The Essential Guide to Finding the Best Scooter Carrier + Reviews
If you’re looking for the best scooter carrier that gets the job done, you will most likely find something that satisfies your needs in the list below. After many hours of research, our team went through numerous scooter carriers to compile a list of some of the most popular models you can get depending on your budget and the features that you may want. After carefully analyzing all the pros and cons, our team suggests going with the Titan Ramps Hitch Mounted Scooter Carrier because of the great number of features it provides. It has a 500-pound capacity, it is foldable, and it’s also made of heavy-duty steel. If for whatever reason, this product is unavailable, the second-best option that fits most people’s needs is the Silver Spring Steel Folding Scooter and Wheelchair Carrier. That one is also a good choice for many users, which is why it got so much praise.
Comparison table
1st Choice
Made from heavy-duty steel, this carrier can fit up to 500 pounds of load on it. It also folds up to occupy less space on the back of your truck when your scooter isn’t on the platform.
The ramp can feel too heavy for some people and you might have trouble reading the installation manual if you’re new to this.
You can’t go wrong with this carrier no matter what type of mobility scooter you have. By folding it, barely any parking space gets sacrificed, and you don’t have to worry about detaching it.
2nd Best
With just 75 pounds of added weight, this scooter feels like a charm to drive even on less powerful and small cars. It can carry up to 400 pounds, which is normally ideal for most scooters.
The black finish can get scratched or fade away with long use, especially if you’re driving down bumpy roads or if you’re speeding.
The positives far outweigh the negatives regarding this product. It’s easy to assemble for new users because of the easy-to-follow comprehensive manual that comes in the package.
Also To Consider
Featuring heavy-duty steel construction and a 3-inch security rail, this scooter carrier does a fine job of keeping your scooter in place and securing it tightly so that you can drive without any worries.
The stabilizer plate might not fit all hitches, so you might feel rattling and wobbling coming from the carrier if your hitch doesn’t fit.
As long as you work out the perfect fit for your hitch, you will have no trouble using this scooter carrier. Its long ramp makes it easy to push your mobility scooter up to the carrier’s platform without fatiguing.
9 Best Scooter Carriers (Updated Reviews) in 2022
We’ve looked at the pros and cons of numerous models and picked out the ones that should fit anyone’s quality criteria. We looked for scooter carriers that could easily do their job without breaking and without requiring enormous effort from their user. So read our scooter carriers reviews below.
1. Titan Ramps Hitch Mounted Scooter Carrier
This scooter carrier is made of heavy-duty steel, which means that it can handle a lot of weight. The people at Titan have done a great job when it comes to the ease of use aspect. Instead of having to mount and unmount it every single time, you can just fold it up when you’re not using it.
After you’ve unfolded it, you just move your wheelchair or scooter up the ramp as you would normally do. The only way it could be easier than this is if you had telekinetic powers and managed to move the chair with your mind. But since you most likely don’t have such powers, the Titan scooter carrier is probably your best option.
Another great aspect is its size. When unfolded, you can fit even larger mobility scooters on it and still have some space for other items. So if you have groceries, you can pack them nicely and hold them in place with straps instead of opening your trunk.
Pros
The size of this scooter carrier is fantastic. You can easily fit a mobility scooter or a wheelchair on it and you’ll still have enough place for other things.
Its heavy-duty steel construction is capable of handling a lot of weight. How much? 500 pounds to be more exact. And because it’s steel, it is also resistant to corrosion. So no worries about leaving it out in the rain.
While other scooter carriers bend when you drive past 90 mph, this one has no problem even if you happen to go past the speed limit.
The company offers a one year warranty and a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the product, so you can purchase it risk-free.
Cons
The ramp is a little too heavy for some people.
You might bump into trouble the first time installing it if you never had to deal with these things before.
Buy from Amazon.com
2. Silver Spring Steel Folding Scooter and Wheelchair Carrier
The fine people at Silver Spring have done an outstanding job with this scooter carrier. Made from steel and weighing in at 75 pounds, this model is a little lighter than other heavy-duty scooter carriers. You can use it with any Class III or IV 2″ hitch receiver to mount it to the back of your car without any problems.
As with the previous model on our list, you can also fold this one up too when you’re not using it, so you will be able to turn and park more easily. It also includes an anti-rattling device and hitch pin to avoid damaging the scooter when you’re driving at top speed or on less than ideal roads. On top of that, it also features 10 tie-down points that prevent your scooter from falling off.
The weight capacity is 400 pounds, more than enough for a single scooter or wheelchair. Sadly, it is not as wide as other models, so you won’t be able to fit much else besides the scooter.
Pros
Durable and compact with just 75 pounds of added weight, your car will have no trouble having this scooter carrier tied to it, even if it’s a smaller car such as a Mini.
It’s very easy to assemble even for new users because of its comprehensive and well-written instruction manual.
The anti-rattling device does an excellent job of preventing the scooter carrier from swaying or your scooter from taking any damage.
You can easily use it throughout the town or the highway without much worries. The only circumstances that present a challenge to it are unpaved roads or big potholes.
Cons
The black finish can be damaged by using the carrier too much at high speeds and on bumpy roads.
In some cases, the bolts that tie down the scooter might need a replacement. Make sure to check them regularly and replace them on time to avoid unpleasant surprises later.
Buy from Amazon.com
3. ECOTRIC Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carrier
Looking at the Amazon page, at first glance you might think this is just one of those cheap scooter carriers. But it’s actually one of the most popular options on the market today. Featuring heavy-duty steel construction, you can rest assured that this scooter carrier will last you a long time.
It supports any 2-inch class III or IV hitch receiver and it has a 3-inch safety rail to prevent your scooter from falling off. This handle also fulfills a secondary role: it makes it much easier to fold up the scooter carrier so you won’t have to take it off if your car isn’t in use. The carrier’s capacity is an impressive 500 pounds, despite the carrier itself barely clocking in at 73 pounds.
It has eleven tie-down points, which is quite impressive. And because of this, you can rest assured that your scooter will be just fine and won’t lose balance when you’re driving fast.
Pros
The sturdy heavy-duty steel construction is quite impressive for the price, especially when you consider the fact that so far there have been no complaints regarding its construction.
The 3-inch safety rail does a fantastic job of adding a little extra peace of mind on top of the eleven tie-down points.
Its tie-down points are strategically placed to assure the best fit for any type of scooter, wheelchair, lawnmower, and any other machinery you might ever need to carry with this.
With its long ramp, you’ll have no problem going up on the scooter carrier itself. As long as you lay the ramp on leveled ground, it will never feel too steep to climb.
Cons
The instruction manual can be a bit difficult to understand for those who have no idea about how technical specifications work.
The stabilizer plate might not fit all hitches. Make sure to do your research or ask the manufacturer if you ever plan on replacing either of them.
Buy from Amazon.com
4. Goplus Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Carrier
Yet another entry made from steel and coated with black powder comes on our list. This one has all four sides surrounded by safety rails, making it almost impossible for your scooter to fall off. It has seven tie-down holes located on the ramp which secure your cargo well enough as long as you keep your speed under the legal limit.
This is yet another one of those foldable scooter carriers that you can simply fold down when done using instead of having to detach or disassemble it. It also has two reflective red panels that are meant to make your scooter carrier more visible at night. That’s one safety feature we want on many more of these products.
The hitch is standard, like most scooter carriers. The 2-inch hitch receiver can attach to any class III and IV trailer hitches. Sadly, you can’t switch the ramp’s opening position. If you wanted it to open to the left, you’re out of luck.
Pros
The ramp is long enough to make getting up on the carrier an easy process. You’ll no longer get the feeling you’re climbing a steep hill when bringing your scooter to the top.
The scooter, or most anything you attach to this carrier, has an astonishing low chance of falling off or losing balance.
You can simply fold down the ramp when you’re not using it, so you no longer have to detach or disassemble the carrier.
The product barely ever rattles. You can even scratch the pavement on a steep climb with it and you’ll feel barely any vibrations.
Cons
The ramp only opens to the right. If you want something with a ramp that opens to the left, you’re out of luck with this scooter carrier.
Some of these models have a tendency to bend quite early after their first few uses. Be sure to contact the manufacturer if this happens to you.
Buy from Amazon.com
5. ECOTRIC Trailer Hitch Folding Carrier
The Ecotric models in this lineup are some of the most affordable scooter carriers you will find in this quality range. The ramp is sturdy and can be folded down when not in use, so you won’t lose any precious time detaching it from your vehicle. The total length of the ramp when it’s fully extended is around 38 inches.
That’s more than enough to make the ramp feel easy to walk on. It gives you enough space to push the mobility scooter or wheelchair up the ramp without it seeming steep and without it fatiguing you. The 3-inch safety rail adds yet one more level of security when transporting heavy cargo.
The carrier’s limit is 400 pounds, yet it does not come with an anti-wobble plate. This might not be a big deal for many people, but for others, it might mean an extra step that they’re not willing to take.
Pros
It’s highly affordable and very easy to put together. If you’re on a tight budget and your mobility scooter is lighter than 400 pounds, this scooter will probably feel like a bargain.
The added three-inch safety rail provides a little extra protection against your scooter falling as long as you drive your car at less than 40 mph.
With a ramp as long as this model’s you’ll have no problem pushing any scooter or wheelchair up to the platform.
The customer service team has been praised online for their professional attitude and eagerness to solve issues that customers face.
Cons
It does not come with a lot of hardware, such as an anti-wobble plate or a hitch tightener. You’re going to need to buy any other accessories separately.
The three distinct hole pairs are just 1/8th of an inch wide, so you might not feel comfortable attaching heavy cargo with just three straps.
Buy from Amazon.com
6. Silver Spring SC500-V3 Folding Steel Scooter Carrier
One of the slightly premium offerings from Silver Spring comes with a folding ramp, an anti-rattle device, and it’s manufactured from powder-coated steel. As you can probably imagine, it’s quite sturdy, and it holds up to 500 lbs. It comes with a 5/8″ hitch pin and it’s compatible with any 2-inch class III or IV hitch receiver.
Like other scooter carriers in its class, it can fold up to the back of your vehicle when not in use. The space occupied by it in this position is barely noticeable in most given driving scenarios. The scooter carrier’s total weight comes up to 86 pounds, which is very heavy for most people. You might want to consider this aspect if you want to install it by yourself.
One more thing worth noting: there are 1-inch square support tubes located underneath the steel mesh. This makes the product even more sturdy than at first glance.
Pros
Because of its weight capacity and width, you can even fit a four-wheeled scooter onto it. This capability is essential for those who have larger mobility scooters or wheelchairs.
It features great compatibility with any class III or IV hitch, which is standard on many cars out there. When the anti-rabble device is placed, you’ll have no swirling or rattling whatsoever.
When folded up completely against the back of your car, you’ll barely notice any added length to your vehicle when driving in regular town or highway scenarios.
The support tubes located underneath the steel mesh offer grade-A extra protection against bending.
Cons
Some people complained that they’ve received rusty bolts or that the black-powder coating was chipped during shipping.
The carrier is quite heavy for most people, so unless you handle such weights on a daily basis, you might want to consider calling someone for help when installing it.
Buy from Amazon.com
7. 7BLACKSMITHS Mobility Carrier Electric Scooter Rack
This scooter carrier has premium characteristics at a below-average price. It’s coated with a heavy-duty powder coat that keeps the metal parts free from corrosion. The heavy-duty steel construction can be seen on every corner of this carrier. It even has a steel barrier right below the floor’s metallic mesh to keep it from bending.
It fits with any 2-inch hitch receiver from class III and IV. The carrier has three positions: closed, open, and L-shape. When you’re not using the carrier, just close it so that the ramp won’t get in your way. However, keep in mind that the carrier itself doesn’t fold up on the back of your car, so you might have a little trouble parking it without detaching it from your car first.
Other than that, not many negative things can be said about this scooter carrier. However, some people might find that it hangs too low and can scrape the bottom part of the carrier.
Pros
An amazing deal for your money: you get a heavy-duty steel construction coated with a heavy-duty powder paint that will probably last for an outstandingly long time.
The carrier’s hitch can fit any 2-inch hitch receiver class III and IV, the most standard makes that come on many of the vehicles found on the market today.
The ramp is foldable, meaning you can completely close it down when you’re not carrying anything, so you don’t have to disassemble or detach it.
Cons
It might feel a little too low, especially on bumpy roads. If the bump is high enough or if you have to drive up the alleyway, you risk scraping the carrier’s bottom part.
The carrier’s ramp folds in three positions, but the carrier itself doesn’t fold at all. You can’t place it vertically against the back of your car, so it will take some of that precious parking space.
Buy from Amazon.com
8. Prohoists Trailer Hitch Cargo Carrier for Scooters
This scooter trailer-hitch-style carrier is an extremely good option for those who want to attach their carrier to trailers and trucks. Its 42-inch long loading ramp offers more than enough room for you to push your mobility scooter onto the carrier’s floor without breaking a sweat. The maximum load capacity is 500 lbs, more than enough for most mobility scooters.
The spring-loaded locking pins help a lot when folding the ramp and the carrier itself. Speaking of folding, you can fold up this carrier vertically, parallel to the back of your truck or trailer. The distance between the folded carrier and your car’s back is so low that you’ll most likely not encounter any problems when trying to park with the carrier attached.
With ten tie-down points, you can rest assured that you’ll have enough protection to keep your scooter from falling. Speaking of security, this model also features two round reflectors on the back that help immensely during night time.
Pros
The platform is 46 and a half inches long, and about 27 inches wide, making it one of the largest carriers on the market today.
Safety features on this scooter carrier are top-notch, with 10 tie-down points, two round red reflectors for visibility, and a long ramp for easy driving to the platform.
The anti-wobble stabilizer works wonders. You’ll have no problem accelerating or hitting slightly bumpy roads.
The spring-loaded locking pins make the entire process of opening, closing, or locking the ramp into place as easy as it could ever be.
Cons
It doesn’t come with any straps, you’ll have to look buy some separately, making this process a little troublesome for people who are not too technically-skilled.
It feels really heavy for most people. As easy as it might be to assemble with the instruction manual in hand, you’ll most probably need a partner to help you out.
Buy from Amazon.com
9. Prohoists 500lb Carrier Loading Ramp
Prohoists’ other model on our list also has some premium features that will definitely come in handy for heavy and big loads. The extra-long 5-foot ramp offers the best distance for climbing your scooter onto the platform without it feeling too steep or tiresome. It is by far one of the most useful models from this viewpoint.
Despite its large size, the carrier has the option to be fully lifted upward, parallel to your car’s back, so that you won’t sacrifice any precious parking space even when the carrier is still attached to your vehicle. And if you want to unfold it, it’s as simple as pressing the quick release spring-loaded pins.
The carrier’s hand cut-outs offer you the possibility of lifting the carrier without much effort. Each cut-out is padded with a qualitative rubber interior, making them very comfortable to maneuver to your liking. This is definitely a feature more carriers should have.
Pros
The carrier is huge, in a good way. It has enough space to fit even the biggest mobility scooter out there. The ramp is massively long and it will make your journey to the platform very easy.
The hand cut-outs help a lot when you need to lift the carrier in case you disassemble it. This feature adds much-needed value, as most people couldn’t lift the carrier otherwise due to its weight.
It folds upright, parallel to the back of your truck, trailer, or car. This means that you won’t have to deal with detaching it from your vehicle. You can still park the way you used to beforehand.
Cons
Some models have been reported to ship with missing bolts or, in some cases, even missing holes in which to screw the bolts. Understandably, this is a disappointment for many.
Depending on your truck or trailer’s aerodynamics, this scooter carrier model might sway a lot, making you feel every bump and possibly losing control of steering if the speed’s too high.
Buy from Amazon.com
Our Comprehensive Buying Guide
If you are reading this right now, chances are you or a loved one suffer from a critical condition that doesn’t allow you to walk much without your scooter or wheelchair. We can imagine how hard it must be for you to transport those heavy machines with your regular car. They don’t seem to fit in your trunk either. So what do you do?
The first thing you should do if you’re in this situation is search for a scooter carrier review online. No matter what product you put your eyes on, always remember to check out online reviews. Companies sometimes have the tendency to oversell what their product can achieve or how much it can help with your situation.
You should look at options that also have an adjustable ramp. It will make your life much easier in the long run. And by going this route, you’ll also have an easier time pushing the scooter on top of the carrier.
Make sure your car has enough hauling capacity to pull the carrier as well as the scooter on top of it. As a more exact example, a small coup doesn’t have the same hauling capacity as a truck. Usually, the bigger your car, the bigger your hauling capacity. But that doesn’t mean smaller cars don’t have decent hauling capabilities. It’s all about knowing your car beforehand.
The financial perspective
If you’re one of those people who can spend loads of money without going poor, then you might most likely want to look for the best scooter carriers. Not all the time, but most times the more expensive models are usually better at carrying equipment safely without feeling like a chore to drive around with.
If you have a cheap scooter carrier, it’s most likely you’ll need to get suspension replacements, more exactly installing heavier springs or air shocks on your car. This will not only ensure that the scooter carrier will stop wobbling, but it will also ensure that your car will work as intended and stop it from taking damage by simply going on slightly bumpy roads.
Furthermore, one last thing that’s going to cost you extra is the maintenance. Nuts and bolts might need replacing if the original ones have been used for a long time or if they were weak, to begin with. Also, be careful to check for any rust. Any small corrosion point presents a big problem for the security of your scooter and your carrier.
How much does security matter?
It matters a lot, to say the least. The more tie-down holes your platform has, the better. Hold your scooter in place with as many straps as possible to ensure lesser chances of it falling off. You might also want to inspect if the scooter carrier you’re looking to buy has a security rail, even if it’s just a few inches tall.
The scooter carrier itself also needs to be resistant. Its hitch should be made of hard metal, preferably steel, to minimize the risk of it accidentally detaching while you’re driving. Your best option regarding this matter is to look for metal tubes that seem to keep the carrier’s platform straight. These work in reducing the stress that’s put on the floor.
If you happen to find a carrier with a set of attachable wheels for balance improvement, make sure to check the tire pressure. Although the wheels theoretically reduce the impact suffered by the carrier, they also happen to take a lot more of that impact while you’re driving fast on slightly bumpy roads. So check your carrier’s wheels and tires regularly.
Capacity
Check the maximum load weight, first and foremost. Look in your scooter’s manual to see how much it weighs. Don’t buy the product that has a capacity just slightly above your scooter’s weight. Chances are that it might break when driving because it also has to suffer road impact on top of the load.
Instead, look for a product that has a capacity of at least 50 pounds higher than your scooter. The higher the load capacity, the higher the chances that your scooter carrier will last you for a long time. After all, you are shelling out hard-earned money for a piece of equipment that you might have to use daily.
Speaking of capacity, if you have more than one mobility scooter, you might want to check for options that allow two or three scooters on at the same time. Keep in mind that this will show up a lot more on your budget, so think about it really well. If you’re the only one using the two scooters interchangeably, you might just need a single-capacity carrier.
Final thoughts
If you care about how you spend your hard-earned money and if you take security seriously, then you might want to jot down the advice you received above so you get an affordable scooter carrier. That way you will know what to look for in case you want to view one in the store before buying it, instead of simply looking at pictures and videos online.
Good luck with finding your new helpful carrier!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How do you transport a scooter?
You first have to look for a suitable scooter carrier, buy it, look through the instruction manual and then install it. This process can be difficult for first-timers, but some carriers out there have extensive manuals about installation and ensuring your scooter stays on top just right. Mobility scooters, at least a large part of them, cannot fit into the trunk of your car.
Having a scooter carrier for transportation will make the process of moving it look almost seamless. Once you are done installing the carrier and getting the scooter up the ramp, you only have to strap it in place, lock the ramp in the upward position, and then take off while your car does the rest of the job.
To put it simply, it is by far the best option you have, both financially and from a practical perspective. Think about it. Renting a truck big enough to fit a scooter costs a lot.
Q: What kind of scooters can you transport with a carrier?
Generally, mobility scooters are the main concern when thinking of purchasing a carrier. Even a four-wheeled mobility scooter can fit on some carriers, depending on their load capacity. Some people may look for transporting a motorbike or other heavier things. While you can definitely find carriers with higher load capacities, these are rarer and more expensive.
In most cases, you will want to stick to transporting mobility scooters and wheelchairs. There are a multitude of reasons why you should do this when using the most standard types of scooter carriers. For one, standard carriers have a limited weight capacity. Approaching or surpassing this capacity might make your carrier fall apart or at least noticeably break.
The other factor that matters a lot in this equation is your car’s hauling capacity and your hitch’s strength. If these two are weak, even mobility scooters and wheelchairs alike present a risk.
Q: How to load and strap down your scooter?
First things first, you need to set up and install your scooter carrier. As mentioned earlier, you’ll have to look at all possible features before deciding on a model that best suits your needs. Once you’re done installing it, it’s time to roll the scooter up the ramp and onto the platform. If possible, you might want to tow the scooter just like the tow truck takes your car.
You’ll also want to have your tie-down straps ready and connected to the tie-down holes. That way, it will be much easier wrapping the scooter up once it’s loaded. You’re going to want to secure the front handlebars with a soft loop. It’s a type of knot that’s meant to be used in this type of situation.
After this, wrap the rest of the scooter with as many straps as the carrier allows you to. This way, you’ll have peace of mind while driving down the highway.
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