roof rack or hitch mounted carrier????

[loworange88]

Hey everyone.  Currently I drive a small hatchback car due to my long commute to work and home, so an SUV or pick up truck are not ideal. I have been mulling the idea of adding a roof rack and basket to my car.  I was doing some online browsing and came across a trailer hitch that is the kind that tucks up behind the rear bumper and only the actual receiver is exposed, which made me think of the Aluminum hitch mounted carriers.

 

So upon further internet snooping, I found that it would cost about the same to go either route, so cost is negligible at this point...both options are around the $200 mark end of the day.  I honestly have no preference which one, I have used both in the past, both have their respective pro's and con's.  The only thing the roof rack would be nice for in the future is hauling long items like a ladder or a few 2 x 4's....however the hitch would allow me to tow a small trailer(wagon) with the addition of a lighting harness for brake lights.

 

My main interest in this would mainly be for hauling deer.  Just wondering what would be the more practical approach.  The car is new, and I plan on keeping it for 5 or 6 years...longer if it treats me well.

 

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Lawdwaz]

Hitch

[BizCT]

Hitch works good

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[mlammerhirt]

The hitch

Hoisting a deer on the roof could be a pain if you are alone.

With the hitch mounted carrier I usually rap the deer in an inexpensive tarp to prevent road dirt and Crap from getting into the deer and then just bungee it all done. Works well, and little strain on the back.

[malesi1]

Hitch

 

[covert]

I just brought one home on the roof of my Subaru last week.  It wasn't bad getting him up there with three of us but I wouldn't have wanted to do it alone.

 

If I had to I would've thrown a rope up over a branch, pulled him up and backed the car up under him.

Edited November 17, 2014 by covert

[DeerDuck]

Harbor Freight had the 2" rear mount aluminum racks on sale for like $89.00.

They also have 1 that folds up, so that it's up against the tailgate/trunk when not in use.

[Lawdwaz]

If I had to I would've thrown a rope up over a branch, pulled him up and backed the car up under him.

Way easier said than done............certainly not impossible but alone that could be a heck of a capper to pull off.

Edited November 17, 2014 by Lawdwaz

[covert]

Way easier said than done............certainly not impossible but alone that could be a heck of a capper to pull off.

 

It is a pain.  The way I have done it (with an ATV) the hardest part was getting the rope up.  Tie to the deer, tie a loop near the other end.  Tie loose end to vehicle, drive ahead to pull deer up.  Tie rope from loop to tree so deer stays suspended, untie vehicle and back under deer.  Lower deer onto roof, tie down, go sip whiskey.

Edited November 17, 2014 by covert

[BKhunter]

Hitch....don't have to worry about anything dripping on your car either.

[NeverSeenNorHeard]

Sell your windup toy and buy a pickup... But if you don't have a choice - Hitch for sure.

 

I'm joking about the first part... Long commutes are a bummer...

Edited November 17, 2014 by NeverSeenNorHeard