Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier Recommendation for a 2012 Ford F-150 With Minimum Tailgate Interference
Question:
Would it be foolish to use a hitch cargo carrier as a step when climbing up into the truck with tailgate down? If I dont step perfectly in the center, will it wobble severely under my weight? I use a truck tent for camping in my 2012 F150 and am concerned about the idea of leaving something like the Pro Series 63153 model in the hitch as it will stick quite far beyond the edge of the tailgate climbing over it without stepping on it seems unlikely, hence my question. It looks like Id have a much easier time climbing onto the tail without putting my weight on the cargo carrier if I instead went with the Surco 52018 model or the Curt C18100 model. Despite your excellent test fit videos on all these, Im not sure if Id still be tempted to put my foot on one of them as well when climbing up. Id rather not have to remove the cargo carrier each time I set up camp. Any guidance on what you think might work better/best is much appreciated.
asked by: Davin P
Helpful Expert Reply:
Hitch mount cargo carriers were certainly not designed to be used as a step, but I will admit that I have used a cargo carrier to climb into the back of a truck before. The weight capacity should not be an issue since each of the cargo carriers you mentioned have a weight capacity of 500 lbs, but the wobble could make the step uneasy if you do not step directly in the center of the cargo carrier. You should also keep in mind that the floor of the cargo carrier is metal and moisture could make the surface slippery and dangerous.
We had a 2013 Ford F-150 on our lot, so I pulled the Pro Series Cargo Carrier, # 63153 and the Curt Cargo Carrier, # C18100, that you referenced and installed them on the truck. I have attached the photos that show how much each cargo carrier will stick out when the tail gate is down. After installing these these carriers, I would recommend the Curt cargo carrier. It provides the least amount of interference and the aluminum construction makes it lightweight and easy to handle while maintaining the same weight capacity as the other carriers. The Curt carrier would also be the easiest carrier to remove and install if you found that it must be removed when camping.
Products Referenced in This Question
19x60 Curt Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Aluminum - Folding - 500 lbs
- Hitch Cargo Carrier
- Flat Carrier
- Folding Carrier
- 20 Inch Wide
- Heavy Duty
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 60 Inch Long
- Class III
- Class IV
- Aluminum
- CURT
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
24x60 Reese Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - 500 lbs
- Hitch Cargo Carrier
- Flat Carrier
- Fixed Carrier
- 24 Inch Wide
- Heavy Duty
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 60 Inch Long
- Class III
- Class IV
- Steel
- Reese
more information >
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