Should a Harley pull a trailer?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,053
Likes: 5
From: Southern IL
wow there is a lot of trailer hate and mis information...seems kind of like apes . People have opinions without ever trying it out. Apes , jockey shift and trailer in tow on an old wideglide and think its awesome.
Ya ,you got to remember its there , because a decent set-up pulls smooth and you will forget its there pulling along side of a gas pump , other than that its a non issue and I've had to stand on the brakes before ...trailer stays where it needs to be. jack knifes actually occur on trailers ( semis and campers) that have trailer brakes. put the trailer tires in a skid and shes coming around, thats not a problem with bike trailers.
Ya ,you got to remember its there , because a decent set-up pulls smooth and you will forget its there pulling along side of a gas pump , other than that its a non issue and I've had to stand on the brakes before ...trailer stays where it needs to be. jack knifes actually occur on trailers ( semis and campers) that have trailer brakes. put the trailer tires in a skid and shes coming around, thats not a problem with bike trailers.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Riding a car, motorcycle, airplane, boat or what ever can result in injury or death.
Hundreds of HD's pull trailers to Sturgis every year. I pulled one one year and found out that I don't like it but it did not hurt me at all.
HD just wants to avoid any product liability that's all. Remember they sold side cars which are far more risky.
There is some skills and understanding needed to pull a trailer.
Hundreds of HD's pull trailers to Sturgis every year. I pulled one one year and found out that I don't like it but it did not hurt me at all.
HD just wants to avoid any product liability that's all. Remember they sold side cars which are far more risky.
There is some skills and understanding needed to pull a trailer.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
From: Western,NC
I've pulled the trailer in the pic below on numerous camping trips. The longest was NC to the Texas Hill Country and down to Big Bend NP. It's a Bunkhouse camper weighing a little over 300 lbs. in some ways I feel safer towing than riding solo. I am much more conscientious, much easier for cages to see and this trailer has a sophisticated hydraulic braking system that works in sync with the bike brakes. Would I like to have to make a panic stop on a wet highway in traffic? No, but I would like to avoid that riding solo. To me it's worth the risk because on extended trips I can establish a base camp and spend my evenings around a campfire instead of in a hotel room and still sleep on a queen size bed. It's certainly not for everyone but I think I'm more comfortable as I have towed many trailers with cars/trucks over the years. Actually I have 16k fifth wheel I now tow with an F450 and I'm actually more relaxed pulling this trailer with my bike. (Wow, that was a lot, sorry)
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 142
From: Sioux Center, Iowa
We have over 100K with our trailer with no problems. I've never had myself in a position that made me regret having the trailer behind me. When pulling a trailer you soon learn to drive accordingly. I've seen a lot of motorcycle accidents over the years but never one involving a bike pulling a trailer.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: WA
I just bought a Road Dog trailer a month ago.
Can hardly wait to hook it up behind my Geezer Glide.
Hope 40 ears of riding will help to handle that BEAST dragging behind the bike.
Talked to a lot of people who had them for years, can't remember anyone wearing out their bike. Just some bullshit Harley are pulling because the don't have that market. A side hack is in my way of thinking more dangerous.
Can hardly wait to hook it up behind my Geezer Glide.
Hope 40 ears of riding will help to handle that BEAST dragging behind the bike.
Talked to a lot of people who had them for years, can't remember anyone wearing out their bike. Just some bullshit Harley are pulling because the don't have that market. A side hack is in my way of thinking more dangerous.
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
We have over 100K with our trailer with no problems. I've never had myself in a position that made me regret having the trailer behind me. When pulling a trailer you soon learn to drive accordingly. I've seen a lot of motorcycle accidents over the years but never one involving a bike pulling a trailer.
There seem to be two camps. I have read a number of posts that admit it is added risk and say "just go for it." There are also some folks that say never tried it and never will.
I did not notice too many posts stating that a person tried to pull a trailer and then stopped because of the danger or hassle (although a few posters noted that they new a guy that did). I feel like I want to try it out but am a little worried about towing in mountains and the added stopping pressure on the braking system. I already feel like my brakes are not as "large" or effective as they could be for the size of my fully loaded ride.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
The bike I owned before I bought my Harley was a 2007 Kawasaki 1600 Nomad. I built my trailer using a Harbor Freight kit and a cartop carrier from Pep Boys. I towed that trailer with my Nomad to the Black Hills and back, including I-70 from Utah to Denver. If you aren't familiar with that route, it varies from narrow canyons to 10,000' mountain passes. I had no problem at all climbing up Vail Pass or the climb to the Eisenhower Tunnel.
I never regretted towing that trailer, and the only negative was my gas mileage dropped about 10-15%. Once you're rolling, you don't even know it's back there. Yes it requires you to be more aware, you also need to think a little bit ahead and when you park, parkin where you can pull through. They are a bugger to back up.
I built the trailer in the hope that my wife would ride with me, but she has no desire to, so I just sold my trailer a week ago and never towed it with my Harley. I find that the tourpak and the passenger seat bag I have give me ample carrying capacity.
I never regretted towing that trailer, and the only negative was my gas mileage dropped about 10-15%. Once you're rolling, you don't even know it's back there. Yes it requires you to be more aware, you also need to think a little bit ahead and when you park, parkin where you can pull through. They are a bugger to back up.
I built the trailer in the hope that my wife would ride with me, but she has no desire to, so I just sold my trailer a week ago and never towed it with my Harley. I find that the tourpak and the passenger seat bag I have give me ample carrying capacity.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
I'm glad you started this discussion. I am looking at buying a trailer aswell. We are going to Sturgis this year from Tulsa, OK and are tent camping thewhole time. A trailer just makes sense to me but am concerned about the samethings that several are. Another concern I have is I ride a 96 Road King with a80ci Evo. Is it going to pull the guts out of it??? I also have heard both wayson different hitches, standard or swivel???? Not sure on the hitch either.
Great thread!!
Moondog
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 621
Likes: 3
From: N CA
As I said earlier - I have been pulling trailersfor 30 years - hundred of thousands of miles - never had a flat - blow out -close call of an kind - Some guy's have been in a dozen wrecks on bikes & cars -no pill can cure that - Some folks just have a nack for it - I have never been down in 50 years of riding - It isn'tdangerous to pull a trailer behind a motorcycle just like it's not a issue torun a car tire on some bikes - I have done it for years but there will alwaysbe some folks who have never done it say hoe bad it is - Just listen to thefolks that had actually done it - & go to the Delphi forum on trailertowing - Here a couple more pic's of my trailers - tom
