X-Cargo Sport 20 Car Top Carrier

[borto1990]

does anyone here have this carrier? this is the same one as listed on gadgets site for building a trailer. My local sears does not have one "in stock" to look at. I am trying to find something that will swallow 2 sets of golf clubs as this is what it would be used for 90 percent of the time. any info out there would be great. thanks

[cactusjack]

None of the Sears in my area, and there's probably a dozen of them, ever had them in stock. I was in Pep Boys one day and saw this one. Waited for them to go on sale and bought one. It will hold a few sets of clubs, and a whole bunch of beer. It's also made of heavier material than the Sears models.

[metalman]

I built a trailer with the X-Cargo Sport 20 Car Top Carrier. It certainly is big enough for carrying anything I've needed. I used Harbor Freight parts (axle, one spring, coupler, wiring, wheels and tires, chain, and fenders), but made an aluminum frame and tongue and installed LED lights. My two criticisms of the carrier are that the material is very thin and flimsy and the top, which opens from the back doesn't lift very high.

[borto1990]

Rthanks for the tips metalman. I just put the harbor freight trailer together last night. For 140 bucks I don't know how you can beat it. I found the x-cargo used locally for cheap. Well it's actually the sport 20-sv. I assume it's the same just a earlier version. So not sure if the material is the same thickness or not. There are a few tips on gadgets site about this box, hing it so open on the side, nets, tongue length,things to take away rattle. For less than 200 bucks it should do me just fine.

[cactusjack]

That's a nice looking trailer, Metalman.

[coacha]

Sweet set up metal man.

[borto1990]

well I picked the box up today. it was a real windy ride, left home with the flat bed at 11 and returned home with the carrier on by 6. There was one gust that literally blew me back and pulled my left hand from the bar. However, even though this is the first time pulling a trailer even in this heavy wind and being empty I hardly knew it was back there. I was looking for something that I can load a few sets up golf clubs in and this fits the bill and then some, it really is a big box. I still have some work to do, need to paint the deck, jazz it up a bit ect. For the price, going this route really can't be beat in my opinion. I was going to buy a luggage rack for my tour pak to strap a tent to ect. but they are about 130 bucks. So far on this set up I have $177 bucks total. Harbor freight had the trailer onsale and I found a 20% online coupon, so out the door it was 152. I found the carrier for 25 bucks! I could leave it just like this and be fine but I"m sure I'll "dress" it up over time. I'll do some of the tricks on gadgets site, to open from the side and weather stripping in the lid to stop the rattlin. Thanks CJ for answering my million questions! here are a few pics the way it sits.

[b2]

What a great and inexpensive solution... Thanks for the pics. I've been wondering how the heck I was going to carry everything when I finally get my wife to come touring with me.. now I know !

Be interesting to hear how it rides.. particularly down-hill breaking and pulling up hill with a full load.

Do you know the combined weight of trailer and box ?

Brian

[borto1990]

according to the harbor freight web site, the trailer weights 131 lbs. add on a 1/2 inch piece of plywood and the box is pretty light. so I would say it's not much over 150lbs total. if you have a store local to you, search online for a harbor freight coupon, they are usually 20% of a instock item. like I said, mine was 152 out the door. I think there are several that have done this trailer on here, I can't comment on how it pulls under a full load, maybe some of the others can chime in here, but I dont think the nomad would have a problem. Or never heard of one at least. I am sure this trailer combo is lighter than most out there as well.

[borto1990]

PS, if your thinking about it. just start watching craigslist for a deal on the carrier. the trailer price is pretty much a constant. but these boxes are big and people want them out of the garage, so you can get em cheap if you keep your eyes peeled

[b2]

Good idea.. thanks !

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by borto1990

PS, if your thinking about it. just start watching craigslist for a deal on the carrier. the trailer price is pretty much a constant. but these boxes are big and people want them out of the garage, so you can get em cheap if you keep your eyes peeled

Haha, I remember when I was a kid (before the days of Nimitz class SUV's) everybody had one of those carriers in the rafters of their garage. You could buy them almost anywhere - Kmart, hardware stores, auto parts stores. They are harder to find now.