[Jeepin4Shore]

Looking for reviews and websites that have cargo carriers for hitch. Looking for the kind that is "raised" for better ground clearance. I don't want one of the cheap ones either. I'm on the beach a lot and need it for transporting beach chairs, cooler, bags, etc.

I found one website: Etrailer.com

Would appreciate any reviews and pics.

[wilson1010]

Now why would anyone need better ground clearance on a beach?

[Jeepin4Shore]

Because you have to go over a hill to get to the beach and there are deep tracks. I've seen plenty of the carriers drag.

[wilson1010]

OK, then. Unless you are thinking about "no axle" trailers (I hope you aren't), ground clearance for the entire rig (trailer and tow rig) is driven by trailer tire size and hitch height. Elevated bed means nothing. You probably already have a plan for tires. I would suggest that you set up your standard trailer with about a 4" drop to your receiver. Then, when you get to the beach, park in the parking lot, remove the tongue from the ball. Remove the ball mount. Replace with one that has a 4" rise. You have gained 10" of hitch height.

[jagular7]

If you have the skills, move the leaf under axle to a leaf over axle will provide lift. Adding drop brackets to the leaf spring mounts will add lisf. Adding a tube spacer to the frame and welding on the leaf mounts will add lift (as well as make the axle location adjustable. You would use c-clamps to secure it to the frame, though frame will require to be boxed. Boat trailers use this concept).

Lots of ways to get lift out of a trailer. You really can't 'flip' a trailer axle as they are designed with a bow to them to carry the weight.

Now if you lift the frame off the axle, will you need larger tires? If you have small spindle/hub/bearings, you will probably need to go bigger as well. So you may have to swap in a new axle. 4on4 12" wheels (4.8 and 5.7) are rated 1000#s for the pair. There are not many 4on4 wheels to get taller tires. Something else to think about.

This is the backend of a trailer frame. I added drop brackets for the leafs and swap in a hub with 5on4.5 bolt pattern for the 13" rims.


You can see the front hangers still on the trailer frame.

And if you want something small enough, look at adding a large rooftop cargo carrier. This is one I thought of putting together with a Harbor Freight frame.

But I went this route instead.

It is the same HF frame (40x48", 12" rims), 17cuft yard dump trailer, and a few extra pieces of steel. I wanted a luggage trailer for my TJ.

There is one of these near me for $300 on CL. It is a BackPacker, 8" wheels, poly-plastic shell and pretty good size lengthwise.

[wilson1010]

Originally Posted by jagular7

If you have the skills, move the leaf under axle to a leaf over axle will provide lift. Adding drop brackets to the leaf spring mounts will add lisf. Adding a tube spacer to the frame and welding on the leaf mounts will add lift (as well as make the axle location adjustable. You would use c-clamps to secure it to the frame, though frame will require to be boxed. Boat trailers use this concept).

Lots of ways to get lift out of a trailer. You really can't 'flip' a trailer axle as they are designed with a bow to them to carry the weight.

Now if you lift the frame off the axle, will you need larger tires? If you have small spindle/hub/bearings, you will probably need to go bigger as well. So you may have to swap in a new axle. 4on4 12" wheels (4.8 and 5.7) are rated 1000#s for the pair. There are not many 4on4 wheels to get taller tires. Something else to think about.

OK, I give up. What is the point of lifting the bed of a trailer? Obvoisuly, there must be a point or you would not have gone to all that trouble. The OP says ground clearance to access the beach. Could someone please tell me how ground clearance is increased by lifting the bed of a trailer with an axle?

[waterboarder]

Originally Posted by wilson1010

OK, I give up. What is the point of lifting the bed of a trailer? Obvoisuly, there must be a point or you would not have gone to all that trouble. The OP says ground clearance to access the beach. Could someone please tell me how ground clearance is increased by lifting the bed of a trailer with an axle?

FWIW, the OP didn't say a word about trailers. This is what he said:

Looking for reviews and websites that have cargo carriers for hitch. Looking for the kind that is "raised" for better ground clearance. I don't want one of the cheap ones either. I'm on the beach a lot and need it for transporting beach chairs, cooler, bags, etc.

He is looking for a hitch-mounted cargo rack, not a trailer.

FWIW - this hitch is reversible, you can mount it "high" or "low". In this pict, I've mounted it low, so that the back door will open when the cargo is removed. If you mount it "high", it's about another 6" off the ground.

[wilson1010]

Originally Posted by waterboarder

FWIW, the OP didn't say a word about trailers. This is what he said:



He is looking for a hitch-mounted cargo rack, not a trailer.

FWIW - this hitch is reversible, you can mount it "high" or "low". In this pict, I've mounted it low, so that the back door will open when the cargo is removed. If you mount it "high", it's about another 6" off the ground.

I have to admit, I misread that post. Then what was all the stuff about spacers and leaf springs about?

[waterboarder]

Originally Posted by wilson1010

I have to admit, I misread that post. Then what was all the stuff about spacers and leaf springs about?

Yours was the first post talking about trailers. Other people were responding to your post (:

[wilson1010]

Originally Posted by waterboarder

Yours was the first post talking about trailers. Other people were responding to your post (:

Hehehe. I figured it out. Here was the original subject line BEFORE it got edited later:

Review of "Raised" Railed Cargo Trailers for hitch mount. Where to buy?