Pulling a TRAILER behind a Motorcycle - South of the Boarder

[Davo Bali]

Hi Guys ,

I am an Australian planning 'my' RTW motorcycle trip this year - but with a difference ..., I plan to tow a trailer behind a Motorcycle .

Question : What I want to know is ..,

- If any of you guys have towed a trailer behind your motorcycle from the USA , down through MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA ?

- Or if you know what the legal requirements are "if any" to cross into those countries Boarders - with regards to towing a trailer behind a motorcycle?

- Are there any restrictions I need to be aware of, or do they give you a hard time , or charge you and extra insurance or fees to tow a trailer behind your motorcycle when you cross their boarders ?


..., so far - I am yet to find answers regarding towing a trailer behind a motorcycle ' South Of The Boarder - outside of the USA' ?

So this is the reason I am adding my questions to this more specific CENTRAL AMERICA / MEXICO page



Guys - After I ship my bike to the USA I want to buy a Bushtec Spartan Trailer (made in the USA)

[trailer link] https://www.bushtec.com/inventory/v1...ssee---1594461

- for its superior air adjustable suspension ,
- and larger 16" diameter wheels
- It's lightweight and narrow width

..., and I want to modify the trailer slightly by mounting a lightweight lockable aluminium box on top of the Trailer - that is long enough to carry 3 to 4 surfboards inside the lockable box + wetsuits etc .

Total weight of the modified trailer + load = about 90 kg's all up

(So far - ALL that has been planned and decided upon.)


So Now ..,
I just need to find out if there are any restrictions or legal implications for crossing these international boarders of Mexico & Central America on a motorcycle whilst towing a trailer ?

Cheers Guys

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Having towed trailers only with heavy trucks and one GMC YUKON I have no experience with motorcycles hauling trailers ...BUT .... I do have an opinion.

Think this through well, before committing.

A motorcycle hauling a trailer, in my humble opinion , especially one of the size you are proposing to haul
""
- that is long enough to carry 3 to 4 surfboards inside the lockable box + wetsuits etc . """

would be so heavy and cumbersome as to be a nightmarish influence on handling and probably dangerous. It would suck away any fun of riding the motorcycle .
If you are that much of a surfer fanatic you would be better off using a small truck or SUV .
If you truly want to enjoy the voyage on a motorcycle can you not rent surfboards and stuff at the few places you will be able to do that ?

Having ridden lots and lots in Mexico ( south of the B O R D E R) I can think of few ways to more rapidly get into trouble on Mexico's wonderful roads than by being hampered by a big long heavy tail wagging trailer . Think of all the topes !

[Davo Bali]

Originally Posted by Sjoerd Bakker

Having towed trailers only with heavy trucks and one GMC YUKON I have no experience with motorcycles hauling trailers ...BUT .... I do have an opinion.

Think this through well, before committing.

Thank you kindly Sjoerd , plus you link to your book also looks like a good worthwhile investment when the time comes

[Ae]

Actually I am looking for answers to the same questions. I want to start next year in Canada, following the Panamericana and shipping to New Zealand and Australia. I intend to buy a trailer for my Harley-Davidson in America and camp as much as possible. It's a long term travel, so hotels are no option.

[Sjoerd Bakker]

There appears to be a dearth of responses from folk with actual trailer experience.
My negative opinion is still held especially for monster trailers.
You might preserve some of the fun and mobility of a motorcycle with a small single -wheel- in - line trailer , provided it has a HIGH DRAWBAR which will not strike or hang up on TOPES.
If you are riding a big Harley it should have enough carrying capacity for you r stuff , without a trailer.
Bring a small compact tent and a sleeping bag and your absolute essentials in clothing. Pack it all on the bike and in the side luggage.Bring money . There is no way to avoid needing the latter.
A trailer suggests bringing a lot of frilly stuff , cooking gear , food, cooler .The kitchen sink .

PS. The " Panamericana " as an identifiable single road does not exist . It is a stringing together of a set of nationally numbered highways which was thought up as a tourism development gimmick back in the 20th century . It exists as a marked route only on some maps these days . Very rarely will you see north of Panama any type of road marker denoting"
" Panamericana" .It does have excellent high mountain parts in Guatemala though.
Trying to follow it will actually limit your fun experience of many parts of the countries it crosses.
Try to put together your own wandering route , not limited by some old road trip of others.

[Ae]

Thank you for your response.

I am visiting different forums and blogs since about one year and I will tell you about my thoughts, maybe I am wrong.

1. Additional luggage storage yes or no



I am o tour since more than a year, travelling through Europe, but also stay for some months during the winter in warmer countries. In fact I do not have anymore a living domicile for my own. I have reduced my luggage to a minimum, but I have to bring everything that I own with me. My lifestyle is the one of a long term traveller. That works good, as long I will find accommodation in Airbnb, family or friends. For the planned tour I do not have all this possibilities, therefore I will do camping and this additional luggage has to be stored somewhere. 


2. load everything on the bike itself



I have seen a lot of bikes on the road and also on pictures, that are completely overloaded like a mule. Don't tell me that the luggage stored on top of a motorcycle has no impact to the behaviour of the bike or in case of an emergency stop. Thats the reason I am looking for a way to store the additional luggage in a trailer. Somehow or other the more luggage you have the more you have to care.


3. Single Wheel vs. double wheel trailer



When I am looking at the hitch of a single wheel trailer, then I remark the very strong hitch construction. This let me think about a massive load on the hitch. The other detail is that the load of a single wheel trailer ist in front of the wheel, that means the weight goes largely to the hitch, respectively to the bike. On a double whee trailer you can balance the weight on the hitch while loading the storage. The trailer I am thinking about is the American Legend Trailer (https://theusatrailerstore.com/legac...-trailer/).


And yes, you are wright there is also some frilly stuff*

In question the Panamericana, I am aware that this is not a identifiable road. This means I will use this just as a phrase to not have to declare all the single countries I will pass on my tour. Actually I am working on the details for Canada and North America and collecting Point's of Interest and Roads to Ride on a map for the future detail planning.

About Guatemala I am concerned about the crime and I know I have to find a way around the Darien Cap.

Albert

[markharf]

You're worrying about a lot of stuff needlessly, trying to solve problems which don't really exist, and struggling to combine functions which, in the end, can't be combined.

To travel by motorcycle, load up your bike and go, just like we all do. Yeah, lots of bikes are top-heavy and overloaded, but nowhere near as badly as your aluminum box w/ surfboards, wetsuits and associated crap. You'll still have to add in the same stuff we all carry. Even without the trailer you'll complain about how much you're carrying--just like us all. That's what happens when take a bike on the road for a year or more. With or without camping and cooking gear, we all make it work.

But you won't be able to bring those surfboards. If you really want to travel the Americas carrying surfboards, wetsuits, and all the rest.....well, take a truck or van like everyone else does. Sometimes conventional wisdom got to be that way because it's the best choice, not because conventional people are lacking wisdom or creativity.

Or, if you're really into playing out your purity of purpose, go ahead and add that giant box to your trailer, stuff it with crap, and have your trip. You'll have all the disadvantages of a motorcycle without any of the real benefits. You'll succeed, if stubborn enough, but you'll have lots of time to wonder why you're bothering.

I've seen a couple of Goldwing-sized bikes towing trailers in Mexico. I don't know whether they have difficulties with border crossings, but apparently they're manageable. If I wanted to learn more I'd look for the people who tow campers south during winters--there are occasional posts on ADVRider, but I'm sure there must be sites and forums dedicated to that sort of thing, and they can't be too difficult to find.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

[Ae]

Hello Mark

Ok - I am new in this forum, but I think you missed the questions and there is no reason to be aggressive.

1) The initial questions to that I have subscribed were:

a) If any of you guys have towed a trailer behind your motorcycle from the USA , down through MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA ?
b) Or if you know what the legal requirements are "if any" to cross into those countries Boarders - with regards to towing a trailer behind a motorcycle?
c) Are there any restrictions I need to be aware of, or do they give you a hard time , or charge you and extra insurance or fees to tow a trailer behind your motorcycle when you cross their boarders ?

2) At least myself do not has the intention to bring surfboards and other sport equipment with me, but thats anyway not the point to be resolved or answered

Back to the roots !

Albert

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Markharf was not being aggressive , really , he only confused your post as from the original post by Davo Bali who in January did express the desire to haul surfboards and diving gear in a monstrosity of a bike trailer.

You are a different person and have made no description of the load you wish to take , so all we can do is guess and offer opinions .

[markharf]

Originally Posted by Ae

Hello Mark

Ok - I am new in this forum, but I think you missed the questions and there is no reason to be aggressive.

Yes, I think you're somewhat right. I was feeling impatient and it showed. I also failed to make it clear to whom I was responding. I apologize on both counts.

I continue to think that a motorcycle trailer is unnecessary and generally a bad idea for so-called "adventure" motorcycling, but you're certainly free to disagree (Which will put you in interesting company. Take this guy, for example: )

In any case, I'm still thinking you'll find information about the legalities and border practicalities wherever the people with giant pickup trucks and house-sized camping trailers gather to contemplate their Central American vacations. I even saw two of these in Venezuela back in the day, demonstrating that if you can imagine it, it's probably somehow possible.

And....I still hope that's helpful.

Mark

[Warin]

Trailers complicate any shipping, parking, border crossings, getting tyres and breakdowns. If you really need a trailer then it is up to you. I would not use a trailer. It is my choice as it is your choice.

I would expect there will be extra insurance costs.
I would expect there will be extra time taken for inspections at borders.
I would expect there may be extra restrictions on maximum speed.

I do not know of these extras, but I suspect they will exist in some countries. Good on you for trying to find out before you travel, but I suspect the number of people who have done it may be very small. You may have to contact the embassies of each country to try and find out.