Motorcycle Bikes And Trailers

Hit The Road In Style And Safety With A Motorcycle Cargo Trailer

There's nothing better than getting on your bike and spending the weekend on the road but safety can sometimes get in the way of how long your away or how comfortable you can be as there is only so much you can load onto your bike. Problem solved, introducing motorcycle cargo trailers! Basically they are tow behind trailers which acts as a car trunk, pop-up camper, pet carrier or rack ability to tie kayaks, surfboards, skiis or canoes etc.

So what is important in a choosing towing trailers?

Safety has to be at the forefront of your mind when considering a pull behind cargo trailer as any number of things can go wrong: jack knife, it comes loose, it can hit you in an accident. Whilst this shouldn't deter you from buying one, it should keep you in safe boundaries of what you should buy. The size of your motorcycle will determine the trailer size and towing weight. The width of the trailer shouldn't be greater than your handlebar width and it shouldn't be higher than your tour pack. Standard small to medium size bikes should stick below 90kg and stick to the carrying capacity recommended by the manufacturer. Pack the unit so weight is evenly distributed across but more weight is at the forefront of the axle centre point. Choose a well made, sturdy but lightweight trailer.

The majority are two wheel which are the most versatile and have a higher weight capacity, though some models only have one wheel. Knowing what landscape you will be traveling on is important as most trailers are designed for on road with an allowance for good condition dirt roads. There are many types of suspension though the most common are torsion bar, leaf springs or rubber suspension. Good suspension will help the unit from bouncing and keep your ride smooth and not much different than normal. One of the leaders in cargo trailers, Bushtec's Quantum Sport, Quantum GL, Turbo +2 and Roadster all have an anti swing bar with air adjustable suspension which you can test the quality of by dropping it from 3 feet. Unlike all other trailers which will bounce, Bushtec will not. These are higher in price but also higher in looks and quality.

Wheel size is another consideration. The smaller the wheel, the more revolutions and the higher the chance of overheating the bearings. 12 inch is a standard size and would be the smallest recommended for longer distances and highway rides. If you'll be doing some highway rides check you have high speed tapered bearings. One of the pioneers in cargo trailers are Time Out Trailers who have a range of quality styles with their CM 1000 base price at $1,495 to the XL 1500, XL HD, XL 1800 and Zephyr base prices all at $2,395. Their lower priced models have an 8" wheel, moving onto the mid to higher priced range the 12 inch is the standard wheel with only one model having a 14". Kits for various additional requirements can also be added depending on the model.

If you are considering buying a used cargo trailer check that it hasn't been in any accidents and that the suspension, bearings, hitch, tail lights, wiring, locks and working parts are still in good condition and have not worn. Knowing the amount of miles it's done would be handy and where it has mainly been... road, off road etc. If you can have a look underneath and make sure there's no rust or damage. A good condition quality brand trailer may not be that much cheaper than a new one so research both areas before making a final decision.

As with any purchase, know what you want - the must haves and the areas you are willing to compromise on and then do your research and find the best deal. You will find the largest range online but if you need some advice they all have a contact number where you'll find a helpful, passionate and knowledgeable person who will answer all of your questions.