How to Tie Down a Motorcycle on a Trailer
Oct 27, 2014Last Updated on January 22, 2025 by David Miller
Last Updated on January 22, 2025 by allprotrailersuperstore
Nothing beats the feeling of cruising around on your bike. However, there may be times when you need to move your bike from one location to another without riding it, such as if you’re traveling long distances or you’ve just purchased a new ride. No matter how far you’re transporting your motorcycle, it’s crucial that you safely and securely tie it down.
An unsecured load can put you, other drivers and pedestrians at risk. Situations ranging from hitting a speed bump or pothole to suddenly braking can all cause an unsecured or incorrectly tied down motorcycle to fall out of your vehicle. To prevent accidents, check out this guide on how to strap down a motorcycle and stay safe on the road.
How to Transport a Motorcycle on a Trailer
If you’re thinking about purchasing a motorcycle or planning on transporting your bike somewhere, trailers can make the process much easier and safer. Depending on factors like hauling capacity and your budget, you may find that either an open or enclosed trailer would work best for you.
Open Trailer
Open trailers can be hauled by half-ton trucks, ¾-ton trucks or large SUVs. These versatile trailers come in various sizes, such as 16 feet or 20 feet. Because they are more lightweight and open, you can expect them to be more affordable and deliver better fuel efficiency when transporting your motorcycle.
The overall design also makes it easy to load and unload your bike. Because the trailer is open, you’ll be able to easily see if your motorcycle shifts around during transport.
Enclosed Trailer
Enclosed trailers, which are sometimes referred to as cargo trailers, also come in various sizes and specifications. Because your motorcycle will be fully enclosed during transport, these trailers offer enhanced safety and protection from the elements. The additional walls and roof also allow you to travel with additional gear.
While your bike still needs to be secured inside, you won’t have to worry about it getting damaged from the elements or falling onto the road during transport. The enclosed design also helps prevent theft or vandalism by making it harder for others to see and access your motorcycle inside.
What You’ll Need to Tie Down a Motorcycle
If you’re preparing to strap down a motorcycle, the following supplies and equipment will make the process easier:
- Tie-down straps: One of the best ways to tie down a motorcycle is to use tie-down straps. There are several types of straps, including soft loops and ratchet straps, that will help secure your bike and keep it from shifting or falling during transport. While you can use standard straps, motorcycle-specific tie-down straps are available to make the task a little easier. Whichever you choose, the straps should have a working load that exceeds the weight of your motorcycle.
- Wheel chocks: During the loading and unloading process, make sure you have wheel chocks in place to keep the trailer from moving around. Wheel chocks come in different styles and sizes, ranging from adjustable to fixed, making it easy to find the right kind for your open or enclosed trailer.
- Extra safety equipment: Depending on the type of trailer you have and your needs and preferences, you can incorporate extra equipment to enhance safety during transportation. Whether you’ll be hauling with an open or enclosed trailer, you can add soft padding to protect your bike’s finish. Using additional straps to secure your handlebars will also help improve the stability of your motorcycle.
How to Trailer a Motorcycle With Tie Downs
Once you’ve gathered the necessary supplies and equipment, follow these five steps to tie down a motorcycle on a trailer:
- Prepare: Make sure your vehicle and trailer are parked on level ground and your wheel chocks are in place to minimize movement during loading.
- Load the motorcycle: To make the loading process easier, you can use a loading dock or ramp.
- Position the motorcycle: Make sure the motorcycle is securely positioned in the center of the trailer to help prevent swinging or damage during transportation. You may need to make some adjustments to the straps to help.
- Tie down or ratchet strap the motorcycle: To ensure the motorcycle stays in place, use your tie-down or ratchet straps to secure the bike. Using a criss-cross pattern can increase the stability of the straps. Focus on attaching each strap through a sturdy part of the motorcycle’s frame, and don’t overtighten it.
- Secure and check everything: Do one final check before you leave to ensure all the straps are in place. If you are hauling multiple motorcycles, make sure the weight is distributed evenly and that they won’t bump into each other.
Tips and Safety Considerations
If you’re preparing to transport your motorcycle, there are a few additional tips and safety considerations to keep in mind. Before you start securing your motorcycle, check your tie-down straps to make sure they aren’t frayed or worn. If the integrity of the straps is compromised, they will be more likely to snap.
Once you start securing your motorcycle, make sure you aren’t attaching the straps on any weak or nonloading parts of the motorcycle. Along with reducing stability, this can risk damaging your motorcycle. Similarly, over-tightening the straps could potentially damage your motorcycle. You want the straps to be snug, but not so tight that it damages the suspension.
It’s also a good idea to stop every once in a while to make sure none of the straps have loosened, especially if you’ll be traveling a long way. You want to make sure everything is snug and secure and none of your tie-down straps have gotten damaged.
Hit the Road With the Right Trailer and Accessories
If you’re looking for a trailer to protect your motorcycle when you hit the road, All Pro Trailer Superstore has you covered. We have an extensive inventory of motorcycle trailers available, making it easy for you to transport your bike.
As one of the best full-service trailer centers in the United States, you can count on our team to help simplify the decision-making process and help you find the right trailer type and size. Our trailers can feature everything from ramp doors to air-conditioning units. We also carry an array of trailer towing accessories to ensure your vehicle is equipped with everything you need to get the job done.
If you’re interested in learning more about our motorcycle trailers and accessories, we encourage you to give us a call or reach out online to learn more.
