Best bike trailer?

[JR1K]

I'm considering a bike trailer to use mainly on trips to the continent. Partly to allow camping whilst having bike available.

Anyone recommend a good bike trailer, 1 or two GS size bike capacity.

Suggestes wheel size, 10 or 13 inch?

Easy load tips?

I like the look of the gallvanized ones which can be stood on end to save storage.

How useful is a jockey wheel?

How practical to tow one or two bikes with say decent sized engined car?

Tow speeds on continent?

Do they charge extra on for trailers on toll ways? Anyone know how much?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers



JR

 

[Thunder]

I went with a Moto Lug collapsible trailer a few months ago, excellent quality, easy to store and fits in the boot of the car which is handy if only needed for a single trip, saves a fortunes on ferry costs.

 

[Fanum]

Motolug is great if it's only for the occasional, moderate journey.

With a heavy bike on though, keep a very sharp eye on the fittings and clips, the tilt system on the neck and the general wear and tear.

If you're likely to do much more than the occasional trip, particularly with a heavy bike or two like the GS, I'd probably invest in the heavier duty version (as used by the AA and RAC etc) from Intertrade (Made by Treales I believe)

 

[chrisjk]

Motolug is great if it's only for the occasional, moderate journey.

With a heavy bike on though, keep a very sharp eye on the fittings and clips, the tilt system on the neck and the general wear and tear.

If you're likely to do much more than the occasional trip, particularly with a heavy bike or two like the GS, I'd probably invest in the heavier duty version (as used by the AA and RAC etc) from Intertrade (Made by Treales I believe)

Reviving this thread because I have the same questions as the OP.

Is this collapsible trailer the Treales model you refer to?

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Erde CH750 with 3 rails is the best one and price for a 2 GSA option
one in center rail or if you carrying two, one in each side rail.
NEVER carry one bike on a two rail trailer without moving the rail you are using to center !!!
DAMHIK
Also use the optional ally 1.5 meter ramp, it's more suitable for the job

Series 2 treales is the dogs bollox but it's over a Grand in price :O

 

[ianboydsnr]

I bought a one bike fully enclosed trailer, the perfect single bike trailer, keeps my gs clean and I use a blow up bed to sleep in it, when at events, bike is rolled outside though, its a bit hard to store mind due to the size, and as I am probably not going to get to use it, I might sell it on ebay and just get a normal bike trailer.

 

[BamBam]

Your main problem could be your tow vehicle.
You need to check what it can tow, gross weight including the trailer, bikes/extras and fuel/oils (remember BMW quote dry weight) 1litre Equals 1KG approx.
And also check the load capacity of the vehicle.

The trailer will also come with a gross wieght (Trailer and load together)
would recommend braked.

In europe the police are very hot on vehicles

 

[Hustler]

....The trailer will also come with a gross wieght (Trailer and load together)
would recommend braked......

Just out of interest why is braked recommended as I've never used a braked trailer and never felt the need.

Your main problem could be your tow vehicle.
You need to check what it can tow, gross weight including the trailer, bikes/extras and fuel/oils (remember BMW quote dry weight) 1litre Equals 1KG approx.
And also check the load capacity of the vehicle.

The trailer will also come with a gross wieght (Trailer and load together)
would recommend braked.

In europe the police are very hot on vehicles

Is this last sentence unfinished ?
Is it all of Europe ?, hot on vehicles for speeding ?, paperwork ?, weight ?, colour schemes ?

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Rules iz Rules

Any trailer over 750 kgs gross weight must have brakes.
If you passed your test after 97 [iirc] you can not tow a trailer over 750 kgs gross weight without a trailer license..
Max tow weight is recommended not to exceed 85% of towing vehicles weight....

2 GSA's weigh 600kgs.......in touring trim
Erde CH 750 weighs 150 kgs max so you can tow with 2 GSA's on it and not exceed 750kgs

I tow quite a bit and would never take just one bike on a 2 bike rail trailer UNLESS one of the rails is moveable to the center.........

Also ALL trailers must have a breakaway chain if braked, or securiity chain if unbraked......

( they look identical but do different jobs]


My 3 bike Trelgo is unbraked whereas my Box van has 2 axles and is braked Also box van is 1300kgs max weight
Payload is over 1 tonne

 

[BamBam]

Just out of interest why is braked recommended as I've never used a braked trailer and never felt the need.



Is this last sentence unfinished ?
Is it all of Europe ?, hot on vehicles for speeding ?, paperwork ?, weight ?, colour schemes ?

Thank you Proff.
My personal preference is for braked. You are not relying on the tow to do all the braking.
Mountain passes the weight in the trailer/load is pushing the tow down hill and the extra wieght can boil your brakes.
On Hairpins on the fulcrum point (tow bar) if you brake which in turn pushes the rear of the tow left or right (think US Cops stopping the car thief pit maneuver style) etc.

Hot on all the above, number plates obscured, lights being on bikes even old bikes where the lights don’t come on with the ignition 150 Euro fine.
But not colour schemes

 

[(RIP) Proff]

One other point which I think is very important, is drawbar noseweight.
As the norm when trailer is loaded you want around 8 stone = 112 lbs = 50 kgs
nose weight,
NEVER LESS , sometimes more [ up to 75 kgs in some Big 4x4 cases..
I use an old set of bathroom scales under jockey wheel, if you aint got a jockey wheel put a house brick on edge and rest drawbar on that
housebrick = 4.5 kgs approx

My old 1/2 ton trailer has a 105E anglia axle and the brakes STILL work

 

[Wapping]

Reviving this thread because I have the same questions as the OP.

Is this collapsible trailer the Treales model you refer to?

I have the Series Two Fold away, or an earlier version. I bought it direct from Intertrade, who make them. They are as used by the AA / RAC, where I originally saw one, with my Blackbird sitting on it. I think mine was one of the first sold to the public.

They are certainly not cheap but are very well made. Mine has been 100% reliable over many 100's of miles.

Intertrade are very helpful on the phone, too, should you need any advice or bits.

http://intertradeuk.co.uk/

 

[divelandy]

Rules iz Rules

Any trailer over 750 kgs gross weight must have brakes.
If you passed your test after 97 [iirc] you can not tow a trailer over 750 kgs gross weight without a trailer license..
Max tow weight is recommended not to exceed 85% of towing vehicles weight....

This is not correct.

Being part of a university diving club, i've done a fair amount of research on towing, as we have a RIB (boat) which is available to tow.

"Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM."

DVLA: Towing Trailers

Also note the 85% rule is for the UNLAIDEN weight

Steve

 

[Toyo]

Motolug is great if it's only for the occasional, moderate journey.

With a heavy bike on though, keep a very sharp eye on the fittings and clips, the tilt system on the neck and the general wear and tear.

If you're likely to do much more than the occasional trip, particularly with a heavy bike or two like the GS, I'd probably invest in the heavier duty version (as used by the AA and RAC etc) from Intertrade (Made by Treales I believe)

Hi Bill

as you may know I have one of these.
Could you please tell me which part exactly has worn out/failed on your bikelug trailer so I can keep an eye on it?
thanks

 

[Rushy]

This is not correct.

Being part of a university diving club, i've done a fair amount of research on towing, as we have a RIB (boat) which is available to tow.

"Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM."

DVLA: Towing Trailers

Also note the 85% rule is for the UNLAIDEN weight

Steve

Are you sure it's not correct ?...............in a lower paragragh on the page that you copied that piece from above it says this;

"An exemption from the driver licensing trailer limit allows a category B licence holder to tow a broken down vehicle from a position where it would otherwise cause danger or obstruction to other road users."

Which suggests that there is some form of test ..........so I looked further down and found a link to this ;
.

.

.

Car and trailer practical driving test

If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 and you now want to tow a caravan or certain trailers, you may have to take a specific practical test.

Car licences obtained before 1 January 1997
If you passed a car test before 1 January 1997 you keep your existing entitlement to tow trailers until your licence expires. This means you're generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes maximum authorised mass (MAM). You also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kgs MAM.

Car licences obtained on or after 1 January 1997
If you passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 you're limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass towing a trailer up to 750kgs, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM providing the MAM of the trailer doesn't exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. You will need to pass an additional driving test in B+E if you wish to tow a caravan or trailer combination which exceeds these weight limits.

Its all news to me

 

[(RIP) Proff]

I beg to differ slightly Steve..

Category B: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM and with up to eight passenger seats

Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM.


That means a 3.5 ton van cannot tow a trailer over 750 kgs unless it's lightly laden or it will exceed the 3.5 tonne MAM
This is one of the stupid amendments because it means an EMPTY Transit type van weighing in at 2 tonne tare can tow only and up to a 1.5 tonne [BRAKED if over 750kgs] trailer [MAM = 3.5tonne]
Whereas a LOADED 3.5 tonne van can still tow an unbraked 750kg trailer [MAM 4.25 tonne]


So You can either run the risk of tail wagging the Dog
OR 4.25 tonne on overheating brakes and extended stopping distances



Category B+E: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM towing trailers over 750kgs MAM

Category B+E allows vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM to be combined with trailers in excess of 750kgs MAM. In order to gain this entitlement new category B licence holders have to pass a further practical test for category B+E. There is no category B+E theory test. For driver licensing purposes there are no vehicle/trailer weight ratio limits for category B+E.

This is the one thats going to catch folk out
for Example>>
Shogun 3.5 tonne MAM with Hobby 2 axle caravan = 5 tonne

If you haven't got the +e, you in Ca Ca unless you are old and wisened like us old farts

 

[Rushy]

beat you by a minute

 

[(RIP) Proff]

beat you by a minute

I had to get my typing glasses on !!

 

[divelandy]

Towing can be done on a B license

I think were agreeing - and getting in to the nuances.

I did not say you could tow anything with any vehicle, I disagreed explicitly with the statement:

you can not tow a trailer over 750 kgs gross weight without a trailer license

If you want to tow with a combined MAM of >3500 Kg, a test is required (unless it's unbreaked, etc).

As detailed above, with the right combination, you can tow over 750KG with a B license - which with the aid of fact's below, i shall demonstrate:

I have a boat trailer with a MAM of 1400kg and a trailer + load weight of 1100kg
I have a touring caravan with a MAM of 1200kg and unlaiden weight of 900kg
I have a Passat saloon with a MAM of 2000kg and an unlaiden weight + driver or 1500kg.

You can, with a Category B license, and without a B+E tow either of these with my car (should i give you permission ).
Boat + Car = 3400Kg MAM
Caravan + Car = 3100Kg MAM

Unfortunatly, with a Van/Minibus/SUV/etc, the vehicle MAM precludes any towing - which is a royal PITA, as these are the only vehicles we can hire with a towbar.

The Intertrade trailers have a MAM of >2000kg so B+E is required. However, the ones from Motolug have a MAM < 1000kg.

Even though i don't classify myself as an old git yet (maybe the BMW is a first step) with my pre-1997 license, i can tow a fair amount as i do have a C license.

Ok - group hug time