweight but high in strength, it can haul up to 200 lbs of cargo, gear, and equipment. It features sleek...
The WEIZE basket is a direct alternative for those who prefer rooftop storage. Mounting on the roof keeps the hitch free for towing a trailer and can offer better rear visibility. However, it comes with significant trade-offs. Its 200-pound capacity is less than half of Wildroad’s claimed limit, and lifting heavy gear onto the roof is far more difficult than loading a waist-level hitch carrier. This is a better choice for lighter, bulkier items like sleeping bags or tents, or for vehicles without a hitch receiver.
3. ARKSEN Extra Wide Roof Rack Cargo Carrier Basket
- [LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY] Free up space in your vehicle with this roof rack cargo basket that can hold up to 150 lbs. Overall dimensions include: 84"(L) x 50"(W) x 6"(H).
- [RIGID CONSTRUCTION] Heavy-duty steel construction with black powder coating resists weather elements and corrosion, offering several years of long-lasting use.
- [EXTRA SECURITY] Bottom metal bars and side rails keep your items secure during traveling. Features a steel wind fairing to protect cargo from wind damage and reduce wind resistance.
Similar to the WEIZE, the ARKSEN is a rooftop solution, but its standout feature is its extra-wide 84-inch dimension. This makes it ideal for carrying long items like skis, fishing rods, or lumber that wouldn’t fit in a standard basket. Its capacity is even lower at 150 pounds, reinforcing its role as a carrier for bulky but lightweight gear. If your cargo is more about length than weight, the ARKSEN is a superior choice, but for heavy-duty hauling, a hitch carrier like the Wildroad is conceptually better.
Our Final Verdict on the Wildroad 60″ Cargo Carrier with Waterproof Bag
The Wildroad 60″ Cargo Carrier with Waterproof Bag is a product of contradictions. The design concept is fantastic: its generous size, exceptionally high walls, and complete accessory kit offer incredible utility and value. For light-to-moderate duty on a standard passenger vehicle, it can be the perfect solution for freeing up interior space on family vacations and camping trips. The waterproof bag is a genuine highlight, and the anti-wobble hardware ensures a pleasant driving experience.
However, we cannot ignore the significant and dangerous structural flaws reported by a troubling number of users. The risk of the main shank bending or welds breaking, especially on RVs or with heavier loads, is a deal-breaker for any application that demands true heavy-duty reliability. We strongly recommend that users stay well below the 500-pound capacity, avoid using it on RVs or trailers, and inspect all welds and the main shank before every single trip. Furthermore, the bike carrying feature should be avoided entirely. If you understand these limitations and your needs align with its strengths—carrying moderate loads on an SUV or van—this carrier can still offer great value. For everyone else, the potential safety risks are too great to overlook.
If you’ve decided the Wildroad 60″ Cargo Carrier with Waterproof Bag is the right fit for your specific 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