Auto cargo carriers -- I need help

[Mmathis]

I'm sure many of you guys travel and was wondering if you've had experience with various types of "cargo carriers" and add-ons. There is a chance that I'll be driving my vehicle on a 12 hour trip to an out-of-state Boy Scout camp. And if so, will be at my passenger max which means not much room for any gear or equipment [there will be other means of getting stuffed packed, as other parents will have vehicles to carry our stuff -- I hope. Hey, if I'm totin' their kids, they can tote my gear, right? ].

I don't have any experience with using a cargo carrier, so don't know what to expect (other than reduced MPG) and there are possible issues with each type.

I drive a Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

• it's a "high-profile" vehicle, so concerned about a roof-top carrier -- we will probably drive through some windy areas
• because it's a hybrid, there is a sacrifice as far as how much weight it can carry (and no, I haven't looked that up, yet, but will)
• the trailer hitch sits [it seems to me] very low to the ground -- only 11" clearance -- if I chose to go with the hitch basket
• it has a luggage rack on top, but it also has a moon roof [which is fore of the rack], so don't know if that would alter the dynamics of a roof-top carrier....since it seems this type of roof rack is smaller than standard [but I don't know]

Anyway, if ANY of you guys have experience and/or helpful tips for me, PLEASE chime in. What are your experiences with these?

I may not know for sure until a week before the trip if they'll even need my car, but I want to "Be Prepared!"
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Some examples of what I could consider......

Is an 11" clearance enough for a hitch basket (D above)? I don't want to bottom out on every bump or pothole!

IMPORTANT QUESTION: Someone told us that you can reverse the ball and flip the hitch so when it goes in the receiver, the ball is higher up. I can't find a reference to that anywhere and am not sure if it's safe to do so. Is it OK to do that?

 

[Big Lou]

I highly recommend you contact your Toyota dealer's service department manager regarding the roof top carrier. If not a good match with your Highlander could be a disaster waiting to happen. Have you considered renting a a small U-Haul enclosed cargo trailer? Personally, I am leery of hitch mounted cargo baskets.

You are smart for researching your options.

 

[DrCase]

I see a lot of hunters around here hauling stuff on the trailer hitch set up

 

[addy1]

I used a hitch mounted cargo carrier, worked fine.

 

[RobAmy]

No problem at all flipping the hitch ball.