I tested the Yakima EXO GearLocker on a 3,000-mile road trip across the Western U.S.
This hitch-mounted cargo box lets adventurers store their outdoor gear on their vehicle’s hitch instead of on the roof
October 20th, 2026
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Our verdict
The Yakima EXO GearLocker is a hitch-mounted lockable cargo box that mounts to the swing-out Yakima EXO SwingBase. This cargo box is a worthwhile alternative to roof-mounted cargo boxes, which can be difficult to reach on taller vehicles and are otherwise hard to access fully.
I tested the EXO GearLocker along with other Yakima EXO accessories and the EXO SwingBase during summer and fall in Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona. I installed the SwingBase myself in 10 minutes, then I installed the GearLocker in an REI parking lot in seconds—it took longer to remove it from the box than it did to install.
After loading the GearLocker with outdoor gear, I drove over 3,000 miles across Colorado, Utah, and Idaho for a bikepacking trip, then immediately drove back across Idaho for a backpacking trip in Utah. I’ve stored tents, camp chairs, yoga mats, shoes, backpacks, and more in the GearLocker. I’ve driven through rain and high winds, down dusty dirt roads, winding mountain highways, and along the interstate. Over all those miles, the GearLocker has kept everything I’ve stored inside safe.
The Yakima EXO GearLocker is similar to other roof-mounted cargo boxes, but instead of mounting onto the roof, it mounts to the Yakima EXO SwingBase or EXO TopShelf. With my EXO setup, I store bikes on the DoubleUp bike rack mounted to the TopShelf, and gear in the GearLocker mounted to the SwingBase. This setup is ideal for my lifestyle, but the EXO system also allows countless other gear-hauling configurations.
Yakima EXO GearLocker
The biggest drawback of the GearLocker is that, when mounted onto the SwingBase with the EXO TopShelf attached, you can’t fully open the cargo box lid. You can open it about 6 inches, so you can fit things in and out, but to fully access everything inside, you’ll need to rotate the TopShelf 180 degrees (which is easy) or remove the GearLocker from the SwingBase mounting tracks (which is also easy).
Also, this setup is expensive. You need to purchase the EXO SwingBase to use the GearLocker. To get the full potential out of the EXO hitch-rack system, you also need to buy the TopShelf and another EXO accessory. And all that adds up to about $2400.
If you just want the cargo box, the most basic setup—the GearLocker and SwingBase—costs about $1,350.
The GearLocker is an ideal option for people with a rooftop tent or who otherwise can’t put a cargo box on their vehicle’s roof, and it swings out of the way so you can still access your trunk. If you’re looking for a hitch-mounted cargo box for this reason or any other, you should consider the EXO GearLocker.
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Yakima EXO GearLocker specifications
Price: $650
Internal storage capacity: 283 L (10 cu ft)
Dimensions: 60 × 23 × 16 inches
Weight: 28 lb
Weight capacity: 100 lb (hitched on EXO SwingBase), 80 lb (hitched on EXO TopShelf)
Material: ABS Plastic
Hitch receiver size: 2 in. (via EXO SwingBase)
Requires EXO base: Yes
Door seal: None
Security: SKS lock; two keys included
Accessory attachment: Tool-free EXO Cleat system with locking SpeedKnobs
Extras included: Preinstalled cargo straps
Warranty: Manufacturer's limited two-year warranty
Comparison table
| HITCH-MOUNTED CARGO BOX | MSRP | Capacity | Weight | Weight Capacity | Hitch Receiver | Swing Away | Lockable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima EXO GearLocker | $649 + SwingBase or TopShelf | 283 L | 28 lb | 100 lb on SwingBase; 80 lb on TopShelf | 2" | If on SwingBase | ✅ |
| Yakima EXO OpenRange | $749 + SwingBase or TopShelf | 85 L | 30 lb | 50 lb | 2" for SwingBase | If on SwingBase | ✅ |
| Yakima EXO OpenRange Deluxe | $1199 + SwingBase or TopShelf | 85 L | 72 lb | Not specified | 2" for SwingBase | If on SwingBase | ✅ |
| Thule Arcos Box L | $1050 + Tilt Platform | 396 L | 43 lb | 110 lb | 1.25 or 2" for Tilt Platform | Tilt | ✅ |
| PAKMULE Scout | $995-1320 | N/A | 37 lb | 500 lb with straight tongue; 300 lb with 4- or 7-inch riser | 2 or 2.5" | No | Base locks to vehicle, but you provide storage box |
Best for
Dedicated overlanders, campers, or vanlifers who can justify the high price
Those who are already invested in the Yakima EXO SwingBase rack system
Mid-to-large-sized SUV, truck, or van owners with a vehicle tongue weight limit over 200 pounds*
Crossover vehicle owners with a tongue weight capacity over 200 pounds and a 2” hitch receiver who want to carry gear on a hitch rack*
Anyone looking for a swing-away rack that holds outdoor gear
*The 200-pound figure applies to a basic SwingBase-and-GearLocker setup. Check your vehicle and hitch compatibility and total loaded weight, especially when adding other EXO accessories.
What we liked
Can store tons of gear outside of your vehicle for quick access
A unique hitch-based cargo hauling solution
Easier to access than roof-mounted cargo boxes
Kept my gear dry during rainstorms, locks to the EXO system, and is easy to remove
Swing-away EXO SwingBase makes it easy to access the back of your vehicle
Can pair it with a bike rack, ski rack, solar shower, camp kitchen, or other EXO accessories via EXO TopShelf
What could be better
EXO SwingBase plus GearLocker, TopShelf, and other EXO accessories are costly (but I think they’re worth the investment for some people)
Can’t fully open GearLocker lid when it’s on the lower shelf with TopShelf installed (but there are easy workarounds)
How we tested
For this review, I spent the summer and fall testing the entire Yakima EXO system. I’ve driven over 3,000 miles with the EXO SwingBase and 5 EXO accessories installed on my 1999 GMC Savana 2500, with a 500-pound tongue-weight Class 3 trailer hitch. I drove most of that distance on highways, but I also drove rough, dirt washboard roads daily to get to campsites.
You can carry only one EXO accessory at a time on the SwingBase alone, but adding the TopShelf lets you carry two. During testing, I tested the EXO GearLocker, DoubleUp bike rack, RoadShower 7G, OpenRange Deluxe, and the EXO TopShelf.
I primarily tested the GearLocker on the EXO SwingBase with the EXO DoubleUp mounted above it on the EXO TopShelf. The heaviest weight I carried on this setup was just under 300 lb—the breakdown was EXO SwingBase: 68 lb, GearLocker: 28 lb (plus roughly 50 pounds of gear), TopShelf: 34 lb, DoubleUp: 37 lb, and two bikes at 50 lb, for a total of 267 pounds. This was well under my vehicle’s 500-pound tongue weight capacity, but smaller-vehicle owners should check their tongue weight capacity (see vehicle compatibility below for more).
I also tested the Yakima EXO SwingBase alongside other bike racks in our Best Bike Racks for Cars, Trucks, and SUVs guide, directly comparing installation processes, ease of use, carry capacity, stability, security, durability, and more.
Vehicle compatibility
A typical Class 2 hitch has a 1 1/4" receiver, which won’t work with the SwingBase at all. If you have a Class 3 or 4 hitch with a 2" receiver, you should be able to use the SwingBase and other accessories such as the GearLocker, DoubleUp bike rack, or OpenRange camp kitchen. But check your vehicle’s tongue weight capacity and don’t exceed it.
For example, a 2021 Subaru Outback with the 2.5-liter engine has a tongue weight limit of 270 pounds. The EXO SwingBase itself weighs 68 pounds, and the GearLocker weighs 28 pounds. With the Yakima SwingBase, GearLocker, DoubleUp, TopShelf, and two bikes weighing roughly 217 pounds, you can only carry 53 pounds of gear in the GearLocker before you’ll exceed the 270-pound tongue-weight capacity.
Your bikes might weigh less than 25 pounds each, or you may want to carry bulky, lightweight items in the GearLocker, but you still need to pay attention to your vehicle’s tongue weight capacity before buying these expensive accessories, especially if you want to go all in with the whole system.
It’s worth noting the EXO SwingBase is not approved for RVs. Yakima defines a vehicle with a hitch as an RV when the horizontal distance from its rear axle to the hitch pin is 72 inches or more.
Performance in the field
Gear Storage
The GearLocker can hold 283 liters of gear. That’s about 10 cubic feet, or in other words: a lot of gear. I keep my gear organized in two 60L duffel bags inside the cargo box. Even with the two duffels full of gear, there is still plenty of space above them to store more.
Weather and dust protection
The GearLocker lid overhangs the lower part of the box, so rain doesn’t get inside. I’ve driven through multiple heavy rainstorms, and my gear always stays dry. I recently opened the box right after a heavy rainstorm, and it was completely dry inside.
The GearLocker doesn’t have a dust seal, however, so in theory dust can get in. However, I’ve driven on at least 200 miles of dirt roads, and I haven’t noticed the box’s contents getting dusty. I wouldn’t store anything inside that needs to stay pristinely dust-free, and the lack of a dust seal isn't a major issue.
Organization
The GearLocker has preinstalled straps that allow you to strap down your gear inside the box. These help prevent gear from sliding around as you drive.
It doesn’t come with any other internal organizational features, but you can add your own totes, duffels, or other organizational boxes to keep things organized inside. Yakima also sells GearTotes to keep the cargo box contents organized.
Durability
After driving thousands of miles across multiple states, at high elevation, and therefore a high UV index, the GearLocker is still in great shape. The ABS plastic, hinges, and lid support strut all look as they did when new, other than some extra dirt.
The GearLocker also comes with a limited two-year warranty, while some other Yakima hardgoods—including the EXO SwingBase—have a limited lifetime warranty.
Sustainability
Yakima has committed to reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 across all its products.
Their plan to reduce emissions is to reduce waste, reduce corporate travel, commuting, and reliance on air freight; increase use of renewable energy (their headquarters in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is now 100% powered by wind), use of sustainable materials, and recycling in headquarters and manufacturing facilities; and develop products that last a lifetime.
You can read more about Yakima’s sustainability on their website.
Features
ABS Plastic Shell
It’s made with ABS plastic, which is durable and UV resistant. This plastic is strong—it supported my weight when I tried standing on the box, though I wouldn’t recommend making a habit of it.
Locking Lid
The lid latches shut with a preinstalled lock. The GearLocker comes with two keys as well.
Lid support struts
Lid support struts hold the lid open, so you can easily load and unload your gear in the box.
Preinstalled cargo straps
The GearLocker comes with two cam-locking straps installed on the base of the cargo box so you can secure your gear inside.
100 Pound load capacity on SwingBase
When installed on the EXO SwingBase, the GearLocker can hold 100 pounds of gear.
80 Pound load capacity on TopShelf
When installed on the EXO TopShelf, the GearLocker can hold 80 pounds of gear.
EXO Cleats
The GearLocker has preinstalled EXO Cleats, which connect to the EXO SwingBase or TopShelf.
FAQ
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The Yakima EXO GearLocker requires the EXO SwingBase. Using the GearLocker with the EXO SwingBase lets you store and transport the box on a swing-away rack mounted to your vehicle’s tow hitch, saving space inside your trunk and hassle.
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Yes, you can carry the Yakima EXO GearLocker away from your vehicle. You can easily remove the cargo box by loosening the SpeedKnobs and lifting it. It doesn’t have any carry handles. But the lid is easy to hold onto.
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A two-tier setup, with the EXO SwingBase and GearLocker on the bottom, and with the TopShelf and another EXO accessory on top, might exceed your vehicle’s tongue weight limit. The EXO SwingBase itself weighs 68 pounds, and the GearLocker weighs 28 pounds. The TopShelf weighs 34 pounds, and the DoubleUp, for example, weighs 37 pounds. Together, those items weigh 167 pounds. Add another 150 pounds for gear in the GearLocker and two bikes on the DoubleUp, and the total weight is 317 pounds. Depending on your vehicle’s tongue weight capacity, that may or may not exceed the tongue weight limit.
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You can absolutely mount two GearLockers simultaneously. You’ll need the SwingBase and TopShelf to do that, along with two GearLockers. The bottom GearLocker can hold up to 100 pounds, but you can only put 80 pounds in the GearLocker mounted to the TopShelf.
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The GearLocker isn’t long enough for most adult skis. However, it is likely large enough to hold large camping stoves. The GearLocker’s interior dimensions are 14" high by 53" wide and 18.5" deep so it can fit anything smaller than those dimensions.
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The Yakima GearLocker lid does not fully open if you have a bike rack on top. However, you can rotate the bike rack 180 degrees on the TopShelf, then fully open the lid. You can also easily remove the GearLocker from the SwingBase, set it on the ground, and fully open the lid.
Similar hitch-mounted cargo boxes
Yakima EXO GearLocker vs. Yakima EXO OpenRange
Price: $749 + SwingBase or TopShelf
Capacity: 85 L
Weight Capacity: 50 lb
Hitch receiver size: 2" for SwingBase
Swing-away: If on SwingBase
Lockable: Yes
The Yakima OpenRange uses the same EXO mounting system as the GearLocker, attaching to the SwingBase or TopShelf. The main difference between the EXO OpenRange and the GearLocker is that the OpenRange is designed to hold camp kitchen supplies. The OpenRange door also opens out, instead of up like the GearLocker. The OpenRange is also smaller than the GearLocker. The OpenRange has 85 liters of internal storage, while the GearLocker has 283 liters.
If you want to store your camp kitchen with the option to add side tables for cooking and prep, go with the OpenRange or the OpenRange Deluxe, which comes with side tables already. If you simply want a cargo box that mounts to the Yakima EXO SwingBase on your vehicle’s hitch, get the GearLocker.
Yakima EXO OpenRange
Yakima EXO OpenRange Deluxe
Yakima EXO GearLocker vs. Thule Arcos Tilt Platform and Arcos Box L
Price: $699 (Tilt Platform) + $1,050 (Arcos Box L)
Capacity: 396 L (box)
Weight Capacity: 110 lb (box)
Hitch receiver size: 1.25 or 2 inches, depending on Tilt Platform version
Swing-away: No; platform tilts for rear access
Lockable: Yes (box and platform)
The Thule Arcos Tilt Platform and Arcos Box (sold separately but used together) is another rear-mounted cargo-carrying system. This system doesn’t swing away from the vehicle; rather, it tilts down to (sort of) get out of the way. The Arcos system is also more expensive than the Yakima EXO SwingBase and GearLocker. The Arcos system also only fits a cargo box.
No other accessories (or a second level) work with the Arcos base. The Arcos does, however, come in a 1.25-inch hitch receiver version so that it can be used with smaller vehicles with lower tongue weights. If you have a 1.25-inch hitch receiver, you should get the Arcos. Everyone with a 2” receiver and at least 200 pounds of tongue weight capacity should get the EXO GearLocker and SwingBase (check your full configuration’s loaded weight).
Thule Arcos Tilt Platform
Thule Arcos Box
Yakima EXO GearLocker vs. PAKMULE Scout
Price: $995-1320
Capacity: N/A
Weight Capacity: 300-500 lb
Hitch receiver size: 2 or 2.5"
Swing-away: No
Lockable: Base locks to vehicle, but you provide storage box
The PAKMULE Scout is another hitch-mounted cargo-carrying option. The PAKMULE is a simple cargo tray, but it has a solid floor with holes to secure bike rack trays or strap other items to the platform. The PAKMULE doesn’t swing away, but the straight-tongue version is rated for off-road use and has a 500-pound weight capacity. The PAKMULE costs less than the Yakima EXO GearLocker and SwingBase, though you’ll need to use your own containers strapped onto the PAKMULE. If you’re doing serious off-roading or overlanding, you should get the PAKMULE Scout, but if you’re mostly driving on pavement and improved dirt roads, the GearLocker is a better option.
PAKMULE Scout
Should you buy the Yakima EXO GearLocker?
Buy if:
You’re already invested in the Yakima EXO swing-out rack system and want to add an external cargo box to the rack
You have a tongue weight capacity of over 300 pounds and a 2-inch Class 3 or 4 hitch receiver (300 pounds reflects a two-tier setup; check your full EXO setup’s loaded weight to confirm compatibility)
You want a swing-away rack system that holds a cargo box and other gear hauling accessories
You can’t put a cargo box on your roof because you don’t have the capability to add a roof rack
Skip if:
You don’t have the Yakima EXO SwingBase and aren’t willing to buy it along with the GearLocker
You want to put a cargo box on your vehicle’s roof
You don’t have a 2-inch class 3 or 4 tow hitch receiver on your vehicle
Where to buy the Yakima EXO GearLocker
The Yakima EXO GearLocker is popular, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% member rewards.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership (can be same-day delivery in major metropolitan cities)
evo
Pros: 365 day returns, store locations in ski towns for easy last-minute pick-up, may offer rentals if you want to try before you buy, earn 10% back in Rewards, free membership gets discounts on services and rentals
Advice on where to buy
In general for gear, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns, like REI.
Why you should trust us / About the author
Sam Schild lives full-time in a DIY converted 1999 GMC Savana campervan, which he uses as a mobile basecamp across the American West. He has reviewed car camping accessories such as mattresses, portable showers, backpacking bidets, and portable toilets for Treeline Review, along with loads of running, biking, and backpacking gear.
Over three years of full-time van-life and 3 more years of living in a Honda Element, he has experimented with many ways to haul gear on the outside of vehicles, from rooftop cargo boxes to swing-away racks. For this review, he used the Yakima EXO SwingBase and GearLocker, along with the EXO DoubleUp to carry his bikes and outdoor gear across the American West in the summer and fall. He never had a single mishap while hauling his precious outdoor cargo.
You can find more of Sam’s work on his Treeline Review author page, website, or Instagram.
