Motorcycle Camping Trailers: The Three Types and What Each Is For

Motorcycle trailers for camping come in three types: pop-up campers towed by the motorcycle, small cargo trailers towed by the motorcycle that carry your tent and gear, and larger car-towed trailers that haul the bike and then open into a camper. The bike-towed types suit heavy touring bikes, cruisers and trikes whose makers allow towing; the car-towed type suits riders who drive to the riding area. Weight is the deciding number.

This page is part of our motorcycle camping guide.

Key takeaways- Bike-towed pop-up campers on makers' spec sheets weigh 260 to 385 lb empty.- One trailer retailer's rule of thumb: keep the loaded trailer within 50% of the motorcycle's curb weight, with tongue weight about 10-15%. Your bike maker's figure comes first.- A swivel coupler lets the bike lean in turns while the trailer stays upright.- The two car-towed hauler-campers we compared weigh 800 and 840 lb empty and are built to be towed by a car or SUV.

The three types at a glance

The figures below are what makers and one retailer list on their own pages. We have not weighed or towed these trailers.

Type 1: Pop-up campers towed by the motorcycle

This is the classic motorcycle camper. Closed, they are a low box; at camp they unfold into a bed with a tent over it.

Two examples show the range. The Kompact Kamp Mini Mate lists a trailer weight of 260 lb, a 25 lb tongue weight, a 54 x 78 in bed, a recommended maximum bed weight of 500 lb and 15 cubic feet of storage. The Solace Deluxe sold by The USA Trailer Store lists 385 lb empty, a 20 lb tongue weight and a 450 lb maximum load.

Some bike-towed models attach with a swivel coupler. The Solace uses a 1 7/8 in 360-degree swivel coupler, which lets the motorcycle lean into turns while the trailer stays level. Ask about the coupler and hitch for your exact bike before you buy.

Type 2: Cargo trailer plus your tent

A small pull-behind cargo trailer carries gear, not you. You still sleep in a tent, but you can bring a bigger tent, a cot, a chair and a cooler. It is also the type you can build yourself; see how to build a DIY motorcycle camping trailer.

We have no maker specs in our sources for this type, so check each model's empty weight and tongue weight against the towing rules below. The tent routine is the same as without a trailer: see tent camping on a motorcycle.

Type 3: Car-towed trailers that carry the bike and become a camper

This type answers a different need. You drive to the riding area with the motorcycle on the trailer, unload it, and the trailer becomes your camp.

The SylvanSport GO weighs 840 lb and carries 800 lb on its deck, enough for a mid-sized motorcycle, according to its maker. The Double Duty Utility Camper is designed for cars, crossovers and SUVs with a Class II receiver; it lists 800 lb empty and a 1,200 lb load capacity. Neither is a trailer a motorcycle can pull.

How much can your motorcycle tow?

Start with your owner's manual. If it gives a towing limit, that is the number to use; if it advises against towing, take that seriously.

Beyond the manual, the only guidance we found comes from a trailer retailer, so treat it as a rule of thumb, not a standard. It says heavy touring bikes, cruisers and trikes are typically rated to tow 500 to 800 lb total, and that the loaded trailer should stay within 50% of the motorcycle's curb weight, with tongue weight at about 10-15%.

Worked example (our arithmetic on the listed figures): the Solace Deluxe weighs 385 lb empty. Under that 50% rule, the bike would need a curb weight of at least 770 lb before you add a single bag to the trailer. Every pound of gear raises the bar.

Is it legal to tow a trailer with a motorcycle?

We could not verify a state-by-state answer from primary sources, so we won't give one. Before a trip, check trailer lighting, speed, length and registration rules with the DMV of each state you'll ride through, not only your home state. Then check your motorcycle maker's towing guidance.

Costs beyond the trailer

The purchase price is only the start. As one example, Kompact Kamp lists the Mini Mate at $3,995, with crating and shipping from $350 (as listed in October 2026). Add a hitch and wiring for your bike.

Campgrounds may also charge for the trailer. At Spearfish City Campground during the Sturgis rally, a tow trailer parked next to a tent is charged as another tent space. Read our guide to camping at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for more on rally rates.

Which type fits which rider

• Two-up on a heavy touring motorcycle or trike, wants a real bed: a bike-towed pop-up camper, if the bike maker allows towing and the weights fit.
• Solo tourer who likes tent camping but runs out of space: a light cargo trailer, or no trailer and a tighter pack; start with camping on a motorcycle.
• Rider who drives to a base and rides day loops: a car-towed hauler-camper.
• Handy rider on a budget: a DIY build from a small utility trailer.

Riding gear

A trailer changes what you carry, not what you wear. For long days in the saddle you can browse Leather Collection motorcycle jackets.

Related guides

• Whatever carries it, start with the motorcycle camping checklist.
• If you'd rather carry less than tow more, see minimalist motorcycle camping.

FAQ

What is the best trailer to pull behind a motorcycle?

The best one is the lightest trailer that does the job and stays within your motorcycle maker's towing limit. Compare empty weight and tongue weight first; the table above shows listed figures for common types.

Are there trailers specifically for motorcycles?

Yes. Some pop-up campers are sold as light enough to be towed by motorcycles as well as cars, and retailers sell swivel couplers made so a motorcycle can lean while towing.