Intro To The Valley 90190 Deluxe Hitch Mounted Basket Cargo Carrier
I don’t know about you but I hate travelling in a packed car. Imagine the horror of travelling with wife, two kids and a dog together with all the tents, ice buckets, fishing rods, portable stove, and everything else. When the car hits a bump, everything rattles inside. I know extra trailers are a good addition to outdoor loving families but they just don’t make the cut in terms of budget. So when I heard about the Valley 90190 Deluxe Hitch Mounted Basket Cargo Carrier, I just had to give it a try.
What Is The Valley 90190 Deluxe Hitch Mounted Basket Cargo Carrier
The Valley 9019 Deluxe Hitch Mounted Basket Cargo Carrier is a standalone tray that you attach to the rear end of your vehicle. It is designed to carry extra baggage such as bags, tents, and other camping equipments if you are going outdoors (not that those are the only things that it could carry, though). It is made with heavy duty tubular steel. It also comes in a black, weather-resistant powder coat finish so you can tag it along with you no matter what the weather is like.
How it works
Basically, this cargo carrier is installed to a 2-inch receiver with at least Class III standards at the rear of most vehicles. Installation is very easy as you just need to bolt the two parts that come in the box together and you are ready to go.
How much can it carry
The base of the Valley Hitch Mounted Basket Cargo is made of heavy duty expanded steel mesh floor. Its sides are protected by 6-inch steel walls to keep all of your belongings from falling off. This product, by itself, can carry as much as 500 lbs in one go! Measuring 60 inches in length and 20 inches in width, it can easily fit most outdoor equipments and you could just as easily secure it altogether with ropes or covers.
Convenience
Because this extra cargo carrier is big enough to fit most of the things you might need that won’t make it to the trunk, it diminishes the discomfort of having to travel with half the inside of the car filled with equipments. You might think that because it is attached to the rear end of the vehicle, it might be an inconvenience when it is not in use but the thing is, you can actually just fold up the tray and it is reduced to just the 6-inch walls it comes with.
Packaging
When you order the Valley Hitch Mounted Basket Cargo from Amazon.com or other online shops, it comes in a boxed set with a total weight of 63 pounds. Because of this, you have to make sure of the shipping fees as the weight of the item might impact the price of shipping as well.
Shipping
If you are ordering this item online, make sure that the box comes secured. If not and there are a couple of pieces already poking out, check to see if there are rusts or chipped paint as it can impact the ability to carry the specified weight.
Compatibility
This cargo carrier is supposedly compatible to most makes and models. However, better make sure by measuring your rear end if this item would not hit your bumpers. Some owners who use vehicles such as the Subaru Forester and Chevrolet Tahoe mentioned that it took a bit of manual labor to make the carrier fit without hurting the vehicle itself.
Usage
The cargo carrier is perfect for hauling large items such as tents or camping materials. It is also recommended for gardening tools such as sacks of soil, plants in pots, and even blocks. Covers can be easily attached to the railings so you can even lug items such that cannot be exposed to the rain.
Performance
As with performance, I am very pleased with the Valley Hitch Mounted Basket Cargo as it did exactly as promised. After trying it out with a two tents, an ice bucket, portable stove, sleeping bags and a couple of fishing rods all covered by a large tarpaulin, the verdict is that it performs much more than I think it would. It kept everything snug and secure and the attachment does not look flimsy at all. It is sturdy enough for most of the things you would need to haul with you on an extended family vacation.
Pricing
Amazon.com has this item listed for $123.25, a 47% discount from its original selling price of $231. This already comes with Amazon’s free super saver shipping option so you need not pay for extra fees for this otherwise huge cargo.
Precautions For The Valley 90190 Deluxe Hitch Mounted Basket Cargo Carrier
After using the item in raining conditions, be sure to check whether or not there are chips or cracks in the paint used on the item. Water might penetrate these chips and cracks and it could be the start of rusting on the item. Once a crack has been found, correct right away and use rust proof paint. Another thing to take note of is that the cargo carrier might be block your license plate. If this is the case, make sure that you have extra reflectors at the rear of the carrier in addition to your tail lights. This makes sure that you are noticed by the car behind you. Also, always remember that when you have the cargo carrier attached, be sure to not underestimate the size of the tray when backing or parking as it is not very easy to see from your side mirrors.
So, if you are thinking of going camping with the entire family or merely just having your garden renovation, the Valley 90190 Deluxe Hitch Mounted Basket Cargo Carrier will not only fit well in your rear but will also provide distinct advantages of having your own cargo trailer behind you. It is easy to install, relatively cheaper, and takes up a lot less space. Just make sure to measure its capacity and you are ready to roll with your Valley 90190 Deluxe Hitch Mounted Basket Cargo Carrier!