Paramount’s Tailgate Cargo Carrier Elevates Wrangler Storage & Style
Paramount Automotive’s bolt-on basket increases storing capacity for the Wrangler JK or JL without compromising towing.
Jeep owners eager to find product options that create more storage without compromising capability will relish Quadratec.com’s recent video review. We’re always on the lookout for storage that expands capacity but doesn’t require the purchase of a receiver hitch or won’t occupy an existing hitch that otherwise could tow a trailer or a bike rack.
We also care how those products could affect our Wrangler’s performance.
Paramount Automotive’s Tailgate-mounted Cargo Basket fits the bill. This product blurs the line between a roof rack basket and a hitch-mounted cargo basket. One key convenience this cargo basket offers: a 100 percent bolt on assembly. No drilling is necessary for the install. While there are slightly different steps to mount the basket on a ’07 to ’18 JK versus the ’18 and newer JL, the carrier is compatible with both Wrangler models.
Higher than a hitch-mounted carrier, this tailgate basket gives off-road drivers better departure angles. Plus, its location behind the Jeep and slightly below the roof means better aerodynamics, saving a few extra miles per gallon on the highway.
The cargo basket is 39 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and 7 inches high. It’s the perfect size when you don’t need as much cargo carrying capacity as a full roof rack. Compared to a roof-mounted rack, the tailgate-mounted cargo basket is slightly lower for ease of loading and unloading. And, as Quadratec.com points out, it’s going to save your shins from accidentally walking into a basket that is mounted in a hitch.
As Quadractec demonstrates on a JL Wrangler in the video, the install steps are straightforward. There’s no need to remove any interior trim (or unplug the wiring for the Jeep’s third brake light) as the install won’t take too long.
First, remove the spare tire from the back of the Jeep. By moving the tire out of the way, you can access and remove the eight bolts securing the factor spare tire carrier to the tailgate. While holding the factory spare tire carrier with one hand, you can slip the basket’s mounting bracket behind the factory spare tire carrier with the other. Then, resecure the spare tire carrier with the factory bolts.
Once the mounting bracket is installed, it’s easy to see there are multiple mounting points for the uprights. This creates plenty of adjustability to set the rack height to suit your needs and spare tire size. After you secure the uprights at your preferred height using the Paramount-provided bolts, you can set the basket on the uprights and secure it with four included bolts.
Lastly, using the oversized wing nuts that thread into the bottom side of the upright supports of the cargo basket, you can securely attach necessary items, such as a shovel or a high lift jack, right underneath the basket.
The basket’s platform is an effective means for transporting bulky or oversized outdoor equipment. Strong and sturdy, it can carry up to 35 pounds of gear. The finely textured satin black powder coat finish on the 1” round steel tubing looks amazing—and it’s resistant to corrosion. The cargo basket even comes with Paramount’s Lifetime Structural Warranty.
For the ultimate off-roading visual appeal and storage, get the Paramount Tailgate Cargo Basket at Quadratec.com!