Loading Up Your Motorcycle Trailer

Whether you’re bringing a racing bike to the track or just need to get your motorcycle from A to B without riding it, a motorcycle trailer is a wise investment. But your motorcycle is expensive, and if it’s loaded improperly it can be dangerous to you and those around you. We here at Lone Star Trailers want to make sure you and your ride get where you’re going safely and securely, so we’ve put together some tips for loading your motorcycle onto a motorcycle trailer. For more information, or you just want to see the motorcycle trailers we have for sale, contact our store in Lacy Lakeview, Texas, today!

Supplies

You’ll obviously need a motorcycle for this to be relevant, and you’ll need a trailer to transport it—preferably with a built-in loading ramp, but you can use a separate one as well—but there are a couple of other items you’ll want with you. For one, you’ll need at least one wheel chock. This will help prevent your front tire from rotating, which can cause your bike to fall and become less secure.

You’ll also want four or five ratchet straps to tie it down, and some soft loops. These fabric loops can be attached to secure parts of your motorcycle to help hold it in place without damaging the paint or construction. 

Loading

Set up your ramp and make sure it’s long enough for your motorcycle to use without scraping the bottom. Unlike other vehicles, you don’t want to be on the motorcycle for the loading process. Staying stable on the bike requires some speed, which can be dangerous. Instead, put it in neutral and walk it up the ramp, then flip down the kickstand and press the front wheel against the chock, which should be near the front of the trailer.

Securing

Once your bike is up, wrap the soft loops around the base of the left and right handlebars, both. Use them and ratchet straps to connect the handlebars to a secure point on your trailer. This will work with the chock to prevent the front wheel from turning, and helps balance the bike a bit. Make sure the ratchet straps are tight enough that your motorcycle can stand on its own.

Then, again using soft loops and ratchet straps, look for a sturdy area on the rear of your bike’s frame and connect it to another secure spot on your trailer. For additional safety and to prevent bouncing, use the anchor point on the trailer bed and connect a ratchet strap to it, then loop it around the rear wheel. 

Once everything is tight, try to shift the bike gently and make sure it doesn’t move. Double check that everything’s secure by going on a short drive and seeing if the bike shifts at all while you’re on the road.

We hope this helps you keep your motorcycle safe and secure! To learn more, or if you’re in need of a motorcycle trailer, contact us at Lone Star Trailers. We proudly serve Waco and Temple, Texas—let us serve you today!