F.A.Q.'s

What size are the tires?

The single trailer was originally designed and comes standard with 5.70 x 8 tires. Unlike the tires you normally see on boat trailers and pop-up campers that are only 2 or 4-ply, these are D-rated (8-ply) tires (heavier load capacity). A 12 inch wheel is not necessary, as this 8-ply is quite capable of handling a load up to 2090 lbs. The dual trailer comes with 5.70 x 8 tires and they are D-rated (8-ply) tires with a capacity of 1045 lbs per tire. The dual trailer is also rated for 2090 lbs.
All of the tires and wheels we use are dynamically balanced before they go on any of our trailers. We may be one of the only trailer companies that balances 5.70 x 8 tires.

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What about the bearings? Don't the smaller wheels make them turn too fast?

The bearings are tapered roller bearings similar to the bearings that are in your car or bike and are rated at 7500 RPM. This size tire at 7500 RPM is the equivalent of 360 MPH, certainly not recommended. However, this should answer any concerns there may be about the bearings or about the tires turning the bearings too fast. The trailer pictured on our web site with the black and white bike has over 150,000 miles on it in just the past five years and still has the original bearings in it. Most of those miles are highway miles.

The tire used on the single Trailer in a Bag is a 5.70 x 8, D-rated tire and has a 50.5 inch circumference. (60.5 inches for one revolution)
A 15 inch truck tire has a circumference of 83 inches.

REMEMBER...the bearings are rated at 7500 RPM!

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What about grease fittings on the wheels?

These trailers do not come with any type of fittings on the wheels. Pack the bearings full of grease but the housing should not be packed full. Bearing manufacturers recommend that for bearings being used at sustained high speeds, the bearing housing should be packed with 30% to 50% air space in order for the heat to dissipate. Installation and use of a grease fitting may cause the bearings to overheat and will VOID the warranty.

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How much does the trailer weigh?

The total weight of the single Trailer in a Bag is 140 lbs with the heaviest single piece weighing only 33 lbs and the longest individual piece being only 42 inches long. Since there are only 5 main parts to the single trailer, the easiest way to load and unload it is a piece at a time, whether it's in and out of the trunk of a car, the back of a truck, into a hotel room, closet or anywhere else you need to put it. The dual Trailer in a Bag is 300 lbs with the heaviest piece weighing only 35 lbs and only 42 inches in length for the longest piece. Again, simple to load and unload a piece at a time.

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Are they legal in every state and do they have to be registered?

Each Trailer in a Bag meets all Federal regulations and comes with a VIN number assigned to it and an MSO (Manufacturers Statement of Origin). Licensing depends on the laws of local governing agencies. Some states require licensing for trailers and some do not. Even the requirements for lights may vary from state to state. Check with your local DMV.

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How does one get the bike up onto the trailer?

It's just as easy to ride the bike onto the trailer as it is to push it up. Once the trailer is assembled and securely attached to the tow vehicle, and once the kickstand plate and hinged loading ramp are in place, you are ready to load your bike onto the trailer. The ideal height of the ball on the tow vehicle is 12-14 inches from the ground to the top of the ball. The trailer sits only 8.5 inches off the ground and with a 30" long ramp, there is not much of an incline at all. As you drive your front wheel onto the trailer, your feet are still securely on the ground. As your rear wheel begins up the ramp, your feet will go from the ground to the axle in one easy motion.

When the front wheel reaches the front wheel-stop, just turn the bike off, leave it in gear, put the kickstand down and lean it on the kickstand plate. Now you're ready to get off the bike and tie it down. Our instructional video shows how to put the trailer together and how to load a bike onto it. If you'd like a copy, just send us your name and your mailing address with phone number and we'll be happy to send you one.

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What about a dual trailer?

Because of its unique design, present owners of our single Trailer in a Bag can convert their single into a dual with a simple conversion kit ... a few additional pieces. The dual trailer will still assemble and disassemble with no tools and will fit in one larger bag for easy storage. Naturally, the single can still be purchased and the parts to turn it into a dual can be bought separately or the dual can be purchased as a dual, still able to be turned into a single if desired. Call for pricing ... 800-278-8387.

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I saw a trailer that looks alot like yours and I was wondering if it's the same?

There is only one Trailer in a Bag and it has been manufactured and sold in the US for 9 years. It is patented (US patent 6,428,035) and no company in the US has any licensing rights to it. Motorcycle Innovations Inc. in Canada is the only company licensed to manufacture and sell the Trailer in a Bag in Canada. That trailer will look EXACTLY like the Trailer in a Bag from the USA. Aside from that, if you see another trailer that looks similar to the Trailer in a Bag, it is probably a copy. Several years ago, one company with alot of nerve and no imagination tried to copy our trailer and sell it under the name of Trailer-in-a-Trunk ... not very creative. Bottom line is that we have a solid track record with widespread recognition in the industry, so feel free to call us for any reason at all. As one of our dealers put it, "Don't worry about the copies ... nobody likes a thief."

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How the heck do you get the bulbs out of the tail lights?

The lights are standard automotive 1157 bayonet type bulbs. Gently push in on the bulb, twist to the left and pull it out. The smaller side bulbs should just pull staight out.

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Does the ground wire have to be attached, and the trailer connected to the car?

*APPLIES ONLY TO 2006 AND OLDER TRAILERS

The lighting system relies on a mechanical ground. To complete the circuit, the ground wire needs to be connected, the trailer needs to be attached to the car and the lights need to be attached to the trailer.

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Would you confirm the correct tire pressure?

2008 and later single and dual trailers: 5.70x8 drated tire is rated for 100psi cold. We recomend between 85-90psi for your average 500-700lb bike. Duals should be no lower than 90psi.

Pre 2008 trailers--- Even though the tires are rated at 90 psi cold, a good starting place for the tire pressure is 65 psi for bikes under 600lbs and 80psi for bikes over 600lbs. This should be ok for a large range of bikes.

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