Last night I was discussing hauling my bike with some friends when one of them recommended buying a hitch-mount bike carrier. I've seen quite a few online. But they all more or less look the same to me. I was wondering if anyone has bought one and your opinion of it.

 

Hi Brien,

It has been years since I used one (MotoXcaddy If I remember correct). It was a reasonable solution. There are a few out there that caught my eye, they slide into the receiver and have a built in hydraulic jack and a pedestal that the bike mounts to. I believe it is called the MXHauler, ulitmate hauler, something to that effect... My old motoxcaddy was of the aluminum channel type and I used numerous tiedowns to secure the bike. It could be a bit un-nerving at times feeling the bike back there swaying about!

What type vehicle do you plan to use the carrier on? I had a Toyota Tacoma and it worked ok. If you have too small of a vehicle it would be better to go with something like a light Harbor Freight utility trailer.

The pros about a carrier is they are easy to stow when not in use, no trailer to take up space, and no license tabs to purchase.

 

Thanks for the info. I have a Ram 1500 with a Hemi. I also tow a cargo trailer for my business so I know it can handle the weight. The problem with buying a motorcycle trailer is space. As it is now my cargo trailer is parked in the driveway when not in use and I really don't have space to store anything else. That's why I though the carrier would be a great solution.

 

I bought one off ebay for like $94 bucks. So far so good. Used it alot haulin my klx and hauled a friends ninja 250 with no probs. Its all aluminum except for the reciever part. Has a ramp that comes with it. This one looks the same as all the other cheaper ones out there, they just all have different model numbers. It holds like 400 lbs. The only thing I would suggest doin no matter what brand you get is install some lights on it cause my klx blocks my tail lights. I bought a truck tailgate light bar and used velcro to hold it on to the carrier and when im done with the carrier the light bar goes on my tail gate. Mine has built in reverse lights as well and it also looks really cool.

 

Here it is. I think the model number was like kh-400. I know it had 400 in it somewhere haha. Also came with the anti tilt bracket which is a must. Works good.

 

AMC-400 I bought one off eBay a few years ago 100$ shipped. One of the best things I have ever bought. Search on KF here, there are a few threads about them.
Discount ramps is the name of the store on ebay.
dan

 

I have a hitch mount carrier I use on my 2003 Ford Windstar. I have hauled my klx250s, XL250r, and TW200 with it.
Craig

 

Many people have had good luck with cheap carriers. With that said I returned a carrier from discount ramps after busting bolts with hand tools while assembling. You may gain peace of mind by going with a better engineered carrier but you will have to pay for it.

 

I have an Add-A-Bike, aluminum one I bought locally from a private seller. I've used it a couple times. Almost LOST the bike off it once though... I was using cam-buckle straps, and they worked themselves loose. Bike was hanging off the back at about a 70 degree angle. Had I not stopped to check it, it would have been gone in a couple more miles.

The moral of the story: Get some GOOD ratchet straps!!! Don't trust the cam-buckle type with your treasured bike's life. Doubling straps can't hurt either.

 

+1 I doubled my straps for a long time, and only ever use the ratchet straps. The first time I took the bike out on the rack, I know I was watching the bike more than the road ahead for about the first 100 miles. It's been on the rack for thousands of miles now , no issues.