B-Dawg BD48205TO Towing Herbee Cargo Carrier

Comments:
After assembling the B-Dawg BD4820STO I discovered it would not fit in my Hyundai Crossover's SUV hitch. The basket of the carrier hits the rear bumper before the Pin holes line up. My bumper over hangs the receiver on my vehicle by only 2" but its enough to prevent the pin from lining up. IMHO the mounting holes for the basket should be moved further away from the vehicle. I had to purchased a 12" extension to solve the problem. According to the Trailer supply company I got the 12" extension from, you loose 25% of your rated tong weight for every connection. So this tray is rated at 500 lbs, therefor with the 12" extension it drops to 375 lbs. Then add the hitch to the back it drops to 250 lbs. Then when I attached my small trailer it added about 50 lbs more tong weight so I will be actually limited to about 200 lbs of cargo in the tray. I expect this is the same with any tray but having to use the 12" extension kills 125 lbs up front. I took a 4 hour trip with a cooler in the carrier only to discover even with the 12" extension the exhaust melted a 6" hole the cooler. I would not recommend this carrier for vehicles with rear exhaust pipes. I now see many of the other carriers bend their mounts to raise the cargo tray above the exhaust level. There is also a piece of metal welded deep inside the opposite end where you put your hitch. I am not sure why its there but it prevents the use of a Anti-Rattle Pin. The Nut assembly for the anti rattle pin will not fit in the receiver because the metal blocks the bracket from going in all the way. I had to use a normal locking pin instead. To solve the melting cooler issue I guess I will have to add some metal shielding or I will have to replace the 12" extension with one that raises the carrier up. I expect these same issues exist on the B-Dawg 60" model. The unit is sturdy but its not for use on most SUV's, Crossovers or Cars unless your exhaust is out the side, and your bumper is even with your receiver.