Learn How a Motorcycle Towing Trailer Works Before Hitting the Road
Bike rides and motorcycle journeys can be exhilarating and enjoyable! Most people, who have ever driven a motorcycle, know how rewarding the experience can be. Even those, who haven’t, sometimes dream of taking an amazing motorcycle ride along the highway. Books and movies are full of enthralling scenes of characters taking their motorcycles on fast and exhilarating long drives across the country.
However, there are some precautions that must be taken when you’re going for a ride on your motorcycle. Like any machine, a motorcycle may break down or experience a technical failure while you’re en route to your destination. This may lead to you getting stranded on the way with a vehicle that has broken down. In this situation, you’ll require the services of a towing service which can tow your malfunctioning bike to the nearest repair shop. The services of a reputable and experienced towing service will, in such a situation, save you hours of uncertainty and harassment.
What Are Motorcycle Towing Trailers?
There are various types of motorcycle towing trailers. These trailers may be open or enclosed. Their size may also vary depending on the number of bikes they are meant to carry at once. Wide towing trailers can carry two machines side by side, while narrower ones can only accommodate a single motorcycle at a time.
They also have tracks to ensure that the wheels of the motorbike do not slide from one side to the other during the journey. Moreover, they also feature tie-down points to keep the bike from tipping or sliding along the surface. Many trailers also include ramps that are useful for loading and unloading the motorbikes. To choose the best motorcycle towing company, however, you must first understand how a motorcycle towing trailer works.
How a Motorcycle Towing Trailer Works?
Motorcycle towing is a relatively simple task when performed by experienced professionals. However, trying to tow a motorbike without any prior experience may be somewhat risky, as these vehicles are quite heavy and may sustain damage if not handled carefully.
An experienced towing professional will ensure that the cargo (meaning the motorbike) has been properly secured so that it is not damaged in any way. Moreover, the professional will also ensure that the trailer chosen can easily handle the weight of the vehicle. These are some of the reasons why you should ideally hire the services of a professional, as they will be able to make sure that everything is in order and there are no risks of a mishap.
For the successful towing of a motorbike, a flatbed trailer or towing trailer must be selected that has sufficient capacity to accommodate the size and weight of the vehicle being towed. The details of how a motorcycle towing trailer works depends, to a great extent, on the type of trailer that is being used.
One of the most important steps, of course, is to properly secure the motorbike to the bed of the towing trailer so that it can be carried securely to the destination. Usually, nylon tow straps are used to secure the motorbike. These straps are commonly attached to the rear and the front suspension forks of the motorbike. However, they can also be attached to any sturdy part of the vehicle’s metallic frame. The only thing that must be ensured is that the straps aren’t secured across the seat or even the bodywork of the bike, as it may damage both.
Devices Used On Motorcycle Towing Trailers
Additionally, different elements and mechanisms such as wheel cradles, motorcycle rails, and wheel chocks are also frequently used to lock the motorbike in place on a towing trailer. A motorcycle rail is essentially a long strip of metal that is wide enough to accommodate tires of the motorbike. On the other hand, a wheel cradle is shorter and has a curved shape. It is used to literally ‘cradle’ the front wheels of the vehicles so that it cannot slide away. These devices are often drilled into the towing trailer for ease of operation.
Other types of motorcycle trailers include the two-wheel trailer, the collapsible trailer, and the drop-bed trailer. The type of trailer used depends entirely on the judgment of the towing company and the nature, size, and shape of the motorbike that needs to be towed. It also depends on the number of bikes that need to be towed at the same time.
In Conclusion
Now that you know all about how a motorcycle towing trailer works, you will have an easier time selecting a good and reputable towing company. However, you must ensure that you have the contact information of such a company with you whenever you take your motorbike out for a ride. This will help you avoid spending hours on the road, stranded with a malfunctioning motorbike. It will also help enhance your safety and make the journey more pleasurable and carefree.
