The need for more cargo space.

JamesNewJeep · Aug 9, 2011

Baby, dog, wife, myself and baby things, wife things, dog things, my things added up this weekend. Loaded tight and barely fit it all. I need some aux. storage. Any thoughts on these.

I think I like this better than a roof basket because it keep the weight lower to the ground. Anyone thoughts? Opinions?

Earthworm51 · Aug 9, 2011

I have one and have used it a couple times when I had my Two German Shepards with me. It works very well, holds alot of Stuff. You just can't do any steep Hills offroad with it on or will drag on the ground. I like it better than the Roof Rack, way easier to load. The Reciever Hitch Rack is a good Investment in my opinion. You can load the Rack and leave some space on one side so your Dog Lucy can jump right in from the back. Very simple.

AntDragon · Aug 10, 2011

Trailer's and roof racks did not fit the bill for a combination prescription of more cargo and passenger space. Unfortunately the Avenger was out and the remedy was trading my '08 Patriot for a Durango (there was some other reasoning behind it all too). But I'm liking the Durango. Just be careful with hitch racks, don't put too much weight on them because they'll do funny things with handling and over less than smooth roads. If you already have roof rails, getting a soft weatherproof rooftop luggage carrier is a good idea, inexpensiveness, more flexible than the overpriced hardened ones, and doesn't adversely effect driving. Another thing to consider is more effecient packing- I know that's a hard one, lol.

jlobaugh · Aug 10, 2011

I have a Curt tray, it's rated for 600 lbs, but the hitch itself is nowhere near that. I kinda wish I had one that swung out of the way though.

Once it's loaded, the only access to the rear cargo area is through the back seat. Which wouldn't be too bad, but I have a car seat 'latched' in on the passenger side, so I have to go through the smaller seat on the drivers side.

harold · Aug 10, 2011

i thought hitch loads (vertically down) was only around 200lbs?

pvirga88 · Aug 10, 2011

I was looking at those but decided to get the roof basket instead. it has more space and holds about the same amount of weight but I think the distribution of weight on the roof is much better than having a sagging rear end...

here is the one I purchased

Rage Powersport RB-50202M
http://www.ragepowersports.com/cargo-products/vehicle-roof-cargo-basket/

Here are Specs on the Roof Basket

Purchased From www.discountramps.com for $89.00 + $30.00 S/H = $119.00
Included Wind Faring: 6.5"W x 37.5"L
Overall Dimensions: 48.5"L x 38.5"W x 5.25"H
Inside Dimensions: 42.25"L x 36.75"W x 4.75"H

I also Picked up a 45"x36" Cargo Net from JC Whitney for $16.99 + $6.99 S/H = $23.98

Total Cost For Everything $142.98

Not sure if you have a budget in mind but this is pretty budget friendly application for additional storage.

I should be getting it Thursday and will be posting the install photos in my thread if your interested check um out.

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78000

Lordy123 · Aug 10, 2011

I prefer the hitch mount over the roof basket, only because I find my gas mileage to be much lower when I use the roof.

dixiedawg · Aug 11, 2011

There is a thread with a hitch hauler that you can still open the hatch with it on. And I think it also has a curve to where it attaches, thereby raising it a bit (I think it was like 6 inches), to avoid hitting when you go up hills.

TheDeadInMe · Aug 11, 2011

harold said:
i thought hitch loads (vertically down) was only around 200lbs?

My curt is rated at 500lbs. Where did you get your info from?

kb01 · Aug 11, 2011

TheDeadInMe said:
My curt is rated at 500lbs. Where did you get your info from?

It might be different on the Patriot, but the owner's manual of my 2008 Compass indicates the maximum Tongue Weight is 150 lbs, or 225 lbs with the tow package. It's indicated in the chart on page 285.

This may just be a limitation on the factory hitch, I honestly don't know, but I always stay under 150 lbs just to be safe. My generic Hitch Haul weighs about 60 lbs, so that still leaves 90 for cargo. I also have an aftermarket hitch, which (IRC) is rated to 500 lbs. I just like playing it safe and following the manual.

pvirga88 · Aug 11, 2011

Lordy123 said:
I prefer the hitch mount over the roof basket, only because I find my gas mileage to be much lower when I use the roof.

I hear yah on that one... for me though I don't really do a lot of commuting with the Riot. I mostly commute locally right now but If I plan to do more commuting most likely It will be taken off and only used when needed to save some $$ at the pump. I felt a difference when I put those ebay cross bars on I get about 1 mpg less than usual... I don't even want to know how much less I will be getting with the roof basket...:doh:

AntDragon · Aug 12, 2011

The hitch rack shouldn't be loaded with more than your receiver's/vehicle's maximum tongue weight rating. That's where numbers like 150 & 200lbs will come from- hitch receivers on the Patriots.

TheDeadInMe · Aug 15, 2011

AntDragon said:
The hitch rack shouldn't be loaded with more than your receiver's/vehicle's maximum tongue weight rating. That's where numbers like 150 & 200lbs will come from- hitch receivers on the Patriots.

It says on the hitch we have that the tongue weight it rated at 400lbs. What exactly does tongue weight mean?

TheDeadInMe · Aug 15, 2011

TheDeadInMe said:
It says on the hitch we have that the tongue weight it rated at 400lbs. What exactly does tongue weight mean?

update: sorry it says the tongue weight is 350lbs.

Afmcronnie · Aug 15, 2011

Tongue weight is that portion of the trailers weight that is supported by the tongue instead of the wheels. Like a lever. Tongue weight is detrimental to vehicle handling because its to the rear of the springs, and it lifts the front end. That pesky lever principle again. Regardless of what your hitch says, the Pat is only rated at 150-200 lbs of tongue weight. You can increase that some by adding Stu's coils.

The need for more cargo space.

JamesNewJeep

Earthworm51

AntDragon

jlobaugh

harold

pvirga88

Lordy123

dixiedawg

TheDeadInMe

kb01

pvirga88

AntDragon

TheDeadInMe

TheDeadInMe

Afmcronnie

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