Looking to buy the best dirt bike trailer but not sure which type and size is right for you, or if you even want a trailer? Maybe you’re going to buy your first dirt bike or maybe you’re just changing modes of transportation - you’ve found the right article!
There are many different ways to haul your dirt bike, but there is no “perfect solution” for every situation, whether it racing on the weekend or doing extended dirt bike camping trips.
In any case, I’m going to show you the different types of dirt bike trailers, why each one may or may not work well for you, and how to choose the best trailer based on your specific needs and budget.
What size trailer is best for dirt bikes?
There are many different sizes to choose from, but for hauling just one dirt bike you don’t need a big trailer. In fact, you can easily fit any size dirt bike onto a 4x8 trailer, but it really depends on what your specific needs are.
If you have multiple dirt bikes, you may need a larger trailer or one that can handle more weight. It also depends on what vehicle you want to pull the trailer with, which we’ll cover shortly.
How big of a trailer do I need for multiple dirt bikes?
There are many different ways you can load and strap down a dirt bike, but if you’re creative, you’d be surprised how many bikes you can get on a small trailer.
One advantage to having an open dirt bike trailer is that you don’t have to worry about your bikes pushing against the walls - you might get a few extra inches of room with the handlebars if you need every inch possible.
Here are the minimum-sized trailers you would need for carrying multiple dirt bikes:
- 2 dirt bikes: 4x8’ (4x6’ with motorcycle rails added would also work)
- 3 dirt bikes: 5x8’ (4x8 can work but is tight, and 5x10 gives you some extra space for gear)
- 4 dirt bikes: 5x10’ (6x10’ is definitely easier, but staggering the bikes front/back makes it possible)
- 5 dirt bikes: 6x12’ (You could probably fit 6 if you’re creative with loading and strapping bikes)
Different types of trailers that can haul dirt bikes
You need to decide what type of trailer you want, whether it’s based on price, availability, features, or specs. Almost any kind of trailer that is legal to tow on the road can haul your dirt bike, but this list gives you the best dirt bike trailer options and why you may or may not want a certain type.
Open Utility
An open utility trailer is generally the cheapest and most versatile when it comes to dirt bike trailers. It's nice and simple with a basic axle and frame with a box to contain whatever it's carrying, so you can use it to haul so much more than just your dirt bikes.
An open utility trailer is light enough for most vehicles to tow that has a hitch receiver. That means you can use a small or midsize car to pull a small utility trailer with your dirt bike if it has a hitch receiver, but it also depends on the size and weight.
Pros:
- Affordable - Usually the cheapest dirt bike trailer options
- Lightweight
- Versatile - can be used to haul many different this
- Can fit multiple bikes
Cons:
- Requires adding wheel chocks if there is no “box” frame to secure the bike
- You may need to add or weld rings/mounting points to safely strap your bike down
- Leaves your bike and gear out in the elements while driving and parking
- Takes up space
Where to buy a utility trailer
Believe it or not, you can actually buy a new utility trailer on Amazon to haul your dirt bike. That’s not the best place to buy one, but you can get a simple kit shipped to your door in a matter of days to get started hauling your dirt bike(s).
Otherwise, the most common places to buy a new utility trailer to haul your dirt bike are:
- Harbor Fright
- Lowes
- Home Depot
- Northern Tool & Equipment
Folding utility
Maybe you need a dirt bike trailer but you don’t have a lot of space to store it. You can get a folding utility trailer that takes up a lot less space than a standard utility trailer so that you can even store it in the corner of your garage!
Pros:
- Takes up much less space
- Affordable - one of the cheapest trailer options
- Versatile - can be used to haul many different this
- Can fit multiple bikes
Cons:
- Requires adding wheel chocks if there is no “box” frame to secure the bike
- You may need to add or weld rings/mounting points to safely strap your bike down
- Leaves your bike and gear out in the elements while driving and when out riding
Folding dirt bike trailer
A folding dirt bike/motorcycle trailer is basically a combination of a utility and bike-rail trailer. They’re generally more expensive because they’re custom-made for bikes, but they’re super practical if that’s all you’re hauling with it.
Pros:
- Very easy to load & haul your dirt bike(s)
- Takes up very little space
- Custom made for bikes - Proper sizing and features for loading & strapping your bike down
- Lightweight - most vehicles can pull a folding dirt bike trailer
- Can haul multiple bikes - depending on what model trailer you buy
Cons:
- Expensive compared to a utility trailer
- Can’t be used for hauling many things other than bikes
- Leaves your bike and gear out in the elements while driving and when out riding
Single-rail
Looking for an absolute “minimalist” dirt bike trailer setup? A purpose-built single rail dirt bike trailer is the most efficient way to go if you’re just hauling one dirt bike - as long as you can fit your gear and tools in your car or vehicle that you’re pulling the trailer with.
Pros:
- Lightweight - very easy to tow with most vehicles
- Easy to load & haul your dirt bike(s)
- Best dirt bike trailer for MPG compared to other trailers
Cons:
- Can only haul one bike - not good for hauling other stuff
- Takes up space
- Open to the elements when driving or parking
2-rail (double dirt bike trailer)
Maybe you want to ride with a buddy, your wife, or a son or daughter. A 2-place dirt bike or motorcycle trailer is an easy way to get to the track or trails because it’s still fairly small and lightweight.
Depending on how it’s set up, you may be able to carry other things on it, like a gas can or gear if there’s a pocket or it can be easily strapped down.
Pros:
- Can easily haul 2 dirt bikes
- Lightweight - easy to tow with most vehicles
- Easy to load & haul your dirt bike(s)
Cons:
- Only hauls 2 bikes - not as good for hauling other stuff
- Takes up space
- Open to the elements when driving or parking
3-rail
In my opinion, a 3-rail dirt bike trailer is the most economical and efficient when properly set up. It’s still about the same size and weight as a double-rail dirt bike trailer, but you can get that third bike on there while still pulling it with a smaller vehicle.
Depending on how the rails and tie-down locations are set up, you may have to load the middle dirt bike backward due to if the rail isn’t shifted forward enough because the handlebars run into each other.
Pros:
- Very efficient setup - hauls 3 bikes but doesn't need much room
- Lightweight - easy to tow with most vehicles
- Easy to load & haul your dirt bike(s)
Cons:
- Takes up space
- Open to the elements when driving or parking
Enclosed cargo trailer
Moving to a totally different type of trailer, an enclosed dirt bike trailer is the most luxurious, but it comes at a cost. Not only is an enclosed trailer typically the most expensive type of trailer, but it requires a bigger and more powerful vehicle to pull it.
You can convert a cargo trailer into a sweet mini toy hauler/trailer camper with quite a bit of storage space, and your bikes stay out of the elements (rain/snow/wind/etc). Depending on the size of the enclosed trailer, it’s going to push a lot more air towing on the highway, so you’re going to get the worst gas mileage compared to other dirt bike trailers.
Pros:
- All your bikes and gear are covered and protected from the elements (rain/sun)
- Best security for your bikes & gear (when locked)
- Can carry multiple dirt bikes
- Easy to load & haul your dirt bike(s) with a ramp door
- Can be converted into a luxurious mini toy hauler
- Can haul many other things
Cons:
- Heavy - Requires a larger/more powerful vehicle to tow it
- Not aerodynamic - worst MPG
- Usually the most expensive type of dirt bike trailer
- Takes up the most space
How tall does an enclosed trailer need to be for dirt bikes?
It needs to have an interior height of at least 5 feet to easily fit any size dirt bike - assuming you don’t have any tall mirrors or accessories, otherwise you’d need to remove them.
You could potentially fit a full-size dirt bike into an enclosed trailer with a 4-foot interior height, but you would have to compress and strap the front suspension down beforehand. Loading would be a pain, but it’s doable if you want the absolute smallest enclosed dirt bike trailer.
What vehicle do you need to tow a dirt bike trailer?
The type and size of the trailer will be the biggest factor in what vehicle you need to tow it. For lightweight utility and 1 to 3-place dirt bike trailers, most small cars and SUVs can tow them if you have a hitch receiver.
If you're crazy enough to tow your dirtbike trailer behind ANOTHER camper trailer, you'll need a big rig like this guy below. Have fun backing it up!
You just need to make sure that the gross trailer weight and tongue weight do not exceed the capacity rating of your vehicle and hitch receiver.
What does gross trailer weight (GVWR) mean?
It’s simply the total rated weight of the trailer and everything it’s carrying - including your bikes and gear. For example, the GVWR (trailer+working load) of an HF 4x8’ folding utility trailer is 1720 lbs. That means the weight of the trailer and whatever you’re hauling on it can safely and legally weigh up to a total of 1720 lbs.
How much does a dirt bike trailer weigh?
The weight of a dirt bike trailer greatly depends on the type and size.
Here are some examples of empty weights of popular trailers that can haul a dirt bike:
| Trailer Type & Size | Empty Trailer Weight |
| 4x8’ folding utility trailer (1720 lbs cap.) | 276 lbs |
| 5x8’ utility trailer with mesh floor & ramp | 375 lbs |
| Single-rail motorcycle trailer | 300 lbs |
| Kendon Dual ride-up motorcycle trailer | 450 lbs |
| 3-rail dirt bike trailer | 380 lbs |
| 6x10’ enclosed cargo trailer | 960 lbs |
Is a longer trailer tongue better?
The longer the tongue is (the part that connects to the hitch insert), the less weight you’ll have on the tongue. This puts less stress on the hitch receiver (and your vehicle frame).
However, if you don’t have enough weight on the tongue, your vehicle will handle terribly driving down the highway. You need to have at least 10% of the total trailer weight on the tongue or else it can cause excessive swaying on the road, which is scary and dangerous on.
See the video below for a practical demonstration:
Best dirt bike trailer for carrying multiple dirt bikes
You can haul multiple dirt bikes with most trailers, but it really depends on what your specific needs and preferences are.
These are the best dirt bike trailers for carrying multiple bikes and why:
- 5x8’ utility trailer: Lightweight & can easily haul other things/equipment
- 3-rail dirt bike trailer: Lightweight and easy loading/transporting for 1-3 dirt bikes
- 6x10’ enclosed cargo trailer: Best for keeping everything dry and secure and can be used for sleeping in while camping
Will 3 dirt bikes fit on a 5x10 utility trailer?
Yes, you can fit three dirt bikes on a 5x10 utility trailer pretty easily if you load them properly.
If your utility trailer doesn’t have solid sides/guardrails, you’ll have to mount wheel chocks to the floor so that the wheels will stay secure when tying your bikes down.
Are there specific trailer styles or brands that handle rutted roads better than others?
While there are no specific trailers made for handling ruts of off-road/gravel, there are specific features that will help make it easier.
Here are the features/specs you want to look at if you’re pulling a dirt bike trailer off-road:
- Suspension: A trailer axle with springs will absorb a lot of the impact from bumps compared to a solid axle
- Tire size: The bigger the trailer tires are, the more weight and abuse they can potentially handle. Larger wheels also roll more easily and last longer than small tires on a trailer.
- Ground clearance: Having a trailer with more ground clearance can prevent getting hung up on a really rough road or on large boulders if you’re out in the mountains
Average cost of a new trailer?
Whether you’re on a budget or you want the nicest type of trailer for your dirt bike(s), there’s a price range for you.
These are the average prices of each type & size of trailer that can haul dirt bikes:
| Trailer Type & Size | New Price |
|---|---|
| 4x8’ HF Folding utility trailer | $600 |
| 5x8’ Utility trailer with mesh floor & ramp | $1200 |
| Single-Rail motorcycle trailer | $1400 |
| Kendon Dual ride-up motorcycle trailer | $4600 |
| 3-Rail Dirt bike trailer | $2800 |
| 6x10’ Enclosed cargo trailer | $4300 |
How much can you save buying a used dirt bike trailer?
These are all new prices, but if you’re on a budget, you can find many of these for 30-50% cheaper (or even less!) if you buy one used. The biggest thing to look for when buying a used trailer is rotting wood floors, bent axles, old/worn trailer tires, and wheel bearings going out.
Other things you may need with a dirt bike trailer
If you’re going to buy your first dirt bike and trailer, I don’t want to leave you hanging by figuring out what else you might need to buy. So, I put together a short list of things and why you might want them for loading and transporting your dirt bike.
These are the most common things you’ll either need or I highly recommend if you’re buying a trailer to haul your dirt bike(s):
- Motorcycle ramp (Amazon) - much easier than lifting or using a plank of wood (dangerous!)
- Tie-downs/straps (Amazon) - Security that won’t damage your bars
- Wheel chocks (removable with E-track) (Amazon) - If you need to add them to your trailer
- Strapless loading system (Amazon) - If you don't want to use a wheel chock and straps to secure your bike on a trailer
- E-track (Amazon) - A proven system that gives you many different loading and strapping options
- Tie-down anchors (Amazon) - If you need to add something to tie down your bike on the trailer floor
- Spare trailer wheel (Amazon) - A blowout can happy anywhere - don’t get stranded without a spare!
How to start dirt biking when your finances are tight
Let’s face it, dirt biking isn’t the cheapest hobby, but I can show you that it’s cheaper than you think. The most expensive part is just getting started with all of your bikes and equipment, and I’ve learned how to spend the least amount of money while having the most fun and staying safe.
Want to learn how? Click or tap here to get my FREE Guide.