need small cargo carrier. looking for other ideas


  #1  
Old 12-26-19, 09:25 AM
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Lightbulb need small cargo carrier. looking for other ideas

I don't want one of those typical cargo carriers that span the whole width of the car. The type that hunters use for deer or extra storage for camping. They are big and bulky and can't be stored. I looked up on the Internet and nothing seems to be available in a small size. One would think it would be a very marketable item. But what do I know?

What I need is a small container that attaches to the tow receiver of a car that is just big enough to carry two 2 gal gas cans. It must be light enough and small to easily be picked up and stored in the car or garage.

I contacted several local welder/fabricators in my area and they did respond, but the cost was about $300. A bit more than I anticipated. I have no welding experience or facilities to do it myself. So I thought maybe some ideas will be floating around. My thought is to have a metal container welded to a hitch but without the ball attachment. A cargo carrier that is small!

Perhaps I should explain my need. Since I drive SUV's and am not interested in a truck or sedan, transporting gasoline to and from station to house or from home to cabin (nearly 60 miles away), the fumes are not good to drive with. And I have never found a gas container that can contain the fumes 100%.

The attached pic will show what I have in mind. This is just an example and need not be this shape or exact size. A square would OK. Nor is the expanded diamond screen necessary. Although a hinged cover would be nice, a placed on cover held by bungee cords will suffice.

I considered using angle iron to build it, but attaching to a hitch is the major problem. I think welding is the proper way of fabrication. I also thought maybe one of those plastic milk crates might work. But again what would be a safe and secure method of attachment?

 
  #2  
Old 12-26-19, 11:01 AM
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Don't know your location. I am central Texas. If you were nearby, I could fabricate what you want for $150 (half what you have been quoted.

Get one from Horror Freight or Tractor Supply and cut it down to desired size.

RR
 
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Old 12-26-19, 12:01 PM
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That's the more of what I expected as a cost. I'm in Western New York, Buffalo area. Gee I wonder what shipping might cost?
 
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Old 12-26-19, 01:32 PM
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Goggle hitch cargo carriers, lots of choices!

YOu have a hitch?
 
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Old 12-26-19, 01:47 PM
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I did. Nothing similar to what I'm looking for. Don't want a carrier the full width of the car. Or anything that can't be easily picked up and thrown into the back of the car or stored out of the way in the garage. I've been to HF, and all the Internet trailer and hitch companies. Just a small basket to fit two 2 gal gas cans to haul outside the confines of the car.
 
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Old 12-26-19, 01:54 PM
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So I did come across this. Maybe I can build a basket on this frame.

https://www.autozone.com/cargo-boxes...ier/162354_0_0
 
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Old 12-26-19, 02:15 PM
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Its always easier to make something smaller than trying to expand, something like this would be easy to cut back to desired size@

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-18145-Ca...motive&sr=1-16
 
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Old 12-26-19, 03:08 PM
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Marq, That looks interesting and the price is right. Looks as though only a hack saw would be needed to trim those parts to make it smaller. Drill a few more holes and that might be it.
Between this or the DEE ZEE unit I think I can manage something. Thanks for the lead.
 
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Old 12-26-19, 03:31 PM
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I refer you to your post about the same issue in June of 2018. I think these answers would still apply, unless they don't. But I still think my idea is what you are looking for. small light duty trailer hitch basket
 
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Old 12-26-19, 03:52 PM
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Guy's what do you think of this idea?

I buy the DEE ZEE Hitch mounted carrier frame. It has mounting area of 27 x 27 or very close to that. I can get this item through Autozone for $44.00. I can then buy a steel or aluminum box to mount, but that will cost at least $100. But I was considering one of these... The Rubber maid 1172 . Drill holes in the bottom to secure to the hitch carrier. I can buy this item for bout $60. I might even be able to rig up a quick release to use the Rubbermaid box for portable use.

Anybody see a down side to this?

https://www.deezee.com/product/dz979...unted-carrier/

https://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-11...=fsclp_pl_dp_1
 
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Old 12-26-19, 10:36 PM
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As long as the dims line up I think it's a weekend plan in the making.

Let us see how it turns out!
 
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Old 12-27-19, 04:36 AM
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I refer you to your post about the same issue in June of 2018.
Hey Ron, I completely forgot that I had already talked about this project previously. Thanks for the reminder. This time around I think I got a plan.
As Marq requested, I'll keep the forum informed with results. May take several weeks. Too many other projects going on.
 
  #13  
Old 12-27-19, 06:49 AM
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The price is right on this one:

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mag...dCatid=5037510

Cut each side down to the size you want.
 
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Old 12-27-19, 02:46 PM
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would think smaller hitch cargo storage would be available but everything I see is large also.
probably be fairly easy to make one or cut down one or if you really are just going to use it for fuel a couple of 5 gallon jerry cans and a custom hitch to hold 2 jerry cans would also probably be easy to make.
 
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Old 01-05-20, 01:30 PM
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Thumbs up Small cargo carrier completed

Project completed. This turned out to be perfect and cost under $100 including misc hardware.


The carrier from DEE ZEE (Autozone)...$41 Includes hardware (not needed) and reflector tape





Painted and mounted cross members , using nylock nuts...$15


Attaching footlocker to frame
Footlocker...$41


Inside of footlocker attached. Notice the wingnuts used for easy removal if need be. (Need to get spacer for upper right attachment nut).


Attached to the car. Preliminary test fit.


Tailgate clears the box


Gas cans fit with room to spare.


Completed. And the back-up cam is very usable even though the warning alarm is activated


Added reflector strips


Small enough to fit in car and only weighs about 40#
 
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Old 01-06-20, 02:03 AM
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Looks great! I was thinking of an open carrier but that box makes it suitable for other stuff too
 
 

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