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FJ Cruiser stuff

Photos and Information, all pictures are "clickable" for larger image.

I used my small cargo carrier for several trips to the Camp to carry my small generator and fuel tank plus a lawn mower and had just enough room. The main problem was door clearance trying to get into the back of the FJ. I could squeeze an arm through but not much else. I bought an extension for the hitch but now it dragged on the pavement trying to get in or out of the drive way even with the 3" inch lift on the FJ suspension.

So I splurged for a new carrier, slightly larger with an extended and raised shank for an extra 2 or 3 inches clearance even with the additional extension bolted on. And, its 24" X 60" inches and has a 5" inch rail around the perimeter for plenty of places to fit bungee cords or tie down straps. The old carrier is 20" X 60" inches but only had a few holes around its short raised lip.

Both have a mesh floor but the old unit is much lighter being made primarily from aluminum. Both are rated at 500 pound but I never had near that amount on the old one, two dead deer totaling about 300 pounds was the most weight I ever carried. I put some old plywood on the old carrier but I put some rubber mat in the new one to help distribute loads on the mesh flooring.

Plus it has lights (separate kit) for brake, tail and turn signal hooked into the FJ trailer socket! I got the carrier from etrailer.com because they had the best price on the carrier and shipping was reasonable for 65 pounds! Actually since I got the light kit and Anti-Rattle Device and Lock shipping was included.

The new carrier weighs almost twice the old one so I bolted two caster wheels on the bottom to help wheel it around. Plus, if I do drag it on the pavement the wheels will hit first.

Door clearance is great now, I can open it several feet and the spare tire still clears the edge of the carrier. This is really what I was looking for, being able to access the rear of the FJ cargo area.

I also got a new Anti-Rattle and Lock hitch pin that has a threaded insert which fits inside the hollow shank and held by a spring. The hitch pin is also threaded and inserted into the hitch/shank assembly then tightened down with a wrench so there is absolutely no play in the hitch. It has a little up and down movement but that's no problem.

Here's the hitch pin installed.

Can't wait to try it out on my next trip.

Well, I was in a hurry and forgot I had the carrier stowed under the big green truck (2003 Chevy) and went to back up until I heard this awful noise. I ended up dragging the hitch haul sideways a few feet and screwed up the caster wheels I had mounted on it. I built a new caster assembly that slides into the back end of the main square tube support channel. It removes to give several inches more clearance and I can tie it down or or toss it in the back of the truck.

This will see limited use since I installed the Lucrum Swing Out which will carry my small generator and 3 gallon fuel tank. Of course when I go hunting I'll slide in the Hitch Haul for toting big game.

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