MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier Review: The Budget Workhorse Your Vehicle Needs

We’ve all been there. The car is packed to the roof for the annual family vacation, but the cooler, the beach chairs, and a mountain of “essential” sand toys are still sitting on the driveway. Or maybe it’s the aftermath of a trip to the garden center, with muddy bags of mulch and thorny rose bushes threatening to destroy the car’s interior. For me, it was a smelly, gasoline-fumed snow blower that needed a ride to the repair shop. There was simply no way it was going inside my SUV. This is the universal problem of stuff—we often have more of it than our vehicles can comfortably, cleanly, or safely carry. A lack of cargo space isn’t just an inconvenience; it can lead to compromised safety, damaged interiors, and stressful journeys. This is precisely the problem that a hitch-mounted cargo carrier is designed to solve, and the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier presents itself as an affordable and robust solution. After putting it through its paces, we’re ready to share our findings.

What to Consider Before Buying a Hitch Cargo Carrier

A vehicle cargo carrier is more than just an accessory; it’s a key solution for unlocking your vehicle’s true utility. Whether you’re an avid camper needing to haul gear, a homeowner tackling DIY projects, or a family heading out on a cross-country adventure, these carriers provide a dedicated, external space for bulky, dirty, or oversized items. The main benefit is freeing up precious interior cabin space, leading to a more comfortable and organized ride. It also protects your vehicle’s upholstery from dirt, moisture, and sharp objects. By shifting weight to the rear, a hitch carrier can also be more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient than a roof-mounted alternative, a point echoed by users who switched from roof racks to avoid a significant hit to their gas mileage.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with a 2-inch hitch receiver on their SUV, truck, van, or even a larger car, who frequently finds themselves playing a game of real-life Tetris to fit everything inside. It’s for the practical-minded person who needs to move items like coolers, luggage, camping equipment, or even small machinery. However, it might not be suitable for those who need to frequently access their vehicle’s rear hatch (as a non-folding carrier can block it) or for those who don’t have a 2-inch hitch receiver installed. For those without a hitch, a roof basket like the ARKSEN 64 Inch Roof Rack is a viable alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Hitch carriers come in various sizes. The MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier offers an inner basket of 51″ x 17.5″, which is a generous footprint for multiple storage bins or coolers side-by-side. You must also consider ground clearance. This model is a straight-shank design, so measure your hitch height to ensure the carrier won’t scrape on steep driveways.
• Capacity/Performance: This is paramount. The MaxxHaul boasts a hefty 500-pound distributed load capacity. This is more than enough for typical vacation luggage and camping gear. Always remember this is the carrier’s limit; you must also stay within your vehicle’s tongue weight capacity. Look for carriers that feel solid and don’t have excessive flex.
• Materials & Durability: Most hitch carriers are made from steel for its strength and affordability, and this MaxxHaul is no exception. The trade-off is weight and susceptibility to rust if the finish is compromised. Aluminum models are lighter and rust-proof but typically cost more and may have lower weight capacities. A quality powder coat finish is essential for longevity, especially in harsh weather conditions.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Consider the assembly process—some units are more complex than others. A non-folding design like this one is simpler but less convenient for storage and parking. For maintenance, regularly check bolts for tightness and inspect the finish. We highly recommend touching up any chips or scratches immediately with rust-resistant paint to prevent corrosion from taking hold.

While the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier is an excellent choice for many, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, including both hitch and roof-mounted options, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier

Pulling the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier out of the box, the first thing we noticed was the weight and substance of the steel components. At just over 22 pounds, it’s manageable for one person to handle, yet it feels reassuringly solid. The black powder coat finish has a decent semi-gloss sheen, and the mesh floor appears well-welded. However, we have to confirm what many users have reported: the packaging leaves something to be desired. The heavy steel parts can shift and clang together during transit, and our unit arrived with a few minor scuffs and chips in the finish, particularly at the corners. This seems to be a common theme and a trade-off for its budget-friendly price point.

The carrier comes in several pieces: two main basket halves, the central hitch tube, and two upper support brackets. All necessary nuts and bolts are included. The instructions are basic, relying on a simple exploded diagram, but the assembly is straightforward enough that they suffice. Compared to premium, pre-assembled units, there’s definitely more work involved here, but it’s nothing that can’t be tackled with basic hand tools in under 30 minutes. The design is utilitarian and focused on function over form, which is exactly what we expected and wanted from a product in this category. For those curious about its price and full specifications, it represents a compelling entry-level option.

Deep Dive: Performance and Real-World Testing

A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a product like the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier, you have to assemble it, load it up, and hit the road. We did just that, subjecting it to everything from highway speeds to bumpy back roads, evaluating its assembly, on-road stability, and long-term durability prospects.

Assembly and Setup: A Lesson in Patience

Our experience with assembly mirrored the advice of many seasoned owners: do not fully tighten any bolts until every single one is in place and loosely threaded. This is the golden rule. The carrier’s two-piece basket design is held together by the central hitch tube. If you tighten the bolts connecting one half of the basket to the tube first, the tolerances are tight enough that you can create a slight misalignment, making it difficult to attach the second half. We encountered this firsthand. After fully bolting one side, the holes for the upper support brackets on the opposite side were off by a few millimeters.

By loosening everything, we were able to get all bolts started by hand. Then, working in a crisscross pattern, we gradually tightened each one. This method allowed the frame to pull itself into alignment perfectly. The whole process took about 25 minutes with a socket wrench and a box wrench. While some users have reported needing to bend brackets or re-drill holes, we found that a patient, loose-assembly approach solved the problem entirely. One clever user noted that you can install the center bar with the angled shank facing up or down, which can adjust the basket’s ground clearance by an inch or two—a great tip for those with lower vehicles. While the setup has its quirks, the straightforward design is ultimately a strength, as it’s something most people can handle themselves, a fact confirmed by one user who, as a 30-year-old female, “put this together by myself while my two year old was ‘helping’.” The simplicity and a little bit of patience make it a very manageable DIY project.

On the Road: Load Capacity and Stability Tested

Once assembled and mounted to our SUV’s 2-inch receiver, the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier felt rock-solid. The advertised 500-pound capacity is impressive, and the thick steel construction gives you confidence that it can handle it. For our first test, we loaded it with two large plastic totes and a heavy-duty cooler, totaling around 200 pounds—a typical vacation load. We secured everything with ratchet straps, using the ample tie-down points provided by the high side rails and mesh floor.

On the highway, the carrier was stable and quiet. There was no noticeable sway or rattling. We checked the load at a rest stop after an hour, and nothing had shifted. This level of security is exactly what you need for peace of mind on a long journey. One user recounted a 15-hour trip with “2 bins and a small cooler” attached to their Suburban, stopping to check multiple times and finding everything perfectly secure each time. We also tested it on a more demanding local run, hauling a portable air conditioner that needed to be transported upright—a task impossible inside the car. The 4.5-inch-high inner rails provided excellent lateral support. As with any hitch-mounted accessory, there’s a small amount of play within the receiver itself. For those who want zero wobble, we’d recommend investing in a hitch tightener or anti-rattle clamp. It’s an inexpensive add-on that makes a noticeable difference. You can find compatible accessories and check current pricing here.

Durability and Finish: The Achilles’ Heel?

The most significant point of discussion around the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier is the durability of its powder coat finish. As noted in our unboxing, our unit arrived with minor chips, a common complaint among buyers. While functionally insignificant at first, any breach in the coating on a steel product is a potential entry point for rust. This is especially critical for anyone living in regions with winter road salt or coastal air. One user wisely quoted, “An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure,” and we couldn’t agree more.

Before putting our carrier into regular service, we took this advice to heart. We spent an extra 15 minutes and about $8 on a can of black rust-inhibiting spray paint. We carefully touched up the chipped corners and any scuffs that occurred during assembly. This small, proactive step can dramatically extend the life of the carrier and prevent cosmetic rust from turning into a structural problem down the line. The steel itself is heavy-duty and the welds are solid; the frame is built to last. It’s the finish that requires a little extra attention from the owner. For the exceptionally low price point, we consider this a very reasonable trade-off. It’s a workhorse built for utility, not a showpiece. If you’re willing to perform this minor preventative maintenance, you’ll be rewarded with a carrier that should provide years of reliable service, a sentiment that underpins why it remains such a popular choice despite this known issue.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user sentiment for the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier is overwhelmingly positive, especially when framed by its exceptional price. Many reviews read like success stories. One owner celebrated its ability to carry things “too big or too smelly to go inside,” specifically citing a gasoline snow blower—a perfect real-world use case. Another was thrilled to find an affordable solution for a last-minute vacation, noting they “even had enough to buy… a waterproof bag and netting.” This speaks directly to the value proposition that attracts so many buyers.

Of course, the feedback isn’t without its criticisms, which tend to cluster around two key areas. The most common complaint, as we experienced, is the packaging and resulting chipped paint. As one user bluntly put it, “The cargo carrier looks sturdy but the packaging was terrible. It was clanging around in the box.” The second frequent issue involves assembly alignment. One frustrated buyer stated, “Bolt holes didn’t line up… Bent the heck out of it to get the top braces to align.” However, this is often counterbalanced by others who, like us, found success with the “don’t tighten anything until you loosely assemble it” method. These consistent themes paint a clear picture: it’s a budget-friendly, high-capacity carrier that delivers on its core promise, provided you can overlook cosmetic shipping flaws and have a bit of mechanical patience.

How Does the MAXXHAUL 70107 Compare to the Alternatives?

The MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier occupies a specific niche, but it’s important to understand the other options available, particularly if your needs differ slightly. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives.

1. ARKSEN 64 Inch Roof Rack Cargo Carrier Basket

The ARKSEN carrier is a rooftop basket, which represents a fundamentally different approach to cargo management. Its primary advantage is that it leaves your hitch receiver free for towing and keeps the rear of your vehicle, including any backup sensors and cameras, completely unobstructed. It’s an excellent choice for those who don’t have a hitch or need to use it for other purposes. However, it has a significantly lower load capacity at 150 pounds, compared to the MaxxHaul’s 500. Furthermore, lifting heavy items onto the roof can be challenging, and roof-mounted cargo is known to create more wind noise and reduce fuel economy more than a hitch carrier.

2. WEIZE 64″x 39″ Heavy Duty Roof Rack Cargo Carrier

Similar to the ARKSEN, the WEIZE is another rooftop option, but it stands out by offering a complete package. It includes a waterproof bag, a cargo net, and tie-down straps, which adds significant value and convenience. With a 200-pound capacity, it’s a bit more robust than the ARKSEN but still falls well short of the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier. This is the ideal choice for someone who wants an all-in-one, ready-to-go solution for their roof rails and prioritizes the convenience of included accessories over sheer hauling capacity.

3. KAIRAY Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier Folding 60″x24

The KAIRAY is the most direct competitor to the MaxxHaul. It also boasts a 500-pound capacity and mounts to a 2-inch receiver. However, it brings two major upgrades to the table: a larger basket (60″x24″) and, most importantly, a folding shank. This folding feature is a massive convenience, allowing you to tilt the carrier up against the vehicle when not in use, making parking easier and improving access to the rear hatch. It also comes with a stabilizer and cargo net. The trade-off is a higher price point. This is the carrier for someone who loves the hitch-mount concept but is willing to pay more for enhanced convenience and a larger footprint.

Our Final Verdict on the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the MAXXHAUL 70107 53″ Hitch Cargo Carrier is a testament to the idea that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a highly functional and robust piece of equipment. It is a workhorse, plain and simple. Its 500-pound capacity is more than enough for the vast majority of hauling tasks, from family road trips to tough DIY projects. The heavy-duty steel construction inspires confidence when you’re loading it up and cruising down the highway.

Yes, there are compromises. The finish is prone to shipping damage, requiring a proactive touch-up to prevent rust, and the assembly requires a patient and methodical approach. But these are minor hurdles for what you get in return: a massive expansion of your vehicle’s utility at a fraction of the cost of more premium, feature-rich models. We recommend this carrier without hesitation to the budget-conscious buyer who needs strength and capacity and isn’t afraid of a little hands-on setup. If you need a simple, strong, and effective way to carry more stuff, this is one of the best values on the market. Ready to solve your cargo problem? You can check the latest price and grab one for your next adventure here.