# What is the metal carrier thingie called that fits onto the back of a van?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 29, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-metal-carrier-thingie-called-that-fits-onto-the-back-of-a-van/623458 "2012-05-29T17:43:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anise/32/21721_2.png) [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-metal-carrier-thingie-called-that-fits-onto-the-back-of-a-van/623458/1 "2012-05-29T17:43:58Z")
Hi all, So I hope there’s a way to explain this so that it makes sense… I’ve sometimes seen a metal platform carrier thingie that fits onto the back of a van and projects out about 2-3 feet. I’m thinking about the ones large enough so that a lawnmower can be put into it. It’s then used like a tiny little miniature trailer (except that it’s fastened onto the back of the van. The width matches the width of the van.) My brother wants to get one. I said, “I don’t even have any idea what you’d call that!! How are we going to find it??” Luckily, I thought of all the geniuses on this message board! 🙂 Does anyone have any idea what this thing actually is? ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-metal-carrier-thingie-called-that-fits-onto-the-back-of-a-van/623458/2 "2012-05-29T17:46:31Z")
Google ‘hitch rack’. I think that’s what you are looking for. They usually attach to a square hitch receiver. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-metal-carrier-thingie-called-that-fits-onto-the-back-of-a-van/623458/3 "2012-05-29T18:01:03Z")
They’re variously called hitch platforms, cargo platforms, cargo carriers, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Anise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anise/32/21721_2.png) [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-metal-carrier-thingie-called-that-fits-onto-the-back-of-a-van/623458/4 "2012-05-29T22:34:49Z")
That’s it!! Y’all are geniuses, I tell you. 🙂 Thanks so much. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-metal-carrier-thingie-called-that-fits-onto-the-back-of-a-van/623458/5 "2012-05-29T22:41:24Z")
Can they be put on cars? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-metal-carrier-thingie-called-that-fits-onto-the-back-of-a-van/623458/6 "2012-05-29T22:51:03Z")
If they have a trailer hitch, and it’s rated for the tongue weight of whatever you put on it, sure. Or, even more weight than that if you don’t like your trailer hitch much. ---
**Author:** ![andyleonard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e19b73/32.png) [@andyleonard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andyleonard)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-metal-carrier-thingie-called-that-fits-onto-the-back-of-a-van/623458/7 "2012-05-29T23:18:44Z")
If you have a Class 3 hitch (heavy duty 2" square) properly mounted to your rig (not car), there’s even a kit you can buy to weld 2 more squares onto the hitch and mount a tray that will carry a full-sized motorcycle.