Should a Harley pull a trailer?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 9
From: Colorado Springs CO
*edit/snip*. 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.
Last edited by glide2meetu; Mar 5, 2013 at 02:42 PM. Reason: spelling
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 328
From: Arizona
Just be aware and ride safe. Brake early and use compression when going down hills. My Road King sounded like the Jake break was on anyway. Keep your radar on...with or without a trailer.
If you don,t have a Tach...get one.
Nuff said.
If you don,t have a Tach...get one.
Nuff said.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 142
From: Sioux Center, Iowa
I like the fire trailer. Thematic. However, the logic is a little off. I am sure that pulling a trailer is a little bit rare. For example, I have never seen a Rolls Royce in a wreck (just don't see em much around here). However, maybe a trailer causes more substantial injury during a wreck or results in accidents at a higher rate (just with a smaller population making it harder to witness).
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.
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.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: colorado
Simple answer, too damn dangerous and foolish. IMO
Wife and I were thinking of adding a trailer hitch and light tow to the bike. After reading through the owner's manual, it states that the bike should not pull a trailer. It might cause "injury or result in death."
However, there are pictures all over these forums of folks that haul trailers with their bikes. This got me to thinking... Harley Davidson tries to capitalize on every type of custom option and upgrade they can sell from little chrome skulls to actual mechanical parts to cup holders. If they could sell trailer hitches and build trailers for bikes, then they certainly would? Why is it that they are specifying "no trailers" and not into selling hitches or custom trailers to pull behind the motorcycles?
Seems like they would if they could. Any thoughts? Should I pull a trailer or follow the MOCO suggestions?
However, there are pictures all over these forums of folks that haul trailers with their bikes. This got me to thinking... Harley Davidson tries to capitalize on every type of custom option and upgrade they can sell from little chrome skulls to actual mechanical parts to cup holders. If they could sell trailer hitches and build trailers for bikes, then they certainly would? Why is it that they are specifying "no trailers" and not into selling hitches or custom trailers to pull behind the motorcycles?
Seems like they would if they could. Any thoughts? Should I pull a trailer or follow the MOCO suggestions?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 1,754
From: New Bern NC
Its funny how this thread attracted so many naysayers who have never towed. Kinda like the car tire threads. If you haven't done it don't bother to condemn it, your lack of experience renders your opinion useless and misleading. Maybe you boys would like to give us your experienced opinion on how breast feeding makes your nipples feel.
I tow a trailer regularly and have never had a problem. I would recommend it to any experienced rider that thinks the extra space would be beneficial.
Some times i just can't fit enough beer in my saddle bags.
I tow a trailer regularly and have never had a problem. I would recommend it to any experienced rider that thinks the extra space would be beneficial.
Some times i just can't fit enough beer in my saddle bags.
