The idea of the trailer was to enable us to extend our motorcycle touring into the early Spring months and into the late Autumn months. Going to Scotland can be hit and miss at the best of times. If snow is around, then there is no way the bike is coming out - but February to April can produce some pretty good weather - especially on the West Coast.

The trailer allows us to take the bike, carry warmer camping gear in the RAV and still enjoy the best of the motorcycling when we get there.

The Motolug trailer will fold up and store in the garage, and will (just about) fit into the back of the RAV. The wheel arches stop it loading width ways, but this would be no problem in a car.

Loading

is straight forward - the hitch 'breaks' to allow the trailer to tilt so the rear is at ground level, and the front is raised. Walking the bike from the left side, with the engine running is straight forward. The mechanism at the front is a very useful accessory. As the bike goes forward, the rocking cradle fits around the front wheel and then rocks over, guiding the wheel into the front cradle. The front is held captive by the front cradle and the rocking cradle. At this point you can let go of the bike.

I find it rather nerve racking loading the Pan. You can't see what is happening at the front wheel, and with the ramp tilted the front of the bike is quite high - the handlebars are at face height. You need confidence to give the engine and clutch the extra oomph needed to get the bike over the rocker - its a lot of weight to have in the air, and it feels as though the front wheel is about to lift out of the ramp and fall off the edge. But it can't - the rocking cradle holds it in position and the fear is all psychological. Once you've done it a couple of times, and you know what is going to happen - its easy.

However, it makes life a lot easier if you can load the bike on a slight slope. Face the car and trailer downhill. The trailer then presents much less of an incline, and getting the front wheel over the rocker is less challenging. Don't overdo this though - you may need to roll the bike back again if you don't get it right first time, and if the bike is facing downhill, you will be stuck holding the bike in the air until someone comes to rescue you.

Securing

I use Oxford Handlebar Ties. These have karabiner hooks on the end, and whatever else happens, the bike isn't going to fall over. I also use ratchet straps pulling the bike forward from behind the rear footrests, and one strap over the frame, under the seat. A couple of straps ensure that the front or rear wheel cannot lift - I use a couple of kneeling pads to protect the wheel. Its tempting to pull the ratchets tight, but all that does is put extra strain on the front and rear of the trailer ramp. The bike needs to use some of its own suspension when travelling, so the straps will move no matter what you do. My tie downs have hooks on the end, and these can jump out of the securing holes. I use plastic cable ties to keep the hooks in place when the straps go slack over bumps.

Driving

Without the panniers and top box, the Pan is everso slightly front heavy on the trailer. The trailer will sit 'tail down' or 'nose down' when detached from the car.

Recommendations are for slightly more weight at the front - to prevent weaving - but the trailer rides beautifully - not a hint of weave, and rides the bumps well. It is difficult to see in the mirrors, being narrower than the RAV, but dead easy to see through the rear window.

If you are buying one of these trailers, I recommend removing the wheel bearings and greasing them properly. They are very thinly lubricated by the suppliers, and any water ingress will see the bearing knackered before too long.

Rescue

The photos were taken straight after returning from a long tour of Scotland. I misjudged the amount of tyre wear that there would be. Scottish roads are very grippy, but eat tyres. The tread on the rear was just on the border of illegal when we stopped. 100 miles earlier, I thought it would get us home. But then, the last part of the centre tread wears down very quickly on these tyre (BT020). We had 90 miles of remote highland road in front of us, and then 200 miles more. With heavy rain looming, we opted to leave the bike at a garage next to a train station, and return to collect it with the trailer the following day. There's no way I'm prepared to ride a bike without at least the legal minimum amount of tread.