How to Trailer a Motorcycle on Open Trailer

Tie down your motorcycle safely on an open trailer.

You need to know how to safely trailer your motorcycle on an open trailer if you plan to take you bike on any trips. When you trailer your motorcycle, you need to make sure the front wheel is secure and your motorcycle will not move or turn. You also want to secure your bike without damaging it. It is important to use the proper equipment and procedure to tie down your bike safely.

Things You'll Need

• Tie-downs (ratchet or cam/friction)
• Soft loops

Instructions

1. Attach two tie-down straps to an eyebolt on each side of the front of your trailer. The best straps to use are 1 and 1/2 inch wide ratchet straps. These straps are rated at 6,600 pounds test and 2,250 pounds working load. You can also use one inch wide straps, although they are only rated at 800 pounds working load. Ratchet tie-down straps are your best choice, but you can also use cam/friction buckles.

2. Place two tie-down straps to an eyebolt on the back of the trailer in a position where you can reach it from your motorcycle seat. Put the straps in a position that they sit at a 45-degree angle once they are attached.

3. Ride or walk your motorcycle onto the trailer and up to the front against the chock or another solid part at the front of the trailer.

4. Attach the soft loops or loop the straps around a solid mounted frame component on the rear of the bike as you sit on the bike. Some possible locations to attach the loops are rear foot peg brackets or the rear frame. Straps sometimes come with soft loops or you can buy them to prevent damage to your bike.

5. Tighten down the straps on the rear of the bike with the ratchet mechanism until the bike is firmly in place.

6. Climb off the bike and attach the front straps to either the motorcycle frame or another solidly mounted part at the front of the bike. One set of straps should pull the front tire into the chock and the second should pull forward and out on each side.

7. Ratchet the straps down again until the bike is firmly in place.

8. Shake the bike to check its stability. Your shaking may cause the trailer to move, but you should see very little bike movement.

9. Stop and check the tie-downs after driving at your cruising speed for five to ten miles to make sure they are still secure.

References

• Sport Utility Trailers: Motorcycle Tie-Down Procedure
• Black Mountain Motorcycle Club, Inc.: Transporting Your Motorcycle
• Black and Gray: Motorcycle Transport Recommendations