best motorcycle hitch carrier reviews

A Short Haul Through The Best Motorcycle Hitch Carrier Reviews

Quick Comparison: Top Motorcycle Hitch Carriers

Brand Name

Capacity

Class

Ramp

Price

Quality

My Rating

600 lbs.

III, IV

59 in.

$$

A

TMS T-NS-MRC001

500 lbs.

II, III, IV, V

38.5 in.

$

A

SKY1375 Steel Anti-Tilt

500 lbs.


II, III, IV, V

38.5 in.

$

A

Black Widow Steel Hitch-Mount

600 lbs.

III, IV, V

72 in.

$$

A+

VersaHaul VH-55 RO

500 lbs.

III, IV

57.5 in.

$$$

A+

**Below, you'll find my more detailed reviews about the best motorcycle hitch carriers, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

We all want to be able to ride off on our bikes at the time of our choosing. But when it’s your bike on a ride to somewhere, you will need a dependable way to load it onto a vehicle for transport. You’ll be relying on the carrier’s design to keep your bike lashed down and secured from wobbling on the road.

A hitch-mounted model could readily do the job if your truck or car is properly equipped for it. The mounting receivers are found at the rear of the truck, and carriers come in various sizes and load capacities. Some models are better for securing your bike during harsh rides due to a better design or stronger construction.

This guide to the best motorcycle hitch carrier reviews covers design and build qualities. We’ve checked off a very few that you can rely on to work consistently and reliably.

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Have You Known How To Choose Among Motorcycle Carriers?

best-motorcycle-hitch-carrier-reviews

With hitch carriers, you will need to know some measures to evaluate these things. These can be differ a lot in use, even though most models can look much alike. We’ll explain a regular bike carrier based on its critical aspects.


Hitch Mounting

The most sensible types of carriers are of the hitch-mounted type. Almost every wheeled vehicle has a receiver at its rear that’s designed for a certain range of loads. You can figure out which type to use by reading your vehicle’s manual to determine the receiver class.


Material Construction

The choice of materials used in the construction of a carrier is somewhat clear-cut. Made of various metals, most models on the market feature either high-strength steel or aluminum frame construction. The latter is usually lighter for structures of similar strength.

Then again, models made of steel tend to be more durable and therefore more dependable over time, and these are what we’re covering in this guide


Load Limits

You have to select a load capacity that matches your bike’s weight as most models are rated for a specified maximum and no higher. Some can also accommodate scooters or motorized bicycles and you might confuse these with regular motorcycle carriers. It’s critical to pair the load limit of the model you’re considering with the weight of the bike you’ll be loading onto it.


Hauling Multiple Bikes

If you’re transporting several bikes around or are planning to at some point in the future, there are larger products that will let you to load a second motorcycle or sports scooter. Owners who think they will only ever be handling one bike can forego these and spring for a single-bike model. It may still be worth having the capability for those instances where you’ll be loading a friend’s bike as well.

Highly rated designs that are built for rugged and constant use are your best bet in preventing bad events on the road. At any rate, always get sturdiest hitch-mounted carrier that fits your budget.

A video primer on using a hitch carrier (Boss-type):

The Best Motorcycle Hitch Carrier Reviews

Five highly rated models and their basic details.

Rage Powersports MX-600X

Pros

600 lbs. load
Fits 2-inch Class III, IV receivers
For motorcycles and scooters
Adapts different-sized wheels
Long ramp

Cons

Relatively expensive
Not for tow-behind trailer

This carrier is built of high-strength steel and can carry bikes weighing up to 600 pounds. It fits any Class III or higher receiver. The distance along the hitch member from the hitch pin’s center to the ramp’s center is about 15.5 inches, or 20 inches from pinhole to the track’s center. The five-foot long ramp makes loading larger motorcycles easier, and when unused it is readily attached beside the rack.

The included reverse anti-tilt collar and pinch bolt reduces slack in the receiver and stops wobbling. There are integrated straps for tie-downs, and pins can be removed to re-adjust the front wheel space by 8 to 12 inches. It currently sells for below $200, which is reasonable for this capability.

The Powersports MX-600X is a dependable if slightly expensive hitch carrier for single sport scooters as well as bikes.

TMS T-NS-MRC001

Pros

500 lbs. load
Fits 2-inch Class II, III, IV, V receivers
Loads from both sides
Inexpensive

Cons

Ramp holes may not align properly with housing
Short ramp

The TMS MRC001 is a relatively affordable model that is constructed entirely of high-strength steel. It’s highly adaptable to most Class II or higher receivers. The clearance length of the hitch member from the hitch pin’s center to the ramp’s mid-point is around 18 inches.

It can haul up to 500 pounds of bike and has an anti-tilt lock mechanism to secure it so that the bike stays mostly upright and safe. Loading your bike on the 3-foot long ramp is possible from either side, but the short length isn’t too good for bigger motorcycles.

The TMS MRC001 is an inexpensive and basic hitch carrier that gets the job done for under a hundred Dollars, although the ramp’s short length is inconvenient for heavier bikes.

SKY1375 Steel Anti-Tilt

Pros

500 lbs. load
Fits 2-inch Class II, III, IV, V receivers
Loads from either side
Inexpensive

Cons

Short ramp

This a durable yet inexpensive model that’s entirely made of steel and can haul 500 pounds of bike. It can mount on any 2-inch square receiver of Class II or higher. The distance from the hitch pin’s center to the ramp’s center is about 18 inches.

The carrier has an anti-tilt lock to stop wobbling on the road and is readily assembled and mounted with just eight bolts. It includes a relatively short 38.5-inch loading ramp that won’t be convenient for loading heavier motorcycles.

Overall, the inexpensive SKY1375 at under a hundred Dollars is easily assembled and rugged enough, although the short ramp isn’t the best for big bikes.

Black Widow Steel Hitch-Mount

Pros

600 lbs. load
Fits 2-inch Class III, IV, and V receivers
Extra-long ramp
Sturdy

Cons

A bit heavy
Expensive

With its durable construction and secure features, the pricey Black Widow is among the best hitch carriers available. It’s constructed of high-strength steel and can haul bikes weighing up to 600 pounds. Adaptable to most Class III or higher receivers, the model is usually installed with at least 6 inches of tailgate clearance from the hitch pin to the rack.

An anti-tilt bracket, four tie-down points, and a seven-position wheel chock round out a long and wide rail that works to keep scratches off your bike. The assembly is heavier than the others reviewed here. But the six-foot long ramp is great for easy loading of heavy motorcycles and stores beside the rack when not in use.

Priced over two hundred Dollars, the well-designed Black Window offers seriously rugged and adaptable transport for bikes. We think this hitch carrier is second only to the VersaHaul in build quality, features, and capability.

VersaHaul VH-55 RO

Pros

500+ lbs. load
Fits 2-inch Class III, IV receivers
Built-in receiver
Long ramp
Made-in-USA ruggedness

Cons

Somewhat heavy
Rather expensive

The VersaHaul is made in USA, and its box-type steel framing is rated to haul bikes weighing up to 500 pounds, which in practice can be exceeded a bit. It fits most Class III or higher receivers and the distance from the hitch pin’s center to the ramp’s center is around 21.5 inches.

This model is readily assembled with only a few adjustments to bolt hole placement required. An excellent anti-tilt tensioning bracket encircles the receiver member, anchoring it to the hitch tube. The four tie-down arms can each be retracted when unused, lessening the risk of scraping parked vehicles or walls while driving around without a load.

The rail’s wheel block and the provided rear taillights unblocked by the bike are good safety measures. The rail’s heavy-duty construction is finished in durable power-coated black. Even then, the VersaHaul isn’t too massive for a single guy to handle.

In short, the well-designed VersaHaul VH-55 RO with its premium features and Made-in-USA quality is great. It’s our pick for the best single-motorcycle hitch carrier.

Don’t Cheap Out When Hauling Pricey Bikes

Most bikers will be satisfied with one of the cheaper reviewed models. But then most are probably not too particular about their motorcycles. When unfortunate incidents happen that aren’t due to sloppy mounting, it’s usually the fault of inferior designs or materials.

best-motorcycle-hitch-carrier-reviews

We believe that the VersaHaul VH-55 RO with its premium features and quality is the best all-around hitch carrier available. If you’re into serious bike hauling, it can be well worth the more than four hundred Dollars it costs.

Brand Name

Capacity

Class

Ramp

Price

Quality

My Rating

600 lbs.

III, IV

59 in.

$$

A

TMS T-NS-MRC001

500 lbs.

II, III, IV, V

38.5 in.

$

A

SKY1375 Steel Anti-Tilt

500 lbs.


II, III, IV, V

38.5 in.

$

A

Black Widow Steel Hitch-Mount

600 lbs.

III, IV, V

72 in.

$$

A+

VersaHaul VH-55 RO

500 lbs.

III, IV

57.5 in.

$$$

A+

We hope this look at the best motorcycle hitch carrier reviews can help you decide how to readily transport your bike with safety and convenience.

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