How to Tow a Camping Trailer With a Motorcycle

There are several companies that make trailer that can be towed by a motorcycle.

Towing a camping trailer with your motorcycle can add many miles and comfort to your trip. Several companies produce trailers that are large enough to accommodate a camper but light enough to be pulled behind the motorcycle with ease. Once the trailer is properly loaded and attached to the motorcycle, it can be pulled safely where permitted by law. Check with the local authorities in the area you will be riding to make sure that there is no ordinance against towing a trailer using a motorcycle.

Instructions

1. Position the trailer socket over the ball on your motorcycle's hitch. Allow it to drop on top of the ball so that it locks down completely.

2. Place safety chains from the trailer to the motorcycle in a "criss-cross" pattern.

3. Plug the electrical connector from the trailer into the outlet on the motorcycle. Test the brake lights and turn signals to ensure that they are working properly.

4. Load the trailer with the weight distributed as evenly as possible.

5. Ride closer to the center of the lane when pulling a trailer. Unlike normal motorcycle operation, there is extra width from the trailer that you must compensate for.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay extra attention to soft or sudden edges on the road, or uneven pavement that could possibly tip the trailer.

References

• California DMV: Towing Your Trailer Safely
• Gank Motor: Riding Motorcycle Trailer Tips