Hi all
I'm considering buying a motorcycle trailer so that I can bring my adventure motorcycle away with us when we take our camper van away.
My first question is about rear facing cameras. I have a built in rear camera on the van which only activates when reverse gear is engaged. I'm not sure but I did think there was a way in which this can be converted such that it can be activated on demand rather than only for reversing. Appreciate any advice on that point.
At this early stage (pre-purchase), I'm thinking that I ideally do need a rear facing camera so that I can keep an eye on my bike and trailer rather than only when reversing. Open to thoughts on this from anyone that currently tows a bike trailer.
I have spent a lot of time investigating which type of trailer might be best suited to my requirements and have concluded that a rigid trailer is probably going to be best. There are folding trailers on the market but one which is stable enough to safely load a 250kg motorcycle are very expensive. The folding aspect offers much more flexibility in terms of storage and therefore security, particularly when stored at home. A folding trailer could theoretically fit in our garage whereas a rigid trailer would need to be stored on our driveway.
I am as concerned about security as I am about the safety of my motorcycle when loading/travelling. The volume of trailer theft is extremely worrying and disheartening. I'm less concerned about security whilst away in the van because I would typically only stay on recognised large official sites that have secure entry and exit and I also have a wire loop that could integrate the trailer into the van's alarm system. I know that this doesn't offer any guarantees but it is likely to be more secure than most alternatives.
I have cctv covering our drive so hopefully this would offer some deterrent but this would depend on how time-consuming a theft might be. I would therefore need a pretty decent chain and ground anchor in order to avoid the proverbial 20 second angle grinder attack. My potential supplier of the new trailer agrees about the security risk and says that some of his customers have taken to removing their trailer's wheels whilst parked up on the drive!
So, I'm still weighing up the positive aspects of being able to tour with both camper and bike - and they are significant - versus the negatives. I would therefore be interested in the views and advice of others who may have relevant experience of doing this. Suggestions of effective security measures / equipment would also be appreciated.
I'm considering buying a motorcycle trailer so that I can bring my adventure motorcycle away with us when we take our camper van away.
My first question is about rear facing cameras. I have a built in rear camera on the van which only activates when reverse gear is engaged. I'm not sure but I did think there was a way in which this can be converted such that it can be activated on demand rather than only for reversing. Appreciate any advice on that point.
At this early stage (pre-purchase), I'm thinking that I ideally do need a rear facing camera so that I can keep an eye on my bike and trailer rather than only when reversing. Open to thoughts on this from anyone that currently tows a bike trailer.
I have spent a lot of time investigating which type of trailer might be best suited to my requirements and have concluded that a rigid trailer is probably going to be best. There are folding trailers on the market but one which is stable enough to safely load a 250kg motorcycle are very expensive. The folding aspect offers much more flexibility in terms of storage and therefore security, particularly when stored at home. A folding trailer could theoretically fit in our garage whereas a rigid trailer would need to be stored on our driveway.
I am as concerned about security as I am about the safety of my motorcycle when loading/travelling. The volume of trailer theft is extremely worrying and disheartening. I'm less concerned about security whilst away in the van because I would typically only stay on recognised large official sites that have secure entry and exit and I also have a wire loop that could integrate the trailer into the van's alarm system. I know that this doesn't offer any guarantees but it is likely to be more secure than most alternatives.
I have cctv covering our drive so hopefully this would offer some deterrent but this would depend on how time-consuming a theft might be. I would therefore need a pretty decent chain and ground anchor in order to avoid the proverbial 20 second angle grinder attack. My potential supplier of the new trailer agrees about the security risk and says that some of his customers have taken to removing their trailer's wheels whilst parked up on the drive!
So, I'm still weighing up the positive aspects of being able to tour with both camper and bike - and they are significant - versus the negatives. I would therefore be interested in the views and advice of others who may have relevant experience of doing this. Suggestions of effective security measures / equipment would also be appreciated.
