The ultimate rear-door storage platform

Our search for rear-door storage began with the need to make the most of the limited space inside our 144″ wheelbase Sprinter van. Even though the “garage” area under the bed was a decent size, it filled up fast once we loaded our mountain bikes and camping gear. It didn’t take long to realize that keeping dirty bikes and smelly camp kitchen equipment inside the van was not for us. Storing them outside quickly became the obvious way to keep our limited living space clean and comfortable.

To reclaim our garage space, we explored several ways to carry gear on the exterior but ran into roadblocks with most traditional setups. We ruled out a roof rack and cargo boxes because they would add extra weight and height to an already tall, top-heavy vehicle—plus, climbing a ladder just to access frequently used gear seemed both inconvenient and unsafe. A hitch-mounted cargo box was also out, as it blocked access to the rear doors and negatively impacted the van’s departure angle. That naturally led us to focus on rear-door carriers as the most practical and accessible choice.

Our first setup was an Owl Vans Sherpa Cargo Carrier, which was arguably the most popular option on the market at the time. While the build quality was excellent, it ultimately lacked the surface area and flexibility we truly needed. When Backland Expedition Gear released their OX Rear Door Carriers, we immediately saw that they had created the ultimate rear-door storage platform for Sprinter vans (and now Transits, too). Having already been incredibly impressed with their APEX Rock Sliders, we didn’t hesitate to purchase both the driver and passenger-side carriers for our van.

Coverage & Protection

The OX Carrier covers nearly the entire rear door with a heavy-duty yet lightweight aluminum MOLLE panel, engineered for maximum surface area and mounting flexibility. By installing the OX Carrier on both the driver and passenger sides, we gained more than enough real estate to move our bikes and camp gear outside, completely freeing up our interior garage space.

While our van came equipped with rear windows, they are a fragile feature we would skip on a future build. Many carriers on the market leave this glass vulnerable, but the OX Carrier’s square, corner-to-corner frame acts as a shield. It protects the door and windows from shifting gear, kicked-up road debris, and low-hanging branches that could easily cause dents or shattered glass.

Because they knew some van owners really like their rear windows, Backland made it easy to balance protection with a view by engineering a removable window panel. Even with the panel pulled, the carrier’s structural frame and surrounding MOLLE grid remain intact, keeping your rear doors protected without completely blocking the sightline and view.

Engineered for Heavy Loads

Ample storage capacity is only valuable if the carrier can safely support the attached weight. The OX Carrier is engineered to manage a minimum of 200 lbs per door, ensuring equipment remains secure during transit. To achieve this stability, the OX Carrier mounts to the rear door at four distinct points, establishing a rigid foundation for heavy loads.

The primary load is supported by a pair of 180° hinges, while upper and lower bolted anchors on the non-hinge side distribute the remaining stress evenly across the door panel. By anchoring directly to the factory hinges, the door’s strongest structural points, this multi-point design eliminates panel flex and vibration. In contrast to other carriers that have excessive flex and rattle when the doors are closed, the OX Carrier remains completely stable.

Engineering Note: Because Mercedes-Benz does not publish official weight limits for their factory rear door hinges, no aftermarket manufacturer can formally guarantee the ultimate load capacity of the door assembly itself. However, Backland’s multi-point bolted architecture is specifically engineered to maximize load distribution and structural integrity under real-world conditions.

More than a Carrier it’s a Foundation

When Backland Expedition Gear designed the OX Carrier, they didn’t just build a standalone product, they created the foundation for an entire line of accessories. Because these accessories are purpose-built for the platform, they maximize every inch of usable space, ensuring your gear works together seamlessly. Furthermore, every add-on is built to the same level of durability and quality as the carrier itself.

Mounting them is completely foolproof. You won’t waste time trying to line up random holes on the panel because every piece is engineered specifically around the OX Carrier’s MOLLE hole pattern. Plus, if you already have accessories from other manufacturers, you can likely attach them without too much difficulty because the carrier features so many mounting points.