Hello All, I'm wondering if anyone has experience and/or recommendations regarding a hitch mounted bike carrier. I'd only be using it to carry my exc and have no intention of putting anything larger on it. I've searched around on the inter-web and of course find all sorts of opinions and prices but I'm just wondering if anyone from this group has any practical experience/sage words of wisdom, good or bad. I realize most would probably suggest a trailer but realistically it's probably not in my budget right now (though I have been keeping my eyes open for a minimum 5' x 8' for the right price). Thanks so much
Depends on your vehicle. Personally, I wouldn't use one on anything but a pickup or large SUV. I have a cap on my truck, so I use one. It is home made and has gone through a few iterations. Ugly, but strong and holds the bike securely.
I used one for a couple of years with my KLX 250. I used it on my Ford Ranger but like woodzi said I wouldn't want to use it on anything lighter. I've seen a couple guys use them on smaller cars and it almost drags on the ground. I just had the cheap Princess Auto special I sold it for a case of beer to a member here. Worked fine for me.
I have used one in the past when I have my truck bed full of tools. I have a cheap princess auto one that does the trick. I find around town it seats back and forth but on the hwy it is pretty stable. You can get an add on that puts pressure on it so it takes some of the away out that I may try. Keep in mind it will be the weight of your bike, the weight of the carrier and it is compounded by hanging out so far away from the hitch. I also wouldn't want to use it on anything smaller then a truck or large SUV
I used a princess auto carrier On my jeep wrangler and it worked great. Like others have said you have to have the suspension for it. I have a new Jeep Cherokee and I’m hoping it works just as well on that vehicle have not tried it yet
Thanks for the responses, I'd be putting it on the back of a Toyota Highlander that has a towing package and decent rear suspension, but the vehicle is definitely beginning to show it's age ('04) model though I'm hoping for another year, maybe two... otherwise the other option would be a Dodge Caravan but the suspension in the rear is crap so wouldn't want to put any additional weight, especially hanging out from the hitch. Will probably wait until I can afford a decent trailer given I have no idea what vehicle I'll be getting next.
See if you can put air bladders to correct rear suspension sagging & help with the extra weight you will put on the back of the SUV. I did it on my '01 Ford Expedition and the truck rear end felt like new without making the ride harsher. Something like this: Firestone Coil-Rite Air Helper Spring Kits
I used the princess auto one on my Tacoma, because I hate loading a bike up into the bed. I will be using it with my Sierra now as well if I'm going riding by myself. I personally wouldn't use one unless the hitch is rated for 500lbs or more. I never used one with my 98 Sienna because the hitch was only for 300lbs, and while my 200xcw + carrier would have come just under that amount, I personally didn't want to take the risk for me and everyone else on the road.
I have also used the Princess Auto unit in the past for the little CR80R, hitched to the back of a Wrangler. Worked well, a lot easier than loading into the back of a pickup. I think you can pick them up for around $100, so not too shabby price wise. Just make sure you have some bungees and tie downs because I found the bike to be a bit floppy on occasion. Thanks for posting this, I've been curious about throwing some of these in the back of the Tahoe. I don't have the fancy max tow package with rear air, so this is a good alternative for towing. Much cheaper than the factory option!
My thoughts, for what they're worth, after using the Princess Auto carrier a bit over the last year: -the Princess Auto carrier is not very sturdy. If I was going to use this more often and long distance, I'd upgrade to a much better one and spend maybe $500. Even for my limited use I will probably reinforce/modify it to make me feel more secure. -I've only used it for 240-lb bikes, and I can't imaging putting a 500-lb bike on it.-I'm using a Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 500-lb tongue rating, and I would not haul bike on any lower rated vehicle (the CR80 excepted!) unless it was really short range and easy road -even with a vehicle rated for 500-lb tongue load, you've got to consider that these carriers move the load point out quite far. In my case, it moves the load point 2 times as far as the regular trailer ball, when measured from the first connection of the hitch tube to the hitch structure, so these things are loading your hitch and your vehicle more than what you think. -there's a good chance your bike will cover up your tail/signal/brake lights and your license plate. If so, and you don't want to get rear-ended and have your bike caught in the middle, you'll have to mount some auxiliary taillights either on the hitch or get those magnetic ones you can mount on your vehicle roof. -I have a anti-rattle clamp that I use with the hitch and it does take away some of the sway and bounce
All excellent points. I can concur that the Princess Auto carrier would be a bit sketchy for a bike weighing over 300lbs. Even with the CR80, it kind of wobbled a bit and without appropriate tie downs, it didn't seem very secure. I would also feel a bit uneasy putting the max 500lb load onto the carrier.
Thanks everyone for your replies. Certainly helps confirm that my decision to wait to find a suitable trailer is the right move. Cheers
Chiming in a little bit late, but I would offer a perspective that the hitch-mount carrier is the most convenient, space saving and easy way to transport a single bike. This is compared to a trailer that you have to fiddle with parking, maintainance and have a place to store it somewhere... I own both a trailer and a hitch Mount carrier, but the trailer hasn't seen the road more than once or twice in the last 2 years. The only advantage a trailer offers is ability to carry multiple bikes, such as bringing a buddy with you if you're travelling in the same vehicle....
I really like the idea of a hitch mount for all the reasons you mention above but too be honest I wasn't overly impressed with the Princess Auto rack when I checked it out last year. My bike is only about 260 lbs so it doesn't seem excessive on a hitch with a robust carrier. I'm curious what make of hitch mount you have and what type of vehicle you have it mounted on? I've carried the family bikes on a Thule hitch mounted carrier for years and I've been generally happy with it though still prefer a roof mounted rack as it seems more secure and fixed to the vehicle.
I should have mentioned in my post that my dirtbike (250xc) Only weighs 230 pounds don’t know if I want to use the hitch carrier For much more than that. Another good thing with a hitch carrier specially when it’s on a jeep wrangler is the peace of mind knowing you could travel the trails to retrieve a dead bike much easier than trying to pull a trailer
Pretty hard to see your lights or plate like that, have you never been hassled by the police? I decided to avoid that issue all together by creating a light bar that consists of trailer lights that plugs into my trailer wiring harness. I've also sold the DRZ and have an XT now... this slow little tractor is great for what I want to do (need to update my signature):
Princess Auto was selling a light kit just for these hitch carriers (bikes and the cargo ones) that you just zip tyed to them. I tried searching but I can't find them now.
I've never seen something specific for these racks there, although they might exist. I also tried the magnetic tow lights, which worked fine, but I also wanted an illuminated licence plate mount as well. Basically I want to cover off anything the police might want to hassle me for
