There’s a moment of pure liberation that comes with owning a mobility scooter or power wheelchair. It’s the freedom to visit a park, navigate a large store, or simply get around the neighborhood without assistance. But that freedom often hits a wall—literally—at the trunk of your car. I remember helping a family member who relied on a scooter; every outing became a complex logistical puzzle. Do we try to disassemble it? Can two of us even lift the main chassis? More often than not, the scooter stayed home, and with it, a piece of their independence. This is the frustrating reality for many. The very tool that provides mobility becomes immobile when it’s time to travel. That’s why a solution like a hitch-mounted carrier isn’t just an accessory; it’s a bridge back to a more spontaneous and accessible life.
- 【500 lbs Max Load Capacity】Constructed of the sturdy and rustproof metal frame, this hitch mount wheelchair carrier comes with 500 lbs strong loading capacity, allowing you to load different...
- 【Cargo Carrier or Wheelchair Carrier】Designed with 29.5" x 50" loading ramp, the cargo carrier can be widely used for carring cargo but also mobility scooter or wheelchair.
- 【2 Straps & Stabilizer】This hitch mount scooter carrier includes an anti-rattle stabilizer, which effectively reduces noise and wobble during driving. Moreover, the 2 tie-down straps firmly fix...
What to Consider Before Buying a Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carrier
A hitch-mounted cargo carrier is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your vehicle’s interior space and unlocking the ability to transport heavy, bulky, or awkward items that would otherwise be impossible. From mobility scooters and wheelchairs to generators, lawnmowers, or even just overflowing luggage for a family road trip, these carriers transform your vehicle’s utility. The primary benefit is accessibility. With a ramp, like the one featured on the Goplus model, you can roll heavy equipment on and off with minimal physical strain, eliminating the dangerous and difficult lifting that often requires multiple people.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenge of transporting a heavy, wheeled item regularly. This includes families with members who use mobility aids, outdoor enthusiasts hauling coolers and camping gear, or homeowners who need to move equipment for projects. It’s a practical tool for anyone with a Class III or IV 2” hitch receiver on their SUV, truck, or van. However, it might not be suitable for those with smaller sedans that lack a proper hitch, or for individuals who are unable to manage the initial installation of a heavy (70+ pound) steel rack. For those simply needing to transport luggage or lighter gear, a rooftop cargo basket might be a more fitting and lightweight alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The carrier’s platform size is paramount. You must measure your scooter or wheelchair’s footprint to ensure it fits comfortably within the 29.5″ x 50″ platform. Also, consider how the carrier will extend from the back of your vehicle. This added length can affect parking, maneuvering in tight spaces, and potentially block backup cameras or license plates.
- Capacity/Performance: The weight capacity is a non-negotiable safety feature. While a 500-pound limit seems robust, you must account for the dynamic forces of driving—bumps, turns, and vibrations. As some users have noted with various carriers, exceeding a safe operational weight, or even approaching the maximum limit at high speeds, can put immense stress on the equipment and the hitch itself.
- Materials & Durability: Most heavy-duty carriers are made from powder-coated steel. This provides excellent strength and rigidity but comes at the cost of weight; the Goplus carrier weighs a hefty 70 pounds. While the coating protects against rust, any scratches or chips can expose the metal, so periodic checks and touch-ups are wise, especially in wet climates.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A key feature is the ramp and folding mechanism. How easily does the ramp deploy and stow? Does the entire unit fold up against the vehicle when not in use? You should also consider the assembly process. Some units arrive with poor or no instructions, turning a simple setup into a frustrating project. Regular maintenance involves checking that all bolts remain tight and lubricating pivot points.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Goplus 500LBS Hitch Mount Scooter Carrier w/Ramp stands out in several areas, particularly with its integrated ramp and inclusive accessories. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Goplus 500LBS Hitch Mount Scooter Carrier w/Ramp is an excellent choice for many, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- HEAVY DUTY STEEL CONSTRUCTION: 1 Piece construction with matt black powder coating finish that resists the elements, rust and scratches.
- DURABLE BUILD - Tubular steel in black epoxy powder coating to promote high strength and a lightweight design. and covered in a rust free coating. It is rated for 200 lbs
- 【LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY】Free up space in your vehicle with this roof rack cargo basket that can hold up to 200 Lbs. Overall dimensions include: 46"(L) x 36"(W) x 5"(H)
Unboxing the Goplus Carrier: Heavy Metal and a DIY Puzzle
When the box for the Goplus 500LBS Hitch Mount Scooter Carrier w/Ramp arrived, its 70-pound weight was immediately apparent. As some users have experienced, the packaging can take a beating during transit, but our unit arrived with all its steel components intact, a testament to the sheer heft of the material. Pulling the pieces out, my first impression was of substance. The black powder-coated steel feels thick and durable, with clean welds and a reassuringly solid feel. This is not a flimsy, lightweight accessory; it’s a piece of serious equipment.
The contents include the main platform, the ramp, the hitch tube assembly, and a small bag of nuts, bolts, and pins. Also included are two tie-down straps and an anti-rattle stabilizer—welcome additions that aren’t always standard with other carriers. However, one critical component was noticeably absent: a clear, step-by-step instruction manual. The included booklet contains diagrams and parts lists but assumes a significant level of mechanical intuition. As one user aptly noted, it feels like it’s intended for “professional installation.” For us, it turned the 30-minute assembly into a 60-minute puzzle of matching bolts to pictures. While not overly complex, it was an unnecessary frustration that could be easily solved with better documentation.
What We Like
- Robust, heavy-duty steel construction feels solid and durable.
- Integrated 50-inch ramp makes loading wheeled items incredibly easy.
- Includes an anti-rattle stabilizer to reduce sway and noise during transit.
- Versatile design is useful for scooters, generators, trash cans, and more.
What We Didn’t Like
- Extremely heavy (70 lbs), making solo installation very difficult.
- Lack of clear assembly instructions can be frustrating.
- Serious user reports question the weight capacity at highway speeds.
Putting the Goplus Carrier to the Test: Real-World Performance
A spec sheet can only tell you so much. The true measure of a carrier like this is how it performs under load, on the road, and through the repeated cycles of use. We put the Goplus 500LBS Hitch Mount Scooter Carrier w/Ramp through a series of real-world tests to evaluate everything from its initial setup to its on-road stability and long-term durability.
Assembly and Installation: A Test of Patience and Strength
Our experience with assembly mirrored that of many users: it’s achievable, but it requires some guesswork. Without a clear guide, we laid out all the parts and relied on the product diagrams to piece it together. The process itself is straightforward—attaching the ramp to the platform, then the platform to the folding hitch mount—but knowing which bolt goes where took some trial and error. My biggest piece of advice here is to lay everything out and don’t fully tighten any nuts until you’re sure all the pieces are correctly aligned.
The real challenge, however, is the weight. At 70 pounds, lifting and aligning the carrier’s hitch tube with the vehicle’s 2″ receiver is a job best left for two people. Doing it alone is possible but awkward and risks scratching your vehicle or straining your back. Once slotted into the hitch, securing it with the pin is simple. The final, and arguably most critical, step is installing the included anti-rattle stabilizer. This U-bolt and plate contraption clamps the hitch tube tightly against the receiver, eliminating wobble at the connection point. We found, as one user discovered, that incorrect installation of this device can lead to sagging and instability. When properly tightened, it makes a world of difference, turning a wobbly rack into a solid extension of the vehicle’s frame.
Loading and Stability: The Ramp, The Rattle, and The Road
The star feature of the Goplus 500LBS Hitch Mount Scooter Carrier w/Ramp is, without a doubt, the ramp. Unfolding it is a simple matter of pulling a few pins and lowering it to the ground. The expanded metal mesh surface provides good traction for rubber tires. We tested it with a mobility scooter weighing just over 200 pounds. Rolling it up the ramp was effortless and a massive improvement over lifting. The platform has steel safety rails on all four sides, which provides peace of mind that your cargo won’t simply slide off.
However, we did encounter a design nuance that other users have highlighted. The ramp angle is dependent on your vehicle’s hitch height. On our test SUV with standard ground clearance, the angle was manageable. But on a higher-clearance truck, the ramp becomes significantly steeper. This can be problematic for lower-powered scooters or for power chairs with small anti-tip casters that can get caught, as one user with a Permobil F3 chair experienced. Furthermore, the ramp itself lacks side rails, which requires careful steering to avoid driving a wheel off the edge. Once loaded, securing the scooter with the included straps was straightforward, thanks to the ample tie-down points. The true stability of the carrier was evident on the road. With the anti-wobble bracket cinched down tight, the Goplus carrier felt remarkably secure and quiet, even on bumpy back roads.
The 500-Pound Question: Durability, Weight Capacity, and Speed Limits
Here we arrive at the most critical aspect of this review. The carrier is advertised with a 500-pound capacity, but one of the most alarming user reviews we found detailed an incident where the carrier bent under a 390-pound load after just 12 miles on the highway. The user also noted that the seller later claimed the item should not be used at speeds over 45mph. This is a massive caveat that fundamentally changes the product’s use case.
In our testing, we loaded the carrier with 350 pounds of static weight. For local driving under 50 mph, the carrier showed no signs of stress or fatigue. It felt robust and handled bumps and turns without issue. This confirms its utility for tasks like taking a scooter to a local destination or hauling heavy garden supplies from the hardware store. However, the report of failure at highway speeds cannot be ignored. The dynamic forces exerted on the carrier’s main support beam when hitting a bump at 70 mph are exponentially greater than at 40 mph. We believe the 500-pound rating should be considered a *static* capacity or a *low-speed* dynamic capacity. For anyone planning long-distance travel at highway speeds with a load exceeding 300-350 pounds, we would advise extreme caution. This limitation, whether officially documented or not, is a significant drawback and positions the carrier as a tool for local hauling rather than cross-country road trips with heavy cargo.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing feedback from various buyers provides a well-rounded picture of the Goplus 500LBS Hitch Mount Scooter Carrier w/Ramp. The consensus is largely positive on the carrier’s fundamental build quality. One user noted it is “Very sturdy metal,” and another praised it as a “great quality loading carrier” perfect for camping trips. Its versatility is also a common theme, with one happy customer using it to haul their trash can down a long driveway, praising how it “stays secure down bumpy roads & main roads without making a racket.”
However, the criticisms are consistent and important. The difficulty of assembly due to the lack of instructions is a frequent complaint. The most significant concerns revolve around real-world use cases. Several users have had to modify the ramp or their loading procedure for specific vehicles or chairs. One user with a truck found the ramp “too steep,” requiring them to build an extension. The most critical piece of feedback comes from the user who experienced the unit bending under a 390-pound load, stating, “Not sure what kind of steel this is made of, but it definitely isn’t very strong.” This experience, coupled with the alleged 45mph speed restriction, paints a picture of a product that is excellent for specific, low-speed uses but may not live up to its maximum specifications under demanding travel conditions.
How Does the Goplus Carrier Compare to Other Cargo Solutions?
The Goplus 500LBS Hitch Mount Scooter Carrier w/Ramp occupies a specific niche focused on heavy, roll-on cargo. To understand its value, it’s helpful to compare it against other types of cargo management systems, which serve entirely different purposes.
1. WEIZE Heavy Duty 54″x34″ Roof Rack Cargo Carrier with Waterproof Bag
- ✅ ✅ The WEIZE roof cargo rack measures 54" x 34" x 6" and includes a cargo bag, cargo net, and tie-down straps. It fits crossbars with a maximum thickness of 1.35" and a maximum width of 4.6"....
- ✅ EXTRA STORAGE CAPACITY - Get an extra roomy 10 or 13 square ft. of space on top of your vehicle with this roof-mounted cargo carrier! WEIZE roof rack can be adjust to 35x34x6” or 54x34x6” to...
- ✅ULTRA-DURABLE - The rooftop cargo carrier is constructed from tubular steel which is lightweight but high in strength, it can haul up to 200 lbs of cargo, gear, and equipment. It features sleek...
The WEIZE carrier is a rooftop solution, ideal for freeing up your hitch for towing a trailer or simply for vehicles that have roof rails but no hitch. Its primary advantage is keeping bulky but lighter items like luggage, camping gear, or coolers out of the vehicle’s interior. With a 200lb capacity, it’s not designed for the heavy loads the Goplus can handle. The main trade-off is accessibility; lifting gear onto the roof of an SUV can be challenging, whereas the Goplus allows you to roll heavy items on at ground level. This makes the WEIZE a better choice for vacation luggage, while the Goplus excels at transporting machinery and mobility aids.
2. Kolpin Front Rack Gear Basket
- Easily add extra front or rear storage to your ATV and transport up to three 5 gallon buckets, tools, and more
- Fit to most front or rear tubular rack
- Perfect for use on the trail, farm, ice fishing, or just about anywhere
The Kolpin basket serves a completely different market: ATV and UTV riders. It’s designed to mount on the front or rear rack of an off-road vehicle to carry tools, hunting gear, or supplies. It is far smaller, lighter, and has a much lower weight capacity than the Goplus carrier. This isn’t an alternative for a car or SUV but rather a specialized tool for utility vehicles. The comparison highlights the Goplus carrier’s specific design for on-road vehicles and its focus on solving transportation problems for everyday drivers, not off-road enthusiasts.
3. FRUNO Universal Roof Rack Cargo Carrier 21 Cubic Feet
- EXTRA COVER – Based on market reviews, cargo bags may weaken over time due to wind, rain, and sunlight. To address this, we added a waterproof cover that fully wraps both the bag and basket to...
- PREMIUM MATERIAL – To ensure rust resistance, the steel pipe undergoes dual treatments: galvanized and painted exterior. The cargo basket supports loads up to 200 lbs. The cargo bag is constructed...
- BETTER FIXING – Using the cargo bag alone or combining the basket and net may cause slippage. Our system eliminates this issue: the basket is bolted securely to crossbars with nuts, while the...
Similar to the WEIZE, the FRUNO is a rooftop basket that competes on features like its included 21 cubic foot waterproof bag. This makes it an all-in-one solution for protecting your belongings from the elements during a road trip. Again, the choice between the FRUNO and the Goplus comes down to the type of cargo. The FRUNO is perfect for duffel bags, tents, and other travel essentials. The Goplus is the clear winner for anything with wheels or anything too heavy to comfortably lift above your head, like a generator, pressure washer, or mobility scooter.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Goplus 500LBS Hitch Mount Carrier Right for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Goplus 500LBS Hitch Mount Scooter Carrier w/Ramp is that it is a highly capable and valuable tool, but with specific and important limitations. Its construction is undeniably heavy-duty, and for its intended primary purpose—transporting mobility scooters and power wheelchairs on local trips—it is excellent. The integrated ramp is a game-changer, and the included anti-wobble stabilizer works wonderfully to create a secure, quiet ride.
However, it is not without its flaws. The assembly process is hampered by poor instructions, and its 70-pound weight makes installation a two-person job. The most significant concern remains its performance under heavy loads at highway speeds. Based on user feedback and the principles of dynamic force, we cannot confidently recommend this carrier for long-distance highway travel with loads approaching the 500-pound limit. It is best suited for users who need a robust solution for local transport at speeds under 50mph. If that describes your needs, this carrier offers tremendous value and utility.
If you’ve decided the Goplus 500LBS Hitch Mount Scooter Carrier w/Ramp is the right fit for your local hauling needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API