How to strap your motorcycle to a trailer?

Situations arise where motorcyclists find themselves unable to drive their machines themselves. Events may force the motorcycle to be attached to a trailer. Knowing how to strap your motorbike in the rules of the art is then essential than changing a punctured wheel.

Need to strap your motorcycle

Your motorcycle weighs heavily and remains subject to movement during transport on the road. It could well move with bumps, bends and weight bearing during braking or acceleration. Surely you wouldn't treat your motorcycle hitched to a trailer with the same carelessness as a bag of cement on a wheelbarrow. A two-wheeled vehicle actually sits with more compact, compared to heavy goods. You will therefore understand the need to know how to strap your machine well.

One day, you will probably also have to join your motorcycle to different others, on the same trailer. This happens, for example, in the context of a competition or a presentation event for vintage motorcycles. Despite the limited space, there is a risk of motorcycles colliding in the trailer.

General information on trailers

A motorcycle trailer is defined as a vehicle without an engine. An automobile, called a tractor, usually pulls the unit. Texts regulate the use of trailers, even if the convoy appears to constitute a single vehicle.

How to choose a trailer to transport your motorcycle?

If you already own a landscaping trailer, you can smile. You will easily be able to transform it into a trailer for functional open two-wheelers. Equipment is needed for recycling. You should equip it with wheel chocks and tie-down systems to stabilize the motorcycle. The trailer must attach to the tractor the entire way. The connection is made using a ball or a tow hook.

In a few turns, you will also find everything and anything on the trailer market. The price obviously follows this variance. It can range from a few hundred up to a thousand euros. A good trailer worthy of the name must offer a hook (or ball) and at least four solid tie-down points. Your machine will fly through the adversities of transport with these good basics.

Lesser range trailers have small 10-inch wheels, compared to 13 or 14 inches for the serious ones. We prefer the latter for various reasons. They offer more stability and better resistance to overheating. The risk of tire explosion is reduced, especially over long distances on the motorway. In order to provide the minimum effort, you can take advantage of a low descent when mounting the motorcycle.

Knowing the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the trailer is also essential, before choosing. The PTAC will determine the number of motorcycles to attach to the trailer, in relation to the respective weights of the motorcycles. This weight must also appear on the manufacturer's plate and on the gray card.

What is the law regarding towing a trailer?

According to article R221-4 of the Highway Code, the B license allows the driving of a vehicle hitched to a trailer. The PTAC must however remain below 750 kg. Otherwise, the weight of the trailer must not exceed the empty weight of the tractor. The total GVW is limited to 3 kg. If these PTACs are exceeded, B500 training and the BE license are necessary.

For a GVW of less than 750 kg, you can use a trailer without brakes. This in the condition where the GVW of the trailer does not exceed the empty weight of the tractor. A trailer weighing more than 750 kg must, however, provide a parking brake and a road brake. If the trailer weighs less than 500 kg of load, its registration will be identical to the tractor.

Otherwise, it must have its own registration and gray card.
The trailer must have two identification plates. One mentions the contact details of the manufacturer and the other the dimensions and the PTAC of the trailer. All trailers must have two position lights, two retroreflective triangles and license plate lighting.

What are the steps to strap your motorcycle?

The difficulty in organizing the transport of a motorcycle lies in loading it and securing it with straps.

What should be checked before loading the motorcycle?

Before hitting the road, you should make sure that your trailer is securely attached to the towing vehicle. The car must have sufficient storage capacity to be able to tow. The hitch ball must be free of rust, cracks and wear. These tasks completed, you can now load the motorcycle into its trailer. Regardless of your choice of trailer, classic or special two-wheeler, the loading will be done vertically.

The motorcycle will access the trailer bed with the help of a rail, for a smooth climb. This considerably reduces any falls or mishandling that could damage the machine. This same reason prompts us to advise you to load or unload the motorcycle at least in pairs. Before traveling long distances, you will have to check whether the trailer has been immobilized for a long time. You should also take your time when adjusting tire pressure.

How to strap the motorcycle?

Various basic materials and tools are essential to be able to properly strap your motorcycle. Let's take as an example straps, wedges and an access rail in order to load your motorcycle. We prefer ratchet straps, lug systems are less effective. You will need at least four straps, the quality of which is crucial.

Investing in excellent straps will cost less compared to a motorcycle that fell in the middle of the highway.
First, the rider must start with two of the four straps under the handlebars. He will then attach them to the tie-down points on the front corners of the trailer. The angle of these straps in relation to the corner of the trailer must reach 45°.
The tension produced will exert a force forward on the trailer. Two other straps will also need to be stretched from the rear of the machine. The footrest plate or the frame buckle could serve as a starting point for the straps. These will join this time the corners of the rear of the trailer, always with this angle of 45°.

On a dedicated trailer, the pilot will refer to the manufacturer's instructions in order to strap his motorcycle in an optimal way. The front straps should always attach at 45°. The rear, on the other hand, will need to link to the trailer perpendicularly. The driver will carefully check the tension of the straps with jerks on the motorcycle. This will reduce the risk of mishap during transport.

Tom Barrer walks us through the process on video

Tom Barrer shows through his YouTube video how to load his motorcycle on a trailer or in a truck

How to choose the strap to attach your motorcycle?

There are two types of straps: ratchet and push straps.

The ratchet straps are to be chosen to attach your motorcycle. Indeed, they make it possible to hold the motorcycle firmly.

Don't choose your straps based on price. It is better to spend 5 € extra in order to have a quality strap. A motorcycle that falls off the trailer because a strap has broken can quickly cost the owner of the motorcycle dearly.

If you don't know which brand of strap to turn to, here are two examples of good brands:

• ace bikes
• SIFAM

The vagaries of transport

Towing a trailer can be simple and mundane. Unforeseen events can however point the tip of their nose. You should protect yourself first.

What are the risks of transporting a trailer?

Motorcyclists must make it a habit to check the attachments of their machine on the trailer. The slightest mistake could result in serious consequences for the owner and other road users. If the motorcycle is improperly strapped, it could tip to one side or the other of the trailer. This could cause considerable damage to the vehicle. The latter will have to be repaired before being able to resume the road.

Other more serious difficulties may also arise. The greatest risk is the motorcycle overturning on the road from the trailer. The damage caused to the vehicle could prove to be so significant that it could be scrapped. The broken trailer remains one thing, the most dangerous is in the middle of the road. The motorcycle right in the driveway could impede the flow of traffic and cause an accident or a pile-up.

Important points about insurance

As soon as you transport your motorcycle on a trailer, you will have to report it to your insurance. If the load of your trailer does not exceed 500 kg, it will not need registration. The motorcycle insurance will therefore cover the costs. Otherwise, you can take out “third-party” motorcycle insurance. However, this premium only covers damage caused to third parties. You will therefore be responsible for your own repairs.

For broader coverage, the "all risks" option gives your insurance all the damage to the convoy: your trailer, the motorcycle on it and of course your car. If you hitch your trailer to a rental car, you will have to take extra precautions. It is necessary to check all the clauses, because two insurances can come into play. The respective insurers will inform you of all the conditions. You will benefit from clarifying any possible ambiguities before leaving.

Conclusion

Traveling with a motorcycle in tow is a delicate task. How you carry it deserves as much importance as how you strap it on. These various technical precautions are complemented by insurance protection. Even if the preparations take time, they guarantee you a good trip.