Rig Build Log: Hitch & Cargo Basket
How a headlamp, a borrowed torque wrench, and a stubborn streak got me one step closer to my dreams
I’ve been planning this upgrade for a while. Solo trips, one to two weeks at a time, just me and my one-eyed rescue pit mix Lily, chasing whatever breathes life back into our souls. Dark sky sites. Wide open spaces and secluded forest roads.
The challenge is space when at rest. Lily travels in a crash-tested dog carrier that takes up a lot of cargo space. My solar panel is going on the roof, which rules out roof stowage for lighter weight essentials. What to do?
The solution: a tow hitch and cargo basket. Less for towing and hauling than for providing a “landing zone” for bulky items, like Lily’s dog carrier when we are parked at camp. When we are in motion, we fold the basket up, out of the way against the vehicle.
So I bought the parts, cleared the garage, and got to work.
What I Added
- CURT 13615 Class 3 Trailer Hitch for my 2020 Toyota RAV 4
- CURT 18153 Folding Cargo Basket – located mine on eBay
- Rhino USA Locking Hitch Pin – weatherproof, anti-theft
- CZC AUTO Anti-Rattle Hitch Tightener because I don’t want to hear rattling from the rear of the vehicle
The Hitch
CURT’s 13615 Class 3 trailer hitch is a no-drill install that bolts directly to existing frame points on the 2020 RAV4. Prior to installation, the most adventurous automotive installation I’d undertaken was replacing my side-view mirrors with sequential turn indicators (video) or replacing my front speakers. Gravity proves to be the biggest challenge in a hitch installation, everything else is straightforward as long as you have the correct tools. I borrowed my dad’s torque wrench, had the sockets I needed, and upgraded my wrench set at the start of this project.
The Cargo Basket
CURT’s 18153 cargo basket is lighter and more manageable than it looks, easy to maneuver solo. While my solo hitch installation involved a headlamp, bruises, and colorful metaphors, installing the cargo basket was a ten-minute job.
The folding shank tucks cleanly against the vehicle when not in use, which I appreciate more than I expected. It means I can leave the basket on and still park in the garage.
Why All of This
This is the first step of a bigger buildout of my RAV4 so it allows me to work, create, and chase awe across Texas and North America. A solar panel is purchased. Batteries are purchased. Starlink is secured.
The hitch and cargo basket were step one.
Lily has no idea what’s coming. She’s going to love it.
Next Up
Solar panel and battery installation
