Hitch Racks/Stow-Aways

[XJ_KJ_Matt]

Hey guys. What are your opinions on the rear mounted receiver storage platforms/racks?

I am looking to get one so that I can expand my loads for camping trips.

I live in Vermont and am loking to pick one up for around $100. Any ideas?

[Lawn Cher']

They are handy for stuff you don't want inside the vehicle. I made one, but it is excessively heavy.

[GermanXJ]

Make your own. Its not that hard and it will be good pratice.

[hadfield4wd]

I think they are a great option to being on top for wind resistence. I agree with the others and make you own.

[Fish'nCarz]

If you don't want to make your own, Harbor freight has a few, but DON"T get the kind that go together with bolts! Cabella's carries several and has some good sales. If you are near one of their stores look in the Bargain Cave, always seems to be one or two back there. Thule makes a nice one, but it's pricey!

I really like them for camping and long trips, even if I have the cargo box on top. Stuff I only need to get to when I'm at my destination goes in the Hitch Haul with a big bungee cargo net over it. Cooler and tent and screen house and stove and big box of misc. camping gear and folding chairs and water jug all fit on mine in one big block. After the cargo net I stretch a big ratchet strap or two over the whole mess to keep it from shifting when I leave the pavement. You could put a tarp over the load before the net if you're going to be getting dirty or really wet. I've seen some nice boxes made-up to fit on them, and I've seen those salmon-sized Igloo coolers fill one up too.

[GSequoia]

One consideration though is dirt... The back of an XJ gets awfly dirt and if you happen to leak anything it'll be all over the stuff you have back there. I'm not saying don't do it; just making sure you take that into consideration before you put the white linens there when you move ;)

[Lawn Cher']

just making sure you take that into consideration before you put the white linens there when you move ;)

I ruined my wedding dress and my Princess Leah costume that way.

[xjjeepthing]

I use the crap out of my hitch haul.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/bowhunter46563/My%20Jeep/e.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/bowhunter46563/My%20Jeep/b.jpg
It was a bit foggy when I took these.

[dj's 2000 xj]

I cant beleive you ran over a deer in the woods, it seems like they would be smarter than that :) I want to get one too, dont have a way to make my own.

[ILLXJ]

I ruined my wedding dress and my Princess Leah costume that way.

Damn, You looked so good in those. JIM.

[HaleYes]

I picked up my hitch haluler at Menards. IIRC, it was $60. It is pretty handy at times.