Hitch Hauler for 145 qt RTIC

[Outback]

So I bought an 145 qt RTIC and it is just a bit too tall to fit under my Retrax bed cover so, I think I want to haul it on a hitch hauler. I have one of the 500# aluminum ones but with ice and animals, we may be over 200#s and that makes me nervous, especially riding over bumps and creating a big moment arm on the single 2" center square tubing. I'm looking for the best option. I'm sure I'm not the first person with this issue.

Here are the options as I see them.

1) put it in the truck and leave the Retrax open to accommodate. Stuff gets wet if it rains.

2) Put it on the open tailgate and tarp the opening closed. Valuable not secure

3) Put it on my existing hitch hauler. Makes me nervous. I could strap it to the bumper on each side for support.

4) Build or buy a beefy welded steel hitch hauler. I could use heavy duty tubing and even build in a locking system of some sort. I may even have some tubing laying around so cost would be minimal.

5) Weld (2) additional supports parallel to the 2" center post to provide support to the hitch hauler. Not sure this is possible.

Thanks.

[ultralite09]

What I've done is run a ratchet strap from under the front of the basket, over the cooler and ratchet it down to holes where the safety chains hook into. It kept the load from bouncing too much for a 1200 mile round trip. Probably had about 300lbs of ice and fish

[Jbguide]

Just give the ice chest to me!!! Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hog_down]

Packmule?

[FriscoAg]

I bought a cheap cargo carrier from WalMart, I think it was $70. Very sturdy steel frame and rated for 500 Lbs.

[Traildust]

Trade it for a 150qt coleman

[Outback]

The ratchet straps would work for now. I could ratchet from the sides of the hauler over the tailgate on onto the rings along the back corner of the bed for now. I think I'm going to modify (read over engineer) my receiver hitch and add some additional receiver tubes, one on each side which I can insert 2" square tubing into that will come out as far as the hauler. The hauler will then have 3 points of contact and perhaps torque less.

[Outback]

Lol

Trade it for a 150qt coleman

Ha! I've use a 5-day Coleman Xtreme for years and it works pretty good. I want to use the RTIC for longer term storage without having to run to town for ice. It's 16 miles each way and ice is almost $3/bag. Each run is like $25 and I kill stuff 6 or more times a year. Plus, when I get home, I often keep the meat on ice for a week before I have time to process it. In the summer, the 5-day Coleman needs new ice and draining almost every day. This RTIC better hold ice much longer!

[Uncle_Milty]

I use the same set up for travel with a cargo box on the hauler. East 250-300# range and yes it was nerve racking at first but we have made trips all the way to CO with the "ratchet back to bumper setup" with no problems. I have been looking at putting one of these on each end to really beef it up.

https://www.amazon.com/12-Galvanized-Eye-Turnbuckle/dp/B00L851CGC

[Traildust]

Ha! I've use a 5-day Coleman Xtreme for years and it works pretty good. I want to use the RTIC for longer term storage without having to run to town for ice. It's 16 miles each way and ice is almost $3/bag. Each run is like $25 and I kill stuff 6 or more times a year. Plus, when I get home, I often keep the meat on ice for a week before I have time to process it. In the summer, the 5-day Coleman needs new ice and draining almost every day. This RTIC better hold ice much longer!

Messing with you!. If your cargo rack is rated for 500#.....thats all you need!