A receiver hitch deer hoist turns the back of your truck into a portable skinning station. Instead of dragging a heavy animal to a tree or fighting it into the bed by hand, you slide a mast into your 2 inch receiver, hook the gambrel, and crank. For solo hunters and anyone working out of a remote camp, it is a very genuinely useful pieces of gear you can carry.
We looked at lifting capacity, how smooth the winch or crank feels under a real load, how the mast handles tip-over leverage, and whether the thing rusts after one wet season. Below are seven hoists worth your attention, ranked best first, with an honest weakness called out for each so you know exactly what you are signing up for.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Viking Solutions Kwik Hoist Big Game Hoist Best Overall Capacity: 500 lb | Fits 2 in receiver | Geared hand crank with gambrel |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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HME Products HitchHoist Receiver-Mounted Game Hoist Best for Smooth Lifting Capacity: 500 lb | Fits 2 in receiver | Self-locking ratchet winch |
9.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Guide Gear Receiver Hitch Game Hoist Best Value Capacity: 300 lb | Fits 2 in receiver | Hand-winch with cable and pulley |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Hunters Specialties Magnum Game Hoist Best Gambrel Bundle Capacity: 600 lb gambrel | Pulley hoist system with rope |
8.8 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Moultrie Game Hoist Receiver Mount Best Compact Pick Capacity: 400 lb | Fits 2 in receiver | Folding boom with winch |
8.6 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Rage Powersports Receiver Hitch Mounted Game Hoist Heaviest Duty Capacity: 600 lb | Fits 2 in receiver | Heavy steel mast with winch |
8.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Allen Company Magnetic Receiver Game Hoist Best Simple Setup Capacity: 300 lb | Fits 2 in receiver | Single-pulley hoist with rope |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Viking Solutions Kwik Hoist Big Game Hoist: Best Overall
The Viking Solutions Kwik Hoist earns the top spot because it nails the thing that matters most on a deer hoist, which is a crank you can actually turn with a full-grown buck hanging off it. The geared mechanism multiplies your effort so lifting a heavy animal feels controlled rather than like a wrestling match, and the built-in brake locks the load at any height. That lets you stop, reposition the gambrel, and skin without a second set of hands.
The steel mast is the reason it feels planted where lighter hoists wobble, and the included gambrel and strap mean you are not hunting for extra parts on day one. The honest weakness is weight and storage. This is not a featherweight you toss behind the seat, and the powder coat near the receiver collar tends to chip where the mast slides in and out. Keep a little touch-up paint around and it will outlast most of the truck.
- Slides into a standard 2 inch receiver and pins in place in seconds
- Geared crank with a brake holds the load at any height hands-free
- Includes gambrel and lift strap, ready to use out of the box
Pros: Smooth geared crank makes lifting big animals manageable solo; Brake holds position so you can step away and reposition; Sturdy steel mast resists side-to-side flex under load
Cons: Heavier than aluminum rivals, so storage takes more room; Powder coat can chip at the receiver end over a season
2. HME Products HitchHoist Receiver-Mounted Game Hoist: Best for Smooth Lifting
The HME HitchHoist is the one to grab if you want lifting to feel easy and idiot-proof. Its self-locking ratchet winch means every click holds, so there is no terrifying moment where the load tries to spin the handle backward out of your hand. You raise the animal one ratchet at a time, and it simply stays put when you stop. For hunters working alone in low light, that confidence is worth a lot.
The welded steel boom and included pulley feel like field gear rather than a hardware-store afterthought, and it folds down small enough to live in a truck toolbox. The trade-off for that safe ratchet action is speed. On a really heavy animal the click-by-click pace can feel tedious compared to a continuous crank, and the cable wants a few drops of oil now and then to keep running clean. Neither is a dealbreaker, just something to expect.
- Self-locking ratchet winch raises and lowers without backspin
- Folds down compact for storage between hunts
- Welded steel boom with included pulley and hook
Pros: Ratchet action is forgiving and easy to control one-handed; Locks automatically so the load never drops on you; Compact fold makes it easy to stash in a truck box
Cons: Ratchet can feel slow on a very heavy animal; Cable needs occasional oiling to stay smooth
3. Guide Gear Receiver Hitch Game Hoist: Best Value
The Guide Gear Receiver Hitch Game Hoist is the practical pick for hunters who want a dependable lift without overthinking it. The hand winch with cable and pulley gives you smooth, controlled raising, and the powder-coated steel mast shrugs off the weather that wrecks cheaper imports. It pins straight into a 2 inch receiver with no tools, which is exactly how a piece of camp gear should behave.
Where it shows its limits is capacity and accessories. The 300 pound rating covers most whitetail and pronghorn work comfortably, but it leaves less headroom for an oversized animal than the 500 pound rigs above, so respect that number. It also ships with a basic hook rather than a full gambrel, so budget for one if you skin off the hoist. For the qualitative value on offer, those are fair compromises rather than flaws.
- Hand winch with cable and pulley for steady controlled lifting
- Powder-coated steel mast for outdoor durability
- Pins directly into a 2 inch hitch receiver with no tools
Pros: Strong performance for the qualitative value it delivers; Simple winch anyone can operate without a manual; Compact enough to leave mounted at camp
Cons: 300 lb rating is tighter for the largest game; Basic hook setup, a gambrel is sold separately
4. Hunters Specialties Magnum Game Hoist: Best Gambrel Bundle
The Hunters Specialties Magnum is really a gambrel-and-pulley hoist system, and that is its appeal. The gambrel is rated to a stout 600 pounds, the highest here, and the pulley setup multiplies your effort so even a heavy animal comes up with a steady pull rather than a heave. Pair it with a hitch mast and you have a rig that handles the largest game most hunters will ever process.
The flexibility cuts both ways. Because it is a rope-and-pulley system, you have to tie off the load yourself rather than relying on a self-locking winch or brake, which means paying attention every time you secure it. It also is not a standalone receiver mast, so you provide the bar that goes in the hitch. If you already own a mast or hang from a tree at camp, this is a smart, high-capacity addition. If you want a single plug-and-play unit, look higher on the list.
- High-capacity gambrel rated to 600 lb for the biggest animals
- Pulley and rope system multiplies your pulling power
- Works off a hitch mast, tree, or beam for flexible setups
Pros: Gambrel and pulley combo is ready for large game; Mechanical advantage makes the pull noticeably easier; Multi-purpose, not locked to one mounting point
Cons: Rope-and-pulley needs tying off, no auto-brake; Not a complete mast, you supply the receiver bar
5. Moultrie Game Hoist Receiver Mount: Best Compact Pick
The Moultrie Game Hoist is built around storage and speed of setup. Its folding boom collapses down small enough to keep in a truck box year round, and the winch handles the 400 pound range that covers most deer and hogs without complaint. The steel build and weather finish mean it survives the wet, muddy reality of an October field instead of seizing up after one trip.
The honest limits are reach and ceiling. The boom is shorter than the full-size masts here, so you get a little less lift height and standoff from the truck, which matters if you like the animal swinging clear of the bumper. And the 400 pound rating, while plenty for typical game, is not the choice for the occasional moose-sized job. As a compact, grab-and-go hoist for ordinary whitetail country, it punches above its size.
- Folding boom collapses small for tight truck storage
- 400 lb winch covers typical deer and hog work
- Steel construction with a corrosion-resistant finish
Pros: Genuinely compact when folded for storage; Quick to deploy from receiver to lift; Finish holds up to damp field conditions
Cons: 400 lb ceiling limits the very heaviest game; Shorter boom reach than full-size masts
6. Rage Powersports Receiver Hitch Mounted Game Hoist: Heaviest Duty
The Rage Powersports hoist is the muscle option. With a 600 pound capacity and a genuinely heavy steel mast, it is aimed at hunters who routinely deal with big-bodied animals and want zero doubt about the mast bending or the receiver collar flexing. That reinforced collar is the standout detail, because tip-over leverage at the receiver is where weaker hoists fail, and this one stays planted.
All that steel is also the catch. It is heavy to lift into the receiver and bulky to store, so it is more of a dedicated camp tool than something you casually swap in and out. And if your typical animal is a 150 pound whitetail, you are carrying capacity you will never use. For hunters who actually load the heaviest game, though, the extra beef is reassurance you can feel every time you crank.
- Heavy steel mast rated for serious 600 lb loads
- Hand winch with cable for controlled raising and lowering
- Reinforced receiver collar resists tip-over leverage
Pros: Top-tier capacity for very large game; Beefy mast feels rock-solid under load; Reinforced collar handles side leverage well
Cons: Heavy and bulky to handle and store; Overkill for hunters who only chase smaller deer
7. Allen Company Magnetic Receiver Game Hoist: Best Simple Setup
The Allen Company hoist keeps things refreshingly simple. It is a single-pulley, rope-driven system on a lightweight receiver mast, and there is almost nothing to learn or break. You slide the mast in, run the rope through the pulley, and pull. For hunters who tag a deer or two a season and just want a no-fuss way to hang and skin off the truck, that simplicity is the whole point.
The honest trade-offs come from that same simplicity. With no winch and no auto-lock, you tie the rope off by hand every time you set the height, so you stay engaged with the load rather than letting a brake hold it. And the 300 pound rating means this is a smaller-game tool, best suited to whitetail and similar rather than the heaviest animals. As an easy, packable starter hoist, it does its one job cleanly.
- Straightforward single-pulley hoist with rope for easy lifting
- Lightweight mast is simple to install and remove
- Compact kit stows easily for travel to camp
Pros: Very easy to set up and understand; Light enough to handle without strain; Affordable simplicity for occasional use
Cons: Manual rope tie-off, no winch or auto-lock; 300 lb rating suits smaller game best
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a receiver hitch deer hoist fit any truck?
Almost any pickup or SUV with a standard 2 inch hitch receiver will work, and that is the most common size by far. The mast simply slides into the receiver tube and pins in place, just like a tow bar or bike rack. If your vehicle has the smaller 1.25 inch receiver, you will need an adapter sleeve or a hoist built for that size, since most deer hoists are made for the 2 inch opening. Always confirm your receiver class can handle the downward leverage of a hanging animal, because a hoist puts force on the receiver differently than flat towing does.
How much weight should my deer hoist be rated for?
Match the rating to the largest animal you realistically take, then add a margin. A 300 pound hoist comfortably handles most whitetail and pronghorn, a 400 to 500 pound unit covers big deer, hogs, and the occasional elk quarter, and 600 pound models are for hunters working the heaviest game. Field-dressed weight is what matters, and it is always less than live weight, but never load a hoist near its maximum. The mast, the receiver, and the winch all work harder near the limit, so leaving headroom keeps the lift smooth and safe.
Do I need a separate gambrel, or is one included?
It depends on the model. Some hoists, like the Viking Solutions Kwik Hoist, ship with a gambrel and lift strap so you can skin off the hoist immediately. Others, including several value-focused units, come with just a hook and expect you to add a gambrel separately. A gambrel spreads the rear legs so the body cavity opens for cleaning, which makes skinning far easier, so it is worth having one. Check the listing details before you buy, and if a gambrel is not included, factor a matching-capacity one into your kit.
Is a crank winch or a rope-and-pulley hoist better?
A geared crank winch with a brake is the easier and safer choice for most people, because it holds the load hands-free and lets you step away to reposition the animal. Ratchet winches add automatic locking so the load never backspins. Rope-and-pulley systems are lighter, simpler, and often less costly, but you must tie off the rope yourself every time you set the height, which demands more attention. If you hunt alone or handle heavy animals, spend the extra for a winch with a self-holding mechanism. For light, occasional use, a pulley setup is perfectly serviceable.
Can I leave the hoist mounted while driving?
You should remove it before driving. A receiver hitch deer hoist sticks up and out behind the vehicle, which makes it a hazard to other traffic and to anyone walking behind the truck, and it is not designed to take road vibration or impacts while mounted. The whole appeal of these hoists is that they install and remove in seconds with a hitch pin, so pull the mast out, lay it in the bed or a storage box, and reinstall it when you reach camp. Leaving it in also invites theft and can violate local rules on rear overhang.
Our Verdict
For most hunters the Viking Solutions Kwik Hoist Big Game Hoist is the one to buy, because its geared crank, load-holding brake, and planted steel mast make lifting a heavy animal solo feel controlled instead of dangerous, and it arrives ready to use with a gambrel and strap. If you want the smoothest, most foolproof lifting experience, the HME HitchHoist is the runner up, thanks to a self-locking ratchet winch that holds at every click so the load never drops on you. Either one will turn your truck into a reliable field skinning station for years.
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