Motorcycle carrier as cheap sturdy alternative to bike carriers

[BrianK]

Hi folks,
I recently picked up a 2009 Ford Crown Vic and money is tight, so I searched Facebook Marketplace for a hitch for my “e bike carrier.” I did find a 2” class III Hidden Hitch for $50 and had it installed and wired at UHaul (another $200.)

I had a motorcycle carrier from carrying my Honda previously with a pick up. It’s rated up to 600 pounds. They can be found used on Marketplace for half (or much less!) than the price of a new dedicated hitch mount bike carrier that’s sturdy enough for e bikes. (I think I paid $250 for mine used, to bring a Honda 750 from North Carolina to Massachusetts where I lived at the time.)

Total investment $500 for an extremely sturdy option.

It doubles quite well as an e bike carrier. I drove 130 miles with it to visit family this weekend and the e bike carried rock solid on the motorcycle carrier. I simply used a set of four Harbor Freight ratchet straps to hold it securely to the motorcycle carrier and cut off the excess strapping since this set of straps will be dedicated to the e bike carrier.

 

[Art Deco]

I actually looked at hitch mounted cargo racks before I decided to just keep the bikes inside the van. A nice feature is that they don't block the "barn doors" on the back of many vans the way bike racks can.

 

[BrianK]

I actually looked at hitch mounted cargo racks before I decided to just keep the bikes inside the van. A nice feature is that they don't block the "barn doors" on the back of many vans the way bike racks can.

My previous vehicle was a GMC Safari cargo van so carrying the e bike inside the van was quite easy and simple. I already had the motorcycle carrier so with this car I just had to get a hitch. Since I can remove the motorcycle carrier from this, I can also use it as a traditional hitch cargo carrier, which seems a much better alternative than spending money on a dedicated $600-$700 e bike carrier.

 

[m@Robertson]

I would not trade my motorcycle rack for an ebike carrier. I added a 6-ft ramp to replace the 4-footer that came with it and its a big upgrade.

The aluminum ones have less capacity than the steelies, but they seem to be made a little better and they are about 10 lbs lighter. In the past I have had issues with them being too low to the ground so they scrape on ramps. I solved that permanently with a 4" staggered lift. Doesn't extend the rack out much and its still well within the rated tongue weight on the hitch and the rating on the extension (50% of hitch tongue weight thanks to moving the rack/lever out about 4" further.

The aluminum ones used to be $175. They have recently doubled. But Summit Racing is still offering them on back-order for the original $175. Shipping next month.

 

[BrianK]

I would not trade my motorcycle rack for an ebike carrier. I added a 6-ft ramp to replace the 4-footer that came with it and its a big upgrade.

The aluminum ones have less capacity than the steelies, but they seem to be made a little better and they are about 10 lbs lighter. In the past I have had issues with them being too low to the ground so they scrape on ramps. I solved that permanently with a 4" staggered lift. Doesn't extend the rack out much and its still well within the rated tongue weight on the hitch and the rating on the extension (50% of hitch tongue weight thanks to moving the rack/lever out about 4" further.

The aluminum ones used to be $175. They have recently doubled. But Summit Racing is still offering them on back-order for the original $175. Shipping next month.

I’ve found that if I just park my e bike behind and parallel to the motorcycle carrier, and squeeze the rear bike brake while pulling back on the handlebars, the front of the e bike pops up in the air, and I just swing it onto the motorcycle carrier. Then I just grab the rear rack and lift the rear of the bike onto the rack. The kickstand holds the bike upright on the motorcycle carrier until I get the front end strapped in, then I strap the rear end. My carrier has eye bolts installed at each corner to make securing the straps easier.