Three motorcycles, one pickup, no trailer.
Summary: We hauled a 452-pound BMW S1000RR on Joe Hauler’s American-made hitch carrier for roughly 200–220 miles across Southern California. Its steel ramp, anti-wobble cam and generous tie-down layout impressed me. Best of all, our pickup’s tailgate still worked with the carrier installed, freeing the bed for two more motorcycles.
Two motorcycles in the pickup bed is great. Three is better. That’s the appeal of the Joe Hauler we tested behind a dually pickup: carry another motorcycle without dragging a trailer to the track. Our extra passenger was a BMW S1000RR, and I called its weight 452 pounds (205 kg) in this video.
After roughly 200–220 miles (322–354 km), I was surprised by how well the bike fit and how stable it stayed. This isn’t a long-term durability test. It is a useful real-world look at transporting a substantial streetbike outside an already busy truck bed.
The Heavy-Duty Joe Hauler, Not Our Dirt-Bike Setup
On camera, I call this a “mid-grade Moto Tote” and quote $1,200. We’re reviewing a Joe Hauler, not a product from the separate MotoTote brand. Joe Hauler’s official catalog names its steel, wide-tire, four-tie-down, ramp-equipped model the Deluxe Cam-Loc Heavy Duty JH05, listed at $1,159.99. That is the catalog configuration described in the specifications below; the video does not identify our carrier’s model number.
That distinction matters because “mid-size” is also part of other Joe Hauler model names. The catalog JH05 carries a 600-pound (272 kg) rating, whereas I describe our setup as intended for “400-some pound bikes” and say we’re breaking the rules a little with the BMW. Our successful trip does not establish a rating for an unidentified or modified carrier. Match the actual carrier’s rating, receiver limits and vehicle limits to the complete load.
This is also a different product from the $525 dirt-bike carrier in our earlier Best Way to Haul a Dirt Bike Without A Truck or Van story. That article covers a lighter-duty setup behind a Mercedes Sprinter. Its price, aluminum-ramp description and 300-pound capacity are not specifications for this streetbike setup.
Steel Ramp, Wide Tire, Proper Tie-Downs
The heavy-duty ramp in our video is steel rather than aluminum. With a sportbike this substantial, I appreciated having that more substantial loading ramp. The longer tie-down bars also give the straps useful reach around the motorcycle.
Up front, we attached the tie-downs at the bottom of the triple clamp. At the rear, we used soft ties from the subframe to the carrier eyelets. We also secured the wheels with a strap so they could not hop out of the rail. Those wheel restraints supplement the motorcycle tie-downs; they don’t replace them.
The BMW’s 200-series rear tire on a 17-inch wheel fit our carrier. For the catalog JH05, Joe Hauler specifies accommodation for rear tires up to 10 inches (254 mm) wide. The standard JH03’s published tire limit is narrower, another reason not to treat every Cam-Loc model as interchangeable.
Want more on the motorcycle itself? Read our 2025 BMW S 1000 RR review and Suzuki GSX-R1000R vs. BMW S1000RR track comparison.
Cam-Loc Takes the Slop Out
The carrier slides into a Class III receiver. Joe Hauler specifies a 2-inch (51 mm), strong frame-mounted hitch for the JH05. The clever part is the Cam-Loc wedge: snug it up and it takes the play out of the receiver connection.
I mention a 5/16-inch wrench in the video, but Joe Hauler’s published Cam-Loc instructions specify a 15/16-inch bolt head. The important operating point is the same: snug, not white-knuckle tight. Over-tightening can twist the internal straps and make removal difficult. Joe Hauler also calls for keeping the bolt greased and warns against operating the Cam-Loc loose.
During our drive, the BMW was very stable. I didn’t see the movement I had worried about with that much motorcycle hanging behind the truck. There was also good clearance between the bike and tailgate on our setup.
Your Receiver Is Only Part of the Equation
A Class III receiver does not automatically make every truck or van suitable. The motorcycle, carrier and ramp all contribute to the load, and the vehicle and hitch must support that installation. Joe Hauler lists the JH05 itself at 80 pounds (36 kg), plus the ramp, before adding a motorcycle.
We chose the dually rather than the Sprinter for this heavier load. In the video, I flag the Sprinter’s construction and the need for hitch reinforcement. Joe Hauler’s guidance likewise emphasizes strong frame mounting and warns that some unibody vehicles cannot handle sustained heavy loads. Reinforcement is an engineered vehicle-specific job, not a blanket permission to exceed a rating.
Also keep lights and the license plate visible. Joe Hauler offers lighting hardware, and its instructions address relocating lights if the motorcycle or carrier blocks them. A stable bike isn’t the only requirement for a road-ready installation.
The Tailgate Trick Is the Payoff
Here’s the encore that really sold me: we could lower the pickup’s tailgate and use the bed-loading motorcycle ramp without loosening the Cam-Loc or pulling the carrier out of the receiver. That makes a three-bike load much more convenient.
That clearance is an observation about our truck and carrier combination, not a promise for every pickup. But on this setup, it worked exactly the way you would want. Two bikes in the bed, one behind the truck, and access to the bed without dismantling the hitch connection.
Joe Hauler builds these carriers in America, in Southern California. Having seen Joe’s metalworking equipment and craftsmanship, I like the hands-on approach behind the product. At the roughly $1,200 price I quote in the video, this was a very appealing way to take one more motorcycle along. My closing reaction says it best: I need one.
Explore the Joe Hauler product range and the Deluxe Cam-Loc listing and price.
Joe Hauler Deluxe Cam-Loc Heavy Duty JH05 Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| U.S. MSRP (listed price) | $1,159.99 |
| Warranty | 3 years, materials and workmanship |
| Construction | Heavy-duty steel; all welded; black powder coat |
| Motorcycle capacity | 600 pounds (272 kg) |
| Carrier weight | 80 pounds (36 kg), plus ramp |
| Receiver | Class III, 2-inch (51 mm); strong frame-mounted hitch |
| Rear-tire accommodation | Up to 10 inches (254 mm) wide |
| Loading ramp | Included, 7 feet (2.13 m); steel ramp shown in our test |
| Tie-down layout | Wider hold-down bars; four tie-down locations |
| Hitch stabilization | Cam-Loc wedge system |
| Lighting | Lights and mounts available upon request |
| Manufacture | USA |
Joe Hauler Hitch Carrier FAQ
How much does this Joe Hauler cost?
I quote $1,200 for our test setup. Joe Hauler lists the Deluxe Cam-Loc Heavy Duty JH05 at $1,159.99.
What is its weight capacity?
The catalog JH05 is rated for motorcycles up to 600 pounds (272 kg). The video does not establish our carrier’s exact model number, and my “400-some pound” description is not a manufacturer rating. Vehicle and hitch limits still apply.
Is it steel or aluminum?
The JH05 is listed as heavy-duty steel, and the ramp in our video is steel. Don’t confuse it with the aluminum-ramp setup in our older dirt-bike article.
Will a wide sportbike rear tire fit?
Our BMW’s 200-series tire on a 17-inch rear wheel fit. The catalog JH05 accepts rear tires up to 10 inches (254 mm) wide.
Does it work on a Mercedes Sprinter?
We used the dually for this heavier motorcycle. Sprinter hitch mounting and reinforcement need vehicle-specific assessment; a matching receiver opening alone does not establish sufficient load capacity.
Can you lower the tailgate with it installed?
We could on our pickup, including using the bed-loading ramp, without loosening the Cam-Loc or removing the carrier. Clearance depends on the vehicle and carrier configuration.
What warranty does Joe Hauler provide?
Joe Hauler publishes a three-year warranty covering carrier materials and workmanship.
