compact trailer hitch compatible rack for deer season duty only

[Squib]

my vehicle is a chevy trailblazer, I'd like an add-on rack to stick a buck onto, maybe a doe or two stacked on top and locked down with a tow-strap on each side.  I was just gonna put a blanket topped by a tarp in the back, but the wife doesn't want that to happen.  anyways, something compact that does NOT have a lot of projection (I have no spare on the back, no reason to weaken the mount by having it hanging out a foot or more) or width as my vehicle is semi-slim.  rated for 400+ lbs.  thanks.

[quickdtoo]

Check out etrailer, they have more to select from than you can shake a stick at! Complete with reviews and videos. I added a game hoist to mine for skinning.

Tim

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitch_Cargo_Carrier-sf-Flat_Carrier.aspx

[Empty Quiver]

I own a Hitch Haul brand, the Al. model specifically. It has worked fine for me. I think it is sorta cheesey in construction, bolted together and a bit limber. But, it has never failed, I have carried as much as 350#'s of softener salt on it for 10 miles, it is rated at 500#'s I think but wonder who would be hauling pig iron on it. The salt was hard enough to stabilize.


If you are pretty serious about this I would look for welded construction. Secondly I would want some sort of rail about 4" -  6" high around the thing. I added taillights to mine because occasionally I will load some wide stuff on it.


I had a second unit built for me at a small fab shop to carry a portable fish house on. I needed more clearance, both height from ground and from back gate of the Expedition. I believe I paid $75. If you go this route may I suggest you have the platform sized to fit a large cooler perfectly. This makes a good bin to load dry bulk "stuff" into, and of course cooler use. If you think ahead the height can make a table for tailgating. Also think ahead about swinging the tailgate, an inch here or there might make the whole unit MUCH handier.

[Lloyd Smale]

dont know what brand it is but i found a cheap folder on ebay. Ive hauled many deer on it.

[PowPow]

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo-Carrier/Curt/C18130.html


Mine has the offset to raise it up, but I flipped it over on to lower it because I have a rear tire on the swing gate of my Jeep Liberty.
I hoist the deer in with a rope tied to the roof rack.
Handles 95% of my hauling; freezer, dozen bails of pine straw, hot water heater, bicycles.

[Graybeard]

Back when I was driving a Sequoia for hunting I picked up one of these from Cabela's. I notice they are now down to $220. I paid $250 when I got mine. It's aluminum and welded and very nicely made.

Too bad you're not close enough as I no longer have a need for it and would gladly part with it but no way I'd ship it.

[Squib]

whatever I get I do need some sort of rail or projection at the ends to hook straps to, I plan on loading up the deer (stacking if necessary) and then putting one tow strap on the right, one on the left, and hooking those to my roof luggage rack to keep it from bouncing around.  think of them as tensioners, supports, paranoid-me comfort-devices?  thanks for the leads guys, I'll look into them.

[Graybeard]

The rack I showed you a photo of from Cabela's site has a rail about 4"-5" tall around the entire rack so you can lash things down. You shouldn't need anything more with such if you have a 2" reciver hitch on your vehicle. If not I dunno how you'd attach it anyway.

[Empty Quiver]

Don't know about your roof rack but mine would be dragging down the road if used in such a fashion. After those deer stiffen up they are pretty easy to tie down, and stay down. If truely worried I would improvise stake sides of some sort.

[Squib]

I'd put in on/in the hitch and pin it in place as usual.... then put a tow strap on the outward right and outward left corners, and attach it to the rear right and rear left corners of my luggage rack on top to take the "bounce" out of it.  I don't plan on putting the deer in a hammock if that's what you thought I meant to rig up. 

Speaking of hammocks, that would make a great drag line for two guys wouldn't it!     I need to sell that on tv.

[Lloyd Smale]

thats a beauty Bill. Mines not near that classy!

Back when I was driving a Sequoia for hunting I picked up one of these from Cabela's. I notice they are now down to $220. I paid $250 when I got mine. It's aluminum and welded and very nicely made.

Too bad you're not close enough as I no longer have a need for it and would gladly part with it but no way I'd ship it.