Embarking on road trips or simply needing to haul extra gear can quickly highlight the limitations of your vehicle’s interior space. I remember countless times staring at a pile of luggage, camping equipment, or moving boxes, wondering how it would all fit without crushing someone or obstructing the rearview mirror. The thought of having valuable items exposed to the elements on an open carrier was also a major concern. Finding a reliable way to expand cargo capacity while keeping everything protected from rain, road grime, or even just dusty conditions seemed essential. Leaving things unprotected wasn’t an option; nobody wants to arrive at their destination with damaged or soaked belongings, turning a fun trip into a frustrating mess. Having the right gear would have made these situations far less stressful.
When you’re looking to tackle the perennial problem of insufficient vehicle storage, a cargo carrier bag designed for a hitch mount carrier is often the answer. These bags are specifically for folks who already have a hitch carrier platform and need a way to keep their cargo secure and protected from the environment. They’re ideal for families heading on vacation, campers carrying bulky tents and sleeping bags, or anyone transporting items that don’t quite fit inside the car or need extra protection.
However, a cargo carrier bag isn’t for everyone. If you don’t have a hitch receiver and compatible cargo carrier, this solution won’t work for you. Similarly, if you’re hauling items that are extremely heavy, oddly shaped, or require rigid protection (like delicate electronics or fragile antiques), a soft-shell bag might not be the best choice; a hard-shell carrier or different transport method might be more suitable.
Before you purchase a cargo bag for your carrier, think about a few key things: First, compatibility – will it fit your existing carrier platform? Check the dimensions carefully. Second, capacity – how much extra space do you really need? These bags come in various sizes. Third, material and weather resistance – is it truly built to withstand the conditions you’ll encounter? Look for durable, water-resistant materials and solid construction. Fourth, ease of use and storage – is it easy to load, secure, and pack away when not in use? Considering these points will help you find the right solution for your specific hauling needs.
- Our MaxxHaul 50591 Bag is designed to fit our 50243 Hitch-N-Roll Cargo Carrier and other cargo carriers
- Constructed from PVC material with polyester reinforcement and UV coating for a sturdy and dependable product
- Features welded seams and a heavy duty zipper that is placed around the 3 sides of the bag
Introducing the MaxxHaul 50591 Cargo Bag
The MaxxHaul 50591 Cargo Bag is designed primarily as a companion piece to the MaxxHaul 50243 Hitch-N-Roll Cargo Carrier, but it’s also built to fit other cargo carrier platforms, offering a practical solution for protecting your gear in transit. The promise here is simple: turn your open carrier into a weather-resistant, contained storage unit. When you get the MaxxHaul cargo bag, you get the bag itself, complete with integrated straps for securing it.
This specific cargo bag is really for someone who already owns or plans to purchase a hitch-mount platform carrier, especially the MaxxHaul 50243, and needs to shield their cargo from the elements. It’s not for someone without a carrier, or someone requiring fully submersible protection (as it’s listed as water-resistant, not waterproof).
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
* Specifically designed to fit the MaxxHaul 50243 carrier, ensuring a good fit.
* Constructed from durable PVC material with polyester reinforcement and UV coating.
* Features welded seams and a heavy-duty, 3-sided zipper for weather resistance.
* Includes built-in straps and loops for secure attachment.
* Water-resistant and easily foldable for convenient storage.
* Offers a decent 9 cubic feet of storage capacity.
Cons:
* It is water *resistant*, not fully waterproof, so prolonged exposure to heavy rain might allow some moisture penetration.
* While designed for other carriers, the best fit is likely with the intended MaxxHaul 50243, potentially making fit less ideal on other platforms.
* Soft-shell bags don’t offer rigid protection against crushing or impacts.
* The zipper, while heavy-duty, is a potential point of failure or leakage over time compared to roll-top designs.
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Performance and Advantages Explained
Having used the MaxxHaul 50591 Cargo Bag over several trips, I’ve gotten a real feel for how it performs. This isn’t just a flimsy tarp stitched together; it’s a purpose-built piece of gear designed to solve the very real problem of hauling stuff on an open carrier while keeping it safe from the unpredictable outdoors. Let’s break down its key features and what that actually means when you’re out on the road.
Durable Construction: Material Matters
The first thing you notice is the material. It’s a PVC material, which is inherently tough and resists abrasions. But MaxxHaul didn’t stop there; they added polyester reinforcement, which gives it extra tensile strength, meaning it’s less likely to rip or tear if it catches on something or if your cargo shifts slightly inside. Then there’s the UV coating. If you’ve ever left plastic items out in the sun, you know how quickly they can degrade, becoming brittle and faded. The UV coating on this MaxxHaul cargo bag is crucial for longevity, especially since it’s designed to be used outdoors, often under direct sunlight for hours on end during long drives.
*How it performs:* The material feels thick and substantial. It holds its shape reasonably well when packed, and I haven’t had any concerns about it easily puncturing from typical luggage corners or softer items. The UV coating seems to be doing its job; even after repeated exposure to sun, the material hasn’t shown signs of cracking or severe fading.
*Why it’s important:* Durability means your investment lasts longer and, more importantly, provides reliable protection trip after trip. Knowing the material is reinforced means you don’t have to baby it constantly, and the UV coating ensures it won’t degrade quickly from sun exposure. The benefit is a dependable bag that stands up to the rigors of the road and protects your cargo effectively, trip after trip. This sturdy material is key to the bag’s overall utility and lifespan.
Weather Resistance: Keeping Contents Dry
This is arguably the most critical feature for any cargo bag designed for external carriers. The MaxxHaul 50591 Bag addresses this with two main components: welded seams and a heavy-duty zipper. Welded seams are a big step up from traditional stitching, which leaves tiny holes where water can seep through. Welding essentially fuses the material together, creating a stronger, watertight bond. The heavy-duty zipper is also key, and placing it around three sides makes access convenient.
*How it performs:* I’ve driven through light rain and consistently found my contents dry. The welded seams seem effective. The zipper feels robust and operates smoothly, although, like any zipper, it needs to be fully closed and the protective flap positioned correctly to do its job. While I haven’t subjected it to a torrential downpour for hours on end, for typical road conditions including rain and splashing, it has kept moisture out. It’s important to note it’s listed as water-*resistant*, not fully waterproof, so managing expectations for extreme weather is wise. Packing sensitive items in dry bags *inside* the MaxxHaul bag would be a belt-and-suspenders approach for absolute peace of mind in truly awful conditions.
*Why it’s important:* Protecting your cargo from rain, snow, road spray, and dirt is the primary reason to get a bag like this. Wet luggage is uncomfortable and can damage electronics, clothing, or whatever else you’re carrying. The welded seams and robust zipper provide a significant barrier against the elements. The benefit is arriving with your belongings in the same condition they were packed, regardless of the weather encountered on your journey. This weather resistance is a fundamental aspect of its value proposition.
Integrated Securing System: Straps and Loops
An external cargo bag bouncing around on a carrier is both a risk to your gear and other road users. The MaxxHaul 50591 includes built-in straps and loops specifically for securing the bag firmly to your cargo carrier. These aren’t flimsy additions; they are integrated into the bag’s structure.
*How it performs:* The straps are strategically placed, allowing you to cinch the bag down tight. I use them in conjunction with my own ratchet straps or bungee cords threaded through the loops and around the carrier bars for maximum security. The integrated nature of the straps means they’re always there when you need them, and they provide multiple tie-down points. Once secured properly, the bag doesn’t budge, even at highway speeds or over rougher roads.
*Why it’s important:* A secure load is a safe load. Preventing your bag from shifting or potentially coming loose is paramount. The integrated straps and loops make the process of securing the cargo bag much easier and more effective than trying to strap down an unequipped soft bag. The benefit is peace of mind while driving, knowing your cargo is firmly attached to the carrier and isn’t going anywhere unexpectedly. This is a crucial safety and security feature.
Generous Capacity: 9 Cubic Feet
Measuring approximately 36 inches long, 21.25 inches wide, and 20 inches high, the MaxxHaul 50591 offers a maximum volume capacity of 9 cubic feet. While this might sound modest compared to massive rooftop carriers, for a bag designed to fit a standard hitch carrier platform, 9 cubic feet is quite respectable. It’s enough room to significantly supplement your vehicle’s interior space.
*How it performs:* I’ve found this size perfect for holding several medium-sized duffel bags, camping gear like tents, sleeping bags, and chairs, or a stack of moving boxes. The rectangular shape makes it relatively easy to pack efficiently, maximizing the usable space. The dimensions are well-suited to typical hitch carrier platforms like the MaxxHaul 50243.
*Why it’s important:* The whole point of a cargo carrier bag is to add extra storage. 9 cubic feet provides enough space for a family’s extra luggage on a trip or bulky items that clutter the car’s interior. It allows you to free up passenger space and maintain better visibility. The benefit is increased carrying capacity, making trips more comfortable and allowing you to bring along all the gear you need.
Foldable Design: Easy Storage
Unlike rigid hard-shell carriers, the MaxxHaul 50591 Cargo Bag is easily foldable. When empty, it collapses down into a much smaller, manageable size.
*How it performs:* Once you’ve unpacked at your destination or upon returning home, the bag folds down quite neatly. It’s not quite pocket-sized, but it’s compact enough to store in a corner of the garage, under a seat, or in the trunk without taking up much valuable space.
*Why it’s important:* Storage is often an afterthought with bulky gear, but it’s important for convenience. A bag that folds down easily means it doesn’t become a cumbersome obstacle when not in use. The benefit is hassle-free storage, whether you’re on the road needing to stash it after unloading or back at home storing it between trips. This portability and compact storage are definite advantages over bulkier cargo solutions.
Compatibility (Specifically for 50243)
Although stated to fit other carriers, this cargo bag is explicitly designed for the MaxxHaul 50243 Hitch-N-Roll Cargo Carrier. This specific design consideration is a benefit for owners of that particular carrier.
*How it performs:* When used with the 50243 carrier, the dimensions and strap placement feel optimized. It sits well on the platform, and the integrated straps align nicely with typical tie-down points on that carrier model. This means less fuss trying to make it fit and a more secure load.
*Why it’s important:* While versatility is good, a product designed to integrate seamlessly with a specific piece of equipment often performs best in that intended setup. For owners of the MaxxHaul 50243, knowing this bag was designed with their carrier in mind provides confidence in fit and function. The benefit is an optimized solution for a specific carrier model, leading to easier packing and more secure transport when used together.
In summary, the features of the MaxxHaul 50591 Cargo Bag combine to provide a practical, durable, and weather-resistant solution for adding protected cargo space to a hitch carrier. The robust material, welded seams, integrated securing system, useful capacity, and easy storage all contribute to its value as a piece of outdoor gear.
Feedback from Users
Having explored the ins and outs of the MaxxHaul 50591 Cargo Bag myself, I also checked what other users had to say. I found that people who paired this bag with compatible cargo carriers generally seemed pleased. Many commented on how the bag effectively kept their belongings dry and protected from road grime during travel. Users appreciated the sturdy feel of the material and found the included straps helpful for securing the load. The bag’s ability to fold up for storage when not in use was also a frequently mentioned positive point, highlighting its convenience. Overall, the sentiment suggests that for its intended purpose – providing weather-resistant storage on a hitch carrier – the cargo bag is a valuable and effective addition.
Final Thoughts
If you’re tired of cramming your vehicle to the brim or leaving valuable gear exposed to the elements on an open carrier, the problem is clear: you need more protected cargo space. Failure to address this means uncomfortable trips with limited visibility and potentially damaged or lost belongings. The MaxxHaul 50591 Cargo Bag is an excellent fit for solving this. Its durable, weather-resistant construction means your gear stays safe and dry. The convenient 9 cubic feet of capacity adds significant usable space, and the integrated securing system keeps everything firmly in place. Plus, it’s easy to store when you don’t need it. To finally get the extra, protected space you need for your next adventure, click here to check out the MaxxHaul 50591 Cargo Bag.
Last update on 2025-08-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API