E-Bikes and Fat Tires: What Carriers Will Work for My Electric Bicycle?

If you’re interested in going on e-bike adventures farther away from your home, you’ll need to have the proper means of transporting that bike with your vehicle.

Why e-bike carriers are different

E-bike carriers are more heavy-duty than regular carriers, and many also accommodate the larger tire width of fat tire bikes as well.

Most bike racks and carriers designed to be attached to cars are designed for conventional bikes and only capable of handling about 35 lbs. per bike. An average mountain bike weighs around 30 lbs., while typical electric bikes start at around 50 lbs., and will weigh significantly more if it is a fat tire e-bike.

What to consider before you shop

As you look into the various types of carriers available on the market, make sure you consider your tire size.

If you have an e-bike with fat tires, you might have a few extra challenges with finding a carrier that will work for your bike.

Knowing the full weight of your e-bike with the battery installed, as well as the weight with the battery removed, will also help you quickly identify what carriers or racks will/won't work for your bikes.Most electric fat tire bikes will weigh around 70 to 80 lbs. with the battery.

What you should look for in a carrier or rack

You should search for carriers rated to handle at least 120 lbs. for two bikes. Now, you still likely won’t be able to carry more than one fat tire e-bike on such a rack, but this at least gives you sufficient carrying capacity to handle one.

If needed, you can also remove the battery for the e-bike during transportation, which will give you an extra seven to 10 lbs. in most cases. Even if you don’t need to remove some extra weight, taking off the battery is still a good habit to get into, as it can help prevent theft and overheating.

EBike Carrier Options from Discount Ramps

	BC-4040-2-EF Shop	MCC-300-EF Shop	AMC-400-EF Shop	AMC-600-2-EF Shop	HB-304-2 Shop	MTMB Shop
Brand
# of Bikes	2	1	2	2	2	1
For	e-bikes, fat tire	e-bikes, fat tire	e-bikes, fat tire or dirt bikes	e-bikes, fat tire	e-bikes, fat tire	e-bikes, fat tire
Capacity	200 lb. (100 lb. ea.)	300 lb.	600 lb. (300 lb. ea.)	110 lb. (55 lb. ea.)	130 lb. (65 lb. ea.)	200 lb.
Tire width	5"	5"	5"	5"	5"	5"
Folds for storage
Hitch	2"	2"	2"	2"	2"	2"
Weighs	40 lb.	47 lb.	69 lb.	40 lb.	40 lb.	28 lb.

All of our carriers are compatible with the wide tires of fat tire bikes, making them a versatile choice for anyone who has multiple types of bikes. Our Black Widow models are also compatible with dirt bikes and feature tie-down points to secure bikes directly to the carrier with the tie-down straps of your choice. All of our carriers fit on a 2" Class III or IV hitch, and we do not recommend

In summary

When selecting a carrier for your fat tire bike, e-bike or fat tire e-bike, the most important consideration is the weight capacity. Make sure you know exactly how much your bike weighs so you can select an option that will allow you to safely transport the bike to your desired locations.

Please note, we never recemmond hitch-mounted bike carriers for tow-behind trailers including 5th wheel and camping trailers, motor-homes or RVs. Never exceed the maximum tongue rating of your trailer hitch and be aware that your hauling weight may be limited by your vehicle's suspension. Some vehicles may require air shocks or heavier springs to stiffen up the suspension and prevent sagging. Not recommended for use with hitch adapters/extensions.