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Hacked, Conversions and Trailering"Harley Sidecar, Conversion Trikes and Motorcycle Pull Behind Trailering Enthusiasts"
A forum for the discussion of your sidecar, Conversion Trike or Pull Behind Motorcycle Trailer.
I am getting set up to pull a trailer with my Train. I found a hitch a local guy had fabricated for his years ago and picked it up cheap. Now, I am not going to use a ball set up for the trailer link, I am planning on using a heim joint in order to get as much free lean as I can. I have pulled with a bagger and ball, and it does limit your lean angle a bit.
For the trailer, I am planning on using this for the basis of the trailer. I am going to use treated 3/4" plywood for the deck and I already have a rooftop cargo carrier for the box. The hitch will be tossed and the hiem joint has a sleeve to be welded into a steel tube, which I have some rollbar chromemoly tubing that will be grafted onto the drawbar. At least, that is my plan.
Anyone with some experience building/towing trailers with motorcycles have any advice, I am all ears!
The bike, its coming along......
It seems to be a pretty stout hitch.
Here is the heim joint I am using for the hitch. VERY solid unit.
The hitch looks very high off the ground. I believe this will unload the front end too much. Research it a little. Mine on my bagger is only about 6 or 8 inches off the ground.
I agree with ohioflhs. That set up you have seems way to high. Even if you goose necked the trailer it's going to take a lot of load off the front end.
I agree with ohioflhs. That set up you have seems way to high. Even if you goose necked the trailer it's going to take a lot of load off the front end.
I am no expert in trailer hitches and have never pulled on with a bike. But to me the industry standard is a 9" hitch height from the ground to the top of the ball. It might not be as much of a big deal pulling a single axle trailer. On the softail I just see any hitch regardless of height unloading the front end more then a touring bike because of the way the weight is distributed on the softail swing arm. The pivot point of the swing arm is further forward on a softail thus creating more of a lever action. I could be completely wrong but that's how I am seeing it.
I have used that hiem joint for may yrs and thousands of miles, on a two wheeler,never have to worry about it, if the bike tips over the trailer will stay level as long as you leave the 3/4" thread loose, don't use a jam nut.
went back to a ball for the tri glide.
got to lower the hitch height and keep the trailer level.
I have a home made hitch forsale, was on my 04 bagger, very sturdy and comes with the receiver and hiem joint a 75 dollar bill will take it away, u pay ship. if interested pm me.
I am no expert in trailer hitches and have never pulled on with a bike. But to me the industry standard is a 9" hitch height from the ground to the top of the ball. It might not be as much of a big deal pulling a single axle trailer. On the softail I just see any hitch regardless of height unloading the front end more then a touring bike because of the way the weight is distributed on the softail swing arm. The pivot point of the swing arm is further forward on a softail thus creating more of a lever action. I could be completely wrong but that's how I am seeing it.
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Anyone pulling a trailer?
