Got a new SUV, but it’s always packed to the brim, you know? Especially when the whole family’s going on a road trip. There’s just never enough room for all our stuff. So, I started looking into ways to create more space. I figured, why not use the back of the car? That’s when I found out about these hitch carrier things.
First off, I had to check if my SUV even had a spot to attach one of these carriers. Turns out, it did. It’s called a receiver hitch, like the one for trailers. Found that out the hard way after looking all over the car. Then came the fun part, picking out a carrier. I went online, checked out a bunch of stores, and read reviews till my eyes were sore. I needed something sturdy, something that wouldn’t fall apart after a couple of uses. And of course, it had to be big enough for our luggage but not so big that it’d block the license plate or the taillights.
After comparing a ton of them, I decided on a simple basket-style carrier. It seemed like the easiest to deal with, no complicated setup. When it arrived, I got right to it. I grabbed the carrier, which, by the way, was heavier than I expected, and headed out to the car. I tried to slide it into the receiver hitch. It took some wiggling and a bit of elbow grease, but I finally got it in there. Then I secured it with a hitch pin. It felt solid, which was a relief.
Trial Run
- Loading It Up: I started with the heavier stuff, like our big suitcase. I placed it in the center to balance the weight. Then, I added the cooler and some smaller bags, filling up the space. I used some bungee cords to keep everything in place.
- The Drive: I took the SUV for a spin around the block. I wanted to see how it felt with the extra weight at the back. It felt a bit different, especially when turning, but nothing too crazy. I made sure to take it slow over bumps and potholes.
- Checking Everything: After the drive, I checked if anything had shifted. Everything was still in place, thanks to the bungee cords. I also checked the carrier itself, making sure it was still securely attached to the hitch.
It was a success! Now, we have that extra space we desperately needed. It’s going to make our road trips so much more comfortable. No more squeezing luggage between the kids’ seats. And the best part? I did it all myself. It felt pretty good to solve this problem and learn something new. If you’re running out of space in your SUV, I highly recommend looking into these hitch carriers. They’re a real game-changer.
