Bike trailers and tow bars / cars

[TCFA]

Anyone used a bike trailer? I'm thinking about one of those single channel small ones. But then I'd need a tow bar obvs. I might be able to get one fitted to my car but it's not really a suitable car for it - or at least I don't think so? Others may have other experiences? Car is a BMW 320i Msport (saloon not estate).

So questions are (1) how hard is it getting used to driving dragging a bike behind your car; (2) does anyone have trailer recommendations; (3) has anyone had experiences getting tow bars fitted; and (4) are some cars better than others? I don't really want to ditch the beemer but if it's completely unsuitable ...

Reason is I'm buying a new bike (Tiger) and I want to keep the CBR, and insuring both is looking sodding ridiculous, so I'm thinking about taking the CBR off the road and turning it into a track bike
____________________
Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[Kickstart]

Hi

We had an E46 318 saloon. No problem getting a tow bar fitted. The 318 wasn't a particularly good tow car as the engine wasn't great, and gearing not great for it, but the 320 might be better. On the 318 fuel consumption took a hammering when towing (did with the Jaguar X Type we had as well, the old Alfa 155 we had managed to do better when towing as any extra it used was made up for by going at towing speeds).

One advantage of the E46 was they had a decent unbraked towing capacity. A lot of modern cars have pathetic unbraked towing capacities.

Easy enough to tow, just take it easy.

All the best

Katy
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[TCFA]

what's an unbaked towing capacity? In fact I don't know anything about towing, where to find out max weight, max speed etc...!
____________________
Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[Kickstart]

Hi

Speed limits are in the highway code.

There are 2 types of trailer generally. Braked and unbraked. Braked trailers have brakes on the wheels, operated automatically by the towing hitch. The towing capacity for cars is FAR higher for braked trailers generally, but braked trailers tend to be far more expensive (eg, we were looking at the price of a 3 bike trailers, unbraked ~£900 while the same trailer braked was ~£1400).

With an unbraked trailer the limit is either 750kg or the unbraked towing capacity of the car, whichever is lower. 400kg unbraked capacity is quite common, and if the trailer weighs 200kg (our 3 bike trailer does) that doesn't leave much for the bike with fuel, etc

All the best

Katy
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Baggyman]

I tow bikes and boats quite a lot - not difficult as long as you take your time and don't forget you have the trailer there. Worth practicing things like reversing somewhere with a bit of space to get the hang of turning "the wrong way" to get the trailer to go where you want it. There are lots of little tricks in doing things like 3 point turns with a trailer that make it easier as well.

Also worth paying attention to how you should tie things down.

Just waiting for a Dave Cooper collapsible bike trailer (250kg max payload) to arrive at the moment - ordered it with an extra wide axle so I can put sheets of ply or whatever DIY stuff on it fitting between the mudguards. Seems like very good value for money and collapsible means I can take it apart and hang it up in the garage out of the way - trailers are quite nickable so I would suggest security is a consideration.

Your beemer will probably tow 750kg gross unbraked and about 1600kg gross on a braked trailer but you need to check the specifics for that model as they can vary a bit across the model range.
____________________
Old fart
Baghira, modded GS1000 and the T150 I bought in 1978 when I was 21

[G]

It doesn't answer your questions; but you'll likely do better to sell the CBR as a road bike and get a ready-prepped track bike.

A small single-rail trailer shouldn't impinge to much on the car when towing and can be pretty light.

Would have thought a 320i would be fine for it - sure, there's better options (I've towed an astra on an A frame with my van and that was fine), but a lot worse too.

[TCFA]

Thanks everyone

Why's that G? Just cost? I'm not any kind of track demon - I just enjoy it, want to do more, and thinking of ways of still getting enjoyment out of the CBR as I don't think I've got the most out of it yet - so any changes to it will be pretty gradual (and probably not irreversible)

Are there particular places to look for them for sale?
____________________
Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[BTTD]

Is the Msport type tested for a towbar? I only ask because the AMG badged Mercs aren't (even though it's just a body kit and some bigger alloys).
Might be worth checking that first. The rest is pretty easy.

[Baggyman]

various answers:

"unbraked" and "braked" refer to the trailer not the car. Unbraked ones have no brakes. Braked ones have brakes that are actuated by the forward load on the tow hitch - the more the trailer shoves your car up the back, the more the brakes apply. Special considerations for reversing a braked trailer for this reason.

Check the towsure website (other towbar providers are available) for towbars for your model/year. If they do not sell it, it is probably not approved for one.

Check your handbook or BMW for max towing weights
____________________
Old fart
Baghira, modded GS1000 and the T150 I bought in 1978 when I was 21

[G]

You'll get a lot more for your money buying ready-done.

There's two sides to it - you're not that fast, so not worried by fancy suspension etc.
But also - fancy suspension might help you more relatively, BECAUSE you're not that fast .

Not sure of your budget (ie how old the CBR-F is, if that was to be sold), but likely you could get a bike a fair bit more suited for track use with a set of Wets on Wheels etc included for the sale price.

[TCFA]

yeah having looked on gumtree a bit earlier I see what you mean

the cbr is 03, reasonably tidy, the usual good extras (crash bungs, hugger, screen, heated grips, bar ends, can, swingarm and fork protectors) and with all the original parts, just under 30k on the clock, decent service history. I suspect that if i take the can and PC3 out to sell separately and put the original can back on I could clear £2k+

I suppose the options would be keep it as is, insure it separately, deal with the extra insurance costs and use it for both fun rides and to ride to track days (or ride to my friend's place and share in van rental as and when)

or

sell it and buy a track bike, but then also have to spend on a tow bar and fitting, and a trailer (altogether probably another approx £800?)
____________________
Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[G]

Place to look for a track bike - there's a list on the trackday section I think, but should add facebook groups too.

Tow bar seems to be under £100 - should be fine to fit yourself.

Looking on ebay, basic used single bike trailers are selling for £50-£150. Plenty at the £50 end on auctions too.

Someone said they had £2300 to get a litre bike and got this reply on facebook:
>>I have a 2003 R1 5pw for sale with spare wheels with wets good condition custom paint job quite a few trick bits..<<

>>GSXR 750 K2 track bike, spare wheels
£1,550<<

[B5234FT]

Its a motorbike, its equivalent to rear seat passengers and luggage and a total non issue.

How long does it take to get used to? You dont have to, it's narrower than the car and weighs bugger all, just load it sensibly and stick to the limits.

As for car suitability, I used to tow a 1300kg trailer with a VW bora and now with an E90 330D. Again, 300kg of bike and trailer isnt an issue, even behind a small hatchback.

What you do need to look into judging by your first post is how to load trailers, how to strap bikes, speed limits whilst towing etc

[techsnap]

Biggest issue is with reversing - small trailers like this are a bitch to reverse. Two reasons: 1. You can't really see them 2. Because they are small, they turn VERY quickly in reverse and the steering corrections need to be very precise and very quickly one. I can reverse our 21ft long caravan pretty well, but am absolutely hopeless with our 5ft garden trailer!

Otherwise, I doubt you will notice anything from the trailer in normal driving. As has been said, weight of a motorbike and trailer is very low.

[mudcow007]

Never towed a bike trailer, but have a folding camper (like a tent in a box).

Really easy towing something, the trailer will follow you where ever you are going, just remember when you are pulling out of junctions that your "car" is longer now

It gets a bit tricky reversing as the trailer swings the opposite way in which you are turning.

Towbar for our car was £200 with free fitting (electrics etc). i doubt you will be able to tell its on the back of your car

[chris-red]

I've towed a TDM900 ~100miles with a 1.4 fiesta. It was fine. It just felt like I was being pulled back all the the time.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Hong Kong Phooey]

[chris-red]

[Kentol750]

Had a motolug single bike collapsible trailer for nearly 5 years.
Amazing piece of kit, towed with....mk3 2.0 8v golf gti, mk4 1.8t gti 3 door (folded up, it fit in car with seats down), octavia vrs diesel, bmw 318i touring (petrol (2008)) and never had a problem.
Designed so well, it's able to be loaded by 1 person...carefully.
Wish I'd known I'd need a 2 bike trailer and would've gone for the version you can upgrade!
As for power, your 320i should be fine, my 318i estate didn't notice it as much as vrs hatch...aerodynamic magic!
Fuck reversing a small trailer..they are easier to move by hand.
BTW carried 220kg bikes regularly.
____________________
Some bikes.

[Fizzer Thou]

I towed a fully laden three bike trailer with an Audi Q7 and it was ideal for a long trip down to Devon

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Dirt%20bikes/IMG-20150323-WA0027_zpsjrsq1zzj.jpg

As for straps,it is better to use too many than not enough

A bike rack works out ideal for just one dirt bike.It bolts directly to the towing bracket.I normally drain the tank or remove it during transportation so as to make it as light as possible

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Dirt%20bikes/2014-04-09160244_zps45dc97c5.jpg
____________________
Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[TCFA]

Thanks everybody for all your help. It's really useful.

I've decided this year to keep the CBR insured under its current policy, and insure the Tiger with 0 NCB. Expensive, but it lets me keep the CBR in road trim, and ride it to track days / Sunday rides (or to my friend's place across London to share a van). Gives me a year to improve track skills and also to see how much I really get to use it.
____________________
Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[G]

[Billy Balthorpe]

We made 2 trailers out of caravan chassis so they were braked. We shortened them a bit and modified them to take 3 sportsbikes each. The one I towed had a 98 Blade (mine) a 96 VFR 750 and a 99 750 SRAD on it. We did a couple of trips down to Estartit on the Med coast of Spain about 1100 miles over the Massif Central and the Millau bridge. My 2011 Passat 2.0 140bhp Diesel did 35mpg average for the trip. The trailers cost about £250 each to buy and build. The total cost for the 11 day trip including diesel, crossing, tolls and a week in a 9 berth villa with a pool, 2 mins walk from the beach, was just under £350 each. Definitely the cheapest way to get you and your bike including accommodation to the Med. Plus, you always have "Plan B", this being the assurance that whatever happens, your bike is coming home, even if we have to shovel it onto the trailer.

But saying that, almost nobody crashed very much at all.
____________________
M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.