thinking about pulling a trailer...
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
IF, on the other hand, you are in to putting 600-1000 miles a weekend on the bike, plus ride it EVERY day, rain or shine, because you WANT to and enjoy it, then when it comes time, you look at all the ways available to make the bike meet your needs. I bought as big of a T-Bag as I was comfortable putting on the Heritage for this last trip, and packing for 8 days using it, the saddle bags and the "space age" roll up air bags worked...but I also realized that most of our point to point riding with all the luggage would have been easier on me and the bike if there was another way to pack...and thus the trailer idea.
I COULD put the BIKE on a trailer, pack the Escalade and go THAT way, but if I can haul everything that we may need for say, 15-30 days out and enjoy the open air and knees in the wind, then why not explore that option?
I bought the bike to ride, not to be a chrome/blackout ***** bar hopper, and have done a BUNCH of just that, riding, since some of you were an itch in your daddy's pants.
Thanks for your input, now go polish your bike so you can go ride and try to look cool. And I will continue to find more ways to make my bike as useful and as pleasant for me and my wife to ride the way WE want to.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, SC
I was hoping there was going to be some talk about what works with trailers and which were recommended. But I guess not. The only way my wife will go on a trip with me on the bike is to have a trailer. There isnt even enough room for just her stuff in the T-bag and saddlebags!
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
Yep, I thought about that...and if I was going to pull it with my Road King, I woulda gone and asked them...but since I want to pull it with my Heritage, thought maybe someone here might be a better place to start...
I have a Kompact Kamp trailer I tow with my 08 Heritage. I got a Khrome Works hitch.
I have put about 20k on this setup no problems. It will wear your rear tire out pretty fast, and I had to put in a HD clutch spring due to it slipping with the extra weight. I have also added a cooler rack for the tongue(not pictured here). We couldn't have done our cross country trip without it.
We ended up camping 17 out of 24 days. Here is a link to more picture from that trip http://softailscenery.weebly.com/x-country-day-1-4.html
I know it's not as cool to have a trailer, but it sure is nice. Screw everybody else do what you got to do, still better then in a cage anyday!
I have put about 20k on this setup no problems. It will wear your rear tire out pretty fast, and I had to put in a HD clutch spring due to it slipping with the extra weight. I have also added a cooler rack for the tongue(not pictured here). We couldn't have done our cross country trip without it.
We ended up camping 17 out of 24 days. Here is a link to more picture from that trip http://softailscenery.weebly.com/x-country-day-1-4.html
I know it's not as cool to have a trailer, but it sure is nice. Screw everybody else do what you got to do, still better then in a cage anyday!
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
I have a Kompact Kamp trailer I tow with my 08 Heritage. I got a Khrome Works hitch.
I have put about 20k on this setup no problems. It will wear your rear tire out pretty fast, and I had to put in a HD clutch spring due to it slipping with the extra weight. I have also added a cooler rack for the tongue(not pictured here). We couldn't have done our cross country trip without it.
We ended up camping 17 out of 24 days. Here is a link to more picture from that trip http://softailscenery.weebly.com/x-country-day-1-4.html
I know it's not as cool to have a trailer, but it sure is nice. Screw everybody else do what you got to do, still better then in a cage anyday!
I have put about 20k on this setup no problems. It will wear your rear tire out pretty fast, and I had to put in a HD clutch spring due to it slipping with the extra weight. I have also added a cooler rack for the tongue(not pictured here). We couldn't have done our cross country trip without it.
We ended up camping 17 out of 24 days. Here is a link to more picture from that trip http://softailscenery.weebly.com/x-country-day-1-4.html
I know it's not as cool to have a trailer, but it sure is nice. Screw everybody else do what you got to do, still better then in a cage anyday!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
I've been doing "divorce" social work for about twelve years now. Enjoy, but don't think that yet another partner will solve much in the long run.
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I'm not sure about total weight, I load the trailer with heavier stuff in the back to keep the tongue weight low. Let the trailer tires handle the extra weight. I don't think I have had more then 200 pounds in it, the trailer can do up to 450, but I'd never have it that heavy. I only have camping stuff, clothes, beer, etc.
You do have to give yourself more room for braking when towing a trailer and accel tends to be a bit slower, but turning and going down the highway I forget that it's even back there.
You do have to give yourself more room for braking when towing a trailer and accel tends to be a bit slower, but turning and going down the highway I forget that it's even back there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,417
Likes: 12
From: North Texas
The down side to having a trailor for your wifes stuff is it gives them room to bring more stuff back. Soon you will need a bigger trailor. Tried that once. Then got rid of the trailor and that wife.