2020 Electra glide ultra, Stage Two.
I am thinking on a trailer for my around the country ride next spring and am looking for some information on what people think on options.
Cargo or camper but want to keep it light and not to be to much drag on the bike for mountains and twisties.
any ideas or opinions welcome as I am just starting to look into these options on a 10-15k ride. Hotels are killing me wallet!

 

I have had several cargo trailers and now two camper trails pulled behind my bikes. I started pulling trailers in the 1990s with a stock 1989 Harley Electra Glide. I was mostly two up then. I just had to down shift to remain in the power band. My 2002 Electra Glide was also stock, pulled trailers well, but usually was solo then. My 2019 Electra Glide Police, with the 114 motor, has no issues pulling either of my trailers.


The lightest will be a cargo trailer that would probably be about 300 pounds max. But that means dealing with a tent and finding ground suitable for a tent every night. I do recommend a pop-up canopy for the tent sites.

Most campers are 300 base weight but offer off the ground sleeping and are easier to manage than tents. My TimeOut camper weighs about 550 for my travels. Depending on the time of the year and location, AC and generator could be useful at night. Unless you will be staying at camp sites with electric, then a generator is not necessary. AC only requires a 1100-watt generator. The Honda EU1100i or EU2200i "quite" ones work well for me. I do recommend the 20+ CUFT trailers as the smaller ones tend to run into sizing issues inside.

A minimalist camper knows what effort and time they desire to expend each overnight stop.

Many motorcycle trailers have 8-inch wheels. Some have 12-inch wheels. The weight difference between them and some of the larger wheeled trailers is noticeable in the base weights. I have pulled trailers with the 8-inch wheels for tens of thousands of miles, at 80 MPH, just fine. Grease the bearing before the trip and run PSI appropriate to your trailer weight (20-30 PSI) and all will be well.

For a solo camper, I recommend the Kompact Kamp Mini Mate camper. https://www.kompactkamptrailers.com/minimatecamper

For two up camping, I like the TimeOut camper.

I recommend the awning and the swivel hitch for both campers.

Used camping trailers are about 50-75% the cost of the new campers. Basically, looking at $3500-4000 for a very good camper. Cargo trailers can be had like new for under $1500. Many older used ones go from $500 and up but would require a bit of maintenance before the trip. Probably just bearing packing and/or replacing. Newer cargo trailers (and campers) have torsion axle trailers that are much better than the leaf spring trailer.

You'll need to purchase camping gear if you already do not have it. Good tents that will keep you dry start at $150. I prefer a 4-man tent so I have space and can keep my gear inside. A camp trailer only needs your personal stuff.


So many options. But if just setting up sleeping for overnight, an experienced camper knows the minimal setup and take down are desires. Those are developed personal from experiences and decisions. Ping me if you have questions.

Most decent motels are $110 a night now. But they are not located where I desire to spend the night usually. For longer trips, you'll probably enjoy an overnight in a motel every 5-6 days.

At $5000 for a camp trailer, that's less than 45 nights in motels. At $1500 for a cargo trailer, that's 14 nights in the motel.

 

Tows great,
Watch your load balance.😉

 

Thanks for the feedback, how do the heavier campers feel power wise?
I know weight distribution is important, but also curious about drag with trailers on the bigger size.
A camper would be nice as I am getting a bit too old for tents and this will be a long trip, most likely 10-15k miles.

 

By the time you add up ….
Gas (extra burned)
Wear & Tear
Trailer/tags/taxes
Storing it when not in use

A nice motel room isn’t that expensive.

 

I've pulled trailers with my bikes before. I've pulled heavy, and I've pulled light. In fact one of my old clamshell motorcycle trailers was feather light, as in I could easily handle the weight of picking up the trailer all by myself, though the bulk made that very awkward.

Engine power isn't the issue with a heavy trailer, brakes are. When I'd be pulling the utility trailer with engines and such going to the scrap yard, getting the rig to halt was a surprising challenge. Not an issue with a light and lightly loaded trailer. But a few hundred pounds, and that equation started to really change, and it wasn't a pleasant change. Nothing says fun like getting pushed through a red light because your trailer can't be stopped well.

With a trailer, you travel heavy. You will bring all kinds of stuff, simply because you can. At which point gas mileage drops tremendously, and the engine noise rises quite a bit as well. Not only because the engine is working harder, but because the trailer reflects it all back at you quite nicely.

You are also now quite large. Even a small motorcycle trailer is wide compared to the bike, and it makes maneuvering around far more difficult. No more care free pulling into a gas station or the like. You've always got to be aware of that trailer behind you.

Tolls and speed limits can become entertaining with a trailer. That depends a lot on where you are, of course.

In the end, I quit pulling a trailer with my bike. I pared down what I carried, and enjoyed the bike for what it was. On those journeys where I did need to carry a lot for whatever reason, I'd take car/truck/van/etc. They work well for big loads.

 

Goose and shovelEd both had great reply's
I've pulled a trailer all over the country and loaded always forget it was there. Handy as hell. Never have to unpack, just take out what you need when you need it.
I've also pulled and camper and never forgot it was there. I didn't like the feeling so sold it.
I for sure would not get a camper to save money on motels.
Either way, have a great trip!

 

Some of the music and motorcycle events I have been to are 10+ miles from the nearest motel. And many too times those motels are older, barely functional, and used by local hookers and druggies.

 

Most camper base weights are 150-200 pounds (or more) heavier than the cargo trailers. My TimeOut camper is 550-650 pounds loaded depending on the time of the year. Summer is heavier as I usually have a generator and AC unit onboard.

They will draw down fuel mileage. When not towing, I refuel at 200 miles on my 2019 FLHTP 114 stock motor. When towing either of my trailers, I refuel at 150 miles. Not saying you have to run 150-200 miles, it means you have to plan for refueling at those ranges.

Most hotels are $100-120+ now. A new camper is $4500-5300 all in. So that's 40-50 nights in the motel to break "even". All depends on where you desire to spend your evenings. I have owned this TimeOut camper since 2021. I camp in it 30-40 nights a year. And I am at the event site with many folks. Used, very good condition, campers are usually advertised at 70% of the new value.

Cheaper than a motel? All depends on your usage.

 

"And many too times those motels are older, barely functional, and used by local hookers and druggies" ... Someone has to say it ... Address please ":>)