Safety While Pulling Bikes...

 Trailering Tactics: All Trailers... 

Go Over Everything.

• Check running lights, side marker lights, signal and brake lights...
• Be sure hitch pin is in vehicle and secured with pin or crevice pin...
• Coupler latched shut and pinned or pad locked...
• Double check chains are on trailer and criss-crossed under the tongue...
• DOT Rules, All States, All Trailer's must have chains to vehicle and must have hooks to hitch that is locked on manually or a spring clip... NO "S" type hooks are now legal all States...
• When trailer is off vehicle, the stinger, the part that slides into receiver of vehicle must be removed... This is a $125.00 - $150.00 fine...
• Check Lug nuts on wheels and spare and have proper wrench with you...
• Check tire pressure's and spare also... Do you really not want to have a spare with you and leave your motorcycle and trailer along the side of the road???

Trailer Speed

• Familiarize yourself with trailer locally for handling...
• Go slower to allow for trailer and load pushing you when stopping...
• Trailers with load over 1000 lbs requires brakes...
• Allow extra distance for passing, {always signal} and stopping... 

Mirrors

• Single bike trailers vehicle mirrors should be sufficient...
•  Double trailers may need added mirrors to vehicle to see past the sides of trailer being towed... Double trailers are at least 8' wide, vehicle mirrors outside edge...

Driving and Passing

• Pass left, keep right... Signal, hand ok finger is not... Use signal switch...
• Always be courteous, believe me, it can be real tough sometimes... Towed trailers since 1965...
• Avoid quick sharp changes... Vehicle may turn one way, load could shift the other...
• Sudden stops especially in turns could cause a jack-knife trailer...
• Manual transmissions down shift...
• Automatic transmissions may be better out of overdrive...

Loading

• Motorcycles, I always pull towards the front... Two straps on front forks to front and two straps by back wheel frame to the front...
• I never use cam type straps... Ratchet tie down will never come loose, if you tighten the web at least one turn... Use good quality straps, it's your investment your protecting...
• You need tongue weight on the ball... Forty lbs would be what I like with motorcycle trailers... You get no bouncing up and down on ball...
• I offer good quality trailers by proven manufactures which I am in business to sell... I give discounts or something free on all trailers I sell... I will not give free advice to anyone who thinks he's a garage engineer... Think what your motorcycle is worth, than you decide...
• Spare tire is a must in my opinion with a motorcycle trailer, or any for that fact {See DOT below...} If you are going down the highway and a problem arises with your tire you have to leave trailer with bike's along side of road, you may or may not have it when you come back... This I seen on interstate 87 in New York on 07-03-2011... Abandon trailer with direction of our NY Troopers having enclosed trailer placed on a flat bed wrecker... I know this tow fee, storage, cost more than a spare tire...

DOT Required Important Items~

Must Have even if just making a weekend dump run.

• The following "stuff" needs to be with you when towing trailers... This applies to ALL trailers Towed by cars or trucks, no matter how big or small
• Spare tire is required with ALL towed vehicles...
• Fire extinguisher required...
• Spare fuses for each that you have in vehicle with you...
• Emergency triangles {three} is mandatory...
• I also carry the following; reflective vest, flares, first aid kit, flashlight, hard hat with my bigger trailers...
• Loads must be covered if trash run. Secured each corner if bike or tractor.One strap for every 4 ft of length. Example's 8' boards 2 straps. 9' - 12' boards 3 straps. Over 9' add another strap...
• When I have my front end loader and backhoe on trailer I have no less than 6 straps securing DOT sees this and think more is better and may just send you through any road blocks. Yes, bucket must also be secured seperatly.

DOT - Other Important Stuff In General

• You need a DOT number affixed to your commercial vehicle at least 2" high be able to read at 50'... This you can get free on your States DMV web site...
• Vin # must be visible on trailer at all times... It can be found on trailer tongue driver side... Or on frame right side... If you can not read it than you must stamp the 17 combination numbers - letters into trailer tongue... Newer trailers has this done already at time of manufacture...
• If you snowplow, lawn maintance, etc. you need a number if your name is on truck..
• Flat trailers must be secured with ratchet tie downs...
• Loads in pick up or dump trailers must be covered...
• When DOT lights are blinking and sign says all trucks, if you have a truck with trailer it means ALL...
• Any trailer with electric or hydraulic brakes, better work when break-a-way switch is pulled by them...
• Inspection of trailers is required in most all States except eight...
• Have tires at proper inflation and proper tires for the load you have on trailer...
• Don't have any loose items as small as a 1/4'' nut and bolt on it... That's about $125.00 ticket.
• ALL lights must work, another $150.00 for a two dollar bulb...
• All trailers must now have reflector tape on sides and back. See DOT rules.
• If you have a gas can in any vehicle, personal or business, the gas can must be secured so it can not move and nothing can touch it... Must also be labeled properly...
• If you should get pulled over, the best advice I can give, is, Only speak when spoken too, only answer what is asked... be polite...
• If you should get a ticket, I'm a firm believer of not guilty... If trooper does not show up at court date, it's your right to have the Judge dismiss all tickets for officer's failure to prosecute...

Some of the above DOT stuff I can

•  
•  
• Fred Burger "Trailers"
• 30 Highland Road
• Ulster Park NY 12487
•  
• 845-339-3390 <> 845-339-3390
• E-mail: fred@fredstrailers.com

Updated: 03-06-2017