Mandatory accessories to carry on a trailer

Towing a trailer is not just a matter of knowing how to hitch it up and driving more carefully: there are documents that must travel with the combination, safety equipment the law requires you to carry in the vehicle, and accessories that, even if not legally compulsory, make all the difference when something goes wrong on the road. Knowing exactly what is mandatory and what is recommended avoids fines, makes roadside checks straightforward and prepares the driver to handle a breakdown without improvising. If you are still deciding which type of trailer to buy, you can first read about what types of motorbike trailers exist.

Compulsory documentation for the trailer

Before discussing physical accessories, there is a requirement that is often overlooked: documentation. At a roadside check, an officer can request the trailer's papers in addition to those of the towing vehicle. What you must always carry:

• Trailer registration document: the document identifying the trailer and linking it to its owner. Compulsory for registered trailers. Category O1 trailers (MAM below 750 kg) do not always require their own number plate, but they must carry the type-approval documentation proving compliance with the relevant regulations.
• Technical inspection certificate (MOT / periodic roadworthiness test): compulsory for trailers with a MAM above 750 kg (categories O2, O3 and O4), which are subject to periodic inspection. O1 trailers do not need their own MOT, but at a check an officer may request the trailer's technical documentation.
• Third-party liability insurance: in many EU countries, trailers with a MAM above 750 kg must have their own policy. O1 trailers (MAM up to 750 kg) are generally covered by the towing vehicle's insurance — this should always be confirmed with the insurer, as some policies limit trailer cover by use type or weight.
• Type-approval documentation: for trailers with a European type-approval (for example e9*2007/46*3103*00 for the Littleway Team foldable motorcycle trailer), the technical data sheet or certificate of conformity certifies that the trailer meets the requirements of Framework Directive 2007/46/EC. It is advisable to carry it or have ready access to it.

The safety cable: compulsory on all trailers

The safety cable or chain is the only mechanical accessory required on every trailer, regardless of category and mass. Its function is clear: if the coupling fails and the trailer detaches from the towing vehicle, the safety cable acts as the last connection point and prevents the trailer from running loose on the road.

On category O2 and above trailers, the safety cable has an additional role: when it pulls taut after an accidental uncoupling, it activates the parking brake locking mechanism, bringing the trailer to a halt. On O1 trailers, which have no parking brake, its sole function is to maintain the physical link with the towing vehicle until the driver can stop safely.

The safety cable must be in good condition before every use: free of corrosion, with no broken wires, and correctly anchored both to the trailer frame and to the security hook on the coupling. A deteriorated cable will not serve its purpose at the moment it matters most.

Emergency signalling: warning triangles and hazard devices

In the event of a breakdown or accident, signalling the position of the stationary combination is compulsory. Requirements vary by country across Europe, but the shared principle is the same: make the stationary vehicle visible to other road users as quickly as possible, with minimal risk to the driver.

Most EU countries require at least one warning triangle to be placed behind the vehicle — 30 to 50 metres on ordinary roads, 100 metres or more on motorways. Some countries (including Spain, where the Littleway Team trailer originates) have introduced the V-16 device, an electronic emergency beacon that can be activated and placed on the vehicle roof without stepping onto the carriageway. While the V-16 is a Spanish regulatory term, equivalent homologated luminous beacons are available across Europe and are strongly recommended for use on high-speed roads, where placing a triangle on the carriageway exposes the driver to serious risk.

The practical recommendation: carry a luminous emergency beacon in addition to warning triangles. Triangles remain useful on conventional roads; a beacon allows you to signal without setting foot on the carriageway of a motorway or dual carriageway.

The high-visibility vest: compulsory before leaving the vehicle

In most European countries, any driver who must leave their vehicle on an interurban road — whether due to a breakdown, to check the coupling, adjust the load or place signalling — must put on a high-visibility vest before getting out. Not after: before.

Fines for not wearing one vary by country but are typically in the range of €100–€300. The vest must bear the CE marking and comply with EN ISO 20471 (class 2 as a minimum, class 3 for greater visibility). It must always be accessible from inside the vehicle — in the glove box, door pocket or boot but within easy reach —, not buried under luggage.

Towing a trailer increases the likelihood of needing one: checking a failed light, tightening the safety cable, checking the load or sorting out a minor coupling issue on the road are common situations that involve stepping out of the vehicle on a public road.

Load securing systems

When the trailer is carrying a load — and in the case of motorcycle trailers the motorcycle is the primary load — correctly securing that load is not just a matter of common sense: it is a legal requirement. EU Regulation No 2015/719 and national highway codes require that loads be secured so that they cannot fall, drag or shift during travel.

A poorly secured motorcycle that shifts under braking can overturn the trailer or cause a sudden movement of the combination that makes the towing vehicle lose control. The minimum requirements for correctly securing a motorcycle on a trailer are:

• Ratchet strap tie-downs: a minimum of four securing points — two at the front and two at the rear —, anchored to the trailer's lashing rings and to the motorcycle's structure (frame, handlebars with bar-end protectors, reinforced mudguard). Never to fragile parts or parts without structural load capacity.
• Front wheel chock or wheel channel: locks the front wheel in the upright position and prevents the motorcycle from moving longitudinally. On trailers specifically designed for motorcycles, such as the Littleway Team foldable motorcycle trailer, this element is part of the trailer's own loading system.
• Straps with certified working load limit (WLL): straps must have a minimum break load at least four times the weight of what they are securing. For a 200 kg motorcycle, straps with a WLL of at least 800 kg.

Highly recommended accessories (not legally compulsory)

These items are not checked at roadside inspections, but their practical value in an incident is high enough that going without them means accepting unnecessary risk:

• Fire extinguisher: not compulsory for private cars or light trailers in most European countries (compulsory for buses, lorries and dangerous goods vehicles). In a trailer carrying a motorcycle — with a fuel tank, oil and exposed wiring — a 1 kg ABC dry powder extinguisher is a basic and inexpensive safety measure.
• Spare wheel for the trailer or puncture repair kit: the law only requires a spare wheel for the towing vehicle. A flat tyre on the trailer does not affect the steering of the combination, but it can cause imbalance, uneven wear and in the worst case a blowout leading to loss of control. For long journeys, carrying a spare wheel of the same size as the trailer's tyres, or at least a puncture repair kit, allows the problem to be resolved roadside without waiting for a recovery truck.
• First aid kit: recommended. Not compulsory for private vehicles in most EU countries, but on long journeys with a motorcycle on board it is a basic precaution.
• Snow chains or anti-slip socks: compulsory only on designated mountain passes during winter season, when variable message signs indicate so. Optional for the rest of the road network. If the planned route crosses winter passes, they are compulsory when the signs require them.
• Torch or work light: to check the coupling, wiring or strap condition in poor light. A compact torch in the glove box resolves in minutes what at night and without light can become a serious problem.

The Littleway Team foldable motorcycle trailer: what it includes as standard

The Littleway Team foldable motorcycle trailer (category O1, type-approval e9*2007/46*3103*00, MAM below 750 kg) is delivered from the factory with the compulsory safety elements already fitted: the regulatory safety cable, the complete homologated lighting system (position lights, stop, indicators, number plate light and reflectors) and the hydraulic stabiliser on the coupling head.

As for accessories, the driver must ensure they always carry in the towing vehicle the legally required items: high-visibility vest, emergency signalling device (warning triangle or luminous beacon) and the trailer's documentation. Securing the motorcycle inside the trailer is the driver's responsibility: checking the condition of the tie-down straps and the wheel chock before every trip is part of the safety routine.

You can view the full technical specifications of the trailer at our range of foldable motorcycle trailers.

Frequently asked questions

Does a motorcycle trailer need its own insurance policy?
It depends on its MAM. Category O1 trailers (MAM equal to or less than 750 kg) are generally covered by the towing vehicle's third-party liability insurance and do not need their own policy. Category O2 trailers (MAM above 750 kg) require independent insurance in most European countries. In any case, it is worth confirming this with your insurer, as some policies limit trailer cover by use type or weight.

How many high-visibility vests should you carry?
Most European regulations require at least one vest per vehicle — for the driver. If the vehicle is carrying passengers who might also need to step out onto the road, the correct approach is to carry one per person. The vest must be accessible from inside the vehicle before getting out.

Are warning triangles still compulsory or have they been replaced?
Warning triangles remain compulsory in most European countries. Supplementary luminous devices are strongly recommended, particularly on motorways and dual carriageways, where stepping out to place a triangle exposes the driver to serious risk. The practical recommendation is to carry both: the triangle for conventional roads and a luminous beacon as a complement on high-speed roads.

Is a spare wheel for the trailer compulsory?
No. The law only requires a spare wheel for the towing vehicle, not for the trailer. That said, if the trailer is carrying a motorcycle and a trailer tyre goes flat on the road, without a spare the only solution is to call roadside assistance. For long journeys, carrying a spare wheel of the same size as the trailer's tyres, or at least a puncture repair kit, is a precautionary measure that can save hours of waiting.

How should I secure the motorcycle in the trailer to comply with the regulations?
Road traffic regulations across Europe require the load to be secured so that it cannot shift, fall or drag. For a motorcycle, this means a minimum of four ratchet tie-down straps, the front wheel locked in the wheel chock and the motorcycle in an upright position. The straps must have a certified working load limit appropriate to the motorcycle's weight. Transporting the motorcycle without securing it or with inadequate securing is a serious offence that can result in a fine and immobilisation of the combination.

Does the towing vehicle's insurance cover damage caused by the trailer in an accident?
For O1 trailers (MAM ≤ 750 kg), the towing vehicle's compulsory third-party insurance generally covers damage to third parties caused by the towing combination while in traffic. For O2 trailers (MAM > 750 kg), the trailer must have its own third-party liability insurance. Own damage to the trailer (theft, accident damage) is only covered if the towing vehicle's policy expressly includes it or if the trailer has its own comprehensive insurance. Always confirm the position with your insurer before travelling.