Hitch-Mount Cargo Carrier Recommendation for 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Question:

Hi Im looking for a cargo carrier that can fit on the back of a 2013 range rover sport. I will use this occasionally, mostly during the fall for carrying hunting gear and deer. Question: Im looking for one that doesnt rattle around...do any come with a method of taking slack out of the hitch and tongue? apart from that, do you have any recommendations? there are a lot to choose from! thank you.

asked by: Jamus

Helpful Expert Reply:

Your 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport should be equipped with a 2-inch Class III type trailer hitch receiver, like the Curt # 13456 that we offer. In this case you can use any compatible 2-inch Class III hitch cargo carrier. One such hitch carrier is the Reese # 63153. We also offer anti-rattle devices to help reduce play in the hitch.

If your hitch has a tongue weight rating like that of the Reese, 500-lbs, then you can effectively use all of the capacity of a 500-lb-rated carrier. Keep in mind that your hitch capacity - which will be noted on its safety/warning sticker - must include the weight of the empty carrier itself. The Reese fixed-type carrier # 63153 weighs about 62-lbs empty, so this weight must be counted toward the total load on the hitch.

We offer both folding- and fixed-type carriers; note that a fixed carrier that does not have a hinge mechanism will tend to be steadier than a folding unit. If you will use the carrier only during hunting season and don't plan to leave it on the vehicle then you may choose to forego the folding feature in favor of better stability. You also always have the option to add a couple of ratcheting tie-down strap to support the carrier and hitch, just as an additional safety measure. One such item is the SmartStraps # SM54FR.

Also, some carriers like the Curt # C18152 have an angled shank tube which provides 2-1/2-inches of additional ground clearance. For travel on uneven roads this may be an advantage worth considering.

To help you decide on a carrier that will best serve your needs I have linked an article that covers the considerations for choosing one. I also linked an article that illustrates how to measure for the required clearance at the rear of your vehicle. Carriers vary in the amount of clearance they offer relative to the hitch pin hole. The article shows how to measure to determine how much clearance you need from the carrier for it to safely clear the back of your Range Rover Sport.

To steady the carrier in your receiver tube you can use an anti-rattle hitch lock such as the Lets Go Aero # 63232. The linked video shows use of this anti-rattle lock with a cargo carrier.