Ive been pulling my homemade barrell trailer for years. The heaviest ive had it is almost 500lbs and it rode like a dream. The only time I really notice it is when we hit the big hills. Still my 88 incher has plenty of power to pull it. Just have to be smart when towing a trailer. Remember its "touring" not "racing" Take your time. Think before you act. Weaving in and out of traffic like your on a rice rocket isnt something Id do while towing.

 

I picked this up last summer. It holds everything that I would normally put in my tourpak and saddlebag liners. I don't carry anything on my scoot except my wife. It tracks like a dream.

 

In 08 I bought a trailer to head to Alaska in 09. In 08 I used it for a 2600 mile round trip to Sturgis for a shake down.

When I got back, I put it on a forum that the first person to show up at my door could have it with the title for free.

It was like driving a car. Needed to keep track of your position in the lane and when turning corners. Don't hit a big bump while going around a corner. The trailer will lift and try to pass you.

Be very careful of speed and slow down way before intersections. I just did not like the lack of freedom to maneuver quickly like you can on an unburdened bike.

Got an Ultra in 010 and don't need no stinking trailer.

 

I'm really not trying to flame you but I read this and the first thing that came to mind was, "well duh!"

Pulling a trailer with a bike (or four wheeler for that matter) isn't for everyone but they can be darned handy for many and downright indispensable for others but either way, there will be trade off's compared to riding without one. If it didn't turn out to be your thing, that's cool!

Ride Safe,
Steve R.

 

Ya ever get your bike out of 2nd gear with all that stuff in there?

 

Id like to see some pics of the frame of that baby. I want to build a single wheel and have some idea on how im going to do it but i want to get as much info as i can before i start so i dont have to modify anything or scrap a project. Im a build once...build it right kinda guy.

 

I have pulled a trailer now with three bikes. Two previous bikes (a GW 1200 and a GW 1500) and now the UC. Two very different trailers, although both cargo trailers. The trailer has provided a lot of flexibility, comfort and utility travelling two up with your wife, or in tandem with your family and your wife on her bike on long trips. And as my wife reminds me - the shopping opportunities are endless...
Seriously, towing a trailer is not a big issue but you do have to be more careful and cognizant that it is behind you.

 

here is the trailer I built in 06

 

I just remembered something cool from Sturgis 07.....on the way home we passed what appeared to be a pop up camper going down the road by itself doing about 55mph. As we got to the front of the camper we noticed it was attatched to an old early 80s Yamaha of some kind!!! Im not talking about a motorcycle specific camper....im talkin a late 70s pop up!! Some people have huge *****.......or small brains.

 

One thing nobody has mentioned yet, and that's to avoid stopping on an uphill grade. I was leaving a rally site with my trailer behind me and got stuck in traffic on an uphill gravel slope. That won't happen again.

For those who say pulling a trailer in unsafe...how do you feel about a top heavy motorcycle?