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Best Trailer Size for Motorcycles and Equipment
Everything you need to know about enclosed trailer sizes for motorcycle transport, from choosing the right fit for your bikes to towing capacity, loading space, and safe hauling.
- May 25, 2026
- 8 min read
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Table of Contents
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So you’re thinking about renting or buying an enclosed trailer for your bike.
Maybe you’re tired of borrowing a buddy’s rusty open trailer. Maybe you want to keep your bike dry on a Vancouver-to-Calgary haul. Or maybe you just want to sleep at the track instead of paying for another overpriced hotel.
Whatever the reason, one question comes up every single time:
“What size enclosed trailer do I actually need?”
That question is not uncommon. After digging through hundreds of real community discussions (Reddit, Facebook groups, track day forums), a very clear pattern emerges.
So we’re thinking to its needed to be a completely clear guide. And for exactly that reason, we are writing this blog for you.
So, we think it should be solved, and this guide is written for exactly that reason, for that moment. Before you rent or buy, we will make sure you don’t end up with a trailer that’s too small to tie down your bike or too big for your driveway. Let’s drive in.
Key Takeway
- Trailer size depends on length, width, payload, and tow capacity.
- A 7×14 is the best all around size for most riders hauling 2 to 3 bikes.
- Stay under 80% of your vehicle’s tow rating for safe towing.
- Choosing too small a trailer often causes loading and tie down problems.
- Pick your trailer size based on bike type, gear, and trip style.
Why Trailer Size Is More Complex Than You Think
Most riders discover a thing too late, is: trailer capacity isn’t just about length. It’s about width, height, weight rating, your tow vehicle’s actual capacity, and how you plan to load your bikes.
Payload capacity is the actual cargo weight a trailer can carry after subtracting its own weight, and GVWR is the total allowed weight that can be safely hauled. Your tow vehicle must be rated to handle the trailer’s GVWR for safe hauling.
This is why you need to know your bike’s actual width (with mirrors, bags), its weight, and your trailer’s GVWR before renting.
Here’s what Canadian riders mostly use:
| Vehicle Type | Typical Length | Width (w/ Mirrors/Pegs) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ATV (4-Wheeler) (Honda Rancher, Yamaha Grizzly, Polaris Sportsman) |
6–6.5 ft (1.8–2 m) |
48–52 in (122–132 cm) |
400–600 lbs |
|
Adventure Bike (BMW GS 1250, KTM 890, Triumph Tiger) |
7.5–8.5 ft (2.3–2.6 m) |
34–40 in (86–102 cm)
|
500–600 lbs |
|
Cruiser (Harley Softail, Indian Chief, Can-Am Spyder) |
7.5–8.5 ft (2.3–2.6 m) |
32–38 in (81–97 cm) |
550–800 lbs |
|
UTV / Side-by-Side (Can-Am Defender, Polaris Ranger, Yamaha Viking) |
8.5–10 ft (2.6–3 m) |
60–66 in (152–168 cm) |
1,200–1,800 lbs |
|
Touring / Bagger (Road Glide, Street Glide, Gold Wing) |
8–9 ft (2.4–2.7 m) |
38–46 in (97–117 cm) |
800–950 lbs
|
|
Snowmobile (Ski-Doo, Polaris, Arctic Cat)
|
10–11 ft (3–3.3 m) |
48–52 in (122–132 cm) |
400–600 lbs |
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What Size Enclosed Trailer Do You Need for Bikes? (Quick Table)
| Number of Bikes | The right size for you |
|---|---|
|
1 sport bike or dirt bike |
5×10 |
|
1 touring bike or bagger |
6×12 |
|
2 sport bikes or 2 dirt bikes |
6×12 |
|
2 cruisers or 2 baggers |
7×14 |
|
1 ATV (mid-size, e.g., Honda Foreman) |
6×12 |
|
1 large ATV / UTV (e.g., Can-Am Outlander 1000)
|
7×14 |
|
2 ATVs (mid-size) |
7×14 or 7×16 |
|
Mixed: 1 ATV + 1 dirt bike |
7×14 |
Enclosed Trailer Size Breakdown (The Four Most Common Sizes)
5×10 - One Small Bike, Nothing More
The smallest enclosed option you’ll find. Fits one sport bike, naked bike, or dirt bike with room for a single gear bag. That’s the full capacity of this size. It’s genuinely useful for solo riders with light, narrow bikes doing local day trips — an Aprilia Tuono 660, a Ninja 400, a smaller enduro bike.
The Trailer has 3500 lbs and a payload capacity of 2420 ibs, low profile, and electric brakes. So, You can maximum load capacity is 2420 lbs, and your towing vehicles must have a capacity of 3500 ibs for safe and stress-free hauling.
6×10 / 6×12 — The Sweet Spot (With Caveats)
The 6×12 is what most Canadian rental yards stock. It’s affordable, it’s everywhere, and it’s the trailer most first-timers grab without thinking too hard about it. It’s also the size with the most “I should have gone bigger” stories.
You can easily haul 2 utv or 3 standard mid-size motorcycles (sport bikes, standard cruisers) with the trailer. For the large bike (bagger, Gold Wing, ADV), you can haul 2, which is more suitable & comfortable. The community consensus on that combination: doable, snug, works when you’re organized.
The trailer height is 7ft, width 6 ft, and length 12 ft +2ft nose (6×12 ft dimensions) with a side door. The trailer payload and GVWR capacity are 7000 ibs and 5100 ibs with an electric brake and low profile. For hauling safely, you will be able to max loading capacity is 5100 ibas and your towing vehicles must be over the 7000 ibs capacity.
7×14 Trailer: The Most Recommended Size
The 7×14 is the sweet spot for the majority of riders hauling 2 or 3 bikes. It costs a bit more per day to rent, but it removes almost every frustration the 6×12 creates.
From our experience, The mostly recommended this trailer for hauling 2 or 3 bikes smoothly without any hassle. It costs a bit more per day to rent, but it removes almost every frustration the 6×12 creates.
The size is width 6ft, height 7 ft, and Length 14 ft + 2ft v-nose. The hauling payload capacity is 5100 lbs, and GVWR is 7000 ibs with electric brakes and a low-profile trailer with an included side door. So make sure your towing vehicles match the GVWR capacity.
7×16 - Maximum Space, Minimum Hassle
The 7×16 is for riders who are done compromising. Two more feet of floor length means three bikes fit without playing load Tetris at the end of a long day. One rider with this size made a fold-down bed that converts to a couch — bikes load in, sleeping area is still functional.
Another runs three bikes and reports that unloading after a weekend event doesn’t require careful sequencing. For multi-day track events, group trips, or anyone running a full equipment kit — tire warmers, spare wheels, tool chest — the 7×16 is the setup that removes the last remaining headaches.
The 7×16 trailers are heavier, harder to find in rental fleets, and demand a properly equipped half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck. The sizes are 7 ft height, 7 ft weight, and length is 16 ft + 2ft v nose. The payload and GVWR are 10400 and 6300 ibs. Do the tow math before booking this size.
Tow Vehicle Compatibility — Know If Your Vehicle Can Handle It
The trailer that’s right for your bikes might be wrong for your truck. This is the
section most riders skip and the one that creates the most avoidable problems on the highway. We hope you have not missed.
To calculate your vehicle towing capacity:
- Step 1: Find your tow rating in the owner’s manual.
- Step 2: Get the trailer’s empty weight and GVWR from the rental company.
- Step 3: Add your actual load — empty trailer + bike weight(s) + all gear (tools, fuel cans, and camping kit) adds several hundred pounds fast)
- Step 4: Stay at or below 80% of your tow rating.
The formula and examples:
- The formula: (Empty trailer weight + bike weight + gear weight) ÷ tow rating = load percentage
- Safe example: (2,100 lb trailer + 900 lb bagger + 400 lb gear) ÷ 11,000 lb F-150 tow rating = 31
- Unsafe example: (2,100 lb trailer + 900 lb bagger + 400 lb gear) ÷ 3,500 lb RAV4 tow rating = 97%
Do not make your towing vehicles match your safe towing capacity.
A key note: Just because you can tow something doesn’t mean you should. Aim for max 80% of capacity if you’re doing frequent or long-distance towing. You’ll save fuel, preserve your transmission, and actually enjoy the drive. If you are especially planning to ride multi-hour mountain drives to B.C. track days or Prairie hauls, this matters.
3 Costly Mistakes Riders Make
1. Renting Too Small to Save Money
The smallest trailer costs less per day, making it tempting if you haven’t thought through your actual needs. But a cramped rental creates real problems. Handlebars contact the walls, strap angles are wrong, tie-down anchors don’t line up, and there’s no room to work safely around the bike. You end up either making multiple trips or damaging your vehicle during loading. The size upgrade costs less than the extra rental days and the frustration it prevents.
2. Going Too Large for Your Tow Vehicle
A bigger trailer isn’t worth it if your vehicle can’t safely handle the load. A 7×16 trailer behind an underpowered SUV is dangerous on the highway. Check your truck’s tow rating against the loaded rental weight before you book. An overloaded setup can also void your insurance coverage in an accident.
3. Ignoring Interior Height
Most renters check floor dimensions and stop there. But if the interior is 5’8″ and you’re 5’10”, loading and strapping a bike becomes uncomfortable, especially after a long day at the track. Ask the rental company about interior height (most trailers have 6.5 to 7 feet). It costs nothing to confirm and saves hours of frustration.
Final Thought
You now know what actually matters: your bike’s real width (with mirrors and bags), your total payload (bike + gear), your trailer’s GVWR, and your truck’s tow capacity. Before you rent, measure once and verify the math.
Maybe it takes you 15 minutes, but it ultimately saves you from a weekend of frustration. Don’t guess on trailer size. Don’t assume your truck can handle a larger option just because it has a high tow rating. And don’t pick the smallest option to save $20 on rental cost. Rent the right size, load safely, and focus on the ride ahead.
faq
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best enclosed trailer size for two motorcycles?
The 7×14. It fits two bikes staggered comfortably, handles two baggers without removing bags, and still leaves room for gear and a sleeping setup.
Can two motorcycles fit in a 6×12 enclosed trailer?
Yes, but it's tight. Two sport bikes stagger in fine. Two baggers need inner bags removed. A 7×14 handles the same job with far less stress.
Can my SUV tow a motorcycle trailer?
Depends on its tow rating. RAV4/CR-V manages a 6×10 with one light bike. A Tahoe or 4Runner handles a 6×12. Larger trailers need a half-ton truck minimum.
Do I need trailer brakes in Canada?
Most provinces require them above 1,400–2,800 kg GVWR. Ask the rental company before booking a 7×14 or larger.
How much does renting an enclosed trailer cost in Canada?
A 6×12 runs roughly $60–$110/day CAD. A 7×14 is typically $90–$160/day CAD. Local rental yards often come in cheaper than national chains.
Single axle or dual axle — does it matter?
For highway travel across Canadian provinces, yes. Dual axle is more stable, handles more weight, and is safer if a tire blows at speed.
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