Best Motorcycle Hitch Carrier: Reviews For All Weights

Hauling your motorcycle or motorbike from place to place can feel like a hassle at times. This is doubly the case if your car or truck is not equipped to carry your bike on its own. Fortunately, motorcycle hitch carriers are widely available today, making it easier than ever to transport your motorbike safely.

Not every motorcycle hitch carrier is precisely alike, though, particularly when it comes to their capacity to hold motorbikes over a certain weight. That's why I've put together this collection of reviews covering the specifications that make each of today's top models stand out. Also, if you read through each of the specialized buyer's guides below, you'll surely be able to identify the best motorcycle hitch carrier for your needs and budget in short order.

Benefits of Using a Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier

First and foremost, a motorcycle hitch carrier is by far the safest method of transporting your motorbike without needing to take it on the open road. This is because they are built with stability in mind, thus ensuring that your bike never suffers any damage while in transit.

Motorcycle hitch carriers can also lend a hand when it comes time to load up your motorbike. Some popular models include their own ramps, which can significantly reduce the strain of preparing a personal vehicle for transport.

Features to Look for in a Motorcycle Hitch Carrier

Vehicle Type

Before purchasing a prospective motorcycle hitch carrier model, always check to ensure that it is compatible with your vehicle type. Specifically, you should check to ensure that the carrier in question can safely secure a road bike or dirt bike of your size. While most models can do the job in a pinch, only precisely compatible models can provide the highest degree of stability during the transportation process.

Hitch Compatibility

Hitch compatibility should be one of the first specifications you check while comparing potential motorcycle hitch carrier options. That's because each model will only mount onto certain types of car or truck hitches, each of which is usually described by their size or "class." To ensure full compatibility on this front, be sure to check the size of your towing vehicle’s hitch point (often listed in the owner’s manual) before shopping around for a motorcycle carrier.

Build Material & Durability

Your chosen motorcycle hitch carrier will likely endure some wear over its lifetime, so you must pick out a model that is built from a durable metal. Steel and aluminum are the two most common options in this domain currently, with both providing reasonably comparable levels of corrosion resistance and structural integrity. Still, steel carriers are known to last long, while aluminum carriers are far lighter weight.

Ramp Length

If your chosen motorcycle hitch carrier features a ramp, be sure to check that it is long enough to reach the ground when it is mounted to the rear of your towing vehicle. Otherwise, the ramp will be unusable, and you’ll be forced to lift your heavy motorbike onto the carrier.

Weight Limit

Always heed the weight limit listed for a prospective motorcycle hitch carrier. This specification dictates the maximum weight a given carrier can safely tow with risking undue wear. At worst, failure to follow this specification can cause your motorbike to break free while in transport, which will undoubtedly damage your bike and put others on the roadway at risk.

Safety

Motorcycle hitch carriers are all about safety, so it only makes sense that you pick out a model that promises the highest number of reliable safety features. This can range from auxiliary tie-down points to stability pins, the latter of which can prevent vibrations while in motion that otherwise tend to cause safely-secured motorbikes to come loose.

Price & Warranty

As with all of your motorcycling or motorbiking equipment, you should strive to find a model that offers you a great deal. Often, you'll find that the best price for motorcycle hitch carriers, in particular, can be found at your favorite online retailer due to their extremely low shipping costs. While comparing prices, you should also keep the added value that comes with investing in a model with a productive or long-lasting warranty.

1. VersaHaul Dirt Bike Hitch Carrier

First up, let’s have a look at our top pick in this collection – the VersaHaul Dirt Bike Hitch Carrier. This model really impressed me when it came to balancing productivity, durability, and value. In many ways, this model is the very best option on the market for carrying a 500 lb dirt bike because its powder-coated steel frame prevents it from bending during the transport process.

Also, this model excels when it comes to providing options for common safety procedures. Specifically, this model includes four eyelet tie-down points that can be utilized with any type of tie-down strap. In the same vein, this carrier includes an anti-tilt lock bracket that will prevent your mounted motorbike from tilting over and causing a strap failure while your towing vehicle is in motion.

Though it’s a small detail, I also appreciate that this carrier includes several reflectors across its track. These will allow vehicles behind you to better see you, especially when it comes to encouraging others to allow extra distance between the end of your carrier and their front bumper.

2. ECOTRIC 600LBS

Next up, the ECOTRIC 600LBS deserves the runner up prize for its equally impressive array of features and specifications. For example, this model’s steel frame is uniquely able to resist rust over multiple years of routine usage. This, along with this carrier's 600 lbs carrying capacity, speaks to its overall durability when hooked up to a regular 2-inch hitch receiver.

The ECOTRIC 600LBS is also noteworthy for its exceptional length. At an impressive 79 inches long, even your longest motorbike or motorcycle will be able to fit comfortably and securely onto this unit's loading platform. You'll even be able to effectively secure a bike of this length using the built-in adjustable wheel stop (which serves as a wheel chock in practice).

Though it does not include a ramp, interacting with the ECOTRIC 600LBS is fairly simple. This is best exemplified by this model's quick-release locks, which are designed to open with a single motion and remain secure while the carrier is in use.

3. Black Widow AMC-400

Without a doubt, the Black Widow AMC-400 is the best aluminum motorcycle hitch carrier in the bunch. This model provides a great deal of durability across its entire 74.25-inch length, which I find particularly impressive because aluminum carriers, in general, used to bend and warp so easily. While this carrier can only carry up to 400 lbs., you can still expect its reinforced structure to protect motorcycles and motorbikes with 5.5 in. wide tires without trouble.

The Black Widow AMC-400's array of added features also allows this model to exceed expectations. For example, this model's self-storing ramp can be placed on either side of the carrying platform to simplify the loading and unloading process. Also, this model’s inclusion of its own anti-rattle device will ensure that your bike doesn’t become noisy and bothersome when traveling long distances.

Black Widow AMC-400 is also the only model in this collection to come with its own spacer bar adapter for no extra charge. As a result, you’ll be able to use this carrier to transport 50-80cc bikes without needing to purchase a second, smaller carrier.

4. Versa Haul VH-55DMRO

If you have a pair of motorbikes to transport, then may I draw your attention to the Versa Haul VH-55DMRO, which stands out as the best dual motorcycle hitch carrier on the market today. That’s because this model, which is compatible with all class III or IV hitch receivers, provides you with two platforms onto which two different motorcycles or motorbikes can be loaded. To that end, these 71.5 in. tracks can each hold 500 lbs on their own (though the entire carrier is only rated to carry 600 lbs. in total.

The added bulk of a second motorbike or motorcycle would usually cause a lessor carrier to warp or bend. But fortunately, the Versa Haul VH-55DMRO is built entirely from a durable, powder-coated stainless steel that remains structurally sound trip after trip. Even this model's reversible rails can be utilized many times over several years without fear of damage or degradation.

5. Best Choice Products SKY1375

If you don’t have a lot of spare cash to spend on your carrier, then the Best Choice Products SKY1375 will surely provide you with some bang for your buck. As the best budget hitch mount motorcycle carrier in this collection, you can expect this sub-$100 model to offer a decent amount of carrying capacity (500 lbs.) across its slightly larger-than-average track length (76 in.).

But more than its basic specifications, I was most impressed with what this model featured compared to more expensive models. As it turns out, the Best Choice Products SKY1375 is the absolute most compatible among its competitors, with the ability to safely and securely mount onto any class II, III, IV, or V hitch. Better yet, its inclusion of an anti-tilt locking device will ensure that your bike doesn’t wobble at all while your towing vehicle travels at highway speeds.

Many owners of the Best Choice Products SKY1375 have praised its easy assembly, as well. However, you should know that this model (which is made in China) has an unfortunate tendency to arrive with some very necessary parts (such as the eight attachment bolts) missing from the package.

6. TMS T-NS-MRC001

Finally, let's have a last look at the TMS T-NS-MRC001, which clearly stands out as one of the most popular 500 lbs motorcycle hitch carriers. I believe a significant amount of this popularity derives from the fact that this model provides an enhanced level of durability across its 76 in. track length. Indeed, you shouldn't expect this model's powder-coated steel frame to ever chip, scratch, or fade – even if you use your new carrier daily.

I was also pleased to see that the TMS T-NS-MRC001 provided a productive number of hitch receiver compatibilities, for class III, IV, or V hitches specifically. Also, it's inclusion of an anti-tilt locking device was a real surprise because few other models within the TMS T-NS-MRC001's price range offer such an important safety device.

You should be forewarned though – several previous users of the TMS T-NS-MRC001 have complained that it fails to meet its 500 lbs carrying capacity. So, you should exercise caution if you intend to load up a motorbike or motorcycle close to that size.

Trailers Vs Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carriers

Trailers and motorcycle hitch carriers are fundamentally different. Trailers are a flat-bed or enclosed attachment for a truck that allows for a motorbike/motorcycle to be transported along with a small amount of gear. As a result, they are substantially more expensive and require more upkeep over time.

Motorcycle hitch carriers, on the other hand, are purpose-built attachments for your vehicle that allow you to secure a motorcycle or motorbike in just a few minutes. Motorcycle hitch carriers are also far more affordable, though they do tend to require replacement after a year or two of regular use.

Hitch-Mounted Carrier Installation

Installing your new motorcycle hitch carrier correctly is essential to its proper operation. As such, you should take the time to read through your model’s installation guide before attempting to complete the installation by yourself. Should you need some extra help in understanding this critical process, this video should help you better visualize the steps for one common type of motorcycle hitch carrier installation.

Other Parts & Accessories

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Is it safer to haul my motorbike with a carrier than to tie it up on a trailer?

This comes down to a matter of opinion, especially when it comes to your methods for tying down your motorbike or motorcycle. Generally, hitch-mounted carriers are easier to set up and provide spaces for attaching more sturdy mounting devices (such as a mounting pin). Meanwhile, a trailer provides more space overall, which can be better customized to fit the strapping needs of your motorbike or motorcycle.

Are motorcycle racks legal?

At face value, motorcycle racks are legal to use on all US roadways. However, you may run into problems with the law if your chosen rack carrier obscures your taillights or license plate. If you have concerns about the legality of your preferred carrier, be sure to speak with local law enforcement officials before hitting the open road.

How do you tell if the carrier is well-matched with both the bike and the car?

Always test your bike and car’s carrier compatibility in a low-stakes situation before hitting the open road. For example, after mounting your carrier and loading on your bike, try driving around in a parking lot. Afterward, you should check to see if your bike has come loose at all and plan to add extra straps at those locations as warranted.

Is a hitch safe for my bike and my vehicle?

Every hitch carrier comes with some risks, many of which can originate from user error. To ensure that your chosen hitch is entirely safe for your bike and your vehicle, be sure to always use the product as intended by its manufacturer and learn how to safely use the carrier before ever loading it with your precious motorcycle or motorbike.

Is steel or aluminum a better choice?

In terms of durability, steel and aluminum hitch carriers are relatively comparable. However, you may choose to go with a steel carrier if you want your unit to resist wear and tear from the elements more effectively. If you're looking to minimize the load added to the rear of your vehicle, a lightweight aluminum model will be your best bet.

Conclusion