How do you carry a motorcycle in a car?

Figuring out how to move a motorcycle from point A to point B without riding it can be a bit complicated. Well, motorcycles may give you the impression that they are the smallest machines in the vehicle world; they can seem a lot bigger when you are moving them around. Maybe you are unable to ride as you don’t have the license to ride it!

Moreover, if you don’t have a truck or an SUV, you may be caught in tenterhooks, wondering if you can tow the motorcycle with the car that you possess. Well, don’t fret as you can transport your beloved motorcycle with the car. You should be able to tow a light trailer behind your car to transport the motorcycle.

However, though this seems easy, the task of transporting the motorcycle via car is arduous. Also, you can go horribly wrong if you fail to consider various factors. From figuring out your car’s towing capacity to finding the right trailer, there exist various things that demand detailed attention. So let’s take a glance at the various aspects to make carrying a motorcycle a car success.

Assessing the Towing Capacity of the Car

Well, finding out the towing capacity of the car is quite easy. You should be able to find its towing capacity in the user’s manual. Note that, on average, a standard sedan can easily two 1000 to 1500 pounds. What’s more, you would also be able to check the towing capacity of your car by looking at the sticker placed inside the driver’s side door frame.

While calculating your car’s towing capacity, calculate the number of people traveling and the type of cargo you are carrying. Also, to figure out how much you should be towing, you should be aware of the overall eight of the trailer. And once you know the weight of the trailer, you would be able to figure out the weight of the motorcycle too. You can also opt to visit a weight station to find the exact mass of your motorcycle.

Installing a Hitch

You will need to install a hitch if you plan to tow your motorcycle effectively. But if you have a specific type of motorcycle to be towed, you should order a specialized hitch. Always be mindful of the fact that a majority of the hitches are compatible with standard tow-types.

Furthermore, you also have to be mindful of the cost of installing a hitch. Hitches are vehicle specific, and you just can’t opt for a random one. It is usually recommended to get the hitch installed in a repair shop. Though this move would cost you more, you would have a stress-free ride while carrying the motorcycle with you.

Finding the Right Trailer

Now it is time to find the right trailer on which you would be transporting the motorcycle. Note that are various options related to transporting the motorcycle on the trailer. You can rent one from your local U-Haul or Home Depot. And in case you are highly apprehensive of the quality of the trailer, always make it a point to buy one.

By buying one, you would be able to assess its quality from close angles. Ensure that you buy a trailer that weighs not more than 250 to 300 pounds. Quite interestingly, you can also use a motorcycle dolly if you don’t want to buy or use a trailer. To be precise, dollies require less maintenance and are very simple to use.

Understanding the laws and safety procedures

Once you have your motorcycle hooked up to the car successfully, there are other things to consider. For instance, you should be able to brake efficiently while towing your motorcycle. Whenever you are hauling or towing, you would need to plan on doubling the braking time when compared to normal situations.

This would prevent the trailer from fishing. If you are using a trailer, ensure that it is registered. You can’t transport your motorbike via car by carrying it on an unregistered trailer. Also, make sure that all the connections are properly made so that the lights of the trailers blink to alert other drivers on the road.

From the above discussion, it is clear that you have to pay great attention to the minute things while transporting your vehicle via car. Your car engine would overheat as you are towing extra weight. So always keep extra containers of water to prevent engine breakdown in the middle of the road.