An RV hitch cargo carrier gives some of that gear a place outside, freeing up room to move around and keeping muddy equipment away from your living space. But deciding what belongs on the carrier matters just as much as choosing the carrier itself.

This guide focuses on the most commonly chosen option, open hitch racks, rather than enclosed cargo carriers. We’ll cover useful RV cargo carrier storage ideas, what should stay inside, and how to pack for the miles ahead.

Why Use an RV Hitch Cargo Carrier?

An exterior platform can make everyday camping and road trip routines easier. Your chairs are ready when you reach camp, the outdoor rug has its own spot, and muddy boots don’t have to ride beside clean bedding.

Open racks also accommodate awkward shapes that can be difficult to squeeze through a storage compartment door. Without a lid, there is more flexibility for taller items and oddly shaped equipment. That does not mean unlimited safe loading height: stability, visibility, clearance, and the carrier’s instructions still set the boundaries.

The trade-off is exposure. Rain, road spray, dust, and easy access by passersby all affect what you should pack. Before moving everything outside, review what you shouldn’t store in an open carrier. (anchor)

Best Items to Store in an RV Hitch Cargo Carrier

If you’re wondering what to put in a hitch-mounted cargo carrier, start with durable equipment you use outdoors. The best choices fit securely, tolerate travel conditions, and free up meaningful space inside.

Coolers and Food Storage

Large coolers and ice chests are good options when refrigerator space is limited. They also keep drinks within easy reach during parked stops.

Secure the cooler and its lid, and include its full contents when calculating weight. Keep it away from exhaust outlets and make sure perishable food stays properly chilled. At camp, follow local wildlife and food-storage rules because a secured cooler is not necessarily wildlife-resistant.

Camping Furniture

Folding chairs, tables, and outdoor rugs can take up valuable space inside an RV. Pack them in the order you will need them for easier setup.

Close folding components, roll rugs tightly, and secure everything against shifting or unrolling.

Firewood and Fire Pit Supplies

An open carrier helps keep bark, dirt, and wood debris out of the RV. Contain firewood and kindling so small pieces cannot escape through the floor or sides, and secure the bundle to the platform.

Mobility Equipment

An open hitch cargo carrier can provide space for manual wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, and compatible mobility scooters that may be difficult to fit inside the RV. Confirm that the equipment’s dimensions and total loaded weight, including batteries and accessories, fit within the carrier, hitch, and RV limits.

Use appropriate ramps or loading assistance, and secure the equipment at approved frame points with rated tie-down straps. Remove or secure loose accessories and follow the mobility device manufacturer’s instructions for exterior transport and weather protection.

Outdoor Recreation Gear

Hiking, snow, fishing, and sports gear can travel well in secured bags or protective cases. Keep delicate or valuable equipment in more protected storage.

Bikes can also be carried on an open cargo rack using the appropriate mounting brackets and fasteners. Confirm that the mounting system fits your bike and carrier, supports the bike’s weight, and is approved for your particular RV type.

Tools and Maintenance Equipment

Leveling blocks, wheel chocks, jack pads, and basic tools are practical items to carry outside because you may need them as soon as you arrive. Store smaller equipment in a secured, weather-resistant toolbox or bin, keeping its total weight and security in mind.

Cargo Carriers are also a great option to transport sewer hoses and fittings but they should travel in their own closed container, separate from food, drinking-water hoses, and other clean supplies.

Dirty or Wet Gear

Muddy boots, wet tarps, rain gear, and recovery equipment are well suited to exterior storage. A dedicated container keeps dirt and moisture out of the RV.

TIP!: Contain wet items during travel, then unpack and dry them at camp to prevent mildew and odors. Clean, dry, and inspect recovery equipment according to its manufacturer’s instructions. Check out our cargo carrier packing guide for more tips.

What You Shouldn’t Store in an RV Hitch Cargo Carrier

Open racks expose belongings to weather, vibration, road debris, and theft. Some items are better kept in protected interior storage on an enclosed carrier:

Valuables

Keep laptops, cameras, important documents, jewelry, and similar valuables inside in an appropriately secured location. A cover may conceal them, but it does not provide the protection of a locked compartment.

Fragile Items

Delicate equipment and other breakable items should stay in padded interior storage. Even when the carrier is secure, road vibration, weather exposure, and shifting cargo can cause damage. If an item could crack, bend, or stop working after a rough ride, it is better kept inside the RV.

Temperature-Sensitive Items

Aerosol products and batteries with specific storage requirements are poor choices for an exposed rack. Direct sun, freezing temperatures, moisture, road debris, and exhaust heat can damage batteries or create unsafe conditions for pressurized containers.

Follow each product’s storage and transport instructions, protect battery terminals from contact, and keep these items within their recommended temperature range. An enclosed cargo carrier offers additional shelter, but it is not climate-controlled.

Items That Can Blow Away

Loose shopping bags, empty lightweight tubs, unsecured lids, and dangling rain gear should never ride exposed. Put small items in suitable containers, secure the lids, and strap the containers to the carrier. Do not assume, their own weight will not reliably hold them in place at highway speed.

How to Load an RV Hitch Cargo Carrier Safely

Before loading, confirm that the carrier is approved for your RV type and mounting location. Then use this checklist to build a safe, balanced load:

1. Confirm the carrier, hitch receiver, and RV weight limits. Include the carrier, accessories, containers, and cargo when calculating the total load.
2. Distribute weight evenly from side to side, placing heavier items low and closest to the RV.
3. Avoid stacking cargo too high.
4. Secure items with quality tie-down straps.
5. Use a cargo net for additional containment when appropriate.
6. Attach straps only to approved tie-down points.
7. Check the load before departure and periodically during longer trips.

For more guidance, see our cargo carrier packing guide

Protecting Your Cargo From Weather

Use these steps to help protect cargo from rain, road spray, dust, and heat:

1. Choose waterproof cargo bags or weather-resistant bins designed for exterior travel.
2. Check closures, seams, and lid fit before loading. Do not assume every plastic container will keep road spray out.
3. Secure fitted cargo covers so they cannot flap or come loose, and arrange them so water sheds instead of pooling.
4. Keep drainage paths clear and make sure bags, covers, and cargo remain safely away from exhaust heat.

If most of your gear needs protection on every trip, explore Let’s Go Aero enclosed cargo carriers. A covered, lockable storage space may suit your routine better than repeatedly wrapping an open load. Contents still need to be secured, and applicable temperature limits still apply.

How to Load an RV Hitch Cargo Carrier Safely

Before loading, confirm that the carrier is approved for your RV type and mounting location. Then use this checklist to build a safe, balanced load:

1. Confirm the carrier, hitch receiver, and RV weight limits. Include the carrier, accessories, containers, and cargo when calculating the total load.
2. Distribute weight evenly from side to side, placing heavier items low and closest to the RV.
3. Avoid stacking cargo too high.
4. Secure items with quality tie-down straps.
5. Use a cargo net for additional containment when appropriate.
6. Attach straps only to approved tie-down points.
7. Check the load before departure and periodically during longer trips.

For more guidance, see our cargo carrier packing guide

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A final walk-around helps catch problems that are easy to miss while packing:

Forgetting the carrier’s own weight: Include it along with all accessories and loaded containers.

Blocking lights or the license plate: Check visibility with the actual cargo loaded and provide appropriate lighting or plate relocation where needed.

Overlooking ground clearance: Rear overhang can scrape on steep driveways, dips, or uneven campsite entrances.

Stacking too high: Tall loads can be harder to restrain and may obstruct visibility or rear access.

Packing unsuitable items outside: A weather cover does not solve temperature sensitivity, fragility, or theft risk.

Leaving small pieces loose: Check lids, folding parts, rug ends, and anything tucked between larger items.

Not using a properly rated hitch: Always confirm your RV has a hitch that is properly rated for the carrier. Avoid using Class I or bolt-on bumpers.

Is an RV Hitch Cargo Carrier Right for Your Setup?

A hitch-mounted basket carriers for RV travel can be especially useful for families, long-distance travelers, full-time RVers, and campers bringing bulky outdoor equipment. Start with the gear you actually use, then measure it and weigh it before choosing a platform.

Product Spotlight: Extra-Large RV Storage

GearCage T6 Cargo Carrier For compatible motorhomes, the Let’s Go Aero GearCage T6 Folding Cargo Rack offers an open platform for bulky gear, a solid floor, and folding storage when unloaded. Its published cargo capacity is up to 300 pounds, and the rack weighs 90 pounds empty. The T6 is rated for motorized vehicles only, not trailers. Your vehicle and hitch limits may allow less cargo. SHOP NOW SHOP ON AMAZON

If you need a rear cargo carrier for a camper trailer, choose a model explicitly approved for that application and confirm compatibility with the trailer manufacturer.

Final Thoughts

Start by organizing what already lives inside your RV. Then give bulky, durable, or dirty outdoor gear a dedicated place on the carrier, while keeping valuables, fragile belongings, and temperature-sensitive items appropriately protected inside.

With thoughtful loading and reliable restraints, an RV hitch cargo carrier can make packing simpler and campsite setup easier. The reward is a little more breathing room inside and less digging around when it’s time to enjoy the outdoors.