In this article, we talk about all the different options for hauling your dirt bike with a hitch carrier.
Most dirt bikers will need at some point haul their dirt bike to a different location. Having a dirt bike hitch carrier is one of the best and easiest ways to haul your dirt bike if you do not have a truck.
Hell, I have even seen guys that have trucks still use a hitch-mounted dirt bike carrier to save space for other things or even add an extra bike if the truck bed is already loaded with dirt bikes.
At one point in my life, I had an SUV instead of a truck and this SUV was well not all that good at pulling trailers. Luckily for me, I was able to get my hands on a really quality dirt bike carrier (MX Hauler)
Table of Contents
What is a Dirt Bike Hitch Carrier?
A dirt bike hitch carrier is a platform or mechanism that uses your vehicle’s towing gear and hitch receiver to mount these dirt bike carriers into the receiver hitch. This allows you to haul your dirt bike around with any vehicle that has a hitch receiver.
Typically a dirt bike weighs around 200-300 lbs not including the actual dirt bike carrier system. Keep this in mind when making the decision if your vehicle will be able to hand that kind of weight directly on the hitch receiver.
Which dirt bike hitch carrier is right for you?
You want to make sure you invest in the right dirt bike hitch carrier that will keep your dirt bike safe while heading down the road. Add bumpy offroad dirt roads it also means your dirt bike hitch carrier needs to keep your dirt bike in place with minimal wobbling.
What Vehicles can use a Dirt Bike Hitch Carrier or Hauler?
As mentioned above any vehicle that has a hitch receiver will work but as I mentioned make sure the hitch receiver can actually handle the weight.
- SUV with towing gear
- Trucks with towing gear
- Some Cars with towing gear
- UTV’s with towing gear
- Trailers with extra towing gear
Who needs a dirt bike hitch carrier?
If you do not have a truck with a truck bed or a trailer to haul your dirt bike around you fall into the category of needed a dirt bike hitch carrier.
This allows for pretty much anyone to be able to haul their dirt bike around to the different motocross or dirt bike trails.
What you need to know about Dirt Bike Hitch racks and Carriers.
You need to make sure you get the hitch carrier that works best for your setup. When you add weight to the hitch receiver on your vehicle it causes the rear end of your vehicle to sag allowing your bumper and dirt bike carrier to get closer to the ground. If your hitch rack or bumper is too low you have to worry about dragging on the ground.
Some of the more affordable options offer ZERO height adjustability, this means that you are stuck at whatever sag ride height your vehicle has.
You also need to make sure that the handlebars of your dirt bike do NOT smack your rear window or rear panels on your vehicle. Going over rough terrain makes the dirt bike on the dirt bike carrier jump around and if there is not enough room you risk denting your vehicle or even braking a rear window.
Best Dirt Bike Carrier Racks Options for 2023:
Lucky for us there are a lot of good options when it comes to dirt bike hitch carriers for 2023. We have a simple and more affordable dirt bike hitch carrier racks up to really nice and fancy dirt bike haulers.
#1 Most Affordable Dirt Bike Hauler Hitch Rack
This is one of the most affordable powder-coated steel motorcycle carriers on the market.
- 500 lb load capacity
- Comes with a loading ramp
- Anti-tilt lock device to help with wobbling
- Made to fit in 2″ receiver hitch
- Can be loaded from either side
- Costs: $126
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use
- Affordable
- Multi-direction loading
Cons:
- Hard to eliminate motorcycle wobble
- Zero adjustment
#2 Mockins Hitch Mount Dirt Bike Carrier
The Mockins heavy-duty steel dirt bike hitch carrier comes with the following feature.
- 500 Lbs carrying capacity
- Carrier includes straps
- Hitch rack is 73.5″ long and 31.5″ wide
- The hitch carrier weighs 61 lbs
- Straps to help prevent wobble
- Costs: $179.99
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use
- Affordable
- Multi-direction loading
Cons:
- Hard to eliminate motorcycle wobble
- Zero adjustment
#3 ULTIMATE MX HAULER MOTORCYCLE CARRIER
The Ultimate MX hauler for dirt bikes is a versatile and effective way to haul your dirt bike. The ability to lower the base/stand down to allow you to roll the dirt bike onto its lift stand makes it easy to load your dirt bike. Once your dirt bike is secured to the platform you use the hydraulic lift to lift your dirt bike off the ground and this allows you to have more clearance than standard dirt bike hitch carriers. (CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE ON MX HAULER)
- Integrated hydraulic lift Jack
- Rigid platform and anti-wobble pins
- 375lb carrying capacity
- Weighs 65 lbs
- One person operation
- Lifts high to allow dirt bike to clear ground
- Costs: $449.29
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use
- Better adjustability
- Easier on Suspension internals (zero suspension pressure)
- Less wobble than platform ramp carriers
Cons:
- Pricey
#4 Ultimate MX Hauler Ramp Single Dirt Bike Carrier
This MX hauler has a higher weight capacity and allows you to carry other motorcycles than just dirt bikes. The Ultimate MX Hauler Ramp can drop down closer to the ground allowing you to have an easier time loading the bike. It’s a lot easier to load a bike that isn’t higher than you. In the down position, you can roll your dirt bike onto the rail and then the front tire will drop into place preventing the dirt bike from rolling forwards or backward.
- Integrated hydraulic lift Jack and ramp
- Rigid platform and anti-wobble pins
- 450lb carrying capacity
- Weighs 99 lbs
- One person operation
- Costs: $649.99
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use
- Better adjustability
- Ramp for better security
- Less wobble than platform ramp carriers
Cons:
- Pricey
Depending on your budget and the type of vehicle you have will depend on what dirt bike hitch carrier you choose. All of the above will do the job but the more expensive ones have better options to keep your dirt bike from wobbling and also easier and safer loading options.
Editors Choice
I prefer the Ultimate MX Hauler and even though I have a truck this is my favorite dirt bike ramp carrier because it’s easier to load and secure your dirt bike over the standard dirt bike carrier ramps that do not have a lifting mechanism like a hydraulic lift.
It’s easy to remove the pin the secures the stand stays in place while traveling and it will slowly lower your dirt bike to the ground. I also like the fact that I don’t have to tie down the front fork suspension which helps keep your suspension fresh and in good working order.
