Choosing Between Open And Enclosed Motorcycle Trailers
I own motorcycles and love taking them out for rides when the weather allows me to. Sometimes I go alone and other times I take my wife. It’s nice to enjoy the open road and take in the fresh air. Since I have so much fun with my bikes, I have decided that I would like to start taking them on vacations out of state with me. It would be especially nice to get away in the winter when I normally can’t ride due to road and weather conditions. In order for me to travel with them, I would need to buy a motorcycle trailer. The only dilemma I am having is deciding between an open or an enclosed motorcycle trailer.
Open trailers have many advantages as well as disadvantages. Since it is open, meaning that it has no roof, my motorcycles will be exposed to the elements as we travel. I could avoid that buy covering my bikes with weather proof covers; I just have to make sure that they are tied down tight so that they don’t blow off while driving. Open trailers are also much cheaper than enclosed trailers and since they are flat and low to the ground, they have less wind resistance making it easier to control while driving. They are also lighter so you waste less gas. There are a few different styles I could get in an open trailer design. One design is made only for motorcycles. When buying these kind you have to know ahead of time if you will carry one or two bikes. If you buy a trailer to carry only one, then you will only have room for one. These are the smallest types of trailers and some, like the Stoway Motorcycle Trailer, actually fold up for easy storage and sells for around $1200. The other design is a little more versatile since it is just a flat platform that you strap your bikes to. I don’t think these kind of trailers hold your bike in as securely, but you do have more flexibility with how many bikes you can haul or use the trailer for other things as well.
Enclosed motorcycle trailers tend to be a lot more expensive and harder to tow since they tend to be larger and heavier. The real benefit with enclosed trailers is that they are completely covered, so you get the added features of protection from the elements as well as added security. You can also use you trailer for other cargo if for some reason you needed to move furniture or other items. A nice enclosed trailer like the 2010 V-Nose Low Rider trailer would run you about $11,500. If I don’t plan on using it a lot, I also have the option of using motorcycle trailer rentals. I wouldn’t get the added use of hauling something other than my bikes unless I rented one for that specific scenario, but I wouldn’t have to worry about the regular maintenance and storage of a trailer either. I guess there is lots to consider when choosing between open and enclosed motorcycle trailers.