Best Motorcycle Trailers: Haul Your Bike Anywhere with Ease

If you can’t ride it, these are the best trailers to get your bike from A to B.

byRobert Bacon|
Black Widow SMC-600R is the best overall motorcycle trailer
Robert Bacon
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As much as most motorcyclists would like to, unfortunately, we can’t just ride our bikes everywhere we want to go. This is even more true when it comes to bike-specific trips, like track days or hitting up a dirt bike trail. In these situations, we need the convenience of four wheels and the ability to easily load and transport our motorcycles. Enter motorcycle trailers.

Motorcycle trailers are the easiest way to get your bike from A to B without having to ride it. The best trailer for you totally depends on what motorcycle(s) you want to transport. But fear not because everything you need to know is outlined below.

Best Overall

Black Widow SMC-600R

Summary
If you could only have one motorcycle trailer to do it all, whether it’s bringing your kid’s dirt bike to the local trail or your Fireblade to COTA, this is the trailer.
Pros
  • 600-pound weight capacity
  • Works with 2-inch Class III or IV hitch receivers
  • Includes 5/8-inch anti-rattle device
  • Built-in adjustable wheel chock
Cons
  • Weighs 98 pounds
Best Value

Ecotric 500LBS Motorcycle Trailer

Summary
You won’t find another motorcycle hitch carrier that can transport up to 500 pounds at this price and still has so many satisfied customers.
Pros
  • 500-pound weight capacity
  • Made for a 3-inch Class II, III, IV, or V trailer hitch
  • Can load from either side,
  • Anti-tilting device
  • Loading ramp
Cons
  • Trailer hitch pin not included
Honorable Mention

Black Widow AMC-400 Hitch-Mounted Carrier

Summary
Many people only want a hitch trailer to transport their dirt bike to and from the track. If that sounds like you, this is the perfect model.
Pros
  • Perfect for dirt bikes
  • Self-storing ramp
  • Works with 2" Class III or IV hitch receivers
  • Ramp installs either side for bilateral roll-on, roll-off action
  • Lightweight construction
Cons
  • 400-pound weight limit

Summary List

Our Methodology

I’ve transported bikes in the back of vans, trucks, and on makeshift two-wheel trailers for nearly two decades. So, I’ve come to know a thing or two about motorcycle trailers. Although I haven’t had the chance to test all the products on this list, my opinions are based on transporting motorcycles for nearly 20 years.

As brands rise and fall in terms of quality and new technologies enter the market, I reserve the right to change my opinions and product choices.

Best Motorcycle Trailers: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Black Widow SMC-600R

Pros

600-pound weight capacity

Works with 2-inch Class III or IV hitch receivers

Includes 5/8-inch anti-rattle device

Built-in adjustable wheel chock

Cons

Weighs 98 pounds

Many of the motorcycle hitch trailers on the market limit you to transporting dirt bikes or small motorcycles, but not the Black Widow SMC-600R. This model has a 600-pound weight capacity, meaning it should be able to transport the majority of bikes with ease. Included in the sale is a loading ramp that measures six feet, which you can store on the carrier when it’s not in use. 

The carrier works with 2-inch Class III or IV hitch receivers, and there’s a 5/8-inch hitch pin and anti-rattle device included in the sale. At the front there’s a built-in adjustable wheel chock, which means this model doesn’t have bilateral roll-on/roll-off action, but you should have more confidence that your bike is locked in place while on the move. This is easily the most heavy-duty model on the list, and unfortunately that means it weighs 98 pounds. So, it’s not the easiest trailer to fit single handedly.

Best Value: Ecotric 500LBS Motorcycle Trailer

Pros

500-pound weight capacity

Works with 2-inch Class II, III, IV, or V trailer hitches

Can load from either side

Anti-tilting device

Loading ramp

Cons

Trailer hitch pin not included

If you need to transport relatively heavy motorcycles on a tight budget, just get the Ecotric 500lbs Motorcycle Trailer. As its name suggests, this model has a 500-pound weight capacity, which at this price point is astounding. It works with 2-inch square receivers that are Class II, III, IV, or V hitches, making it a lot more versatile than other hitch carriers on the market. It’s a multi-load carrier, meaning it's easy to load your bike from either side.

The carrier only weighs 48 pounds, making it extremely lightweight compared to the weight it can support. And there’s an anti-tilting device, which is meant to prevent the motorcycle from swaying. Included in sale is a loading ramp, which you can place on the carrier when you’re on the road. Unfortunately, a trailer hitch pin isn’t included, so you’ll have to pick that up yourself.

Honorable Mention: Black Widow AMC-400 Hitch-Mounted Carrier

Pros

Perfect for dirt bikes

Self-storing ramp

Works with 2" Class III or IV hitch receivers

Ramp installs either side for bilateral roll-on, roll-off action

Lightweight construction

Cons

400-pound weight limit

If you’re only planning on transporting dirt bikes, the Black Widow AMC-400 Hitch-Mounted Carrier is the obvious choice. This model has a 400-pound weight capacity, which is more than enough for any regular motocross bike, even a 450cc four-stroke. It works with 2-inch Class III or IV hitch receivers and fits bike wheels that are up to 5.5-inches wide. So anyone with fat-bike tires can count on this model, too.

This 6-foot-long ramp installs on either side for bilateral roll-on/roll-off action. Included in the sale is a youth dirt bike adapter and anti-rattle device. Built into the carrier is an anti-tilt bracket, which should help to reduce sway while you’re on the road. The whole unit weighs just 33.5 pounds, making it the lightest on this list. Unfortunately, for all but the lightest of road-going motorcycles, this carrier won’t be able to handle the load.

Best Dual Bike: Black Widow AMC-600-2 Double Carrier

Pros

Can transport two bikes

600-pound weight capacity

Works with 2" Class III or IV hitch receivers

Ramp installs either side for bilateral roll-on, roll-off action

Relatively lightweight for such a heavy-duty product

Cons

Individual bikes must weigh less than 400 pounds

Anyone who regularly needs to transport two motorcycles, dirt bikes more specifically, should get the Black Widow AMC-600-2 Double Motorcycle Carrier. I say this is more intended for dirt bikes because the individual bikes must weigh less than 400 pounds each, and the carrier has a maximum load capacity of 600 pounds. But, in theory, you could also transport two small road bikes. This unit works with 2-inch Class III or IV hitch receivers and accommodates bike tires up to 5.5-inches wide.

Like some of the other models on this list, this ramp installs on either side for bilateral roll-on/roll-off action, and there’s an anti-rattle device included in the sale. It tips the scales at just 76 pounds, which isn’t bad considering it can transport up to 600 pounds of cargo, albeit in two sub-400 pound carrying slots.

Our Verdict

The Black Widow SMC-600R is easily the most versatile, heavy-duty motorcycle carrier on the market. And it comes in at an extremely reasonable price. But, if you're on a tight budget, you can opt for the Ecotric 500LBS Motorcycle Trailer, and it'll work just fine.

Key Features

Here’s everything you need to know about motorcycle trailers.

Material

Expect motorcycle trailers to be constructed using steel or aluminum. Aluminum trailers are cheaper and lighter than steel trailers and have slightly improved aesthetics, albeit less durable,

Hitch Receiver Compatibility

Look for your motorcycle trailer to match your truck's class of hitch. Generally, motorcycle trailers are compatible with Class III (up to 1,200-pound towing capacity,) whereas, class IV and V are for 2,700 pounds and under.

Load Capacity

You need a trailer that can carry the weight of your motorcycle. If you plan to load more than one motorcycle, then you need to add up the total weight of all of the motorcycles. If you plan to carry gear, then consider the weight of that too. Keep in mind that a dirt bike weighs 300-400 pounds. Most sportbikes weigh 300-600 pounds, while fully dressed cruisers can easily weigh 800 pounds.

FAQs

You've got questions. The Drive has answers.

Q: How can I tell if the trailer hitch functions with my vehicle?

A: You need to check the weight of your motorcycle and load rating of your trailer. They should be within the vehicle’s tongue weight. Also, make sure the motorcycle or bike’s weight does not surpass the maximum weight capacity of the trailer itself.

Q: What is a vehicle’s tongue weight?

A: The tongue weight is the maximum weight your vehicle can carry on the hitch. You can find this information detailed in the vehicle owner’s guidebook. You can also figure it out yourself by taking the total weight of the car’s towing capacity and dividing it by 10.

Q: How big of a motorcycle trailer do I need?

A: It depends on the number of bikes stored. For one motorcycle, go with a trailer in the 4x8 and 6x12-foot range. For two motorcycles, a 6x10 to 7x14-foot trailer should work. Some of the most common dimensions include 5x8, 6x10., and 6x12-foot models. Please consult with your motorcycle manufacturer for exact dimensions before purchasing a motorcycle trailer.

Q: Do you need a wheel chock to trailer a motorcycle?

A: We highly recommend wheel chocks for tying down a motorcycle. Failure to use a wheel chock could cause your front wheel to rotate, turn, and wear down your tire's tread or perform an unexpected turn on the highway, potentially causing an accident. Be sure to use a ratchet strap and soft handlebar loops to tie down your handlebars as well.

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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