Trailer Advice

waikiki · #1 05-22-2007, 06:49 PM

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but I'll give it a try.
Last year I bought my 06 NightTrain in Tyler Texas and rode it to California, up the coast to Washington, then back down to San Diego where I shipped it home here to Hawaii. IM DIEING TO DO A MAINLAND TRIP AGAIN!! Planning the first part of 2008.
The only problem I had was carrying my gear. I had the hard saddle bags that are for the Night Train and they don't hold anything. I had everything piled over the saddle bags and high on the back seat. Very cumbersome. Almost lost it a couple times when I had to break fast. Because I'm going long distance I need a little more room to carry tools and what not.
I'm considering getting a small trailer to pull behind the Train. My friends think this is ridiculous. Is this a bad idea? I've seen a few pictures of bikes pulling trailers, very few. Is this not wise? Is it hard to drive? I know it may not look cool, but for traveling long distances, I'd think this would be the way to go.
Please let me know what you think. If you know where to look into buying one. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,

robbitybob · #2 05-24-2007, 09:15 PM

I pull a trailer - have for years. However I'm pulling it with Ultra Classic and I don't have any experience with your bike. When you pull a trailer you have to be careful as stopping takes longer than normal.

Mongo40 · #3 06-01-2007, 11:54 AM

Waikiki, I had a 88 heritage for the last six year, got a little trailer I made a few years ago from a harbor frieght trailer and cartop luggage carrier that I pulled behind it, works great, no problems at all, your bike being a nighttrain wouldn't have any problems pulling it, its nice not having to do the bungy cord dance trying to figure out where to put everything, I've still got the trailer hitch, it will fit your softail, they have them on ebay under Deluxe Softail trailer hitch for around 259.00 its in great shape and easy to put on and take off, I was going to put it on ebay to get rid of it but I'd sell it out right for $150 if your still interested in pulling a trailer.

Mongo40 · #4 06-01-2007, 11:55 AM

Hope this works, here's a pic of it.

[IMG]local://upfiles/33477/4FF14ACF95DC4D1AB1B0335F93C40C51.jpg[/IMG]

Ole Geezer · #5 06-23-2007, 12:57 PM

Easy fix. Attach a TALL sissy bar to the back. Use a TALL watertight bag to carry ALL you need to take on any trip. That way your bike doesn't look like a bagger. It looks like a Night Train, as it should,

tomkatz4 · #6 10-18-2007, 09:04 PM

I pulled a American Legend with my 06 RK and it did great. The trailer compliments a HD as well.

Vinnie85FXWG · #7 10-18-2007, 10:56 PM

When my dad owned my bike, he pulled a trailer on his 4,000+ mile trips and he said it made the bike more stable, and all you have to remember is your pulling more weight, so give extra stopping distance. Also, do not get a trailer hitch that just bolts to the struts. Make sure it bolts to the frame as well. Another thing you should consider is a swivel hitch on the trailer. Here is a pic of my dad's set up.

And here is some ones shopping cart trailer...

mrhensley · #8 11-09-2007, 06:51 PM

Trailers are really coming around...more than you would think. Used to be they would bounce around and cause some problems for the rider. It takes some getting used to, but if your on the long haul its the way to go! Check out the site below and take a peek at these trailers... I have a friend with this exact trailer and it is one of the best idea's Ive seen. This thing actually folds out into a tent as well as being used for storage! So much so that once its up he puts a blow up mattress in the thing! Light weight and you can use it for nearly anything... Not so badly priced! Hope this helps ya out...

http://timeouttrailers.org/campingtrailers.aspx

Zmann · #9 01-01-2008, 10:45 AM

I am a new member to this forum, and came across this thread about trailers and thought you might be interested in these trailers. I think they are Cool, I really would like to get one, they are great Utility / Travel trailers!

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So go to the following link! http://www.carreplicatrailers.com/TrailerTrails.html

Paul Z-mann

[IMG]local://upfiles/48187/160E9786C254443A9390F62BA4B585B6.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/48187/D86EE128E8214308BC1747616A42D75E.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/48187/EB3C695F9C4548D8AB5324B505C3B31A.jpg[/IMG]

Sharknose · #10 01-01-2008, 11:07 AM

Whatever you do, DON'T just get bigger bags and bungie everything to a sissybar. Top heavy is not good, especially in parking lot-type turns.

Using a Harbor Freight frame and a cartop luggage carrier, I built my own trailer to pull behind my roadglide because when I go to rallies I haul a full size tent, 2 sleeping bags, 2 airbeds, cooler, etc. I'd rather make something myself than write a check, and I've got about $300 in the whole system which includes the hitch for the bike and Hoppe wiring isolator to protect the bike's electrical system. As long as it's loaded correctly and I have the right tongue weight I don't notice it being back there and I don't see any difference in MPG.

Edit: Sorry, I didn't notice how old this thread is when I replied just now. Jeez.

[IMG]local://upfiles/12883/6A3FB7A4EBC64FE39A4322F619229049.jpg[/IMG]