StowAway2 Cargo Carriers

Brand New StowAway2 Rainier Bike Rack

2008-06-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

Just in time for summer it's the brand-new StowAway2 Rainier Bike Rack!

The Stowaway2 Rainier is an updated, upgraded version of our bike cargo rack. The Rainier now features everything you could want in a bike rack: it swings for clearance, it has a cargo tray for tons of capacity, and it includes security and stability features like a hitch lock/cable lock (single key) and a hitch-coupling tightener.

Perhaps the most important update to the design is a new bracket which moves the bike post further from the vehicle, allowing for more vertical room in the cargo tray (perfect for storing large items like coolers, luggage, etc). And check out this cool schematic that highlights just how much additional room there is in the storage basket. The brand new StowAway2 Rainier retails for $499. To order the Rainier online, go here. To read the official StowAway2 Rainier Bike Rack press release, click here.

Toyota Land Cruiser Cargo Carrier

2008-06-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

New StowAway2 Owner Ella B. also stopped by this week to get a cargo carrier loaded on to her Toyota Land Cruiser. She went with the Max Swingaway, which continues to be our most popular model.
Sideview:
See the Tail Lights:

If you haven't already, you might head over to Youtube and check out our Swingaway Cargo Carrier Video. The Max Swingaway, pictured above, is 25% larger than the carrier pictured in the video-- for even more storage space.

Ford Expedition Cargo Carrier

2008-06-13T11:24:00.001-07:00

New StowAway2 Owner John P. (Oregon) stopped by this week to pick up a Super Max Swingaway Cargo Carrier for his Ford Expedition. Here are a few pictures of his installed hitch cargo carrier.

From the side, you can see the wheel kit, which is permanently installed below the cargo carrier and helps the loading/unloading process.

Rear View:

Swung Out:

If you are considering a StowAway2 Cargo Carrier, check out this comparison table that will have all the details you need to select the model that's right for you.

StowAway2 Owner Report

2008-05-22T09:04:00.001-07:00

We've been saying it for years now on the blog: we love hearing from StowAway2 Owners! We received a great email from new StowAway2 owner Jan M. (Florida) who had the following to say about her experience shopping on StowAway2.com.

I just wanted to let you know that you and your company have been wonderful to deal with concerning the measuring and subsequent purchase of the Stowaway2. My husband assembled it and put it on the back of our Winnebago View with ease. Your assembly directions are self explanatory and the actual installation was painless(ha ha). You have a wonderful website and your company has a great approach when you have actual contact with your customers. I would say in all honesty that you all are a five star internet company!!!!! That is unfortunately a rarity in this day and age of internet sales. Thanks again! -- Kindest regards, Jan

Wow! We're blushing. Thanks Jan. StowAway2 Owners: Let us know if you have had a similar experience.

Toyota 4 Runner Cargo Carrier

2008-05-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

We always love to hear road trips stories.

Yesterday, new StowAway2 Owner Lawrence H. (Oregon) stopped by to gear up for his upcoming summer trip. Lawrence plans to put 1000s of miles on his Toyota 4-Runner this summer and decided that a StowAway2 Super Max Swingaway was the best way to add some storage space for his long haul across country.

Here's a couple of shots of the Stow Away cargo carrier on his Toyota 4 Runner.

As you can see, there is plenty of room to open the liftgate and access the rear storage area. Check out a close-up view.

Here's a table that you can use to do a side-by-side comparison of our popular swing away cargo carriers.

StowAway2 Owner Report

2008-05-12T14:48:00.000-07:00

Just a quick report as the carriers are flying out of the warehouse today.

We received a kind note over the weekend from StowAway2 Owner Clyde E. (Dawsonville, GA) who wrote, "This is a great unit that enables me to take my inflatable boat and motorhunting and fishing equipmentin a safe and secure enviroment."

Clyde owns one of our popular Swingaway Carriers and has it set up on his Roadtrek RV.

Click to check out our Swing away carriers.

Click to see more pictures and information about using a hitch mounted cargo carrier on Roadtrek RVs.

Pickup Truck Box

2008-05-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

Check it out: the StowAway2 Sport Box doubles as a handy truck box that can be used in just about any pickup truck out there. Here's a few shots of the Sport box loaded into the bed of a pickup.

Like all of our boxes, the Sport Box is fully lockable and can be drilled with holes should you want to mount it permanently to the inside of your truck bed. It can also be drilled for use with any of our steel cargo carrier frames for your trailer hitch.

If you're wondering if the Sport Box will fit in your truck, check out this cargo box showroom page for all the specs.

Custom Hitch Cargo Rack

2008-04-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

This morning we got a nice email from new StowAway2 Owner Alan S. (Illinois) who wrote, "Thanks for the good service and fast delivery." He also took the time to take some pictures of his new Swingaway Cargo Rack-- with some custom additions.

The Swingaway Cargo Rack will clear just about every liftgate with no contact. However, "barn doors" -- double doors that open from the middle and have hinges on the outside-- can sometimes provide limited clearance or even contact the rack, as is pictured below.

Alan's solution was simple and cheap: "I just put 3/4 hot water pipe insulation on the basket to keep the door from getting scratched."

Check out the clearance his setup has in the shot below.

Thanks for taking the time to send those shots in, Alan! We wish you safe travels this summer.

It's always great to hear from StowAway2 owners. Got a story? Let us know!

Racks Around the World

2008-04-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

At StowAway2, we love car racks. We are committed to designing the best hitch mounted cargo carriers and racks here in the United States. But our love for racks doesn't stop at the US border.

One of our former interns, in Portugal, scouring the globe for the latest and greatest racks.

On our sister site, http://www.fasttrackracks.com/, you can find racks made by Thule, Yakima and other major bike rack companies. If you live outside the United States, most of these products can still be shipped affordably to you! For more information, go here.

The same goes for our StowAway2 Cargo Carriers, we can ship them around the world. If you're interested in getting a quote for an international shipment (whether it's to Canada or Cameroon), go here for more information.

Toyota Highlander

2008-04-23T09:12:00.001-07:00

Alice, a Portlander and dog show enthusiast, stopped by today to pick up a Super Max Swingaway for use on her Toyota Highlander.

Toyota Highlander owners are one of the StowAway2's largest owner groups. It's easy to see why! Check out the following snaps.

The carrier rides tight on the back of the vehicle to reduce any issues with backing up or fitting into a spot when parking.

When swung open, the Super Max carrier provides total access for the rear liftgate to open unimpeded.

As you can see, the StowAway2 doesn't block the Toyota Highlander's rear tail lights, although it does come with its own set of tail lights for extra safety and security (our LED lights are pictured).

Airstream Conversion Van

2008-04-04T10:51:00.001-07:00

Spring Break has come and gone here in Oregon, but many people are just gearing up for their annual trip. Such was the case for Glenn M. and family (Woodinville, WA) who swung by our headquarters today en route to Disney Land. Glenn is the proud owner of this mammoth Airstream conversion van, which tops out at more than 11 feet tall (think one and a half Shaquille O'Neals). Despite the vehicle's size, Glenn said he's always looking for more storage capacity.

As you can see, Glenn ordered our Max Swingaway with the Max Lid Rack, adding 16 cubic feet of storage space to the back of his vehicle.

When installed, the Swingaway Carrier pivots out 180 degrees, allowing full access to the Airstream's rear double doors.

Need a trailer hitch?

2008-04-01T17:23:00.000-07:00

If you're considering a StowAway2 Cargo Carrier and don't already have a hitch on your vehicle, check out this page that details how to order a trailer hitch through StowAway2 and save big!

Why buy your hitch from StowAway2.com?

-- Guaranteed vehicle fit from hitch experts.
-- Enjoy a bundled discount when ordered with a StowAway2.
-- Free ground shipping on every trailer hitch order!

Spring!

2008-03-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Well, sort of. We got caught in an unexpected snowstorm here in Oregon today... nothing like some late-March flurries to freak everyone out.

Despite the cold snap, it's getting to be that time of year again. Travel season is just around the corner.

We have some very exciting news...

1. We now sell trailer hitches! If you are considering adding a StowAway2 to your vehicle, but you don't currently have a hitch, call us. We will gladly get you price quotes from all the major manufacturers, including Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Reese, Curt and Putnam! Because we work directly with our industry partners, you can save big by bundling your hitch purchase and hitch cargo carrier purchase together! Call 800.943.5377 for details.

2. Looking for a bike rack? Check out our sister site, FastTrackRacks.com, which has a huge inventory of bike racks for your perusal. They've ranked the most popular bike racks, selecting from roof bike racks, hitch bike racks, trunk bike racks and more.

3. Don't miss our Outlet Store! It's been recently updated with a few new listings.

4. Brand-new for 2008: Watersport Racks. If you are looking for a roof top water rack to complement your hitch cargo carrier, check out the kayak racks, canoe racks and surfboard racks at FastTrackRacks.com.

Looking for a steal of a deal?

2008-02-28T11:09:00.000-08:00

Discount hunters: we have what you need! What's that, you ask?

Only the largest StowAway Outlet Store offering of all time!

All of our most popular cargo carriers and racks are listed.

-- Super Max Swingaway
-- Max Swingaway
-- Standard Swingaway
-- Bike Cargo Rack
-- Cargo Rack

Check it out, today, before we sell out!

The Reviews Keep Pouring In

2008-02-04T11:28:00.000-08:00

It's been a busier winter than normal around here-- probably because the weather hasn't been as horrendous as last year-- and we've had a number of brave Canadians make the trek down to our factory here just outside of Portland, Oregon.

One of them, StowAway2 Owner Annabelle B. (Canada) wrote in with the following note about her experience:

"The Swing Away box is fantastic. It took us through our trip for a month and completely decluttered the vehicle in the process! Many thanks for a great product that actually does what your ads say. We found it on your Internet site, and when we arrived [in Oregon] from the Yukon to have it installed, everything was ready and waiting for us. Truly impressive service as well as a great product. Cheers!"

During her stop here in Oregon, Annabelle picked up the Max Swingaway, adding a Hitch Lock, a Wheel Kit and a cargo carrier Cover to round her order. Great choices: all three are some of our most popular accessories.
-------------------------

If you live in Canada and are interested in ordering a StowAway2 Cargo Carrier, you have a number of options:

1. Most popular method: We can ship the carrier by FedEx International to your door. Canadian shipping rates can be found in the StowAway2 Shipping Guide.
2. Another alternative: If you live near the border, you can have the Carrier shipped to the US side of the border, thereby avoiding the additional charges for shipping a carrier internationally. This can result in a savings of up to $200! Not sure where to ship it to? Try a friend's house, a post office or a hotel.
3. Get it while you travel: If you are planning to travel in the States, we are glad to arrange to ship it to one of your destinations to meet you. Again, this will help you avoid international shipping charges. We can ship it to your name in care of an RV park, hotel, or anywhere that accepts FedEx packages. Most RV parks and hotels are very accomodating. Generally, we ask that you have the order shipped to an address that you will be at for 2-3 days to ensure delivery.
4. Come visit us: If you're roadtripping down the west coast, stop by our factory. Located just outside Portland, Oregon, we are always glad to show off our display models, set up and perform installations, and answer any questions about the carriers that you might have. We ask that you notify us if advance if you'd like to visit. Simply give us a call at 800.943.5377.

Infiniti QX56

2008-01-21T09:54:00.000-08:00

It's that time again: Letters From the Road.

StowAway2 Owner Kirit P. (Texas) sent in the following note about his Super Max Swingaway.

I just want to share my experience with my new StowAway2 Max Swingaway. The items were shipped very fast, well packed, and reasonable shipping. I received the product 3 days after ordering it over the phone. It is a very well made product. The best I have seen. I attached it to my 2004 Infiniti QX56 using the hitch tightner (a must). I also used the license plate holder. I got the LED brake lights (another MUST). They are very bright and noticible. I also got the lid rack (another MUST). We packed it to the brim. I placed my skis on the lid rack and secured them with bunge cords. We drove from Midland, Texas to Durango, Colorado (600 miles). The stowaway did not move a bit. No noises or rattles. It worked out great. The Stowaway2 made our trip very manageble. I would recommend this product to anyone. Thank you for making a GREAT product.

Kirit was nice enough to send in these pictures from his ski adventure. What views!

Have a story of your own? Be sure to let us know!

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T16:48:00.000-08:00

Put 2007 in the books! That's all she wrote.

One last post before the clock strikes 12...

Today, new StowAway2 Owner Syd L. (Canada) stopped by our factory to pick up a Max Swingaway. Got a great picture of Syd with the hitch mount cargo carrier installed on his Pleasureway.

Have a happy and safe holiday. See you in 2008!

Custom Swingaway Rod Rack

2007-12-10T16:26:00.000-08:00

We've been selling the StowAway2 Swingaway fishing rod rack for a number of years. Since we debuted the rod rack, we've heard and seen a number of custom rod racks that StowAway2 owners have put together.

However, this one might just take the cake.

StowAway2 owner Steve A. (Pennsylvania) emailed in the following pictures, which show the custom Rod Rack he has set up on his rig.

Steve started by purchasing a Swingaway Frame a la carte. To this frame, he mounted a custom-sized rack for his large fishing cooler, a tail light kit for improved visibility on the road, six custom rod holders and a side-mounted fold-up cutting board.

Pictures are worth 1,000 words so we'll let the pictures do the talking.

Back view:

Great shot of his rod holders, which appear to be cut at variable lengths for a cool visual effect.

Sideview:

Here you can see the fold-up cutting board in the down position. Also, you can see that this rack system rides very close to the back of his vehicle.

Swung Out View:

As you can see, our Swingaway frame pivots back and away from the vehicle without any deflection. Here, the rack has been opened up to the 90 degree position.

Cutting Board View:

This picture shows the cutting board in the up position, perfect for preparing bait.

Truck Bed View:

Here you can see the truck bed access that is granted by our Swingaway frame.

Swung Out Back View:

Again, you can see the nearly total access to the truck bed offered by our swing out steel frame.

Night View:

Lastly, a cool night-vision shot of the tail lights in action.

Steve runs a tackle shop. For more information, check him out online at www.aoktackle.com.

Got your own custom StowAway2 setup? Let us know.

Yet Another StowAway2 Review

2007-12-04T14:41:00.001-08:00

The emails have been coming fast and furiously! This is one of our favorites in recent memory. StowAway2 Owner Thomas H. (Illinois) writes in:

"Gentlemen: I have just completed my first round trip with my new Stowaway Max Swingaway and it proved to be everything I hoped. My wife and I used it to transport some of our belongings from our home in Illinois to our home in Texas. It was a 2500 mile journey.

Since we take our Golden Retriever with us, the Swingaway feature worked out perfectly allowing us to get the dog out of the car easily to stretch his legs and take care of business whenever we stopped for gas. As we returned to Illinois we were caught up in an ice/snow/sleet/rainstorm that wreaked havoc on the roads and traffic.

The Stowaway proved watertight and our luggage came through dry as a bone. It looks great on the Mountaineer and we will probably use it on the Navigator for our next trip to Texas!"

Good stuff! Thanks for the kind words and happy travelling during the new year.

Another StowAway2 Review

2007-11-30T09:46:00.000-08:00

This StowAway2 review came to us recently from Owner George C. (Alberta, Canada).

George writes, "I just wanted to drop a note and say that I am very very happy about the service from StowAway2 Cargo Carriers and Fed Ex. This was the best service and delivery time I have ever experienced. I just finished assembling the Stowaway and it looks great as well. Thank you very much!"

Whether you live here in the States or in Canada like George, we ship all StowAway2 Cargo Carriers directly to your door via FedEx. For more information, check out our Quick Shipping Guide and our full Shipping Guide.

Now is the perfect time to get your own StowAway2 ordered up; after all, we are running our annual $29 shipping sale through December 25!

Stowaway2 Annual Holiday Sale

2007-11-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays, travellers.

If you're gearing up for a trip to grandma's house, dreaming about golf season or adding this must-have accessory to your RV, now is the best time to order your StowAway2 Cargo Carrier.

Why, you ask? Because our Annual Holiday Sale is in full effect.

Now through Christmas, pay just $29 shipping for all StowAway2 Cargo Carriers and Racks. Standard Shipping generally runs $79 on our most popular models, so this promotion represents a savings of up to $50!

Trigger the promotion on StowAway2.com using promotion codes or by calling to place your order: 800.943.5377.

Looking for some holiday gift ideas? Here's our staff recommendations:

1. For the entire family: Check out the Total Max Swingaway. Get a top of the line cargo carrier and a Bike/Cargo Rack at a great discounted price.

2. For the bargain hunter: Check out our popular Sport Special Combination and enjoy big savings on accessories.

3. For the SUV/Truck owner that has it all: Three words... Super Max Swingaway.

Pleasureway Cargo Carrier

2007-11-06T11:43:00.000-08:00

A friendly Canadian couple stopped by yesterday in their Pleasureway motorhome on a Dodge Sprinter chasis. They picked up our Total Max Swingaway bundle, which combines our very popular Max Swingaway Cargo Carrier and our Bike Cargo Rack combination.

Here's a picture of the cargo carrier installed on their Pleasureway.

GMC Envoy XL

2007-10-30T16:48:00.001-07:00

One of the most popular vehicles on the road, the GMC Envoy XL is super-versatile, great for the large family or the adventuresome couple.

Envoy owners are one of the largest StowAway2 owner groups. So it's about time we featured pictures of one of our Max Swingaway carriers (with Wheel Kit) on an Envoy XL on this blog!

Sideview:

The sideview shows you what to expect clearance wise. The box is set far enough back so it can be opened when it's not swung out. Also, it's far enough back so that the Envoy's rear glass can be opened without swinging the box out. To access the rear cargo area by opening the liftgate, simply swing the cargo box out to 90 degrees and you're good to go!

To see a video of how our Swingaway frame pivots, click here.

Thinking Inside the Cargo Box

2007-10-29T09:51:00.001-07:00

Yes, thinking inside the box runs counter to the cliche, but even big-thinking, adventuresome StowAway2 owners do it sometimes. Why, you might ask? Well, when it comes to bringing along extra gear, you want to be sure everything will fit. Hopefully, the following pictures will give you an interesting, top-down perspective on their capacity.

First up is the Max Box (our most popular), which can be purchased a la carte by clicking here. The Max cargo carrier box has a capacity of 16 cubic feet, with dimensions of 51" L x 23" W x 26" H.

For more information about the Max Box, check out our Max Box Showroom page. Also, observant viewers will see that this particular Max box features our flush-faced, upgraded LED tail lights. To order the LED lights, simply click here.

Our second cargo box is the Standard Box, which can be purchased a la carte by clicking here. The standard cargo carrier box has a capacity of 12.5 cubic feet, with dimensions of 49" L x 21" W x 24" H.

For more information about the Standard Box, check out our Standard Box Showroom Page. The standard box pictured above features our standard, full-function trailer tail lights built in.

Sportsmobile Conversion Van

2007-10-26T14:56:00.001-07:00

After what's been our biggest October ever, we-- like you-- are starting to consider the long, beautiful countdown to the winter holidays. But we're not quite there yet! So check out the recently-fallen leafs in these shots of StowAway2 Owner Jane G.'s Sportsmobile conversion van. The hitch cargo carrier pictured below is our popular Super Max Swingaway model.

Alternate Angle:

Sideview:

One of the great things about StowAway2 Swingaway Cargo Carriers is that they can clear just about any rear-mounted spare tire. Here, the spare tire is mounted to a swinging frame of its own, just below the rear door. As you can see, there's more than two inches of clearance behind the spare tire, plenty of room to swing open the cargo carrier and acces the rear of the van.

For more information, check out our comprehensive StowAway2 Spare Tire Clearance Guide. Click here.

For more information on Sportsmobile conversion vans like the one pictured above, head on over to Sportsmobile.com!