Hitch Cargo Tray

[SSWesty]

This summer my wife and I took the plunge and picked up some inflatable paddle boards. I quickly learned that we didn’t have a very good way to transport two paddle boards. Two don’t really fit very well in the luggage rack over the cab and paddle boards can be a bit messing to haul inside after using them especially after salt water use.

So I figured a cargo tray for the hitch would be the way to go. All the cargo trays I looked were wider than the tail lights which could be okay if you don’t stack stuff in front the tail lights. I studied the harbor freight trays to see if I could cut them down to size but gave up on that and decided to just make a custom one.

I think mine is a bit over built but I guess it can get banged around and I don’t have to worry about it. It’s a 20” x 36” platform so it fits neatly between the tail lights. Here is what I used:
-1/8” wall thickness for 2” receiver tube
-1/8’ 2”x2” angle for bottom of tray frame
-1/8” 1”x1” angle for top rail uprights
-1/8” 1.25” flat bar for top rail
-flat/smooth expanded metal for bottom, I don’t remember the thickness but it’s less than 1/8”

Two deflated paddle boards stack nicely on the tray. I decided to leave the top rail off the front of the tray facing the bumper to allow for oversize stuff to hang forward of the tray. I can’t imagine the need to use heavier metal than 1/8” and a lighter gauge would probably be fine. Both our paddle boards together weigh about 45-50 pounds. I’ve also used it to haul some firewood and totes which work fine. I do need to wire up a license plate light and I think I’ll add some reflectors to play it safe. My 2wd westy has gowesty lift springs and 27x8.5 grabbers which has kept the tray plenty high off the ground. I don't see any issues with it dragging with on road use or forest service road use. Enjoy some pics.

[ThankYouJerry]

Do you have roof bars? Inflatable SUPs can be strapped to roof bars fully inflated, just like hard boards. I highly recommend Yakima's lockable "SUP Dawg" for boards and their "Multimount" for paddles: https://www.yakima.com/ca/multimount
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[bokonon42]

I have been considering a hitch cargo tray as well, and had the same issue - they tend to block the tail lights.

Thanks for the pics - I think I may want more space, and will go with a small trailer that I can tow probably. Or is it possible to go with a larger cargo tray and wire up some external brake lights??

As a side note, do you find that the spare tire blocks the tail light? Thats another concern I had so have just kept mine on the roof for now...

thanks
-terry
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Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319

[Schultzie]

We had the same concerns about blocking the rear lamps, so we wired up some trailer lights on our cargo carrier. We found this to be easy and inexpensive. As always, it is better to be safe than sorry.
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1990 GL Tin Top 2.1WBX / 4 speed

[PDXWesty]

This is the most stuff I've ever seen piled on one of these trays: From GWTWTLW

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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[kamzcab86]

[Zeitgeist 13]

If you're worried about blocking the lights, then you can try and raise up the platform to sit above that level. An added bonus is that it's also less likely to drag into and out of steep driveways. I converted a cheap used swingdown bike carrier for our new cargo carrier. It clears both the lights and hatch, and will work with my T3 and T4.

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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[SSWesty]