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Quick Picks
| Pick | Product | Why | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for lockable, hard-sided storage | Buyers Products 1707020 Poly Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier | Dent-resistant high density polyethylene chest with a double-walled lid and two pad-lockable hasps, on a powder-coated steel frame [S3] | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best for maximum volume on an existing rack | Sailnovo 20 Cu Ft Hitch Cargo Carrier Soft Shell Bag, Waterproof PVC | 20 cubic feet of space in a 1000D 3-layer PVC shell with 8 adjustable straps [S4] | Check Price on Amazon |
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Last Updated: September 2026
This is not really a fight between two similar products. It is a fight between two philosophies of hauling gear behind your vehicle: a rigid, lockable box that arrives as a complete hitch-mounted unit, versus a soft PVC bag that straps onto a cargo rack you already own. Getting that distinction right is most of the buying decision.
Quick Answer
Buy the Buyers Products 1707020 Poly Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier if you need a self-contained, lockable, hard-sided chest. It slides into a 2 in receiver hitch, includes a powder-coated steel frame and a 5/8 in hitch pin, and its double-walled lid carries two pad-lockable hasps (padlocks sold separately) [S3]. That is the pick for job-site tools, dirty gear, and anything you plan to leave unattended.
Buy the Sailnovo 20 Cu Ft Hitch Cargo Carrier Soft Shell Bag, Waterproof PVC if you already own a hitch cargo rack and want more volume for luggage. It offers 20 cubic feet at 60" x 24" x 24", is built from 1000D 3-layer high-density PVC, and secures with 8 adjustable straps plus a combination lock on the zippers [S4]. That is the road-trip and moving-day pick.
One critical caveat before you go further: the Sailnovo listing describes a bag suited to racks measuring 60" (length) x 24" (width) [S4]. It is a bag, not a carrier platform. The Buyers Products unit is the carrier.
Full Comparison Table
| Feature | Buyers Products 1707020 Poly Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier | Sailnovo 20 Cu Ft Hitch Cargo Carrier Soft Shell Bag, Waterproof PVC |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Hitch-mounted poly chest on steel frame [S3] | Soft shell bag for a cargo rack [S4] |
| Stated capacity | 17 cubic feet of functional space [S3] | 20 cubic feet [S4] |
| Dimensions | 23x51x26 [S3] | 60" x 24" x 24" [S4] |
| Load rating | Holds up to 200 lbs [S3] | Not stated in the supplied listing information; the brand advises not exceeding your hitch rack's weight capacity [S4] |
| Material | High density polyethylene, dent-resistant, double-walled lid [S3] | 1000D 3-layer high-density PVC with reinforced seams [S4] |
| Frame | Corrosion-resistant black powder-coated steel, pre-drilled [S3] | None; requires a separate rack sized about 60" x 24" [S4] |
| Hitch fitment | Slides into a 2 in receiver, 5/8 in hitch pin included [S3] | Fits most hitch cargo carriers for cars, SUVs and trucks [S4] |
| Security | Two pad-lockable hasps, padlocks sold separately [S3] | Combination lock securing the zippers [S4] |
| Weather protection | Waterproof, per the listing [S3] | Waterproof, with extended zipper flap and Velcro [S4] |
| Night visibility | Not stated in the supplied listing information | Bold reflective strips [S4] |
| Handling aids | Not stated in the supplied listing information | Two sturdy side handles [S4] |
| Country of manufacture | Made in USA [S3] | Not stated in the supplied listing information |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Design & Build Quality
Here's the thing: these two products solve weather and abrasion in completely different ways, and both listings use the word waterproof.
Buyers Products describes the 1707020 as dent-resistant high density polyethylene with a double-walled lid, mounted on a corrosion-resistant black powder-coated steel frame that ships pre-drilled for assembly [S3]. A double-walled lid on a poly chest is a stiffness feature as much as a sealing one, and the reasonable inference is that it resists flexing under a load stacked against the underside. The steel frame is what actually carries weight into the receiver.
Sailnovo's shell is 1000D 3-layer high-density PVC with reinforced seams, an extended zipper flap, and secure Velcro [S4]. The 1000D denier figure describes yarn weight in the fabric, and a three-layer PVC lamination with a flap over the zipper is a conventional approach to keeping road spray out of the zipper track — the most common leak path on any soft carrier.
The structural difference matters more than the material one. The Buyers Products unit is a rigid box that keeps its shape empty or full. The Sailnovo bag takes the shape of whatever is inside it, which is why the brand advises filling it as much as possible in rain or snow so water does not pool in low areas [S4]. That is a real, published limitation of the soft-shell format, stated by the seller itself.
Preferred for build: the Buyers Products 1707020 Poly Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier, if rigidity and dent resistance are what you value. If packability when not in use matters more, the soft bag wins by definition.
Features & Functionality
Start with what is in the box, because this is the single biggest gap between them.
- Mounting hardware. The Buyers Products carrier slides into a 2 in receiver hitch and includes a 5/8 in hitch pin [S3]. Nothing else to buy to get it on the vehicle.
- Rack requirement. The Sailnovo bag is suited to racks measuring 60" (length) x 24" (width) and fits most hitch cargo carriers for cars, SUVs, and trucks [S4]. You need that rack already, or you are buying two things.
- Security. Two pad-lockable hasps on the poly chest, with padlocks sold separately [S3], versus a combination lock that keeps the Sailnovo's zippers secure [S4]. Note the scope difference honestly: a lockable hasp on a hard lid resists a different set of attacks than a lock through a fabric zipper. Neither listing claims theft-proof, and neither should be read that way.
- Loading. Sailnovo fits two sturdy side handles, and cautions that when the bag is heavily loaded, support from underneath is recommended to reduce strain on the handles [S4]. That is a useful, unusually candid note — treat the handles as positioning aids, not carrying handles for a full load.
- Visibility. Sailnovo adds bold reflective strips for dark conditions [S4]. The supplied listing information for the Buyers Products carrier does not state any reflective element.
Performance
Capacity first. Sailnovo publishes 20 cubic feet [S4]; Buyers Products publishes 17 cubic feet of functional space [S3]. That is a 3 cubic foot advantage to the bag on paper — but the comparison is not clean, because rigid boxes lose volume to walls and gain it back in stackability, while soft bags bulge. Sailnovo frames its 20 cubic feet as roughly 5 medium suitcases along with several tents and sleeping bags [S4].
Load rating is where the evidence genuinely favors one side. Buyers Products states the bin holds up to 200 lbs [S3]. The supplied listing information for the Sailnovo bag does not state a weight capacity at all; instead the brand tells you to make sure your hitch rack's weight capacity is not exceeded [S4]. That is not a knock on the bag — the limiting component in a soft-carrier setup is the rack underneath it, not the fabric. But it does mean a buyer comparing load numbers has one published figure and one deferral.
Stability is handled differently too. Sailnovo's stability claim rests on 8 adjustable straps with a wider strap design, which the brand contrasts with carriers using only 6 straps, and says the strap count helps it stay stable on racks of varying heights [S4]. The Buyers Products chest bolts to its own steel frame, so strap tension never enters the picture.
Preferred for raw volume: Sailnovo. Preferred for a documented load figure and set-and-forget stability: Buyers Products.
Price & Value
Value here is not a dollar comparison — it is a bundle comparison. The Buyers Products 1707020 arrives as a chest plus steel frame plus hitch pin [S3], so its price covers the whole hauling system. The Sailnovo price covers a bag that still needs a 60" x 24" rack under it [S4]. If you own that rack, the bag is the cheaper path to 20 cubic feet [S4]. If you do not, budget for both pieces before deciding either is better value.
Check current pricing before you commit: Check Price on Amazon for the Buyers Products carrier and Check Price on Amazon for the Sailnovo bag.
Pros and Limitations
Buyers Products 1707020 Poly Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier — Best for lockable hard-sided hauling
Buyers Products lists this as a complete hitch-mounted chest: high density polyethylene body, double-walled lid, powder-coated steel frame, 5/8 in hitch pin, and a 200 lb capacity across 17 cubic feet [S3]. It is Made in USA per the listing [S3].
Strengths
- Slides into a 2 in receiver without sacrificing passenger space [S3]
- Two pad-lockable hasps on the lid for securing contents [S3]
- Dent-resistant poly construction described as waterproof [S3]
- Padlocks are sold separately [S3]
- Publishes 17 cubic feet, less than the Sailnovo's stated 20 [S3] [S4]
- Requires assembly; the frame ships pre-drilled for it [S3]
Sailnovo 20 Cu Ft Hitch Cargo Carrier Soft Shell Bag, Waterproof PVC — Best for adding volume to a rack you own
Sailnovo publishes 20 cubic feet at 60" x 24" x 24" in a 1000D 3-layer high-density PVC shell, held down by 8 adjustable straps and closed with a combination lock over the zippers [S4].
Strengths
- 20 cubic feet, described as about 5 medium suitcases plus several tents and sleeping bags [S4]
- Reflective strips for visibility in dark conditions [S4]
- Extended zipper flap, Velcro closure and reinforced seams for weather sealing [S4]
- Needs a separate rack; suited to racks around 60" x 24" [S4]
- Brand recommends filling it fully in rain or snow to prevent water pooling [S4]
- Heavily loaded, it needs support from underneath rather than handle-only lifting [S4]
Which Should You Buy?
You haul tools to job sites and leave the vehicle unattended. Buyers Products, without hesitation.
You already own a hitch cargo rack and need luggage space for a family trip. Sailnovo. The 20 cubic feet and 8-strap tie-down system are exactly what that rack is missing [S4].
You own no hitch accessories at all and want one purchase. Buyers Products, because the steel frame and 5/8 in hitch pin are included [S3].
You need the carrier to disappear into a closet between trips. Sailnovo, by the nature of a soft PVC bag [S4].
You drive a lot at night on unlit roads. Sailnovo's reflective strips are a stated feature [S4]; the supplied listing information for the Buyers Products carrier does not mention any.
Also worth reading on this site: our guides to hitch cargo carrier weight limits and rooftop cargo box vs hitch carrier.
How We Research
We work from published specifications, not hands-on use. For this comparison we pulled the Amazon Creators API verified product record for both ASINs on 2026-09-06 and read every product listing feature bullet each brand publishes, then compared the stated figures directly — capacity, dimensions, materials, mounting, load rating and security hardware.
Where a brand publishes a figure, we attribute it to that brand. Where a listing is silent, we say it is not stated in the supplied listing information rather than guessing. For general product safety background, readers can consult the CPSC [S1] and USA.gov consumer protection [S2] resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate cargo rack for the Sailnovo bag? Yes. Sailnovo describes it as suited to racks measuring 60" (length) x 24" (width) and says it fits most hitch cargo carriers for cars, SUVs, and trucks [S4].
What hitch size does the Buyers Products carrier need? It slides into a 2 in receiver hitch and includes a 5/8 in hitch pin [S3].
Which holds more? Sailnovo publishes 20 cubic feet [S4]; Buyers Products publishes 17 cubic feet of functional space [S3].
Are they both really waterproof? Both listings use that term. Buyers Products describes waterproof high density polyethylene with a double-walled lid [S3]; Sailnovo describes 1000D 3-layer PVC with an extended zipper flap, Velcro and reinforced seams, and advises filling the bag fully in rain or snow so water does not pool [S4].
How much weight can each one carry? Buyers Products states up to 200 lbs [S3]. The supplied listing information for the Sailnovo does not state a capacity; the brand says to make sure your hitch rack's weight capacity is not exceeded [S4].
Can I lock either one? Both offer locking. The Buyers Products lid has two pad-lockable hasps with padlocks sold separately [S3]; the Sailnovo includes a combination lock that secures the zippers [S4].
Final Verdict
If you are choosing between these two as a first hitch purchase, take the Buyers Products 1707020 Poly Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier. It is the only one of the two that is a complete system — chest, powder-coated steel frame and 5/8 in hitch pin in one purchase, with a published 200 lb capacity and pad-lockable hasps [S3]. Three cubic feet fewer than the bag is a fair trade for hardware you do not have to buy twice.
If a rack is already on your hitch, the calculus flips entirely. The Sailnovo 20 Cu Ft Hitch Cargo Carrier Soft Shell Bag, Waterproof PVC adds 20 cubic feet, 8 adjustable straps and reflective strips to hardware you have already paid for [S4], and it folds away when the trip ends.
Sources & Methodology
Nobody on this website physically or laboratory-tested either of these carriers — no load was strapped down, no hose was aimed at a seam, no receiver was fitted. What we did do was pull the Amazon Creators API verified product record for ASIN B08PZH9XK3 and ASIN B0DFHDJJ9C on 2026-09-06 and read each brand's own product listing feature bullets line by line, comparing the published numbers against each other and flagging where one listing states a figure the other does not.
For hitch cargo gear, that kind of reading gets you a long way: capacity, dimensions, material construction, receiver size, included hardware and locking method are all things the manufacturer publishes, and they determine most of the buying decision. What spec reading cannot tell you is long-term seam wear, real-world zipper life, or how either unit behaves after a winter of road salt — those questions stay open here, and no claim above should be read as answering them.