towing with Ultra
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 40
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towing with Ultra
Would appreciate any information about towing a trailer with my 2001 ultra classic and what to look for in a trailer when/if purchasing. What happens to your gas mileage? Is a swivel hitch a must have?
THANKS
THANKS
RE: towing with Ultra
Hey J.L.,
I towed one of those little campers for a couple years with my 91 Ultra. I was surprised at how well it handled. It was 21' long from the tip of my front bumper to the tip of the trailer bumper.
1) Get a well balanced trailer as lite as possible.
2) Standard trailer hitch from Drag Specialities will work fine.
3) Attach your safety chain with plastic wire ties. (The law says you gotta have them but I wouldn't want to drag anything that big that is out of control behind my bike.
4) You will notice a difference on gas milage but nothing like dragging a sidecar.
I had a stock motor and did fine. I bet a 95 or 103 would really scoot down the road with a trailer.
Let me know what you decide.
Terry
I towed one of those little campers for a couple years with my 91 Ultra. I was surprised at how well it handled. It was 21' long from the tip of my front bumper to the tip of the trailer bumper.
1) Get a well balanced trailer as lite as possible.
2) Standard trailer hitch from Drag Specialities will work fine.
3) Attach your safety chain with plastic wire ties. (The law says you gotta have them but I wouldn't want to drag anything that big that is out of control behind my bike.
4) You will notice a difference on gas milage but nothing like dragging a sidecar.
I had a stock motor and did fine. I bet a 95 or 103 would really scoot down the road with a trailer.
Let me know what you decide.
Terry
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 863
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From:
RE: towing with Ultra
Bill is spot on about that
ORIGINAL: billnourse
I had two friends with WideGlides that burned up EVO's while towing a trailer. I would not do one unless I planned some power upgrades.
Regards,
Bill
I had two friends with WideGlides that burned up EVO's while towing a trailer. I would not do one unless I planned some power upgrades.
Regards,
Bill
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 67
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RE: towing with Ultra
I tow a Bushtec Roadstar with my 2003 FLHTCUI (Ultra). I tow two up and the bike tows the trailer fine. I really dont think that a small cargo trailer that weights less than 300 lbs loaded will cause any damage to your bike. My bike handles the trailer just fine and 99% of the time you dont even know the trailer is there.
I have been doing it for along time with many different trailers on many different bikes. But I have to say that Bushtec is my first choice for a cargo traile due to the no bounce suspension, 16" motorcycle type tires and the styling.
You will spend a bit more for a Bustec, new can average $4000 with options and delivery. Used, you can pick one up between $1000 and $2500 depending on age.
In the past 20 years I have had 3 other older Bushtecs that I let go with their matching motorcycle. I have also towed tent camping trailers (not with the Harley) that tend to be alot heavier and bigger than a cargo trailer and you do know they are behind you but the off the ground camping is nice.
Check out the Bushtec site then go to the forum and see if there are any used ones for sale. If trying to buy used look for one you dont have to paint unelss you are a painter. You will save$$$$. The Bustec factory paint jobs are flawless. http://www.bushtec.com/
Or go to this trailer index and check out the others. http://www.aerobourne.com/motorcycletrailerindex9.htm
Good luck.
Doug
I have been doing it for along time with many different trailers on many different bikes. But I have to say that Bushtec is my first choice for a cargo traile due to the no bounce suspension, 16" motorcycle type tires and the styling.
You will spend a bit more for a Bustec, new can average $4000 with options and delivery. Used, you can pick one up between $1000 and $2500 depending on age.
In the past 20 years I have had 3 other older Bushtecs that I let go with their matching motorcycle. I have also towed tent camping trailers (not with the Harley) that tend to be alot heavier and bigger than a cargo trailer and you do know they are behind you but the off the ground camping is nice.
Check out the Bushtec site then go to the forum and see if there are any used ones for sale. If trying to buy used look for one you dont have to paint unelss you are a painter. You will save$$$$. The Bustec factory paint jobs are flawless. http://www.bushtec.com/
Or go to this trailer index and check out the others. http://www.aerobourne.com/motorcycletrailerindex9.htm
Good luck.
Doug
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Joined: Mar 2005
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RE: towing with Ultra
I tow an American Legend Sport trailer with my 2001 Roadking. I'm always two up and I haven't had any problems so far. It destroys my gas mileage, however. I average about 28 mpg 2 up loaded with trailer.
I have the swivel hitch and I never know the trailers back there (except when it's time to stop). I've never towed without a swivel hitch so I can't comment on what a standard hitch would be like. I really like the American Legend and it does not bounce. It also has a standard sized trailer wheel that you could replace at a Wal-Mart if you had to. Some trailers have special sized wheels and tires that are not easily found on a Sunday in the middle of BFE.
I have the swivel hitch and I never know the trailers back there (except when it's time to stop). I've never towed without a swivel hitch so I can't comment on what a standard hitch would be like. I really like the American Legend and it does not bounce. It also has a standard sized trailer wheel that you could replace at a Wal-Mart if you had to. Some trailers have special sized wheels and tires that are not easily found on a Sunday in the middle of BFE.
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
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From:
RE: towing with Ultra
Does anyone know of a Hitch for an Ultra Classic that comes off easily, leaving no traces of it being on, for quick removal in case you need to go to your dealer for warranty work since the warranty does not cover drive train items if you have a hitch installed.
As a seperate question, I have seen what was referred to as a "Pup Trailer" in the past that is a small trailer for towing a tent trailer that goes in between the bike and the tent trailer and has a hitch ball in the middle on top of the axle to bear the tongue weight of the tent or utility trailer so that it doesn't place excessive weight on your bike hitch. It is just a load bearing trailer with a rack on top for carrying a cooler, etc.
As a seperate question, I have seen what was referred to as a "Pup Trailer" in the past that is a small trailer for towing a tent trailer that goes in between the bike and the tent trailer and has a hitch ball in the middle on top of the axle to bear the tongue weight of the tent or utility trailer so that it doesn't place excessive weight on your bike hitch. It is just a load bearing trailer with a rack on top for carrying a cooler, etc.