Renting a Motorcycle Trailer: What to Know Before You Haul

Three trailer types available on Big Rentals work for motorcycle transport: utility trailers, enclosed trailers and car hauler trailers. For most motorcycle hauls, a utility trailer is the right booking — widely available, easy to load and appropriately sized for one or two bikes. An enclosed trailer is worth the premium for long-distance transport, high-value bikes or any haul where the bike needs to stay dry and locked overnight. A car hauler works but is designed for vehicles and offers more deck than most motorcycle hauls need. This post covers how to choose between the three, what size to book and how to secure the bike once it's on the deck.

Which Trailer Type to Book

Utility trailer — the right choice for most hauls

An open utility trailer rental is the most practical option for most motorcycle hauls. Low deck height makes loading easy — most bikes roll on without difficulty. A 5x8 or 6x10 handles a single motorcycle with room for a helmet and gear alongside. A 6x12 fits two bikes side by side for most handlebar widths. The open deck means the bike is exposed to weather and road spray, and the trailer can't be locked — factors that matter on long trips and for high-value bikes, but not for a short local haul in clear weather.

• Best for: single-day local hauls, dirt bikes, project bikes, short-distance transport
• Single bike: 5x8 or 6x10
• Two bikes: 6x12 — confirm combined handlebar width fits within the 70-inch usable deck
• Limitation: open to weather and road spray; no overnight security

Enclosed trailer — worth it for long trips and high-value bikes

An enclosed trailer rental protects the bike from weather, road spray and road debris during transport and locks securely when unattended. For a long-distance haul, a multi-day transport or any job where the loaded trailer will be left overnight, the enclosed trailer is the right booking. A 6x12 enclosed trailer handles a single motorcycle with room for riding gear, leathers and an extra helmet. Interior height in most 6x12 enclosed trailers runs 5 ft 6 in to 6 ft — enough clearance for any standard motorcycle standing upright with the handlebars in place. Confirm the interior height on the specific listing if the bike is particularly tall.

• Best for: long-distance transport, high-value bikes, multi-day hauls, overnight security
• Single bike with gear: 6x12 enclosed trailer
• Interior height: typically 5 ft 6 in to 6 ft — confirm on the listing against bike height with handlebars
• Premium over utility: worth it when weather protection and overnight security matter

Car hauler — works, but more trailer than most motorcycle hauls need

A car hauler trailer rental carries motorcycles without any technical issue — deck width, length and payload rating are all well within range. The practical drawback is scale: car haulers are designed for full-size vehicles and require a hitch setup and tow vehicle rated for a larger trailer than a single-bike haul actually needs. For most motorcycle hauls, a utility or enclosed trailer is simpler to tow and easier to maneuver. A car hauler makes sense when the motorcycle is sharing the deck with a vehicle, a UTV or other cargo that fills the trailer's capacity.

• Works for motorcycles — no technical limitation
• Practical limitation: more trailer than most single-bike hauls require
• Best fit: motorcycle sharing the deck with a vehicle or other large cargo

Loading: Ramp, Approach and Bike Positioning

Rolling the bike on

Most motorcycles weigh 300–600 lbs — light enough to roll onto a trailer ramp by hand with one person guiding and one steadying. A straight, centered approach is essential: both wheels need to track cleanly up the center of the ramp without drifting toward either edge. Walk the bike up rather than riding it on — foot-pegs at a ramp angle is an unstable loading position and the method most likely to end with the bike on the ground.

For heavier bikes or trailers with a steep ramp angle, a wheel chock positioned at the top of the ramp guides the front wheel and keeps the bike upright while the second person begins rigging the tie-downs. If the trailer doesn't have a built-in chock, a block of wood at the right width does the same job.

• Two people makes loading easier and safer than one
• Centered approach: both wheels tracking straight up the ramp center before moving
• Walk it on — don't ride it on
• Wheel chock at the ramp top: guides the front wheel and holds the bike upright while rigging begins

Where to position the bike on the deck

Position the motorcycle with its weight slightly forward of the trailer's axle — the same principle that applies to any trailer load. On a 6x12 deck with a single bike, the front wheel typically sits about one-third of the way back from the front of the trailer. Center the bike side-to-side on the deck. Once in position, engage the wheel chock if the trailer has one and apply the motorcycle's parking brake before stepping away to rig the tie-downs.

• Longitudinal: weight slightly forward of the trailer axle
• Lateral: centered on the deck
• Engage wheel chock if equipped; apply parking brake before rigging tie-downs

Tie-Down: How to Secure a Motorcycle for Transport

Where to attach: soft loops, not hooks on chrome

Tie-down straps for motorcycles should connect to the handlebar stems or the triple tree — the fork clamps just below the handlebars — using soft loop attachments. A soft loop is a short length of webbing that wraps around the structural anchor point and accepts the ratchet strap hook without putting the metal hook in contact with painted or chrome surfaces. Never hook a strap directly to brake levers, throttle housings, footpegs, the handlebars themselves or exhaust components. These are not structural tie-down points and will bend, break or detach under transport load — sometimes quietly, which is worse than loudly.

• Correct attachment points: handlebar stems or triple tree via soft loops
• Never attach to: brake levers, throttle housing, footpegs, exhaust or handlebars directly
• Soft loop: wraps the anchor point and keeps the ratchet hook away from paint and chrome
• Soft loops are inexpensive and available at any motorcycle or hardware store — bring them, don't count on the rental trailer including them

Four straps, compressing the suspension

Four ratchet straps minimum — two at the front of the bike pulling forward and outward toward the front corners of the trailer, two at the rear pulling rearward and outward toward the rear corners. This four-point tension holds the bike upright and compresses both the front and rear suspension slightly, which is what keeps the bike from bouncing and shifting during transport.

The straps should be taut enough that the front fork is noticeably compressed — approximately 1–2 inches of fork travel used. A bike that can still be rocked by hand after rigging is not secure. Check strap tension again at the first stop after 15–20 miles. Straps settle under load during the first miles and almost always need re-tightening before the trip continues.

• Four straps minimum — two front, two rear
• Front straps: angle forward and outward toward the trailer's front corners
• Rear straps: angle rearward and outward toward the trailer's rear corners
• Suspension compression: approximately 1–2 in of fork travel at the front — the bike should feel planted
• Re-check at first stop after 15–20 miles — re-tighten any straps that have developed slack

Towing Requirements

Hitch. A standard 1-7/8-inch or 2-inch ball on a Class I, II or III receiver hitch. Most sedans, crossovers, minivans and pickups qualify. Vehicles without a factory hitch can add one — aftermarket hitch installations are straightforward and widely available.

Loaded weight. A utility trailer with one motorcycle typically totals 800–1,500 lbs combined — well within the towing rating of almost any vehicle with a hitch installed. Confirm the specific trailer's weight plus the motorcycle's weight against the vehicle's rated towing capacity before booking.

Brake controller. Not needed. Utility and enclosed trailers at this weight range don't have electric brakes.

Insurance and Damage Protection

Before towing a rented trailer, contact your auto insurance provider to ask whether your policy covers liability and towing-related damage claims — and whether your motorcycle is covered while on a rented trailer.

Eligible rentals booked through Big Rentals also include Basic Rental Protection at checkout. This added protection can help limit your financial responsibility for certain damage or theft events during the rental period.

For full details on how Basic Rental Protection works, including deductibles, exclusions and renter responsibilities, review our FAQ and platform terms.

The Short Version

For most motorcycle hauls, a utility trailer is the right booking. Step up to an enclosed trailer for long-distance transport, high-value bikes or any haul where overnight security matters. The tie-down technique matters as much as which trailer you book — soft loops on the triple tree or handlebar stems, four ratchet straps with 1–2 inches of fork compression, re-checked at the first stop.

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