While perusing Amazon for something to spend a gift cert. on I found this apparently fairly new hitch cargo carrier: Softride 25867

A bit pricey (way too much for my Amazon GC) but it looks interesting anyway. Its available a bit cheaper elsewhere. It can tip down as well as fold up, which may be sufficient to allow the tailgate to open when the tall tie down bars are not deployed and depending on the height of the stuff loaded on the carrier. Unfortunately measurements are not provided.

Obviously an extension would probably be needed depending on the cargo being loaded.

I'm still floating options for putting 'stuff' outside so our dog(s) can ride inside when we go places. Being able to open the tailgate without unloading the carrier would be very useful.

Thanks for any info.

Rich

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2002 Liberty Limited 4WD, 3.7l V6
Steel Blue/Taupe
Selec-Trac, Offroad Group, Trailer Tow Group
1971 Dodge Challenger, 318cid, A904 Torqueflite