Hitch trailer beneath lowered tailgate

I’m looking for a hitch basket that I can use for hauling Wavian cans and other things. I probably will want to get at least 150 pounds in it.
To be clear, I’m looking for one of those baskets that hangs freely off of the hitch.

I do get in and out of the bed a lot, as does my dog. So I’m looking for something that:
A) doesn’t interfere with opening the tailgate (with a wavian can on it vertically)
And
B) terminates before the edge of the hitch so that I don’t have to lunch over it when getting into the bed.



does anything like this exist?



tldr i dont have a roof rack and need extra storage but need to be able to easily get in and out of the bed, so looking for a low profile hitch basket that fits under open tailgate

 

Well I did a little look on etrailer and found a few things that might be useful to you. I knew they carried hitch droppers/ risers so that is one option - https://www.etrailer.com/Accessorie...6cMBS6MRHWRFk-dF-d57VFdQXZBX0_khoC7IIQAvD_BwE

I also found this, and maybe you could assemble it so it drops instead of rises? https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Carg...IXAue4OKBwgFhEWrnJQ-wA-Ua9MlJW8BoCOtIQAvD_BwE

But in all honesty I have to say you will really lose any kind of clearance back there with this low hanging fruit. I personally wouldn't. Maybe a swing away option? Or just put them in the bed?

 

Unfortunately I need the bed for other things and will be needing to get in and out of there quite often

 

If you're limiting the weight in the basket, something like this could provide you with the clearance you need. Available from Curt, Reece etc. May not help you with the second part of your requirement, but would allow use of most any basket and still put the tailgate down.

Cheers.

 

However, will this extend past the end of the lowered tailgate with a basket on? I’m looking for a solution that will avoid that

 

Whatever you decide on, I would highly recommend drilling and tapping another hole at the bottom of the factory hitch receiver. Then you can tightened a bolt to prevent the carrier from movement while driving. Excessive movement to hitch mounted accessories such as carrier, bike rack, etc.. is my main issue when going this route. Adding the bolt eliminates it.

 

Roger that. Something tailgate size that fits (with cans) below the open tailgate.

Seems like everything on the market sits "on" the drawbar. May have to visit a local metal shop to see if they can make or adapt one to "hang".

Good luck.

 

Are you willing to go with the 2.6 gallon Wavian cans? Same base dimensions as the 5 gallon, just 6 inches short (12 vs 18 inch height). If you actually were hanging full size cans under the open tailgate you'd have next to no departure angle, probably leading to regularly dragging it when leaving driveways, parking lots, etc (unless your truck is already seriously lifted).



I don't have a specific rack to suggest, but this would definitely give you a better chance of finding something off the shelf. Still might not be SAFELY possible without going custom.

 

Well the tailgate has to be closed during driving because I have other things in there

 

Have you thought about a bed rack and cargo box above the bed? I honestly just don't see any sort of practical and safe solution that meets what you are requiring.

 

Unfortunately I can’t do that at this time

 

Wonder if there is a swing away option like they have for hitch mounted bike racks?

 

I don't think any practical application exists for this really unless you're only gonna be driving the truck on the flattest of lands, or have a very hefty lift on it.

For it to stay clear of the tailgate open but not extend any further than the tailgate, it's base would have to be pretty low. like 1.5-2 feet lower than the bottom of the tailgate when it's down, and no longer than whatever the length of the tailgate is. I think your best bet would be something custom fabbed to fit it as close to the tailgate as possible along both axis'. any drop/lift hitch that you invert or install will probably leave too much/not enough clearance, affecting your goals/drivability

 

Open your tailgate, and measure how much vertical room you have static (at rest, no load) from ground to tailgate. Now measure again, with your proposed load weight in the bed/truck (include proposed weight of fuel + wavians, and rack - don't forget your weight and weight of dog too). Now subtract the height of the wavians, and a couple theoretical inches for whatever platform you may need to carry those wavians, from the loaded weight height of tailgate to ground.

Now factor in suspension movement, and approach/departure angles due to added length from platform.

Is there enough room? Safely?

 

I was just picturing a custom rack in my head, that sits at bumper height for travel but could be lowered to below open-tailgate height would probably be the safest option. Dunno how you'd leverage that weight up/down 'on the fly' though, as unloading and reloading the wavians & other gear from the rack just to raise/lower the rack kinda defeats the purpose...and at ~40lbs per full 5gallon wavian, well, at least you'd get a workout every time you stopped to setup camp.