Stowaway Max vs. Thule Arcos vs. Yakima EXO
HITCH CARGO BOX COMPARISON
Wondering which is the best hitch-mounted cargo box for you? The StowAway Max, Thule Arcos, and Yakima EXO are three of the top choices. Here's how they compare.
Cargo Capacity
16 cubic ft.
14 cubic ft.
10 cubic ft.
20 cubic ft. w/ additional module, +$1,098
Maximum Weight Capacity
200 lbs
110 lbs
100 lbs
180 lbs w/ additional module
Rear Access
Full swing-away for clear tailgate/door access*
Tilts slightly, limited rear access
Swings open, but second module blocks rear window & requires lifting gear higher
Frame Options
Multiple SwingAway frames for SUVs, vans, XL vehicles & spares
Single Frame
Single modular SwingBase
Cargo Box Material
Rugged LLDPE
(whitewater kayak-grade)
Flexible and impact-resistant for year-round use 
Plastic shell
Rigid molded plastic with limited flex 
Plastic/composite
Rigid molded plastic with limited flex 
Lighting & Safety
LED taillights, reflectors, illuminated license plate bracket
Taillights, license plate bracket
No integrated lighting
Versatility
Included drain plug for easy cleaning, optional lid rack & buffet boards
Single box only
Add second module for +10 cubic ft. +$1,098, blocks view
Ground Clearance
Higher clearance design**Raises cargo box above hitch level
Standard hitch-level design
Cargo box sits at or near hitch height
Standard hitch-level design
Cargo box sits at or near hitch height
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Lifetime limited warranty
2-year limited warranty
Typical Price
$1,048Includes SwingAway frame
$1,440Box + frame
$1,318Box + frame
$2,416w/ additional box + frame
Why Stowaway Max Stands Out
More Space for Less
16 cu. ft. of storage in one box -- no need to stack modules or sacrifice rear visibility.
Full Rear Access
SwingAway frame clears your liftgate, tailgate, or van doors. No tilting, no blocked windows, no heavy lifting.
Built-In Safety
LED taillights, reflectors, and a lit license plate bracket--features Thule and Yakima don't include.
Designed for Real Use
- Drain plug for quick cleaning after hauling messy gear.
- Optional lid rack for bulky items.
- Optional buffet boards for camping & tailgating.
Vehicle-Specific Fit
Choose from three SwingAway frame styles:
- Standard (SUVs & trucks)
- Low-Rise (Sprinter & ProMaster vans)
- Extra-Far (XL SUVs & rear spares)
Long-Term Value
10-year warranty vs. 2 years from Yakima
*Rear access varies on vehicles with side-swing
rear doors. On cargo vans, the passenger-side
door typically opens to approximately 70–80
degrees (when no door-mounted accessories
are present), and the driver-side door opens
fully. On SUVs with side-swing doors that open
toward the passenger side, the door typically
opens to approximately 60–70 degrees, unless a
rear-mounted spare is present.
**Clearance varies by frame style. Standard
and Extra-Far frames offer approximately 5"
of rise to bottom of StowAway box from the
top of inside of hitch; Low-Rise frame offers
approximately 2". All frame styles extend
roughly 3" below the bottom of cargo box.