Masterbuilt Hitch-Haul Cargo Carrier

[korisu56]

I bought the HP2 (http://www.masterbuilt.com/prod-hh-cargo.html) yesterday for our long trip next week and it's been down hill since I opened the box.

http://www.masterbuilt.com/images/prodpicts/hhcargo.jpg

I opened the box and removed the contents, I notice there is surface rust everywhere. The entire grate and some of the 2" box bar has surface rust all over it. The hardware looks like crap. I'm not expecting nickel plated Grade 8, but it should look clean. The welds from the grate to the frame have a few that are broken. I just hope the damn thing holds the weight.

I emailed the company, we'll see what they say.

[HillBillE]

Take lots of pics before assembling!

I'd return the dang thing, just strap the gear to the hood!:D

[korisu56]

I'm just going to paint the damn thing. I have a lot of other fish to fry before we go and the store is about 30 miles away. haha

[Big Green]

Sorry to see you are having a bad time with that. Those things are all pretty expensive too.

I am planning a trip this summer that will take me from NY to TX to NC and back to NY in about 3 weeks. I looked at all the options and didn't really find anything I liked. I deciced I'm just gonna build what I want. I also wanted the option to take it camping if I wanted and to do that it would need to be a little higher off the ground behind the Jeep. When I get it built after Camp MJ I'll post up some pics.

[Jeffb_79]

Check walmart and check the tractor supply stores near you. I've seen similar carriers for much cheaper than what you probably paid for that junk.
I'd take pics and get on the phone with them.

[korisu56]

Yeah, I'll take pics outside when it's sunny. Just sucks cause I don't have time for this. I have midterms this week, still have to pick up the jeep, and then we're out. Such is life, Ill just paint it myself and see what the company says. At the very least, at least they know their products aren't making it to the shelves in their desired state.

[irish1371]

most of them I have seen in stores look like yours. I'm buying a 150 buck flat bed single atv trailer and adding sides and a lock top to haul my camping gear/cargo.

sooner or (most likely) later I'm converting it to the jeeps bolt patern and getting 2 more matching wheels and tires.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_7262_7262

[daddyfitz]

My wife bought one from academy just like that a few years ago for Christmas and its not the strongest thing in the world but its not horrible. She only paid like $80 for it. It rattles in the receiver but for the price I didnt think it was bad.

[korisu56]

Yeah, mine was $80 or so.

[ColoFreeJeeper]

Chris, sorry to hear yours was a POS. I bought mine at Walmart for less than $50 and it was well built and has worked great. I load it down when I go camping and with weight on it, it doesn't rattle.

[Terrible2]

thats terrible to open something up and find it all crap.

[korisu56]

I have a feeling that it will perform to its desired effect, but as stated above, sucks dropping coin and getting a turd when I could've easily produced the turd myself.

[ColoFreeJeeper]

...I could've easily produced the turd myself.

Oh so quotable.

[Big Green]

most of them I have seen in stores look like yours. I'm buying a 150 buck flat bed single atv trailer and adding sides and a lock top to haul my camping gear/cargo.

sooner or (most likely) later I'm converting it to the jeeps bolt patern and getting 2 more matching wheels and tires.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_7262_7262

Do you actually have it yet? If so,

How much does that thing weigh?

With the trailer level, what is the height from the tongue to the ground?

That may be a better idea than what I was going to build.

[korisu56]

I really like this idea. Alot. I mean alot alot.

I've always wanted a 1/4 ton trailer, but I don't want to have to haul the weight. I like where your heads at.

[bluedragon436]

Nice rack, but sucks that you got a turd in a box... I wonder if it wasn't something someone had, used a few times and brought back, or something someone had and after not using it for a bit brought it back, and thus the rust... either way that does stink to purchase something new... and have to put time/money into making it right... I hope it does work well for your purpose though...

[Big Green]

Just called the NT down in Richmond and talked to a guy there about it. He said he has sold quite a few of them and hasn't heard of any problems with them. He also said it comes in three boxes and that I shouldn't have any problems hauling it back in my Jeep.

[JeepinSoldier]

I have a feeling that it will perform to its desired effect, but as stated above, sucks dropping coin and getting a turd when I could've easily produced the turd myself.

Why diddnt you ask MVC to make one? Im thinking Matt or Damian could make one of those in about 10 minutes and it would be indestructable. :D

[korisu56]

Haha. True, but they're busy getting the jeep finished in time for the trip. Didn't want to provide another distraction. haha

[Big Green]

sooner or (most likely) later I'm converting it to the jeeps bolt patern and getting 2 more matching wheels and tires.

Did you see the 1 ton upgrade you can get? It has a 5x4.5 lug pattern too. I wonder if you could put a lift block in there too?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200330529_200330529


The size of that trailer with those goodies could make a great platform for starting a camping/wheeling trailer.

EDIT: Was going to drive down to Richmond from Quantico and pick it up but decided after fuel that it wasn't much more to have it shipped. Should be at the house this coming week. Can't wait to see how it looks behind the Jeep. Gotta find a way to lift that thing too. I'll post up pics and a review when I get it assembled and setup.

[irish1371]

mines in the mail atm, so let me know what you find out please.

I will go over to Tractor supply and get the 38.00 1/2 ton axle they have with 4.5x5 and 2 spring perches for 12 bucks and do it myself once I get the welder back from the father in law

[Big Green]

mines in the mail atm, so let me know what you find out please.

I will go over to Tractor supply and get the 38.00 1/2 ton axle they have with 4.5x5 and 2 spring perches for 12 bucks and do it myself once I get the welder back from the father in law

How wide is that axle at the Tractor Supply? If I end up going the ugraded axle route part of the selling point for me is keeping it narrow.

[irish1371]

they had different widths I'll pop in and check what they have sometime this week

[highlandercj-7]

Or you could buy my trailer ;) http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/rvs/1654033320.html

I have the same Hitch Haul. I bought it at Walmart in 2000 and it's done great. The paint didn't have any rust, till I ran it on the salty roads this year. I replaced the cheesy 2x2 bar with a 2x2 1/4" wall bar when I first got it. I have even hauled D60's on it and it does great.

[irish1371]

nice trailer but I'll be into this one about 400 or less when it is finished. it is small and light. All i need is somehwere to store the camping gear when the whole family goes

[Big Green]

nice trailer but I'll be into this one about 400 or less when it is finished. it is small and light. All i need is somehwere to store the camping gear when the whole family goes

Same thing I am thinking. I do like the idea of maybe building up the sides a little so I can carry things a little more easily. When I get back home next week and take a look at it I'll see if it works for a really cool little project I have in mind for it. It will really set it apart if it works.

[Big Green]

mines in the mail atm

Did you get yours yet?

How hard is it gonna be to paint over the red? I wonder if or what kind of primer I will need for it? Any ideas?

[irish1371]

not yet, just scotch brite the red paint and shoot with what you like