Depending on the height of the ice chest and the SUV that this is installed on there should be enough clearance for the hatch to open. From the pin out to the rear of the carrier is 12-1/2" and from the center of the hitch up to the top of the rail will be around 8" with the rise of the hitch. Due to the all the variables involved I can't guarantee the hatch will open with the ice chest on the carrier.