The weather and my personal schedule have finally synced up and I will get to put the Curt hitch I ordered from etrailer this weekend! As an added bonus, last weekend I picked up a cargo carrier from Harbor Freight for $40. We will see how good it works. If it's ends up being a POS, I'm sure I could recoup my $40 in the garage sale this spring!

 

Post some how to pictures of that hitch and the cargo carrier, I looked at that $40 rack last week it looked alright!

 

I installed one on my 08 years ago. It's not a bad job. Here is a how to with pictures. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...art-1-a-32925/.

 

Hitch install went great Saturday! I was in and out in a half-hour, and that was taking my time. I expected trouble with the rubber muffler hangars, but all three popped off and back on with minimal trouble. The link in Lucky's post describe the procedure perfectly. I backed my HHR up on a set of ramps, which I would highly recommend. If you have a buddy hanging around to lend an extra hand hoisting the hitch into place, even better. I did not, so I slung the left side over the muffler which held it sort of into place.

I then assembled that cargo carrier I got a Harbor Freight, and I was impressed with it's quality for the price. I was suspicious because the whole thing bolts together, but it feels pretty solid. What I do not like is that it is a 2" hitch and I have a 1 1/4" receiver, which I knew going into this. (It was only $40, so I was willing to take a chance on it). I rolled up to Auto Zone for an adapter, which seems to make the whole assembly very loose. Still, it will serve my needs for the immediate future (Home Depot runs, picking up mulch/topsoil etc.) I'm going to continue my search for the "ultimate cargo carrier", one that is made for a 1 1/4" receiver and can be tilted upright. But for now I'm set up.

 

I have the same setup, ive tried duct tape around the base and it helps a bit but the adapter pushes it out a bit which does screw with the stability. I extended mine to fit the kids power wheels and it sagged down a bit so I haven't used it since. The hitch is on my cobalt actually not my HHR and I was going to swap it over but its quite rusty, id have to repaint it and id rather just buy another one.


Rack works perfect for a regular 2" opening on a wrangler though. its a great deal for cooler/firewood type stuff

 

Maybe it's the adapter that is at fault then, which had crossed my mind.

 

Try here, they have 1 1/4" racks. Check my photo gallery.

Hitch Cargo Carrier | etrailer.com

 

Yeah, I got the hitch from etrailer.com. I didn't see a 1 1/4" that folded up, though. I will probably get one of the 2" that folds up when the time comes.

 

I'm looking at the HF aluminium one with the fold up ramp for my snowblower next winter!
It has a 2 inch but HF has adapters for under $20.00.
To stop the slop in the receiver I drilled and tapped a 1/4 fine thread hole in the double thick part and tight in a bolt to hold it steady , I use a nut on the bolt the secure it from coming loose

 

OldBlue, did you drill and tap that hole in the bottom or the side of the receiver?