Pulling a trailer
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Mesquite,TX
Pulling a trailer
I have an 09 Ultra Classic, I recently bought a trailer to pull behind the bike. I've only been able to pull it a couple of times so far for short distances and the front end feels a little light. Have any of you experienced this and what have you done to alleviate the problem. Thanks in advance.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
Welcome to the forum from West Texas!
There is a section for trailers, you might want to ask over there as well. What kind of trailer did you get? Each of them load a little differently which will depend how much weight is on the hitch vs on the bike. As with any trailer, you want to load over the axle as much as possible and load out from there. That way the tow vehicle is pulling the load not carrying the load.
There is a section for trailers, you might want to ask over there as well. What kind of trailer did you get? Each of them load a little differently which will depend how much weight is on the hitch vs on the bike. As with any trailer, you want to load over the axle as much as possible and load out from there. That way the tow vehicle is pulling the load not carrying the load.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Livingston, La.
trailer pulling
You need to check your hitch weight. Most MC trailers require no more than 15 lbs at this point. It would take quite a bit more than this to give the impression of having front wheel lift. It appears that you are new to this type of riding. I would look for a local person who has a trailer and see if they may help you set it up in a proper way. I have a aluminum 3x5 trailer that I pull and as has been posted you need to put your heavy items in the axle area of the trailer.Try pulling your trailer empty if this has not been tried and see how the two different loadings feel. Take Care Fairshake
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 191
From: Boise, Idaho
You need to check your hitch weight. Most MC trailers require no more than 15 lbs at this point. It would take quite a bit more than this to give the impression of having front wheel lift. It appears that you are new to this type of riding. I would look for a local person who has a trailer and see if they may help you set it up in a proper way. I have a aluminum 3x5 trailer that I pull and as has been posted you need to put your heavy items in the axle area of the trailer.Try pulling your trailer empty if this has not been tried and see how the two different loadings feel. Take Care Fairshake
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 151
Likes: 11
Re: Pulling a trailer
You may want to check the height of your hitch (ball mount). When I started pulling my Nomad around, my hitch (ball mount) was a bit too low. I had to get a hitch (ball mount) with some rise in it. If you are riding two up with the trailer hooked up, your hitch (ball mount) may be a bit too low, putting more weight on the tongue. (If I understood your post)
I measured the height of the tongue of the trailer sitting level, not hooked up. I then got on my 2009 Electra Glide, had momma get on also, had a friend measure the height of the hitch. That determined that I needed a hitch (ball mount) with a rise.
As others have mentioned, keep the weight in the trailer over the axle.
Hope this helps.
http://www.etrailer.com/faq-ballmount.aspx
I measured the height of the tongue of the trailer sitting level, not hooked up. I then got on my 2009 Electra Glide, had momma get on also, had a friend measure the height of the hitch. That determined that I needed a hitch (ball mount) with a rise.
As others have mentioned, keep the weight in the trailer over the axle.
Hope this helps.
http://www.etrailer.com/faq-ballmount.aspx
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Mesquite,TX
Thanks for the info, as of yet I've only pulled it empty. 6Bull I will check the hitch and coupler heights.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 17
From: Ontario Canada
I have an 09 Ultra Classic, I recently bought a trailer to pull behind the bike. I've only been able to pull it a couple of times so far for short distances and the front end feels a little light. Have any of you experienced this and what have you done to alleviate the problem. Thanks in advance.
find out what the trailer weights loaded as you want it. Take 15% of that and make sure that much is on the hitch.
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