An apparatus and method for transporting a load upon a vehicle is provided. The apparatus of the invention is a carrier assembly for attachment to a receiver mounted on the rear of a vehicle. The carrier assembly comprises a basket, a hitch for attaching the carrier assembly to the receiver, a riser extending upwardly and outwardly from the hitch, an extension projecting rearwardly from the riser and supporting the basket, and a pivotal connection whereby the basket may be maintained in an upright position or pivoted down and away from the vehicle. The method is carried out using the apparatus to transport loads and by pivoting the basket rearwardly and downwardly from an upright transport position to facilitate access to the rear of the vehicle.