Is there a rule of thumb as where the motorcycle should be positioned in relation to the axle. Is there a technique to finding the sweet spot for the best towing. I don't want to mount the chock and install the d-rings until the bike is correctly positioned.

 

Are you setting the trailer up to haul one bike or multiple bikes?

The trailer I have is set up to be able to haul 3 bikes. When hauling only one I position the bike in the center of the trailer for even weight distribution with the front wheel at the front of the trailer.

Bikes really aren't that heavy so placement over axles is not an issue it is all about equally balancing the load side to side when you haul more then one bike. But you donot want all the weight at the rear of the trailer as it will cause a drag effect and will place stress on the tongue or hook up point of trailer to pull vehicle which will can cause failure at that point.

 

If in doubt, Position the front farther forward. You are far better off having a little too much weight on the tongue than not enough. I don't have dimensions for you, but you want about 10-15 % of the weight of the trailer on the tongue. If you search the net, you will find how tos on getting the weight and stuff. I know I've seen a good set up for getting the tongue weight by using some 2x4s and a bathroom scale.

Now, for side to side setup, that depends on your suspension. If you have leaf springs, you need to be centered. If it is a torsion axle, you don't need to be centered, but I still would.

 

Uh, how long is the trailer you are using to haul the bike? If its as short as 8 - 10 feet, you need to put the front wheel all the way forward. If the trailer is longer than 10 feet, you want as much of the weight of the bike over or in front of the axles....not behind the axles....and in the middle of the trailer (from side to side) if hauling a single bike.

Jim

 

The trailer is 5x10 and will be hauling 1 bike.

 

Then I would place the front tire as far forward as possible and position it in the center (width wise).