Pulling a Trailer

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Nov 19, 2009 | 11:53 AM

sgoharley

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 458

Likes: 254

From: midwest

Pulling a Trailer

I have a 09 Ultra SE. I am thinking of getting a trailer. the one that i am looking at weights 225 lbs and has a tongue weight of 17 lbs. It has 24 cubic feet of storage. I am wondering peoples thoughts as to pulling it and how my bike will handle the weight. thanks for any insight.

Nov 19, 2009 | 12:46 PM

ON-3

Cruiser

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 102

Likes: 3

From: N 41 27 .5 W 82 04 .4

I pulled a Leesure-Lite camper (220 lb. + all my gear & riding 2 up) with my 04 Ultra from Ohio to Alaska and back with no problems. 10K+ miles. You shouldn't have any problem with a SE. Just try to anticipate your braking with the extra weight pushing you.

Nov 20, 2009 | 08:41 AM

Firebike32

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 1,349

Likes: 142

From: Sioux Center, Iowa

We have a little over 80K with our Aluma. You'll learn to adjust your ride with the trailer.

Nov 20, 2009 | 10:01 AM

sgoharley

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 458

Likes: 254

From: midwest

FireBike, i say you in Deadwood this summer, followed you down the street. great bike and nice trailer.
My bigger concern is about handling with that much weight on the back. do you have to worry about wobble or tracking?? thanks

Nov 20, 2009 | 04:34 PM

sgoharley

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 458

Likes: 254

From: midwest

another question i have for you that use a trailer. What is the best way to load the trailer? is there a specific weight that i should not go over as far as tongue weight? what about loading more weight on the front versus the back? thanks for any help.

Nov 20, 2009 | 06:16 PM

Moe55

Supporter

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,245

Likes: 69

From: Northford, CT

We have a Bushtec Turbo 2 have been towing it for 4 years. Bushtec recomends that you put the heavy things in the front of the trailer. Bushtec web site will give you the info about max weight and answer most of your questions. Of course that is about thier trailer. Have put about 15,000 plus miles on the trailer the more you use it the more you don't notice it back there.

Nov 20, 2009 | 08:04 PM

EGlideKid

Road Master

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 938

Likes: 0

From: North Central Arkansas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moe55

As you can see, we also have a Turbo II. We've put about 6k miles on it over the last year and a half. Adding a PCV and a custom map designed by Jamie at Fuel Moto was the biggest help I could have done for pulling it. The '07's gear ratios are tall, so it needs all the help it can get.
Which ever trailer you decide to buy, remember that weight, suspension, wheel diameter, and the hitch type all play a part in your safety and the sensations you'll feel when pulling it.
Our Bushtec is about 165 lbs empty, and we typically add about 80 or so pounds more of goodies to it. You can definitely feel that weight when accelerating or decelerating, but you learn to adjust and drive mellower and safer because of it.
I'll agree with Moe... once you're moving, you don't know it's back there, but that's a Bushtec for you. They are an awesome trailer, and ours has definitely changed our touring life for the better.