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Some weeks ago, my cousin, who is a motorbike enthusiast, asked to borrow my pick-up truck. I did not feel the need to ask why. I just let him. When he came back to return it, there were dents on the rear bumper and a few scratches here and there. As it turns out, he thought he could use it to transport his Honda motorcycle to a motor show in the city.
Our Top 3 Choice
- Product Dimensions: 79 x 31 x 13 inches
- Product Weight: 98 pounds
- Material Used: Powder-coated steel
- Product Dimensions: 76 x 7 x 1 inches
- Product Weight: 51 pounds
- Material Used: Powder-coated steel
- Product Dimensions: 79 x 34.5 x 10 inches
- Product Weight: 95 pounds
- Material Used: Powder-coated steel
There are several ways to transport a motorcycle, but what he did wasn’t the wisest option. Even with a flat-bed truck, I’d still prefer a motorcycle to be transported with a hitch-mounted motorcycle carrier. I’d prefer something that won’t require me to call a towing company while also allowing me to move a bike from point A to point B.
Motorcycle hitch carriers have been around for quite some time now. These cargo carriers are installed at the back of your vehicle like a bike rack. Hitch carriers are especially useful if you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, mechanic, or adventurer and need to transport motorbikes with you.
As you prepare to carry your prized motorcycle with you, and with so many hitch carriers on the market, you must choose one carefully. A hitch carrier that doesn’t meet the necessary standards could put your motorbike at risk of damage or injure you or others.
Note: The following products are not suitable for ATVs.
The 7 Best Motorcycle Hitch Carriers
We’ve put together a list of motorcycle hitch carriers that can do an excellent job. Read on and find out everything you need to know before getting one.
1. Goplus 600-lb Motorcycle Carrier Dirt Bike Rack Hitch-Mount Hauler
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 79 x 31 x 13 inches
- Product Weight: 98 pounds
- Material Used: Powder-coated steel
If you are a motorcycle aficionado, then you already know the importance of a hitch carrier’s weight capacity when it comes to lifting a bike. This powder-coated, heavy-duty steel carrier guarantees durability and supreme strength. It’s one of the few carriers that can carry up to 600 pounds. The Goplus 600-lb’s carrier rail is 79” long and its loading ramp is 72” long.
It has an elevated adjustable wheel stop that works as a stabilizing wheel chock. Its quick-release lock system helps you unhook your bike with ease. Its assembly and installation, although well documented in the manual, can be a little confusing. But with the nuts and bolts being the same size, it shouldn’t be that hard to understand.
- Heavy-duty steel construction for ultimate strength and durability
- 600 pounds maximum load-bearing capacity
- Quick-release locks for securing your bike and keeping it stable at speed
- Perfect for 2” hitch receivers
- Heavier than most hitch carriers
- No traction on the ramp
- Stabilizer needs a little improvement
2. Best Choice Products Steel Motorcycle and Dirt Bike Carrier Rack
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 76 x 7 x 1 inches
- Product Weight: 51 pounds
- Material Used: Powder-coated steel
Serving as proof that a good hitch carrier need not cost much, the Best Choice Products SKY1375 is equipped with almost the same features a $300 hitch carrier has. This heavy-duty steel carrier offers exceptional strength and is built to last. It can bear the weight of your motocross bike, scooter, or off-road motorcycle with ease. Just be sure it doesn’t weigh more than 500 pounds.
Its anti-tilt locking device prevents your bike from wobbling around even on rough terrains. Although made of steel, the Best Choice Products SKY1375 is relatively lightweight compared to other models made with the same materials. That shouldn’t be a bad thing since it could make it the right choice for your car, but lighter steel may lack long-term toughness and could take damage over time.
- Heavy-duty powder-coated steel construction for optimum strength and durability
- 500 pounds maximum load-bearing capacity
- Anti-tilt locking system prevents wobbling and rattling
- Compatible with 2” square receivers for use with Class II, III, IV, or V hitch receivers
- May not be ideal for long-term use due to the lack of sturdiness
3. Black Widow MCC-600 Motorcycle Carrier
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 79 x 8 x 10 inches
- Product Weight: 95 pounds
- Material Used: Powder-coated steel
Black Widow is one of the most popular hitch carrier brands. With its 600-pound weight capacity, this motorcycle carrier is worth considering. This fantastic piece of gear has a solid steel frame with an extended loading ramp. That helps you load your bike up to its 79” rack without hurting your back.
The package includes an anti-rattle device, a ⅝” hitch pin, and a 7-position adjustable wheel chock that helps prevent your bike from shaking and wobbling around. The four integrated tie-down anchor points are compatible with larger bikes.
- Removable load ramp
- Up to 600 pounds of load-bearing capacity
- Perfect for Class III or IV 2” hitch receivers
- Front and rear end anchor points
- More expensive than most brands
- No traction on the ramp
- Bolts need extra security and fastening
If you’re looking for a lighter option, you might want to check out another Black Widow powersports product – the AMC-400 Hitch-Mounted Aluminum Motorcycle Carrier. It weighs 36 pounds, has a 400-pound load-bearing capacity, and comes with a spacer bar adapter that allows you to fit your youth 50-80cc bikes.
4. EGO BIKE Steel Motorcycle Scooter Dirt Bike Carrier
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 40.5 x 12 x 9.8 inches
- Product Weight: 50.7 pounds
- Material Used: Powder-coated steel
The EGO BIKE Carrier is more than 40 pounds lighter than two of the three heavy-duty powder-coated steel carriers we’ve listed so far. The weight makes the assembly and installation manageable by one man. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t exceed the 500-pound load limit.
Despite the confusing number of bolts and the anti-wobble hardware kit it comes with, this carrier is easy to assemble. To install it, the size of the 8 bolts it comes with should prompt you where it goes without minding the puzzling instructions. Its anti-tilt device prevents wobbling, so you won’t have to think about your bike even when driving off-road.
- Multi-load
- Up to 500 pounds of load-bearing capacity
- Works with 2” square receivers – Class II, III, IV, or V trailer hitches
- Doesn’t come with a wheel chock
- Extremely short load ramp
- Doesn’t include a trailer hitch pin
5. MotoTote Sport Bike Motorcycle Carrier Hitch Rack RAMP LED Light
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 78 x 20 x 8.5 inches
- Product Weight: 63 pounds
- Material Used: Heavy-duty steel
MotoTote – the newest name in the motorcycle hitch carrier world. Its installation is easy and straightforward as it only comes with a few parts. The package comes with eight cap screws with nuts. If you master the mounting process from the manual, it will take you less than half an hour to assemble and install it.
This MotoTote carrier is sturdy and well-designed. Its various safety features ensure your bike is safe, secured, and sound at any driving speed. One of the most impressive features is MotoTote’s Zero-Wobble hitch mount that reduces wobbles without the messy anti-rattle brackets.
- LED taillights make the carrier visible in the dark
- Compatible with all standard 2” hitch receivers
- Reverse assembly
- Solid and sturdy loading ramp
- Low carrying capacity for a sport bike carrier
6. Titan Ramps M600C Sports Bike Motorcycle Carrier Rack
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 81 x 11 x 6 inches
- Product Weight: 99 pounds
- Material Used: Durable steel
As the name suggests, Titan Ramps is a king when it comes to all things ramp-related. The M600C, although bulky, hauls up to 600 pounds, which makes it one of the strongest on the market. Whether you have a sports bike, a motorcycle, or mini bikes, they can be seated perfectly.
Despite it being heavy, its assembly and setup are easy. It fits perfectly on a 2” receiver. The ramp included with this hauler makes loading your motorcycle a breeze due to its amazing length. The relatively gentle slope adds to the ease of pushing the bike up.
- A mountable ramp for easy loading
- Wheel chock keeps the motorcycle stable
- Compatible with 2” hitch receivers
- Ramp can be simply attached to the receiver
- Maximum carrying capacity of 600 pounds
- Heavy and bulky
- Prone to corrosion when in contact with strap hooks
- Could use traction on the ramp
7. Direct Aftermarket Steel Motorcycle Scooter Dirt Bike Hauler
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 76 x 33 inches
- Product Weight: 58 pounds
- Material Used: Powder-coated steel
Haul bikes that weigh up to 500 pounds with this Direct Aftermarket Bike Carrier. This carrier, made of a hard-wearing steel frame, can accommodate any bike – from scooters, classic motorcycles, or sports bikes. It comes with an anti-tilting lock mechanism and is also clad with a rubber base and padded arms for extra protection.
This gear item is rather easy to assemble and install. The loading ramp, which is a little shorter than what’s ideal, allows for loading from either side. The powder coating doesn’t wear off easily making the carrier impermeable to water.
- Rust- and corrosion-resistant
- Balanced loading dimensions
- Perfect for 2” hitch receivers
- Foamy and cushion protection.
- Bikes can be loaded from either side of the ramp
- Short ramp
- Anti-sway block doesn’t come with instructions
- Hitch pins are bought separately
Buying Guide: What to Consider When Getting a Motorcycle Hitch Carrier
To be able to pick the right carrier for your needs, you must take into consideration several important factors. Read on to find out what they are.
Build Materials
Do you pick steel or aluminum? You can use any of the two as both are amazingly good. Steel and aluminum are equally tough and hard-wearing. Pick the one that’s more convenient and corresponds to your case.
Steel needs treatment to make sure it outstands corrosion. Aluminum, on the other hand, resists corrosion even without treatment. Steel hitches are bulky and heavy as they are designed to be physically resilient and get you that extra load limit margin. Aluminum may be less suitable to the weight of heavy bikes, but their lightweight nature makes the installation easy. Plus, you don’t have to worry about weathering if you opt for this material.
Weight Limit
The weight limit correlates with the build materials. Each material has its carrying capacity, so it’s important to check the weight of your bike. Most carriers range from 400 to 600 pounds. When deciding which hitch carrier works best for you, consider leaving a little leeway – that means giving enough room for when your motorcycle is dry or full-tanked.
Also, think about the weight of your car. Your owner’s manual should give you details about your vehicle’s load capacity and limit. This is especially helpful when the truck is already enduring a hitch load.
Vehicle Type and Hitch Compatibility
Now that we’ve discussed the weight of your motorcycle and which material can best hold the load, let’s talk about the vehicle you’ll be attaching the hitch carrier to. You shouldn’t overlook the vehicle type you’ll be using a hitch carrier with because some carrier models are compatible with specific hitch receivers only.
Ease of Installation
Now that you know which material to use, the weight it can take, and the importance of your vehicle class, it’s time to move on to the installation process. On the assumption that your carrier is compatible with your vehicle, you shouldn’t have a hard time installing it. While instruction guides often come with the package, they can be confusing and hard to understand. In such cases, you can go to the manufacturer’s website to check if it has instructional videos, or you can reference the ever-reliable YouTube.
Don’t forget the components that come with the carrier such as bolts, nuts, and screws. Some carriers come with hitch pins, while others don’t. This isn’t a big deal since they can always be purchased through Amazon. Just make sure you know which class you’ll be using them for.
Ramp Inclusion / Ramp Length
My cousin may have not realized that my truck couldn’t bear the weight of his motorcycle. Hence the dents and scratches. While most hitch carriers aren’t as high as a truck’s flatbed, it’s still challenging to lift a bike and get it seated correctly. You’ll need a ramp that can facilitate the bike’s loading and unloading. However, not all ramps are the same. You must find one that’s long enough to extend with ease from the ground to the carrier.
Price
With all the points listed above in mind, you might have the ideal hitch carrier in mind by now. The question is, does it fit your budget?
Understandably, hitch carrier features come at a price. So, the more features a hitch carrier has, the pricier it may be. I’d invest in one that will ensure both my vehicle and my bike’s safety and last longer. I don’t think it’s saving when you buy a cheap product but end up buying a replacement not long after.
Conclusion
While you can use your flat-bed truck to transport your motorcycle, it’s not a very wise move. It will just leave your bike and your truck damaged and scratched. A hitch carrier will allow you to travel without constantly checking your rearview mirror to see if your bike’s still intact. Plus, don’t you want more room for other things you need to bring along?
Choosing the best hauling gear could be hard, but hopefully, the list above gives you an idea of what you want to get. Personally, a product will weigh more on my deciding factor if it prioritizes safety – for my bike, my car, and my wallet.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
✅ Is It Safer to Haul My Motorbike With a Carrier Than to Tie It up on a Trailer?
While trailers are reliable and safe, if you aren’t transporting more than one bike, then the carrier is better for you. Eliminate the hassle you will encounter on a cross-country trip such as struggles with maneuvering with a trailer. Not to mention, parking trailer requirements differ from one place to another.
✅ Are motorcycle racks legal?
Absolutely. Some people think otherwise because carriers can block the license plate or the backlights. As long as your plates are readable, your motorcycle racks are in no way obscuring the law. Also, it would be wise to add LED lights at the back of the carrier just for other motorists and pedestrians to see your vehicle.
✅ How do you tell if the carrier is well-matched with both the bike and the car?
The load rating of your bike and the hitch carrier should not go beyond the car’s tongue weight. The tongue weight is the downward force that the tongue of the trailer exerts on the hitch connected to the vehicle. The carrier manual should have the information that states the heaviest weight it can hold.
✅ Is it safe for my bike and my vehicle?
Certainly. Make sure you adhere to the weight limits, install the carrier correctly, and load your bike properly to avoid any risk of damage. The problem only arises when, as with most products, the carrier is used beyond what it’s intended for.
✅ How do I install a hitch carrier on my vehicle?
Installation and setup vary with each type or brand of carrier. Each brand has its manual and set of instructions which are mostly summed up with the following steps: (1) Clamp together the hitch bar and support braces, (2) Attach the motorcycle racks and the rest of the components, (3) Attach the hitch, (4) Mount through the ramp, (5) Fasten the bike to the carrier.
We hope you enjoyed our buyer’s guide and motorcycle hitch carrier recommendations. Be sure to check out our articles on bike racks for your Jeep Wrangler, finding the right roof box, and surfboard roof racks!
Thank for the great article! I only wish I had found this before I made my purchase. I went with the Black Widow carrier. I works just fine once the bike is on t(e ramp, but the short ramp makes it hard to load my 280 lb bike (as the bike rises and you don’t). I’ll purchase or construct a longer, 6’ ramp which should help. The included peg that restricts the front wheel from dropping dofar into the open wheel slot helps a good deal. Trying to roll a knobby tire out of a hole while the bike is raised can be .. interesting so the peg helps. I added a flat wood panel to help the bike glide while loading/unloading. One thing you readers should consider to avoid vehicle sag. I added Timbren leveler kit, which had been wonderful. https://www.etrailer.com/susp-2014_Toyota_Tacoma.htm
After loading my wr250r on the carrier, my truck goes down 1 inch in the rear, and rises 3/4 inch in the front. Solid rubber, no air tubes or leaks. Amazing.