Haul-Master 500 Lb. Trailer Hitch Cargo Carrier Review (Is Harbor Freight $40 Cargo Rack Any Good?)

I got a Harbor Freight (HaulMaster) cargo carrier on sale for $40. This 500 pound capacity cargo rack is WAY cheaper than a lot of similar products out there. You never quite know what you're going to get with Harbor Freight equipment, but for forty bucks I couldn't resist giving it a shot.
In this video I do a full unboxing, assembly, demo, and review of this cargo carrier.

[@LouisianaSpey]

When hurricane laura wreck Louisiana, i purchased one of these in Arkansas, i had it loaded down to the max and more. Holding 12 containers of fuel all completely full. This held up great on a 17-hour drive from Ark to lakecharles louisiana

[@samc.7323]

I have one of these and I’ve never had a problem. It works fantastic!

[@silverdropstang]

Have had this exact one attached DAILY to my Jeep for going on 7 years. Once a year ill hit it with a rattle can black paint to kill the rust. Use it all the time. Best $50 I ever spent.

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Wow, that's a solid testimonial for the product. 7 years of daily use and it's holding strong!

[@brentthebloodhound]

Very good video. I just put one on my camper. And I bought a hitch clamp to tighten it from moving so much.

[@scottc.real_2legit_4u55]

Where I live these cargo carriers are very popular around hunting season for obvious reason. Whatever your use may be they can be handy. Great video share. Peace To All!

[@scottkriegerjr.6205]

Use a simple hitch clamp and the rattle goes away. As well virtually every single thing that goes into a receiver does the same thing. Hitch clamps are essential for things like this or bike racks or tow balls etc.

[@bonacci01]

The hitch clamps really cinch any accessory that you insert in the reciever tight. I use one on my small utility trailer to keep the noise and rattle down.

[@ohnodevo]

I've owned one for a year. Hooked to back of my FJ with it loaded down with bins full of tools strapped along with campung gear. Thing is a tank. Several road trips from Fla to Va with the same setup. Buy a anti rattle device.

[@msav57]

I thought your review was excellent and well done thanks for taking the time to do it

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Thanks Michael

[@handymanhoney-do6881]

I have one I’ve used on vacations & a few jobs where everything doesn’t fit in the truck bed. Just be smart & don’t challenge the weight capacity--it’s a discount accessory. I’m happy with what I got for the money.

[@ivanaguilar8314]

Great and honest review man👌🏼

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Thanks Ivan

[@surffishermanandcrossbowki9457]

my last two pieces I could not get the holes to line up to add those last 2 top pieces. I tried taking it all apart and trying every angle.

[@08bspencer]

Buy yourself a hitch stabilizer that bolts to the receiver hitch it will tighten that slack action up to where there's no bounce. I bought one for my hitch about a year ago with my little trailer and it's great

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

A good idea! Actually another company sent me a different cargo rack to review, and theirs came with a hitch stabilizer. Definitely an improvement.

[@averagejoesmiling456]

Thanks, Great Lakes!

[@garrettb2783]

Thanks man! It helped me shopping

[@wfwtheradioguy3414]

Weld a small bead around all 4 sides of the receiver then grind with a flap disk until it fits snugly into the hitch. No more wiggles or rattles.

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

I bet that sounds like a simple proposition to somebody who knows anything about welding!

[@michaelrmanley]

Or purchase this: www.amazon.com/Tightener-LIBERRWAY-Anti-Rattle-Stabilizer-Installation/dp/B01KZ25Y26/ref=pd_aw_fbt_img_3/140-0374596-2355335?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01KZ25Y26&pd_rd_r=e9a5e8bf-238a-4bfd-8793-acc8191e380e&pd_rd_w=ToWhR&pd_rd_wg=C99UC&pf_rd_p=8ad921d8-8b3b-4c8e-be01-c425a146feba&pf_rd_r=8Q3KFNDFM96EMZX7RAFQ&psc=1&refRID=8Q3KFNDFM96EMZX7RAFQ

[@michaelrmanley]

Get a hitch receiver clamp to fix the looseness

[@iceylee2947]

They make a u bolt that goes on your recieve to take the play out of it

[@jason.3011]

I have that one too I paid 150 new its great cause I use it for camping

[@TheBastion87]

Anyone know how to find cargo bag that fits that carrier. I got that cargo carrier and I love it but I'm struggling to find Traver waterproof cargo bag that can fit in that carrier. Heeelp

[@HealthyDisrespectforAuthority]

I just bought one of these today..Possible idiot question coming... is there some trick to getting the nuts to screw all the way on the bolts? I get to a point where there seems to be a blue ring stopper inside the nuts.

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

It's just a type of lock nut. If you have one wrench on the nut and one wrench on the bolt, you should be able to twist past that "stopper" with no problem. Once tight, that ring makes it very hard for the nut to loosen by itself over time.

[@johnj8514]

Home Depot has the 45 gal Husky tote that fits it. Its the ONLY tote that fits. All the rest are 1 to 2 inches too large. Funny how thats also the only tote they dont promote. btw 2023 rack price is $68. Still a great deal !

[@eastsideeddie]

I wrapped roadie tape around mine and it stopped a good amount of the slop.

[@buffering7612]

I have one I’m debating picking up my Vespa with… I’m not paying $700 for one designed too hold a scooter.

[@blueandbanana]

Does it fit a Mazda CX-5? Thank you for making the mistake for I would do the same. Very clear. Thx!

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

It ought to work with any vehicle as long as it has the right trailer hitch receiver.

[@TheBangyourdead]

I believe this is a class 3 hitch and the rack is for a class 2 if I remember correctly. That would account for the noise.

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

The hitch and receiver are the same size, officially (2 inches/Class 3). It's just that the fit isn't 100% snug, which is the case for pretty much any hitch receiver I've ever used. It just wiggles ever so slightly. I've since started using an anti-rattle clamp, and that's solved the problem.

[@Godzillah]

Buy the aluminum one it’s the best and wide

[@DELTA-CYPRESS]

How deep is it 19inches or 17inches

[@rigoaparicio9929]

Question..does that fit in any vehicle (suv)

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Hi Rigo, this will fit any trailer hitch with a 2-inch receiver.

[@dondotta7393]

Will this work for towing 2 dirtbikes. 125cc

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

It mostly depends on how much they weigh. I'm also not sure if it's wide enough for both wheels to fully sit in it.

[@bqoutdoors2334]

Just get a 10 dollar anti rattle hitch clamp and it’s solid

[@shateeshrai2329]

What’s the dimensions on this

[@florenlebaron524]

Does anyone have ideas about what I can do to keep crooks from stealing my cargo carrier?

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

You can get a locking hitch pin. I just advise not getting a super cheap one. Anyhow, they'll thwart the average thief.

[@airman051]

they sell a hitch pin thats lockable.

[@abdnielsantosdelgado4323]

What size is that hitch pin ?

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

I don't know the measurement. It's a standard hitch pin; same diameter as every hitch pin I've ever seen.

[@gabriel-tg3fd]

Got this exact same carrier for 20 bucks at Ross.

[@ronchheng6123]

Thats a steal . Ross here i come

[@gabriel-tg3fd]

@@ronchheng6123 unfortunately, Ross predominantly has items that have been discounted from other stores, so it is unlikely that there will be any on sale at your local one.

[@sixtoruiz1223]

👍

[@thanatoskatakrima5864]

Will it work on a 1999 Ford Expedition?

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Will work on anything with a standard 2" trailer hitch receiver.

[@thanatoskatakrima5864]

@@GreatLakesPrepping Thanks!

[@fjzar]

February 2022 it now cost $69.99

[@yogyogcivic]

I used this one and burned my luggage because it's to low its Inline with the exhaust

[@npastran90]

Me too, cooler didn’t fit 😡

[@dentray]

Packaging minimal but adequate? WTF Has shipping packaging overtaken product quality shipped? lol

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Hi dentray. I don't quite understand your question.

[@jaycenleapline2094]

I just got one the same exact one from them and it cost me $115 we need Trump back

[@jackboot5321]

Get a $10 hitch clamp and your rattle will be eliminated. They work great. Got 'em on all my vehicles.

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Thanks Jack. I wasn't even aware of such a thing!

[@michaelrmanley]

Yeah, no reason to weld, shim, etc. These things work well.

[@streethonda95]

Great video man! I installed mine last night, check out my video if you have time. I also made the same mistake buy have the center bar flipped upsidedown haha.

[@campbellmarty36]

If you think it’s TOO cheaply built??. Then I DARE you to buy supplies TRY building on for this amount!!🤣 DARE YA!!!!. This will DEFINITELY get the job done for the price of ONE roll Of mig wire!!☝️🤣

[@rtkarg]

I'd be afraid to put such a load on a Dodge

[@danneo653]

Won't this block your plated

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

If there's cargo on it, yea it could. I'm not entirely familiar with laws about obstructed license plates with regards to these removable cargo carriers, but it's a good question.

[@ruess8635]

It's kind of like turning left when the center line isn't broken. It's only a problem if you're getting pulled over for something else.

[@VitiatedsHOWTO]

Didn’t weight tested what a waste

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

What would you have liked me to do? Keep adding weight until the cargo rack or my trailer hitch broke?