Pros and Cons of Various Cargo Transport Methods

Scott

5 years ago

As I wrote about my hitch-mounted cargo carrier, why I bought it, and why I stopped using it, I felt compelled to create lists of the pros and cons of each cargo transport method that I have at my disposal. Each has its merits, drawbacks, and levels of planning required before use. Oddly enough, my “baby trailer” is the most convenient go-to option if my ball mount is already installed. Here is my list of pros and cons between my three cargo carrying options, hitch-mounted cargo carrier, rooftop cargo box, and a small utility trailer. I’ve included price examples using the least expensive options available online as well as what I paid for my own selections. Keep in mind that these prices are for the cheapest combinations available, but don’t include tiny trailers from discount stores due to their dismal 45-mph speed rating. I suspect most will prefer more sturdy options, which are more expensive. I’ve also created a lengthy YouTube video, which I eventually broke into smaller segments linked below:

HITCH-MOUNTED CARGO CARRIER (9 minute video on YouTube)
(starting as low as $207 including hitch; my combination was $375)

Pros

Least expensive option if you already have a hitch (regardless, hitches are inexpensive)
Wet items are free to dribble on the ground instead of in a container or on the rooftop
Keeps cargo in the car’s draft with almost no impact on fuel economy
Relatively quick/easy to mount and dismount
Easy to load, unload, clean, and store
Does not touch or scratch the paint
Completely silent

Cons

Cumbersome to lock to the hitch receiver (requires contortion to reach the hitch pin)
Cargo is not protected from weather unless packed in weatherproof container or bag
Cargo is more vulnerable to theft unless packed in a lockable container (weighs more)
Difficult to judge backing distances when reversing in tight parking situations (crunch)
“Invisible” to inattentive drivers when unloaded (yes, mine’s been hit a few times)
Tall loads may obscure the tail lights, which would necessitate additional lighting
Rear camera is useless; cannot see rear edges of the carrier when it is loaded
May obscure the license plate and draw unwanted attention from police
100% of extra weight is focused on the rear tires and suspension
Can tend to rock or jiggle in the receiver
May interfere with trunk/hatch opening
Easy to overload… just keep stacking

More Info – Despite the specs that say certain hitch carriers can hold 300+ lbs, the car itself is the limiting factor for weight capacity. Most passenger car hitches are Class 1 and rated for 2000 lbs of towing with a 200-lb tongue limit. But the car’s tongue limit is often less. Do your research! VW’s passenger car tongue capacity is 175 lbs. The cargo carrier weighs ~40 lbs and cantilevered weight on a carrier amplifies the force applied to the hitch. A prudent driver should consider limiting the hitch carrier’s load to 100 lbs, including whatever container is used to hold loose cargo.

ROOFTOP CARGO BOX (9.5 minute video on YouTube)
(starting as low as $504 including rack; my combination was $1180)

Pros

More cargo space than a hitch carrier bag, depending on the model selected
Cargo is secured against casual theft by hard case and locks
Distributes extra weight more evenly across all four tires
Weatherproof, for the most part (but not entirely)
Parking footprint of the car is unaffected
No limitations to maneuverability on the road
Rear camera is unobscured

Cons

Extra attention required to keep roof paint clean due to rack pads
Larger cargo boxes can be difficult to mount without assistance
Size/shape of cargo is limited to size/shape of the cargo box
Wind noise may be bothersome, especially at higher speeds
Requires the most time to mount/dismount completely
Overhead clearance may pose problems on tall vehicles
Fuel economy is reduced, especially at higher speeds
Overhead lifting of cargo may be difficult for some
Off-car storage may be a challenge

More Info – Roof weight capacity on most VW’s is 165 lbs, including the weight of the cargo box and roof rack. Most roof racks have a capacity to match that, but some have a lower capacity. Do your research! In short, the larger the box, the less weight it can hold. A 21 cubic-foot box may weigh sixty pounds or more, limiting the cargo itself to less than 100 lbs. The capacity is even lower if the cargo box isn’t riding alone on the rack.

SMALL UTILITY TRAILER (small, but not tiny) (14 minute video onYouTube)
(starting as low as $710 including hitch and lighting; my combination was $800)

Pros

Wet items are free to dribble on the ground instead of in a container or on the rooftop
More aero than a cargo box (if cargo is covered) since the trailer is in the car’s draft.
So many uses that owners will trailer items more often than expected
Can carry bulky items that might not fit in a cargo box or on a carrier
All but ~10-15% of cargo weight is off the car’s tires and suspension
Very good security, depending on precautions taken
Quickest to connect/disconnect (believe it or not)
Silent most of the time (except for over bumps)
Highest cargo capacity of all options
Does not touch or scratch the paint
Widest variety of load capabilities
Easy to load, unload, and clean

Cons

Requires maintenance on hubs, paint upkeep, and lighting inspections (inexpensive)
Requires practice/skill to reverse the trailer (rear camera is ineffective here)
Requires new tires every five years, regardless of mileage (less than $150)
Less expensive trailers are more likely to rust or come with cheap tires
Greater cargo capacity may compel drivers to bring too much stuff
Cargo is not protected from weather unless special effort is made
Speed restrictions in most states (do your research)
Requires annual registration in nearly all states
Parking away from home may be a challenge
Extra axle commands higher toll road fees
Adds ~300 lbs or more to the total load
Storage at home may be a challenge

More Info – Towing capacity is often not published for passenger cars. Limiting total trailer weight to 1000 lbs is generally safe, as is limiting travel speeds while towing. Brakes are not required on lightweight trailers (<1500 lbs) in the majority of states. Check the law in your state. Load heavy items over the axle (slightly forward of it) and balance the load to achieve a tongue weight of ~10-15% of trailer weight. Many small trailer tires are speed rated to only 65 mph. Some small trailers, particularly the bolt-together specimens found at discount stores, are “speed rated” to just 45 mph. See photos from their owner’s manuals in the album below. Do your research! Read this article for more information on my claim that a small utility trailer can be quieter and more fuel efficient than a rooftop cargo box.

Too Much Capacity,

Scott

VW says their cars aren’t for towing, then spends eight pages telling us how to tow with their products. HAHA!

VWoA’s owner’s manuals do not disclose weight capacities…

I use VW of UK’s figures as a guideline. I’ve towed nearly 1500 pounds. The car felt fine, but I prefer lighter loads…

This sign does not apply to me, even with the trailer in tow. I can cut a U-turn on any three-lane road or a two-lane road with shoulders. I can also do a three-point turnaround with the trailer…

These specs look good, but follow the CAR’S limitations, not the hitch’s…

Watch for tolls when towing. They’ll bite you…

This toll is especially painful with a trailer. But sometimes paying the toll beats sitting in traffic…

I didn’t discuss the tiny trailers sold at Harbor Freight and Northern Tool. But beware of the speed limitations imposed upon these products…

I load the heaviest items over the axle, perhaps slightly forward, and then balance the rest of the load to achieve a 10-15% tongue weight…

I don’t know if many states enforce speed limits on small trailers. It’s good to know the law…

My first trek with extra cargo…

This load was my heaviest ever. It totaled 1820 lbs. It’s above VW’s limit for unbraked trailers, but I drove it just four miles on quiet morning streets…

Eventually, it was my dirt loads that convinced me that it was better to keep the winch outside…

Having the winch inside took away some of my cargo capacity. It’s tough to see in this photo… see other photos for details…

Had the winch not been installed inside, I would have been able to install the tailgate instead of having the tool chest hang out the rear of the trailer…

A jumping-jack compactor…

Filling-in a hole where a large tree once stood…

Picking up 900 lbs of #56 stone…

These rivets used to leak. I solved that by wrapping the box…

The Showcase easily holds these three large suitcases, which would exceed the roof’s capacity if packed full. There’s still room for a duffle bag in front…

Taking the ferry home after a long day of bicycle support…

Here I am, sitting like a vulture, awaiting the passage of the last rider so organizers can “close” the route…

Getting the ice. It’s tough to see, but there are two coolers inside the car, too…

1/2 cubic yard of soil weighs ~1000 lbs…

The tail lights are barely visible to other passenger cars in the zipped position (trucks/SUVs have a better view). Expanded to 11.5 cubic feet, I have no doubt that the tail lights would be completely obscured.