Motorcycle Trailer

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As the new van we are getting has a towbar fitted I have been thinking about getting a trailer to carry my motorcycle. Thinking a box trailer might be the best option as I could see my bike getting really mucky being towed but they seem to be very expensive. Would it need to braked or unbraked, my motorcycle weighs about 225kg. Are there any rules/regulations regarding towing a trailer in Europe.
 
Kontiki said:
As the new van we are getting has a towbar fitted I have been thinking about getting a trailer to carry my motorcycle. Thinking a box trailer might be the best option as I could see my bike getting really mucky being towed but they seem to be very expensive. Would it need to braked or unbraked, my motorcycle weighs about 225kg. Are there any rules/regulations regarding towing a trailer in Europe.
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You can tow up to 750kg gross unbreaked
 
Kontiki said:
As the new van we are getting has a towbar fitted I have been thinking about getting a trailer to carry my motorcycle. Thinking a box trailer might be the best option as I could see my bike getting really mucky being towed but they seem to be very expensive. Would it need to braked or unbraked, my motorcycle weighs about 225kg. Are there any rules/regulations regarding towing a trailer in Europe.
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Hi what type of van have you got??...we have fiat ducato that we tow our bike trailer with non braking system... its just a standard tilt bke trailer... and we have no problems at all... we dont even notice the weight it pulls smoothly.(too smoothly sometimes..forgets it there!!:drive:.. however if you only want to carry one bike then you can find carriers which hook onto your tow hitch... it all depends on what your rear axle is aloud to carry weight wise but as for europe regs i cant help on that one...

this is our set up :-
 

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I've towed my bike all over & never really noticed it getting mucky, the only upside I can see for an enclosed trailer is that it may be slightly more secure, or you could maybe stow things in there.
 
towin a box van will greatly increase your fuel consumption and add extra cost on a ferry dont know if your going on the continent but like you say your bike will still be clean when you get where your going i looked into them ideas an came up with converting a panel van into mh and leave enoegh space for my bike as well thru back doors next to shower also get added security if youve no back doors like in pics posted by wgetthere then a trailer is your only option happy pondering mate
 
remember this is a guy that goes away for real long trips all around the coast of spain portugal etc . . best get a lightweight box trailer the sea air will ruin a nice bike . i only take my dax but i,m glad its inside . spent half its life by the sea abroad . inside its kept great. also you can chuck in those extra things you will miss . mind i yhink you need a mini artic or a 5er . ha ha .
 
Perhaps fit a rear view camera. Will help with reversing with a small trailer.
 
The van I'm getting is a Rapido 9066df A class plated at 3850kgs 3.0ltr Fiat like this one except ours is 2009 Rapdio 9066DF 2010 | Rapido Motorhomes 2010 . I does have a garage & my Yamaha YBR 125 would fit in the back ut quite fancy taking my Virago XV750 but at around 250 kgs it's too heavy to fit on the back so a trailer is the only option. Would take me hours to clean it so would either need a box trailer or a good cover.

I don't think you actually need the speed stickers they aren't mandatory according to the Caravan Club http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/5582430/french speed limits.pdf

Our intention would be to take it abroad with us, I appreciate the extra cost on the tunnel but like the idea of having the bike in Spain, I've taken the 125 a few times & it's ok for up to about 20 miles but rally tiring going much further. Other alternative might be to sell both bikes & settle on a bike somewhere in between the two & carry it on the back :rolleyes2:, need to check on how much actual free payload I'll have when we get the van.
 
as a visitor you will not need the stickers . if its legal here its legal all over eu. havent got them on my truck either.
 
We tow a box trailer when we go to gigs with our daughter.

The fuel consumption doesn't change drastically. The equipment is approx 200 Kg but the trailer is marine ply and solid, it is braked but I'm not sure how well it brakes in real life.

I don't usually go fast in the MH, but towing means that you are speed limited anyway, a nice solid 60 on motorways, only being overtaken by cars with jet ski's, dinghys and caravans.!!

You'll know Rhuallt hill nr St Asaph, the rig only loses 5mph going up the long drag. I've got a Ducato 2.8 HDTD, just getting run in at 57k (yes, I've noticed the difference over the past 3 yrs since getting her!).

The Mersey tunnel charge is double with a trailer.

As my Kontiki has a long overhang and no rear window, reversing is almost impossible, even having a reversing camera doesn't make it that much easier. As the trailer is so much narrower than the MH, by the time i see it in the wing mirrors, it's almost jackknifed!!

Parking can be difficult, I can just squeeze into a double length car park in Asda, but end up taking 4 spaces. (Oh for the purpose built RV parking in many US & Canadian locations!!)
 
Beemer said:
MOTORHOME/CAMPERVAN MOTORCYCLE /SCOOTER/TRIKE/TRAILER/CARRIER | eBay

Just an idea! :)
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I use a Lider bike trailer, which we have towed all over Europe and the UK. Reversing is made easy if you fit a couple of rubber flexible aerials to each back corner of the trailer and paint the tips white. I would also recommend the bigger wheels. Mine came with 10" wheels with nasty tyres that wear unevenly and have very little sidewall stiffness, you could see the trailer swaying around behind you if the road was anything but perfect. I've now swapped the wheels and tyres to 12" which gives me a better choice of car tyres. My bike does get filthy if its wet when were travelling, but I dont mind cleaning it, especially when were abroad and its sunny.

With regard to the link above, I know a chap who was involved in making something similar to the one in the link, and they hit a brick wall with the regulations. He told me that any towed vehicle whos wheel or wheels are in contact with the road must operate the brakes on those wheels if they have them fitted, unless used for recovery. They could make a kit for any bike but couldn't make a universal kit that could work any rear brake on any bike, so ended the project there.

Stu
 
stu is correct .only recovery use.
mind chances of being stopped are almost nil .i made one similar for towing trikes years ago . didnt know the rules then .
but will wear tyres and chain out . plus sprockets . good trip round spain you could wear two rear tyres out on some bikes .
covered trailer or stay with the yam 125 .
 
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