If you’ve ever packed for a car camping trip, you know how fast your backseat can disappear under piles of sleeping bags, coolers and “essentials” you’ll probably never touch. That’s where a cargo hitch carrier comes in. It gives you extra space, keeps muddy gear out of the car, and saves you from the chaos of cramming duffel bags at midnight in a campground parking lot.
But like most things in camping (and life), we learned some lessons the hard way. Here are our top hitch carrier hacks, smart tips, and a couple of regrets you can hopefully avoid.
1. Waterproof Storage is Your Best Friend 🌧️
Tip: Always pair your hitch carrier with a weatherproof cargo bag. Even if the forecast looks clear, weather has a funny way of changing the second you leave home.
Regret we learned: That one time we trusted a blue tarp + bungee cord system… only to discover our sleeping bags had absorbed three hours of Appalachian thunderstorm. Trust us: invest in a proper waterproof cargo bag and save yourself the soggy regret.
2. Heavy Stuff Goes Low & Center 🏋️♂️
Hack: Pack your heaviest gear (coolers, water jugs, firewood) directly over the hitch and toward the center. Lighter items (sleeping pads, folding chairs) can ride toward the edges.
Regret we learned: Tossing the firewood on one side and the cooler on the other. The uneven weight made the carrier wobble like a bad shopping cart. Lesson: balance is everything.
3. Bring a Cargo Net (Even If You Have a Bag) 🕸️
Tip: A simple cargo net takes two seconds to clip on and can keep your bag from shifting during long drives or windy stretches. It’s cheap insurance and gives you peace of mind.
Hack: For odd-shaped gear that doesn’t fit in the bag (like firewood bundles or a portable grill), the net is the MVP.
Regret we learned: Forgetting ours at home and spending half the trip watching the rearview mirror like it was a suspense movie.
4. Consider a Swing-Away Adapter 🚙💡
Tip: A swing-away hitch adapter lets you move the whole carrier out of the way so you can access your trunk or tailgate without unloading everything.
Regret we learned: Wrestling a cooler out of the back seat because the tailgate was blocked by a fully loaded hitch rack. Once you’ve experienced the “swing away,” you’ll never go back.
5. Double-Check Your Ground Clearance ⛺
Hack: Before hitting the road, take a minute to eyeball the clearance on driveways or dirt roads. Fully loaded hitch carriers sit lower than you think.
Regret we learned: Crunching the carrier on a steep gas station exit. It survived. Our pride did not.
6. Think Beyond the Campsite 🔦
Hitch carriers aren’t just for camping. They’re just as handy for road trips, moving, tailgates, or hauling muddy sports gear. Investing in one means you’ve got year-round extra storage.
The Bottom Line
A hitch cargo carrier can turn your camping chaos into organized bliss — but only if you pack smart, balance your load and avoid our rookie mistakes. Pair it with a waterproof cargo carrier bag, keep a cargo net handy, and maybe splurge on that swing-away adapter. You’ll thank yourself when you’re reaching for the cooler at midnight without unpacking half the car.
Stop cramming your car. Start hauling smarter.
Explore the full range of Mockins cargo solutions today and make your next adventure a pro-level one.
