7 X 14 Enclosed trailer setup
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From: Utah
7 X 14 Enclosed trailer setup
I just bought a 7 x 14 Haulmark Transport trailer, (radius front- not V nose) Tandem axel to haul 2 Ultra Classics. The interior dimensions are 14’ X 80”.
I was hoping someone with a similar size trailer could tellme what tongue weight I might expect with both bikes loaded. It would also be helpful if someone could tellme how far from the side wall to put the center of the wheel chocks and whatdistance to stagger the chocks. It’s still a little too early and snowy to getthe bikes out to try loading so any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Bill
I was hoping someone with a similar size trailer could tellme what tongue weight I might expect with both bikes loaded. It would also be helpful if someone could tellme how far from the side wall to put the center of the wheel chocks and whatdistance to stagger the chocks. It’s still a little too early and snowy to getthe bikes out to try loading so any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Bill
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: 29575
I think you would be able to take measurements in the garage, assuming that is where the bikes are.
The tongue weight should be 90% of your load. Are the bikes going to be first in, last off when loading/unloading. What else are you hauling and how much will your gross weight be? You might consider a class IV hitch too.
Not an expert but I have been around trailering all my life.
The tongue weight should be 90% of your load. Are the bikes going to be first in, last off when loading/unloading. What else are you hauling and how much will your gross weight be? You might consider a class IV hitch too.
Not an expert but I have been around trailering all my life.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Illinois
The tongue weight should be 10% of the gross and not any more. The load on a two axle should be 70% ahead of the led axle.
So two baggers with some stuff would roughly be 2,000 lbs so 1,400 lbs should be ahead of the axle. measure the approximate center of gravity of the bike (about the start of the trans) that would be 50% of the weight. About 18" more ahead would be about right. Put one a little more and the other stagger the same amount back some. You should have right at 300 lbs on the hitch and not 450 lbs which 15% would cause. Unless you like pogoing down the road.
I have been towing since the 60's. My current rig is a 8.5 X 20 enclosed trailer.
Those rough estimates have always worked for me. Never had a trailer sway by having the load too far to the rear. If you think tank slappers are bad on a bike just trying a trailer loaded too heavy to the rear. It will keep whipping greater and greater until you spin out.
It is best with a load and trailer weighing in at 3,000 lbs or more to have electric trailer brakes and a load equalizing hitch with sway bars.
So two baggers with some stuff would roughly be 2,000 lbs so 1,400 lbs should be ahead of the axle. measure the approximate center of gravity of the bike (about the start of the trans) that would be 50% of the weight. About 18" more ahead would be about right. Put one a little more and the other stagger the same amount back some. You should have right at 300 lbs on the hitch and not 450 lbs which 15% would cause. Unless you like pogoing down the road.
I have been towing since the 60's. My current rig is a 8.5 X 20 enclosed trailer.
Those rough estimates have always worked for me. Never had a trailer sway by having the load too far to the rear. If you think tank slappers are bad on a bike just trying a trailer loaded too heavy to the rear. It will keep whipping greater and greater until you spin out.
It is best with a load and trailer weighing in at 3,000 lbs or more to have electric trailer brakes and a load equalizing hitch with sway bars.
Last edited by lh4x4; Feb 11, 2014 at 08:03 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 90
Likes: 16
From: Somerset, KY
I just bought a 7 x 14 Haulmark Transport trailer, (radius front- not V nose) Tandem axel to haul 2 Ultra Classics. The interior dimensions are 14 X 80.
I was hoping someone with a similar size trailer could tellme what tongue weight I might expect with both bikes loaded. It would also be helpful if someone could tellme how far from the side wall to put the center of the wheel chocks and whatdistance to stagger the chocks. Its still a little too early and snowy to getthe bikes out to try loading so any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Bill
I was hoping someone with a similar size trailer could tellme what tongue weight I might expect with both bikes loaded. It would also be helpful if someone could tellme how far from the side wall to put the center of the wheel chocks and whatdistance to stagger the chocks. Its still a little too early and snowy to getthe bikes out to try loading so any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Bill
I've got two rails running the length of the trailer 25" out from each side wall. My wheel chocks can be positioned anywhere in these rails. You'll want to mount the first bike as far forward as possible, and then the second bike staggered behind it.... Mine just fit although the first bike is a Street Glide and the saddle bags kinda dictate where things go..... My wife's bike is a Fat Boy. Smaller or bikes w/o bags will fit easier.
I've installed E-Track around the perimeter of the trailer for tying off. Flexibility is important..... The two bikes we have now are not the same two bikes we were riding when I bought the trailer..... :-)
Chuck
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Indiana
I had a 7x16 v-nose. I can't tell you the tongue weight, but with the bikes loaded staggered it towed perfect for 1400 miles. It lowered the back of my escalade 1-1.5 inch and I put about 40 psi in my air bags to level it back out. No swaying and trailed perfectly straight. Plus in the front (v-nose part) I had all our luggage tools, heavy duty jack I stole from my dad. Had all the Christmas presents that followed us in the back. On the way down I only had one bike in there at the most forward chock and it was fine. You can put a lot more weight up front that you think. Now my dump trailer is another story because it weighs more 4350 lbs (dump) vs 2000 lbs (enclosed) empty and the wheels are set back a little more on the dump so it gives a lot more tongue weight with nothing in it. I just eyeballed the distance taking into consideration the bars and bags. I have to rig that up for my big move to the midwest sometime this year. For the staggered back far enough so it is comfortable to strap in the second bike and the first bike not be in the way. The BMW front tire is about 6-12 inches forward of the front tire of the trailer.
The only way you can get perfect is if you had one of those portable scales or access to one. I just pay attention to much much my tow vehicle get lowered and adjust as needed keeping most of the weight forward.
The only way you can get perfect is if you had one of those portable scales or access to one. I just pay attention to much much my tow vehicle get lowered and adjust as needed keeping most of the weight forward.
Last edited by JaronB; Feb 13, 2014 at 04:25 PM.
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From: Republic of Texas
Moveable wheel chocks. Setup like picture above. Some trail and error to fine tune where you want them to make the trailer pull well. I use six tie downs per bike and let the bikes work some on the trailer.
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