If your trunk runs out of room before your trip does, a hitch mounted cargo basket is one of the simplest ways to buy back space without touching the inside of the vehicle. The MaxxHaul 70107 is a steel cargo carrier that slides into a 2 inch hitch receiver and sits off the back of the vehicle, giving you an open platform for coolers, luggage, camping gear and the awkward items that never pack neatly. This is an editorial overview based on the current Amazon listing and the published specifications, not a hands on review, so treat the numbers below as the manufacturer stated figures you should confirm before you buy.
What it is
The MaxxHaul 70107 is a hitch mount cargo carrier, sometimes called a cargo basket or a cargo tray. According to the listing it is built from steel, measures 53 inches by 19.5 inches, and carries high side rails around the perimeter. It is designed to mount into a 2 inch receiver, which is the square tube that many trucks, SUVs, vans and RVs already have fitted at the rear, and the listing states a 500 lb load capacity. The finish is black. In plain terms, it is a flat metal platform with raised edges that bolts into your hitch and extends your usable cargo area to the outside of the vehicle rather than the inside.
The appeal of this format is straightforward. Instead of stacking gear on the roof, where you have to lift everything overhead and worry about garage clearance, you load at bumper height. The high side rails are there to help keep items from sliding off the edges, though they are not a substitute for tie downs, and you still have to secure the load yourself.
Key features
Working only from what the listing states, the headline points are the 53 inch by 19.5 inch steel platform, the high side rails, the 2 inch receiver fitment, and the 500 lb rated load capacity. The steel construction is the reason a carrier like this can quote a figure in the hundreds of pounds, and it is also why assembly and some weight are part of the package. The black finish is a practical choice for a part that lives outdoors and collects road grime.
MaxxHaul 70107 53 inch x 19.5 inch Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier
A steel hitch mounted cargo basket measuring 53 inches by 19.5 inches, fitted with high side rails, rated to a 500 lb load capacity and built for a 2 inch receiver on RVs, trucks, SUVs, vans and cars.
Check price on AmazonWho it is for
This kind of carrier makes the most sense if you regularly run out of interior space. Think road trips where the family luggage, a cooler and a few bags simply will not coexist with the passengers, or gear heavy outings like camping, fishing and tailgating where bulky, dirty or wet items are better kept outside the cabin. It also suits owners who tow or haul seasonally and want a removable platform they can take off when it is not needed, rather than a permanent roof fixture.
It is a weaker fit if your vehicle does not have a hitch receiver, if you only need to carry small or light items, or if you want something that tucks away without occupying the hitch. Because it mounts at the rear, it also changes how you access a tailgate or rear hatch, so households that open the back constantly should think about that trade off before committing.
Strengths on paper
On the spec sheet, the MaxxHaul 70107 covers the fundamentals buyers look for in this category. The 53 inch by 19.5 inch footprint is a genuinely usable area for duffel bags, totes and a cooler, and it is a common size for full sized baskets rather than a compact tray. The steel build is what supports the stated 500 lb capacity, and high side rails are a useful touch for containing loose items and giving you anchor points for straps. Mounting at bumper height means you load without lifting items over your head, which is easier on your back than a roof rack and removes the overhead clearance worry that comes with roof mounted gear. Finally, because it is a hitch accessory, it can be removed when you do not need it, returning the vehicle to its normal footprint.
These are strengths as described by the listing. How any individual unit performs over years of road vibration, loading and weather is something only long term ownership can answer, and this overview does not claim first hand experience with the product.
Things to check
This is the section to slow down on, because a hitch cargo carrier has real prerequisites and limits that are easy to overlook.
First, it requires a vehicle hitch receiver. The listing states a 2 inch receiver, so confirm that your vehicle actually has a 2 inch opening and not a smaller 1.25 inch one, and verify the hitch class your vehicle and hitch are rated for before you load anything. A carrier cannot add capacity that your hitch does not have.
Second, respect the weight numbers. The product quotes a 500 lb load capacity, but the real ceiling is the lower of that figure and your own hitch tongue weight limit, which is set by your vehicle and hitch manufacturer. If your tongue weight limit is below the carrier rating, that lower number is your limit. Do not exceed either one, and remember that the weight of the empty carrier itself counts toward the tongue load.
Third, assembly is usually required with carriers like this, so expect to put it together and torque the hardware before first use, and to recheck fasteners periodically. Fourth, loads must be secured. High side rails help contain items but they are not restraints, so plan on ratchet straps or a cargo net, and consider a cargo bag if you need weather protection since an open basket does not shield contents from rain or road spray. Finally, verify every one of these details against the live Amazon listing, because specifications, included hardware and fitment notes can change and the listing is the authoritative source, not this overview.
How it compares
It helps to frame the MaxxHaul 70107 against the two alternatives most shoppers weigh. Compared with a roof rack or rooftop carrier, a hitch basket loads low at bumper height instead of overhead, avoids roof clearance problems in garages and drive throughs, and does not rely on roof rails or crossbars. The trade off is that it occupies the hitch and extends the vehicle length at the rear, and it can block access to the tailgate unless you choose or add a tilting or swing feature, which you should confirm on the listing rather than assume.
Compared with a soft cargo bag that straps to a roof or seats, a steel hitch basket is a rigid open platform rather than an enclosed soft shell. The basket is better for heavy, bulky or dirty items and gives you a hard surface and rails to strap against, while a cargo bag wins on built in weather protection. Many owners actually combine the two, setting a cargo bag or net on top of a basket like this to get both the rigid base and some protection from the elements. Because every vehicle and hitch is different, treat this comparison as general framing and match the specifics to your own setup.
Verdict
As a hitch mount cargo carrier, the MaxxHaul 70107 reads like a sensible, no frills choice on paper: a full sized 53 inch by 19.5 inch steel basket with high side rails, a 500 lb stated capacity and a standard 2 inch receiver fitment. It should appeal to anyone who needs honest extra hauling space for road trips and gear and who already has, or is willing to add, the correct hitch receiver. The caveats are the ones common to the whole category rather than faults unique to this model: you need the right receiver size, you must stay under the lower of the carrier rating and your hitch tongue weight limit, you will likely assemble it yourself, and you have to secure the load. If those boxes fit your vehicle and your plans, it is worth a closer look. Before deciding, check the current listing on Amazon to confirm the current dimensions, capacity, receiver size, included hardware and fitment for your vehicle.
This is an editorial overview based on the current Amazon listing and published specifications, not a hands on review. We have not tested or used this product first hand. ProductPickly may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page.