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Op, I would recommend a vnose 7x16 for baggers. I have a 7x14 that I use to tow 2 baggers, wouldnt be comfortable putting a 3rd in there though it could be done, too close for my liking.
The debate about what kind of truck to tow with is real life with me. I used a Chevy Silverado 1500 with a 6.2 liter to tow just fine but the gas mileage was bad and with only a 25 gal tank, 8/9 mpg doesnt get you far between stops. I finally ended up with a Silverado 2500 diesel in 2019 and night and day. It doesnt even feel like youre towing anything going up those Rocky Mountain inclines. Will keep that truck for many more years.
I've owned several trailers in my time with several different vehicles, with three of the trailers being enclosed.
When I used the smaller vehicles with gas engines, I DID NOT tow them in OD but instead I used "D" and lowered my cruise speed to 65 MPH.
Trying to "cram" multiple bikes into a trailer can be a costly mistake IF even one of the bikes shifts position (loose or broken) tie-down strap and damages even the paint (or worse on a bike) and to me trying to save a few bucks by using a smaller trailer isn't worth the risk.
My favorite trailer was a 6x20 V-nose snowmobile trailer with a rear drop-down ramp door.
The narrow 6'ft width eliminated the need for "camper style" mirrors and it had less wind drag
I hauled or two bikes :end-to-end but I could haul THREE dressers if I loaded them carefully but that would involve the use of some "muscle" in order to "slide" the rear ends apart to make room for the front wheel of the third bike.
As for gas mileage, when you hook-up ANY trailer to ANY vehicle your MPG's WILL DROP significantly!
I towed the above trailer with my 2003 Silverado H-D 2500 Dura-Max 4x4 ext. cab on many trips winter and summer and
MPG's can (and will) vary greatly depending on many factors including gear ratio of the tow vehicle, road grade, elevation, weather, temperature, humidity and speed.
My truck has a 3,73:1 gear ratio, an Allison transmission and I tow in OD unless I'm in the mountains and I cruise between 70-75 MPH.
My lowest MPG ever was 10.5 BUT I have got nearly TWICW on a couple of occasions but I usually average about 15 MPG's.
FWIW., my riding partner borrowed my truck to tow his enclosed car hauler trailer (and hot rod inside) from A back to Michigan several years ago and he swears that he hit 24 MPG's on one tank of fuel and 20+MPG's on a second!
This is nearly impossible to believe but he has towed cars and bikes all over the country for years and I don't doubt him (or his mathematical abilities) so it must have been under perfect circumstances as the BEST MPG's that I have ever go with that truck (empty) was just a tad over 20 MPG's!
I have dual axle travel trailer that weighs in at about 5,000 pounds. My 2017 F-150 (5L V8) can accelerate up to the speed limit on interstates with ease.
When I pull my 6x12 V nose cargo trailer (one bike), the truck doesn`t even know it is there...
Last year I towed my 14 enclosed trailer loaded with two bikes and a lot of camping gear from Arizona to North Carolina to New York and back with my 2019 Ford F-150 with the 5.0 and 10 speed transmission.
I would set the cruise at the speed limit usually 75 mph. I'd get as high as 13 mpg and as low as 9 (fighting a horrible head wind).
The 5.0 is rated at 395 HP and 400 ft lbs of torque, the loaded trailer weighed around 5500 pounds, about half of what the truck is rated to tow. The truck impressed me with the ease it pulled this trailer cross country.
I have buddies tell me I need a diesel, but I disagree.
Diesels are too expensive to purchase and maintain, especially the newer ones with DEF required.
The gassers now make plenty of power. 10 speed trannies keep it in the sweet spot. Sway control makes a half ton safe for heavy loads and gas is cheaper, cleaner and easier to find.
I've owned several trailers in my time with several different vehicles, with three of the trailers being enclosed.
When I used the smaller vehicles with gas engines, I DID NOT tow them in OD but instead I used "D" and lowered my cruise speed to 65 MPH.
Trying to "cram" multiple bikes into a trailer can be a costly mistake IF even one of the bikes shifts position (loose or broken) tie-down strap and damages even the paint (or worse on a bike) and to me trying to save a few bucks by using a smaller trailer isn't worth the risk.
My favorite trailer was a 6x20 V-nose snowmobile trailer with a rear drop-down ramp door.
The narrow 6'ft width eliminated the need for "camper style" mirrors and it had less wind drag
I hauled or two bikes :end-to-end but I could haul THREE dressers if I loaded them carefully but that would involve the use of some "muscle" in order to "slide" the rear ends apart to make room for the front wheel of the third bike.
As for gas mileage, when you hook-up ANY trailer to ANY vehicle your MPG's WILL DROP significantly!
I towed the above trailer with my 2003 Silverado H-D 2500 Dura-Max 4x4 ext. cab on many trips winter and summer and
MPG's can (and will) vary greatly depending on many factors including gear ratio of the tow vehicle, road grade, elevation, weather, temperature, humidity and speed.
My truck has a 3,73:1 gear ratio, an Allison transmission and I tow in OD unless I'm in the mountains and I cruise between 70-75 MPH.
My lowest MPG ever was 10.5 BUT I have got nearly TWICW on a couple of occasions but I usually average about 15 MPG's.
FWIW., my riding partner borrowed my truck to tow his enclosed car hauler trailer (and hot rod inside) from A back to Michigan several years ago and he swears that he hit 24 MPG's on one tank of fuel and 20+MPG's on a second!
This is nearly impossible to believe but he has towed cars and bikes all over the country for years and I don't doubt him (or his mathematical abilities) so it must have been under perfect circumstances as the BEST MPG's that I have ever go with that truck (empty) was just a tad over 20 MPG's!
Trust your friend - it is possible.
Here is my 2018 Chev Tahoe. I am not pulling a trailer - however, you will note that my highest mileage is 31.
I was on the highway, cursing around 70 mph. Mostly flat and open roads. I also notice that when I am in some places, like upper Michigan, I can get no ethanol gas - and my miles per gallon really increases.
I’ve got a 7 x 14 v nose Legend double axle that can do it. I pull with an 02 F150. Gas mileage is terrible. 10.5 per gallon, but cheaper than a new truck payment
I have a Ram 3500 HO Diesel and when I pull my 7x12 tandem axle I too get about 10 mpg... but I pay the right foot tax because I go 85mph LOL. If I slow down it's much better. I would also add that when I switched over from an open flatbed to an enclosed, I researched it to death and found that v-nose vs non v-nose really didn't make a difference regarding fuel economy according to everything that I read. Granted, most of the data was anecdotal rather than empirical but there was a study or two that I did see. I'd say that the difference would be negligible at best so just buy the best trailer at the best price that you can find and doint get hung up on the nose. My other suggestion would be to consider replacing the tires soon if they are China bombs - keep one for a spare though. Discount tire sells Heartland trailer tires that are of good quality and made here in the US to high standards.
I pulled my 7x14 trailer with two bikes easily with my Colorado ZR2. I do use an equalizer hitch to help with the sway and to level the load. I can run 80 to 85 all day and get 9.8 MPG. The Colorado has a turbo 4cyl that is rated at 310hp and 430ftlb of torque.
I recently sold that trailer and bought the same trailer that is 6" shorter in height. The shorter trailer made a huge difference in cutting the wind and the handling while passing 18 wheelers.
With all of that being said. If I was going to haul 3 bikes I would want a longer trailer and possibly 8' wide.
I recommend a trailer that is 8.5 wide. The extra width is the worth it imho. Depends on your budget. Ive never met anyone who said their trailer is too big haha. I run a 28 x 8.5 but I haul bikes to the drag strip and its handy in the pits.
[img alt="
I used to tow my boat with my 3.5 ecoboost F150, no problem at all. "]https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdforums.com-vbulletin/920x2000/truck_and_boat_dd69f966f800dab02b16fa9c35dd5d9d141 daafc.jpg[/img] I used to tow my boat with my 3.5 ecoboost F150, no problem at all.
[img alt="
I used to tow my boat with my 3.5 ecoboost F150, no problem at all. "]https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdforums.com-vbulletin/920x2000/truck_and_boat_dd69f966f800dab02b16fa9c35dd5d9d141 daafc.jpg[/img] I used to tow my boat with my 3.5 ecoboost F150, no problem at all.
Last edited by Stovey85; Apr 12, 2025 at 11:18 AM.
Reason: Pic not showing up.
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