Should a Harley pull a trailer?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 12
From: Cow Lake, WI
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
Great thread!!
Moondog
I met a guy on the way home from sturgis at the gas pump. We enjoyed cold drinks from my cooler while we filled up. He had a Evo Heritage Softail pulling a camper trailer. He and his wife were doing 70 mph fine. I will admit I did a big bore kit on my twin cam to aid in the pull, but that might just be BS on my part. I think I just wanted more cubes!
The swivel hitch is unnecessary cause the trailer hitch will swivel on the round ball enough to ride and park. Hitch? Mine is custom made to fit under the fender. Unfortunately that limits me to a 130 tire. Which was fine when I ran a WW. But now with the 150 I will have to get a new hitch that is exposed on the outside. I like that Hitch Doc is along I90 in Minnesota and produces quality products. I will get one of those.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
I see a lot on here as to how bad the handling is with a trailer. Try a side car and see if it doesn't affect the handling. MOCO would sell you one for $7000 or so. However, since they started selling Tri Glides, they are no longer offered. I've pulled my trailer well over 20000 mi. You have to be aware of it and not overload. I've seen bikes with passengers that weighed more than my trailer.
Of course at some point you just need to take a car.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 142
From: Sioux Center, Iowa
I met a guy on the way home from sturgis at the gas pump. We enjoyed cold drinks from my cooler while we filled up. He had a Evo Heritage Softail pulling a camper trailer. He and his wife were doing 70 mph fine. I will admit I did a big bore kit on my twin cam to aid in the pull, but that might just be BS on my part. I think I just wanted more cubes!
The swivel hitch is unnecessary cause the trailer hitch will swivel on the round ball enough to ride and park. Hitch? Mine is custom made to fit under the fender. Unfortunately that limits me to a 130 tire. Which was fine when I ran a WW. But now with the 150 I will have to get a new hitch that is exposed on the outside. I like that Hitch Doc is along I90 in Minnesota and produces quality products. I will get one of those.
The swivel hitch is unnecessary cause the trailer hitch will swivel on the round ball enough to ride and park. Hitch? Mine is custom made to fit under the fender. Unfortunately that limits me to a 130 tire. Which was fine when I ran a WW. But now with the 150 I will have to get a new hitch that is exposed on the outside. I like that Hitch Doc is along I90 in Minnesota and produces quality products. I will get one of those.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
I added the swivel to mine because the fork in the receiver (the part that clamps under the ball) was starting to bend after about 50K. Also if you would happen to drop the bike with the trailer attatched, you'll do a whole lot less damage to the hitch and trailer. I have my second hitch from HitchDoc. Quality product and great people to deal with.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 1,993
From: CA
I've pulled a trailer with my bike all over the country without a problem. Just use a little extra caution, be sure to have enough (but not too much) tongue weight and allow a little extra room when stopping.
The first time I pulled it we were going on a cross country trip and we loaded it way too heavy, it did get a little squirrely a few times. We got rid of some of the weight and then it was fine.
Of course, now that I have a sidecar, the trailer is no problem at all. As another poster mentioned, people are amazed at all the stuff you can carry on a camping trip.
The first time I pulled it we were going on a cross country trip and we loaded it way too heavy, it did get a little squirrely a few times. We got rid of some of the weight and then it was fine.
Of course, now that I have a sidecar, the trailer is no problem at all. As another poster mentioned, people are amazed at all the stuff you can carry on a camping trip.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 23
From: Connecticut
"the long term wear and tear on the bike or trike"
If you have a trike, I'd reckon towing a trailer wouldn't be too much different than towing a trailer with a car. The trike is as wide as the trailer, or wider. You have considerably more "braking footprint" with a trike (those two big car tires on the back). Trailer tongue weight isn't as much of a consideration. And you don't have to worry about falling over.
The main consideration with a Harley trike and towing is horsepower. Will there be enough to do the job without lugging the engine?
This is where those Goldwing 6-cylinder engines shine….
If you have a trike, I'd reckon towing a trailer wouldn't be too much different than towing a trailer with a car. The trike is as wide as the trailer, or wider. You have considerably more "braking footprint" with a trike (those two big car tires on the back). Trailer tongue weight isn't as much of a consideration. And you don't have to worry about falling over.
The main consideration with a Harley trike and towing is horsepower. Will there be enough to do the job without lugging the engine?
This is where those Goldwing 6-cylinder engines shine….
Last edited by Fishrrman; Mar 6, 2013 at 11:17 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
From: Montana
Tampakingpin, I think you would really enjoy the convenience of taking all your traveling gear with you in a Bushtec trailer, especially pulling behind a stable TriGlide! My wife and I pull a Turbo II behind our '09 Road Glide with ease, and I mean we pack it FULL. Harley cannot legally void your warranty if you pull a trailer. All you need to do to pull a trailer safely is USE common sense, judge the road using ALL the tools you are taught through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (if you haven't taken their courses your missing out on necessary education, regardless of experience!) and prepare your motorcycle properly.
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
From: Montana
I bought an old used pop-up camper trailer last year for about $450 and spent another couple hundred more setting up the bike. Cost me several hundred to see if I would like towing a trailer. Well after 2600 miles last summer, we are planning a couple more trips with it this year. Mostly I like saving the money camping instead of a hotel and I like sleeping 3 feet off the ground. It was very comfortable and towed well. We may invest in a newer camper next year. I want to get our $450 out of this one first.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 64
From: West Liberty, Ohio
go to Delphi Forums - there is a motorcycle trailer towing form there with a few hundred thousand post of towing with a motorcycle - I did it for 30 years with Goldwings - from small cargo trailers to pop up tent campers - I won't tow with the Ultra - the wing has 118 HP - I find myself shifting all the time with the ultra not towing anything - have to down shift with a head wind - plus the wing is water cooled - With that said - Some Harley Guys do tow trailers - I just don't think it's the right tool for the job - not all will agree with that
