5 Best RV Hitch Storage Solutions For Extra Gear That Nomads Swear By
Road-tested hitch storage for all your gear.
You’ve perfectly packed your RV, using every cabinet and cubby. Then you look at the pile of "must-have" gear still on the ground: the generator, the extra cooler, the firewood, the portable grill. This is the moment every RVer faces—the realization that no matter how big your rig is, space is always finite.
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This isn’t just about clutter; it’s about limitation. Without that extra gear, some adventures are simply off the table. You can’t boondock for a week without the generator, and a campfire just isn’t the same without real wood. This is where your often-overlooked trailer hitch becomes the most valuable real estate on your entire rig.
A hitch-mounted cargo carrier is one of the most effective upgrades you can make to your nomadic life. It’s a simple solution that dramatically expands your capacity, enabling longer trips, more activities, and greater self-sufficiency. But not all carriers are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can lead to frustration, or worse, a dangerous situation on the highway.
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Expand Your RV Storage With These Hitch Racks
A hitch rack is more than just a metal basket on the back of your rig. It’s a purpose-built platform designed to carry the bulky, dirty, or awkwardly shaped items that have no place inside your living space. Think about it: Do you really want a muddy generator or a leaky cooler stored in your pass-through bay? A hitch carrier keeps the mess outside where it belongs.
The core benefit is obvious—more space. But the type of space is what truly matters. This is external, accessible storage that doesn’t require you to unpack half your rig to get to one item. It’s perfect for daily-use items like camp chairs or last-minute additions like a bundle of firewood you picked up on the way to your site.
Before you buy anything, you must understand your vehicle’s limits. Find your RV’s hitch tongue weight capacity and your receiver’s size (usually 2-inch). Every pound you put on the carrier, including the weight of the carrier itself, counts against that limit. Exceeding it is not just a bad idea; it’s a recipe for dangerous handling and potential frame damage.
ROLA Vortex: Your Go-To Steel Cargo Carrier
Expand your Rola Vortex cargo carrier's capacity with this 18.75" black extension. Its rugged, weather-resistant construction easily installs as a center section, maximizing your roof storage.
The ROLA Vortex is a classic for a reason. It’s a straightforward, heavy-duty steel basket that prioritizes function over frills. Its open design is incredibly versatile, making it ideal for hauling things like coolers, propane tanks, and bulky storage totes that you don’t want taking up precious interior space.
This carrier is built to handle real-world use, typically boasting a 600-pound capacity. The two-piece construction is easy to assemble, and many models feature a raised shank. This small design detail is crucial, as it lifts the basket higher off the ground, giving you much-needed clearance for navigating steep driveways or bumpy forest service roads without scraping.
Of course, the simplicity of a basket carrier comes with trade-offs. Your gear is completely exposed to the elements and potential theft. A quality cargo net and a set of heavy-duty ratchet straps are non-negotiable accessories. For those who need a rugged, no-nonsense platform for tough gear, the ROLA Vortex is a workhorse that gets the job done.
StowAway2 Max: Ultimate Weatherproof Storage
Expand your vehicle's cargo space with the StowAway Max. This hitch-mounted storage box features a SwingAway frame for easy access and holds up to 16 cubic feet of gear, with included locking latch and tail lights.
If you’re looking to carry sensitive equipment, the StowAway2 Max is in a class of its own. This isn’t just a rack; it’s a high-capacity, locking cargo box that functions like an automotive-grade trunk for your RV. It provides complete protection from rain, road grime, and opportunistic thieves, making it the go-to for valuable items like tools, generators, or high-end sporting gear.
The defining feature is its swing-away frame. With the pull of a latch, the entire box pivots a full 180 degrees, giving you unobstructed access to your RV’s rear doors, ladder, or storage compartments. This is a game-changer for motorhomes and vans, eliminating the frustrating ritual of having to unload your carrier just to get into your own rig.
The security and convenience come at a price, as the StowAway2 is a premium option. It’s also a significant piece of hardware, adding considerable length and weight before you even load it. But for full-timers or serious adventurers who can’t afford to have their gear compromised by weather or theft, the peace of mind and unparalleled access it provides are worth every penny.
CURT Tray Carrier: A Versatile, Budget-Friendly Pick
Haul bulky gear like coolers or game with this durable steel hitch cargo carrier. Its versatile design includes integrated tie-downs and a 300 lb capacity, fitting both 1-1/4" and 2" receivers.
Sometimes, you just need a simple, reliable platform without spending a fortune. The CURT tray-style carrier is the answer. It’s an affordable, lightweight option that provides a solid base for a wide variety of cargo, making it a popular first choice for RVers who are just starting to explore their external storage needs.
The design is brilliantly simple: a flat platform with low side rails, often made with a mesh floor. This mesh design is a subtle but important feature, as it makes cleaning incredibly easy—just hose it down. It won’t collect water, mud, or debris from your gear, keeping the carrier itself relatively low-maintenance.
The main consideration with a tray-style carrier is cargo security. The low rails offer minimal containment, so your tie-down strategy is paramount. You are entirely responsible for making sure your load is balanced and cinched down tight. For the budget-conscious RVer who needs a flexible solution for occasional use, the CURT tray is a smart, practical investment.
Yakima EXO SwingBase: The Modular Gear Hauler
Transform your 2-inch hitch into a versatile cargo platform with the Yakima EXO SwingBase. Easily swing your loaded gear away for rear vehicle access, and enjoy secure, tool-free installation with integrated locks.
The Yakima EXO system isn’t just a single product; it’s an entire ecosystem of gear-hauling solutions. It starts with the SwingBase, a heavy-duty dual-arm swing-away unit that mounts to your hitch. From there, the possibilities are nearly endless, making it the ultimate choice for the multi-sport nomad who needs to adapt their setup on the fly.
The genius of the EXO is its modularity. You can mount a cargo box (like the GearLocker) on the base for one trip. For the next, you can swap it for a bike rack. Need more? You can add the TopShelf component to create a second level, allowing you to carry a cargo box and two bikes, or a ski rack and a gear basket, all at the same time.
This level of versatility is unmatched, but it represents a significant investment in both cost and complexity. It’s not the right choice for someone who just needs to haul a generator. However, for the RVer whose life revolves around changing seasons and diverse outdoor pursuits, the Yakima EXO is a powerful, adaptable system that can evolve right along with their adventures.
Mockins Folding Carrier: Haul Heavy Gear With Ease
Expand your vehicle's storage with this heavy-duty folding hitch cargo carrier and 15 cu.ft. waterproof bag. The durable steel carrier supports up to 500 lbs and includes four packing cubes for organized hauling. Secure your gear with included straps, a hitch lock, and stabilizer for a rattle-free journey.
For those who need to transport serious weight, the Mockins folding carrier is a top contender. Its primary advantages are a robust weight capacity—often rated for 500 pounds—and a clever folding design. This combination makes it exceptionally practical for hauling heavy, essential items like a large inverter generator or a full set of leveling blocks and tools.
The folding shank is the key feature. When the carrier is empty, you can pull a pin and pivot the entire basket up so it sits vertically against the back of your RV. This dramatically reduces your rig’s overall length, which is a huge benefit when trying to park in a tight campsite or even just in a grocery store parking lot. The high 6-inch side rails also provide more security for your cargo than a simple tray.
The trade-off for that high capacity is weight; this is a heavy, all-steel unit. Lifting and installing it can be a two-person job. But it often comes as a complete kit with a waterproof bag, cargo net, and ratchet straps, making it an excellent value. For RVers who prioritize strength and convenient storage, the Mockins carrier delivers on both fronts.
How to Choose Your Perfect RV Hitch Storage
The first and most important question to ask yourself is: What, specifically, am I trying to haul? The answer dictates everything. Hauling firewood and a cooler has vastly different requirements than transporting a sensitive generator or expensive mountain bikes. Don’t start by looking at products; start by looking at your gear pile.
Once you know your cargo, you can weigh the critical factors. Each one involves a trade-off, so be honest about your priorities. There is no single carrier that is best at everything.
- Weight & Capacity: Your gear’s weight plus the carrier’s weight must be under your hitch’s tongue weight rating. Don’t guess.
- Access vs. Simplicity: Do you need to access rear doors? If so, a swing-away model is essential. If not, a simpler fixed carrier will save you money and complexity.
- Security & Weatherproofing: If your gear is valuable or can’t get wet, an enclosed, locking box is the only real solution. For everything else, an open basket with a good tarp or waterproof bag will suffice.
- Ground Clearance: If you frequent unimproved roads or steep driveways, look for a carrier with a raised shank to avoid bottoming out.
Ultimately, the perfect carrier for a full-time boondocker will be different from the one a weekend warrior needs for family camping trips. The best choice is the one that solves your specific storage problem without creating new ones, like blocking access to your rig or overloading your chassis. Choose a solution that fits your lifestyle, not the other way around.
Answering Your Top RV Hitch Storage Questions
One of the most common questions is, "Will a hitch carrier affect how my RV drives?" The answer is an unequivocal yes. Adding several hundred pounds of weight cantilevered off the very back of your vehicle will change its handling characteristics. It can reduce the weight on your front steering axle and may increase the potential for trailer sway. The key is to load it thoughtfully, keeping the heaviest items closer to the vehicle, and to always stay well under your hitch’s maximum weight limit.
Next, people often wonder if they can use a hitch extender to push the carrier out further from the RV, perhaps to clear a rear-mounted spare tire. While technically possible, this is highly discouraged. A hitch extender acts as a lever, dramatically increasing the forces on your receiver and slashing your effective tongue weight capacity by as much as 50%. It is always safer to find a carrier designed to clear your specific obstacles, like one with a longer shank, than to introduce an extender.
Finally, "Do I need to add lights to my cargo carrier?" If your carrier and its load block your RV’s tail lights, brake lights, or license plate in any way, you are legally required to have an auxiliary lighting system. This isn’t optional; it’s a critical safety issue. Many carriers have pre-drilled holes for adding a simple light kit, which wires into your RV’s existing trailer light connector. Never assume other drivers can see your signals if you have a large load on the back.
Choosing the right hitch storage solution is about more than just creating space—it’s about unlocking potential. It’s the difference between wishing you had brought your grill and actually cooking burgers under the stars. It’s the freedom to stay off-grid an extra two days because you had room for the generator and extra water.
The key is to move beyond a simple "more is better" mindset. A thoughtful approach that starts with a clear understanding of your gear, your RV’s capabilities, and your travel style will always lead to the best decision. By matching the hardware to your mission, you transform your hitch from a simple towing point into a gateway for bigger, better, and more fulfilling adventures on the road.
