Car Rack for Wheelchair: Hitch Carriers & Weight Limits

A car rack for a wheelchair is a hitch-mounted carrier with a fold-down ramp that lets you roll a manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, or mobility scooter up onto a platform behind your vehicle instead of lifting it into the trunk. The three carriers below are all rated for 500 lbs, but before you buy any of them, check your vehicle’s actual hitch class and tongue weight rating – that number, not the carrier’s advertised capacity, is often the real limit on what you can safely carry.

Our Top Pick: MaxxHaul 50945 Aluminum Mobility Carrier

Check Your Hitch Class Before You Buy (Read This First)

Every hitch cargo carrier on this page lists a 500 lb weight capacity, but that number describes what the carrier itself can structurally hold, not what your vehicle’s hitch is rated to carry. A hitch-mounted carrier puts all of its weight out behind the bumper, which creates leverage on the hitch known as tongue weight. Your vehicle’s hitch class sets its own, separate ceiling on tongue weight, and as a rule of thumb that ceiling is roughly 10 percent of the hitch’s rated towing capacity.

Hitch Class	Receiver Size	Typical Towing Capacity	Typical Tongue Weight Limit
Class I	1.25″	Up to 2,000 lbs	Up to 200 lbs
Class II	1.25″	Up to 3,500 lbs	Up to 350 lbs
Class III	2″	Up to 6,000 lbs	Up to 600 lbs
Class IV	2″	Up to 10,000 lbs	Up to 1,000 lbs

All three carriers below require a 2-inch receiver, which generally points to a Class III hitch or higher, so a factory Class III setup usually has enough tongue weight budget for the carrier plus a loaded wheelchair. The catch is that the carrier’s own weight comes out of that budget first. The Silver Spring carrier weighs about 93 lbs empty, the ECOTRIC weighs about 67.3 lbs, and the MaxxHaul weighs about 48 lbs – on a Class III hitch rated for 600 lbs of tongue weight, that leaves roughly 507, 533, or 552 lbs, respectively, for the wheelchair itself. Never rely on the carrier’s box alone: check your owner’s manual or the metal tow rating sticker on your hitch for the real number before you load anything.

MaxxHaul 50945 Trailer Hitch Mount Aluminum Mobility Carrier

The MaxxHaul 50945 is built for people who regularly transport a wheelchair, power wheelchair, or scooter behind an RV, truck, SUV, van, or car. Its aluminum construction keeps the empty carrier at about 48 lbs, which is the lightest of the three carriers reviewed here and leaves the most tongue weight budget for the wheelchair itself.

Pros

• 500 lb weight capacity on a frame that weighs only about 48 lbs empty
• Aluminum construction resists rust better than painted steel
• 47-inch fold-down ramp for loading and unloading
• Includes a hitch tightener to cut down on rattle and wobble in the receiver

Cons

• Some assembly is required out of the box
• Bare aluminum finish can show scuffs sooner than a painted steel carrier
• Overall footprint (50″ x 29.5″) needs enough garage or storage clearance when not in use

Because it requires a 2-inch hitch receiver, the MaxxHaul is intended for vehicles with a Class III hitch or higher – check your own hitch’s rating rather than assuming the receiver size alone means you’re covered. See current price and availability on Amazon.

Silver Spring Steel Scooter Wheelchair Carrier

The Silver Spring carrier trades the MaxxHaul’s lighter aluminum build for a heavier-duty steel frame, which some owners prefer for long-term durability at the cost of extra weight. It’s a solid option for caregivers or family members who transport a loved one’s mobility equipment regularly and want a carrier that can also fold flat when the vehicle is used for other errands.

Pros

• 500 lb weight capacity backed by a rigid steel platform
• Folds flat for compact storage when it’s not mounted
• About a 59 to 60-inch ramp gives a gentler loading slope than a shorter ramp would
• Standard 2-inch hitch mount fits most trucks, vans, and SUVs

Cons

• At about 93 lbs empty, it’s the heaviest of the three and can be awkward for one person to mount alone
• That extra empty weight eats further into your hitch’s tongue weight budget before the wheelchair is even loaded
• Steel construction needs occasional rust checks compared to aluminum

If your vehicle’s tongue weight rating is on the lower end of Class III, run the math from the hitch class table above before choosing this carrier over a lighter aluminum option. See current price and availability on Amazon.

ECOTRIC Hitch Cargo Carrier With Ramp

The ECOTRIC sits between the other two on price and unloaded weight, at about 67.3 lbs. It’s a mesh-basket steel design rather than a solid platform, which keeps it lighter than the Silver Spring while still using durable steel instead of aluminum.

Pros

• 500 lb weight capacity at a lower price point than the other two carriers
• Foldable ramp for loading and unloading
• Durable steel construction
• Fits standard 2-inch hitch receivers

Cons

• At about 67.3 lbs, it’s still heavy enough that one person may want help installing it
• Folded dimensions (46.2″ x 26.8″ x 38.7″) need real storage space when it’s off the vehicle
• Mesh basket floor may need a solid mat under narrow wheelchair casters

Its lower price makes the ECOTRIC a reasonable middle-ground pick if you don’t need the MaxxHaul’s aluminum weight savings but still want to keep the carrier’s own weight in check. See current price and availability on Amazon.

How To Choose The Right Wheelchair Car Rack

1. Confirm your hitch class and tongue weight rating first. Check your owner’s manual or the metal tag on the hitch itself – don’t assume a 2-inch receiver automatically means you have enough tongue weight capacity.
2. Weigh your wheelchair or scooter, including the battery. Add the carrier’s own empty weight to that figure and compare the total against both the carrier’s rating and your hitch’s tongue weight limit.
3. Measure the platform against your equipment’s footprint. A wheelchair or scooter that’s wider or longer than the platform can hang off the edge and become unstable.
4. Decide if the carrier’s weight matters to you. A lighter aluminum carrier is easier to lift on and off the hitch by hand; a heavier steel carrier may need two people or a hitch-mounted storage solution.
5. Check for a ramp angle you can manage safely. A longer ramp gives a gentler slope, which matters more if the wheelchair is being pushed up manually rather than driven up under its own power.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Weight Capacity Of These Wheelchair Carriers?

All three carriers reviewed here are rated for 500 lbs. That number is the carrier’s own structural limit, not necessarily what your specific vehicle can safely carry. Your vehicle’s hitch class and its tongue weight rating are a separate, and usually lower, limit that also has to be checked before you load anything.

Are These Wheelchair Carriers Foldable?

Yes. All three fold down for storage when they are not in use. A folding design keeps the carrier compact in a garage and also restores full rear visibility and trunk or tailgate access once the wheelchair is unloaded.

Do These Carriers Fit Any Vehicle With A Hitch?

They fit any vehicle with a 2-inch hitch receiver, but receiver size alone does not guarantee your vehicle can handle the load. Check your owner’s manual or the tow rating sticker for your actual hitch class and tongue weight limit before buying, since that number can still be lower than the carrier’s 500 lb rating.

How Do I Secure A Wheelchair On The Carrier?

Roll the wheelchair up the ramp, center it on the platform, and lock the wheel brakes. Run the included straps or ratchet tie-downs over the frame at two or more points and cinch them tight so the chair cannot shift, then recheck the straps after the first few miles and periodically on longer trips.

Can I Use These Carriers For Mobility Scooters Too?

Yes, all three are built to carry mobility scooters as well as manual and power wheelchairs. Measure your scooter’s length, width, and actual weight (including any battery pack) against both the platform dimensions and the 500 lb capacity before buying.

What Is The Difference Between Hitch Class And A Carrier’s Weight Rating?

The carrier’s weight rating is how much it can structurally hold. Your vehicle’s hitch class sets a separate ceiling called tongue weight, which is roughly 10 percent of its towing capacity. On a Class II hitch rated for 3,500 lbs of towing, for example, tongue weight tops out around 350 lbs, and that 350 lbs has to cover the carrier’s own weight plus the wheelchair. The real limit for your setup is whichever number is lowest: the carrier’s rating, your hitch class rating, or your vehicle owner’s manual figure.

Conclusion

All three carriers here are rated for 500 lbs, but the number that actually determines what you can safely carry is your own vehicle’s hitch class and tongue weight rating, not the sticker on the carrier’s box. Once you’ve confirmed that number, the MaxxHaul’s lighter aluminum build gives you the most margin, the Silver Spring’s steel platform and longer ramp suit heavier-duty daily use, and the ECOTRIC offers a solid middle ground at a lower price.

If none of these three are the right fit, our roundup of heavy-duty hitch carriers covers a few additional models side by side.