A vacuum-based hitch rack carrier system for a vehicle having a rear hitch and rear hitch receiver. The system includes a plurality of vacuum devices having a pad shaped and sized to removably seat with a vehicle to form a vacuum cavity, a plunger attached to the pad and in fluid communication with the vacuum cavity, and an indicator associated with the vacuum device to indicate the level of vacuum pressure within the vacuum. The system has a receiver hitch adapter for joining a rack configured to secure an article to the vehicle via attachment to the rear hitch receiver, a mount shaped and sized to mate and secure the article to the rack, and one or more support bars attached to said mount. At least one of the support bars contains a break and fold assembly configured to allow the carrier system to be folded.