Towing/trailer question...
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: pittsburgh pa
hey guys I have a open trailer to get my Wide Glide to Daytona in two days and it looks like I am going to hit some really crappy weather!! I have never towed a bike in bad weather nor has my ride ever seen salty roads or ice.. will the bike be ok?? has anyone made any mods to an open trailer just to protect the bike... I am going freakn nutz worrying about my bike for this trip.. I WILL BE buying a enclosed trailer very soon. any suggestion would be GREAT, besides STAY HOME
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
You cant use a cover. the wind will rip it shreds, and wherever the cover contacts paint will get damaged.
Maybe bag up the handlebar controls, headlight and gauges with heavy garbage bags might keep the majority of water out. Tie 'em up really tight. The wind buffeting loose wraps will unwrap em pretty quick.
Maybe bag up the handlebar controls, headlight and gauges with heavy garbage bags might keep the majority of water out. Tie 'em up really tight. The wind buffeting loose wraps will unwrap em pretty quick.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 912
From: Omaha
hey guys I have a open trailer to get my Wide Glide to Daytona in two days and it looks like I am going to hit some really crappy weather!! I have never towed a bike in bad weather nor has my ride ever seen salty roads or ice.. will the bike be ok?? has anyone made any mods to an open trailer just to protect the bike... I am going freakn nutz worrying about my bike for this trip.. I WILL BE buying a enclosed trailer very soon. any suggestion would be GREAT, besides STAY HOME
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 2
From: Missouri
hey guys I have a open trailer to get my Wide Glide to Daytona in two days and it looks like I am going to hit some really crappy weather!! I have never towed a bike in bad weather nor has my ride ever seen salty roads or ice.. will the bike be ok?? has anyone made any mods to an open trailer just to protect the bike... I am going freakn nutz worrying about my bike for this trip.. I WILL BE buying a enclosed trailer very soon. any suggestion would be GREAT, besides STAY HOME
I cut a piece of plywood to fit and bolted to the front of the trailer.
Protects the front and it keep snow,rocks,mud and whatever else off the bike.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 4
From: Bradenton,Florida
hey guys I have a open trailer to get my Wide Glide to Daytona in two days and it looks like I am going to hit some really crappy weather!! I have never towed a bike in bad weather nor has my ride ever seen salty roads or ice.. will the bike be ok?? has anyone made any mods to an open trailer just to protect the bike... I am going freakn nutz worrying about my bike for this trip.. I WILL BE buying a enclosed trailer very soon. any suggestion would be GREAT, besides STAY HOME
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 131
From: Central Texas area
hey guys I have a open trailer to get my Wide Glide to Daytona in two days and it looks like I am going to hit some really crappy weather!! I have never towed a bike in bad weather nor has my ride ever seen salty roads or ice.. will the bike be ok?? has anyone made any mods to an open trailer just to protect the bike... I am going freakn nutz worrying about my bike for this trip.. I WILL BE buying a enclosed trailer very soon. any suggestion would be GREAT, besides STAY HOME
I towed from TX to NH last year for Laconia bike week and ran into some nasty weather.
Suggest stopping at a Bikini Bike wash (Boot Hill Saloon) in Daytona, grabbing a cold-one, and let the girls have at it!
Last edited by rossn2; Mar 4, 2015 at 07:13 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 91
From: Michigan
F150 all the way, already has the hitch and a 36 gallon tank, with a range of close to 700 miles, and guess what it's built in the USA by an American company, best truck you will ever own! Just think about how nice your HD's will look behind a full size F150.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 91
From: Michigan
I towed mine last year through (2) days of crap, yep it got wet, but did a wipe down when I arrived and all was well.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 778
Likes: 178
From: Maine
Towing a beautiful American Harley with a Tacoma/Tundra is sacrilege!!! Personally, I'd go with a beautiful Ram 1500......... ;-)
With that Ford you could EASILY tow a bike. You could with the Taco too. I do a ton of sledding here up north and I tow 4 sleds with my Ram 5.7 Hemi and it doesn't even blink. My friend does the same with his Ford. Another option is getting a truck with a longer bed and never worry about a trailer or rocks and junk.
As for long trips, a lot of trailers have rock and snow shields on the front. One of those, protect the paint with some wrap and throw a cover on it and you'll be fine. Contrary to what has been mentioned, they DO make covers that are made to withstand the wind with ZERO issues.
With that Ford you could EASILY tow a bike. You could with the Taco too. I do a ton of sledding here up north and I tow 4 sleds with my Ram 5.7 Hemi and it doesn't even blink. My friend does the same with his Ford. Another option is getting a truck with a longer bed and never worry about a trailer or rocks and junk.
As for long trips, a lot of trailers have rock and snow shields on the front. One of those, protect the paint with some wrap and throw a cover on it and you'll be fine. Contrary to what has been mentioned, they DO make covers that are made to withstand the wind with ZERO issues.
Last edited by Kingface; Mar 4, 2015 at 08:54 AM.
Glad somebody finaly said buy american.