Pull a trailer? Com'on, I know you do...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
Just get out your owners manual, you know the little book that was given to you when you bought your bike? Take a look at the sentence that says the Motor Company does NOT recommend towing anything. I believe the engineers that designed these bikes knew a little more about what was safe or dangerous than we do. Most folks that have m/c's enjoy the inherant maneuverability of their bikes, why would you want to make your ride more risky? Don't try to tell me there is no risk in trailer towing, what do you do during a panic stop? How about if you have to brake hard in a tight curve? What if there is a large obstacle in the road and you have to swerve suddenly? How do you negotiate slick roads? How do you park in an area where there is only room to back up? How about the same parking scenario on a hill? If you brainiacs want to pull trailers, fine, just don't try to B.S. everyone and say that this is a safe way to ride. The majority of HD's on the road, and yes, in the motel parking lots, do NOT pull trailers. That has to tell you guys something. If you want to pull a trailer more power to ya, just don't act like this is a fine, safe, endeavor. If you have to compensate for that "thing" behind you, you aren't getting the motorcycling experience as it was meant to be. You could get the same feel if you sold the bike, and drove a convertible auto with the top down, pulled a trailer, and you could carry more junk with you. As an added bonus, you would have two extra wheels to help you keep it in the road, grandpa.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 128
I'll just remind you something I posted before. NOT EVERYONE HAS A ULTRA WITH A TOUR PACK. I have a RKC with smaller bags than you have and NO TOUR PACK. I really don't take all that much stuff, but as I said before, a cooler is nice and, cooking gear is nice, and there really isn't any place for me to put that stuff if I'm taking a long trip especially if the wife is going along. How do you supply yourself with ice, beverages, and food? Do you buy those things in restaurants or what? I like to take mine with me if possible and avoid unnecessary trips someplace just to get a drink , a bite to eat, or some ice. I need a minimum of 2 bags, a tent, cooler, clothes for 2, toiletries, and a tool or two. We will go out for a week or two. If you can load that onto a bike with a passenger and no tour pack without a trailer, good for you. I can't and I don't think I'm taking all "that much stuff".
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Lindstrom, Mn.
Trailer
To each his own, I pull a trailer you dont, oh well. You like motels, I like tents, oh well. This is the good ol USA, we can and will do as we choose as we are all unique in our own ways. Some like their scooters stock others like to do mods. My point is who cares what we prefer to do, does it bother you that much that we pull trailers to open your big mouth to complain about it? Just enjoy your ride, lifes way to short to complain about everybody else. I like my trailer and my 107 for a burst of speed when I feel fit and its safe to do so. Who cares how much I spent on my trailer or my motor, its my money not yours.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
Just get out your owners manual, you know the little book that was given to you when you bought your bike? Take a look at the sentence that says the Motor Company does NOT recommend towing anything. I believe the engineers that designed these bikes knew a little more about what was safe or dangerous than we do.
what do you do during a panic stop? How about if you have to brake hard in a tight curve? What if there is a large obstacle in the road and you have to swerve suddenly? How do you negotiate slick roads? How do you park in an area where there is only room to back up? How about the same parking scenario on a hill?
If you have to compensate for that "thing" behind you, you aren't getting the motorcycling experience as it was meant to be. You could get the same feel if you sold the bike, and drove a convertible auto with the top down, pulled a trailer, and you could carry more junk with you. As an added bonus, you would have two extra wheels to help you keep it in the road, grandpa.
I don't know anyone who pulls a trailer on a day to day basis. Those pulling one are usually on a multi day, or week, or sometimes month (the really lucky ones!) trip. They're not out there to make new land speed records. They're enjoying the country, the company, and the wind. It's all good and to each their own. Most of us take steps to make the experience as safe as possible (pulling a trailer or not) but we all know that riding in general is "not" safe. We're all taking a risk and we all accept that.
The OP was simply inquiring about anyone's experience pulling a trailer and for information references on the subject, trying to learn as much as they can before making the decision on going that route. If you want to make a case against it, that's fine, but implying that anyone who does is stupid or something isn't necessary.
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Last edited by Intrepid175; Mar 26, 2011 at 01:20 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 65
From: Earth
I pull a Cycle Mate 100 trailer with my Ultra. Never really seen what the big deal is. The trailer tracks nice and never had any issues with it. I have been in all kind of weather and conditions speeds ect. If you ride with the knowledge of pulling a trailer and adjust accordingly when needed just as you would in a car or truck. It really is no big deal. I can not understand why folks get so a$$ed up about this. If you never pulled one, not sure why your comments are needed on here. Just my .02 worth.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 1
I have a home made HF trailer with added pretties. Pulled it all over the past 3 years and love it. We extended the tongue, and it goes all the way through the frame to the back brace for support. As far as tongue weight goes, never weighed it, just lift it and if it feels too heavy for what I think I am doing, than it more than likely is. I keep all the heavy stuff over the axle and then pack around it and secure it in place with a cargo bungee to keep it in place and from shifting. Never moves and never a problem. Nothing in our saddle bags except jackets and I pull it with a TC88 EGC.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 48
From: WI
All you trailer towing old folks ought to just sell your bikes and put a camper on your pickups and then you will have all the comforts of home. Better yet, just get a motor home, then you can drag your entire house with you. You spoiled folks take the whole spirit out of motorcycling. To answer the naysayers. No, I don't take a cooler, you should not be drinking alcohol while riding anyway, if I want a cool drink it is available at almost every gas stop. No, I don't cook, there are restaurants everywhere, I don't have to carry all the cooking crap, and don't have to do dishes. Yes, I stay in Motels part of the time, for the price of one of those trailers you drag around I can stay in a lot of motels. And last, I like to ride my HD, not herd it, I don't ride like some grandpa at 55 mph on the highways, and 40mph thru the mountains. I ride the bike like it was intended, going into curves like only a motorcycle can do, doing 90 mph in short spurts every now and then, in short I try to keep my Harley handling as a motorcycle should, not as a Kenworth. Anything I hate more on a mountain road is a VW bus or a trailer towing bike in front of me, they both will block the road every time. Nuff said.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
I pull an Aluma trailer with my 95 inch Road King and Kyryakyn hitch. Tongue weight really is the key. Thru mountains and twisties I almost never know it is behind me. Looks in the mirror remind me. Wife and I can live on bike a long time. I feel much safer with trailer than top heavy tour pack with rack bag on top needed for long trips. Cross winds thru the plaines are also easier with the trailer than top heavy pack on pack.