Where to get the Best Trailer Hitch Deer Hoist in 2021
Dawn. Cold air pinches around the knuckles. Clicks of the engine are lost in the scenery. No wind. The ground is soft under the boot. The moss makes every step toneless. Clicking of the buckles, buttons, and the hum as the hunters put on their vests. The barrel feels cold, yet soon it won’t be. Someone’s retelling a story heard or lived during some forgotten run. You start looking.
There it is. Your breath slows down. You assume a position. Patiently you wait for the right moment. The breathing stops, your shoulder absorbs the shock in a short, experienced tug. After a moment, the game reacts. It’s a hit. Just a little while later it lays on the ground motionless. The rush. The thrill.
Now, how do you dress it? There’s always at least one dressing expert. Maybe it’s you. Maybe Mike or Josh. But everyone knows who has the best trailer hitch deer hoist around. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the best deer hoist models for quick and easy dressing, skinning, and loading.
Top 3 Hitch-Mounted Deer Hoist
| HOIST | FEATURES | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
 HME Truck Hitch Deer Hoist | Load Capacity:400 lbs. Max Height:102-Inch Material: Aluminum Weight:15 lbs. | PriceDetail review |
 Guide Gear Deluxe Deer Hoist | Load Capacity:300 lbs. Max Height:49-Inch Material: Tubular steel Weight:42.6 lbs. | PriceDetail review |
 Ecotric 400lbs Game Hoist | Load Capacity:400 lbs. Max Height:78-Inch Material: Aluminum Weight:35 lbs. | PriceDetail review |
Top Rated 6 Deer Hoist Reviews
What is the biggest challenge for a buyer these days? While you think about it, notice how many options today’s market offers to a buyer regardless of what he is thinking to purchase. That’s why reading buying guides or reviews is important if you want detailed insights on your purchase.
To make it easier for you, “we have compiled a list of six best deer hoists” for your better judgment. Here it goes…
1HME Truck Hitch Deer Hoist
- Material: Aluminum
- Capacity: 400 lbs.
- Weight: 15 lbs.
This is one of the best deer hoists for trucks in our opinion. The reason for this is that it’s made of high-quality powder-coated steel which adds to its sturdiness. It can be attached to either a Class III or IV receiver (2”) and the vertical pole should be adjusted to stay steady on the ground.
The gambrel is wide and well-made to make attaching the game easier. It rests on a strong cable that rolls perfectly onto the crank coil. The crank is easy to attach and makes lifting large game a breeze. The 360 degrees swivel rests at the base above the receiver, and it’s made to run smoothly.
Key Features
- 400lbs weight capacity
- 360 degrees swivel
- 2” attachment for Class III and IV receivers
- High-Quality crank
- Wide gambrel
2Guide Gear Deluxe Deer Hoist
- Material: Tubular steel
- Capacity: 300 lbs.
- Weight: 42.6 lbs.
A light version of the deer hoist comes in the shape of Guide Gear’s Deluxe deer hoist. It is the best deer hoist and gambrel combination you can find for games up to 300lbs. This is important because many quality hoists come with almost useless gambrels that are not wide enough or in other cases, too wide. Guide Gear Deluxe is made to easily lock its original gambrel in place.
The hoist can be attached to a 2” receiver and it doesn’t touch the ground. The 360 degrees swivel rests just above the vertical pole that goes into the receiver. It rests 24.75” from your truck giving the game enough space for you to work as well as easy trunk space loading. All are operated with a great crank winch, durable enough to last as long as the metal construction.
Key Features
- 360 degrees swivel
- Gambrel lock-in
- 300lbs weight capacity
- 2” receiver attachment
- Easy to assemble
3Ecotric 400lbs Game Hoist
- Material: Aluminum
- Capacity: 400 lbs.
- Weight: 35 lbs.
For its simplicity, ease of assembly and disassembly, and compactness, the Ecotric hitch game hoist deserves praise for being the best portable deer hoist in our opinion. It is 78” tall, enough for a large game to be lifted fully from the ground. It can lift to 400lbs which is more than most deer hoists on the market.
The swivel rests at the base and allows for 360 degrees spins, and it can be also locked in place. The gambrel is wide and of a high quality so mounting the game is easy and quick. The gambrel can be locked at the top of the hoist for easy dressing and skinning. The crank winch level is larger than some of the other items on the list, which eases the turning forces necessary for lifting the load.
Key Features
- 400lbs capacity
- 2” receiver friendly
- Easy to assemble
- Great crank differential
- Quality steel tubing
4Kill Shot Swivel Deluxe Hitch
- Material: Steel
- Capacity: 500 lbs.
- Weight: 42.5 lbs.
If you are feeling lucky, you might want to be prepared for more weight on your game. As far as our testing goes, Kill-Shot Deluxe Hitch has proven to be the best receiver hitch deer hoist with a 500lbs capacity. This is provided with quality steel tubing as well as the adjustable foot which secures the hoist on the ground. The hoist stands on a 2” receiver as well.
Another interesting thing about this product is the swivel mechanism. It rests slightly above the horizontal pole and allows for a 360 degrees spin. The interesting part is that it has four locking positions which can prove useful in some situations. The gambrel is held on a quality steel hook and can be taken off. The crank works wonderfully and lifts the heavy load with ease.
Key Features
- 500lbs capacity
- 4 positions, 360-degree swivel
- Durable hook and gambrel
- Ground footing is adjustable
- High-quality crank
5Rage Powersports Deer Hoist
- Material: Steel
- Capacity: 300 lbs.
- Weight: 32 lbs.
For a lighter variant that can get the job done, we recommend considering the Rage Powersports 300lbs Deer Hoist. This hoist is only 2” receiver-held and it is highly compact. It can be extended from 82” to 92” which adds up with the height of the receiver. The load is held by a quality steel tubing made to last. The hoist gives 27¾“ space between the receiver and the gambrel.
The crank is lighter and smaller than in the other items on the list, which is justified by the weight capacity – you wouldn’t need a stronger one. The gambrel does not change shape easily and securely mounts the game. For its compactness and lightweight, this is in our opinion the best hitch-mounted deer hoist for lighter game.
Key Features
- 300lbs capacity
- 360 lockable swivel
- Adjustable
- Portable
- Only-hitch mounted
6Bigfoot Camo 600lbs Deer Hoist
- Material: Aluminum
- Capacity: 600 lbs.
- Weight: 32 lbs.
Going even larger, the largest hoist on our list is the Bigfoot Camo Deer hoist. It can lift game heavy to 600lbs because of its sturdy, enforced, quality steel tubing. It also has an adjustable base footing and can be attached to Class III and IV 2” receivers. It is very easy to assemble and mount, and the total height is adjustable up to 9 feet. It provides enough clearance for open tailgates.
The swivel has a four-position locking system and as every good hoist out there, it can swivel 360 degrees. It features a heavier and sturdier gambrel which can be locked in place for skinning and dressing. The heavy-duty crank has a high differential which makes lifting the game as easy as pie. This hoist is a great solution for hunting larger games like elks and others.
Key Features
- 600lbs capacity
- Up to 9’
- 360-degree swivel with 4 position locks
- Heavy-duty winch crank
- Quick assembly
Buyers guide
There are several things to look for in a deer hoist. To find the best hitch deer hoist for you, please check the following guide. It will explain the main features a quality deer hoist should have and the details that divide the great ones from the other.
The Truck Receiver
Most trailer deer hoists are attached to a truck receiver. Since the hoist should take up heavier loads, they are made to fit 2” receivers. Most of the deer hoists for trucks fit perfectly onto Classes III and IV 2” receivers. Always pick a deer hoist according to your truck’s specifications, and check if the hoist will fit onto your truck’s receiver.
Would you ground it?
As far as the base goes, deer hoists come in two basic types – those that are rested only on the receiver and those with grounding.
The ones that can be adjusted so they rest well on the ground as well as on the receiver usually can take up more load and are more balanced. The drawback is the added weight and dimensions of the hoist which may add up with the rest of the equipment necessary out there in the wilds.
The lighter and more compact hoists usually rest on the receiver only. They are usually the less costly versions and take up much less space (about the size of a medium fishing rod bag). Depending on the condition of the receiver and the whole truck’s suspension, they provide relatively less stability which is sometimes unnoticeable while at other times can bring a nuisance or two.
Dimensions & Capacity
Depending on the region your adventures will take place, and the season, your game can span from smaller elks and deer to larger specimens. It is important to anticipate the spread game length to prepare a hoist tall enough to lift it sufficiently from the ground.
More length of an animal usually brings more weight to the table. The larger the game, the more it weights. For his reason, it is important to pick up a hoist that won’t crack and snap in the middle of the operation. Different hoists have different weight capacities, from 200lbs and even less to more than 500lbs.
Crank and Gambrel
Two very important parts of a deer hoist are the crank and the gambrel. The crank is important because it should be durable enough to stand the tension of the cable, and constructed so that it minimizes the forces needed to lift the weight. Cranks translate the lifting force into a higher number of spins, so there are limits to the diminishing of the weight – make the crank spin too easily, and you will get tired by the number of spins you need to lift the weight. Decrease the number of spins, and you may be unable to lift the game from the ground.
The gambrel should be sturdy enough to carry the weight of an animal and provide enough clearance to the animal’s underbelly. For this you would need a wider gambrel – usually the longer the game, the wider gambrel you need. Common gambrels sold along with the hoists are about 25” wide and should do the job just well enough. There is always an option to acquire a better gambrel separately, as it shouldn’t be too difficult to detach the original one and attach the more suitable item.
FAQ
How much weight can a hitch mount hoist lift?
The maximum weight limit depends on the individual deer hoist. Most models can lift between 200 and 300lbs. Some hoists can take 400lbs and even more – up to 600lbs.
Do manual crank hoists require a lot of strength?
Crank hoists are designed so that the strength needed to wind the cable is significantly lower than trying to pull or lift the load another way. The crank prevents the load from dropping down, so even when lifting gets difficult, there will be time to rest or adjust the position in which turning the crank is easier.
Does a deer hoist come apart in pieces for storage?
Yes. While bulky when assembled, the deer hoists on our list can easily be disassembled to take up significantly less space. It can easily be put in almost any trunk of a sedan.
How much does a hitch deer hoist weigh?
Deer hoist weight varies by model and the material it’s made. Usually, the models can be found to be between 20lbs and 40lbs, depending on the model. Though more weight can seem like a disadvantage, it usually means the hoist is sturdier and ready to take up more load.
How to Choose the Best Deer Hoist?
The first thing to consider is the receiver attachment. Check which receivers a hoist supports. The next thing is the weight, which shouldn’t be less than 200lbs. Max height depends on the game as well as personal preferences. Finally, the crank mechanism should be quality and reliable.
What is a Deer Hoist?
A deer hoist is a piece of hunting equipment that lifts the game with more ease for various purposes, mainly for dressing, skinning and mounting onto your truck’s trailer space. The modern hoists are usually attached to a truck’s receiver and can rotate the game 360 degrees while they also have a feature of fixating the load while the hunter works on the game.
What is a Gambrel?
A gambrel is a piece of metal, usually triangular or resembling a clothes hanger, onto which the game can be mounted. It usually has two hooks on either side which are pierced through the game’s hind legs. The gambrel is then attached to a hoist and lifted with its load. The space between the hooks helps with working on the mounted game.
Conclusion
To conclude our list of the best trailer hitch deer hoist, we presented some of the highest quality items on the online market and provided some details that may help you choose the perfect hoist for your adventure. As a conclusion, we recommend the HME truck deer hoist as a default branded hoist suitable to most users, and the Bigfoot Camo deer hoist as the sturdiest heavy-duty deer hoist for dressing and skinning larger game up to 600lbs.
