Sturgis 2013 From Florida
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,980
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
A trailer isn't a must for a couple riding double on a long trip but it sure is a nice luxury.
For the small amount of extra gas that you may use, as well as a rear tire that you will have to replace a little more often, and the ability to carry extra necessities is well worth a few, small scarifices.
Be sure to get a coupler for the trailer tongue that swivels.
This will protect your hitch and fender from damage should you tip your bike over too far.
For the small amount of extra gas that you may use, as well as a rear tire that you will have to replace a little more often, and the ability to carry extra necessities is well worth a few, small scarifices.
Be sure to get a coupler for the trailer tongue that swivels.
This will protect your hitch and fender from damage should you tip your bike over too far.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville
Thanks for the suggestion of the ride planner, we will definately look into that. Do you ever use KOA type campgrounds, or hotel/motel only? We are thinking that we would do both depending where we are and how we feel. Also, did you use a trailer during your trip to the Grand Canyon? Of course we will take photos of our journey to share...
Thanks again,
Steve
Thanks again,
Steve
We are strictly Hampton Inn kind of travelers. Nothing beats a soft bed and free breakfast after 400-500 miles in the saddle. As for a trailer, we loaded up the T-bags. Which brings up a point, do not pack a lot of clothing. We wore the same riding clothes (jeans and tees) for a couple of days and then used the hotel's laundry to clean up.
Last edited by Chaz in TN; Sep 27, 2012 at 03:55 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 764
Likes: 42
From: Pensacola, FL
If you need more than the bike will handle, use FEDEX or UPS and ship the extra stuff to your destination. When you leave ship it home. My wife and I did this on a 2 week trip back in '06 and it worked fine.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Plantation, FL
I don't know if you can rent a small trailer or not but in 2008 I built one from a kit I got on eBay. It is a flatbed and I assembled it in less than a day except for the bed, a sheet of plywood that you have to provide yourself. I took a measurement and had Lowes cut a piece of 5/8" plywood to my spec. I went a little overboard and used interior grade oak laminated plywood which I painted with Sherwin Williams 2 part clear prior to installing. The first photo below shows the trailer attached to my 2003 Ultra. I got the hitch and the wiring from J&P Cycles. At that time, the hitch cost me more than the completed trailer.
As for towing the trailer, the Ultra did not know it was back there. It was a much better way to haul this much stuff without overloading the bike and makeing it topheavy and unstable.
I did have one minor problem though. At some point on the way home, the license plate cracked from vibration and left the trailer (except for a shard where the screws were). The second photo shows the loaded trailer with the missing plate. I used the trailer again last year and I reinforced the plate with a piece of .090" aluminum. This time the complete tail light and license plate assembly broke off somewhere in Missouri on the way home (no photo). The plate needs to be attached to the rear crossmember of the trailer instead of the the tail light bracket.
All in all, this was a very economical way to trailer my gear to Sturgis and back. Unlike shipping, this method is reuseable.
As for towing the trailer, the Ultra did not know it was back there. It was a much better way to haul this much stuff without overloading the bike and makeing it topheavy and unstable.
I did have one minor problem though. At some point on the way home, the license plate cracked from vibration and left the trailer (except for a shard where the screws were). The second photo shows the loaded trailer with the missing plate. I used the trailer again last year and I reinforced the plate with a piece of .090" aluminum. This time the complete tail light and license plate assembly broke off somewhere in Missouri on the way home (no photo). The plate needs to be attached to the rear crossmember of the trailer instead of the the tail light bracket.
All in all, this was a very economical way to trailer my gear to Sturgis and back. Unlike shipping, this method is reuseable.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 247
From: Florida
I have just completed a ride from Tampa - Chicago - LA, total of 4900 miles with my wife, all our luggage went in the bags and case on rack. You do not need a trailer, just pack light, I know your wife will find this hard but its surprising just how little you can get away with, plus I guarantee you will be buying shirts and stuff on route!
Hey we are even fitting a tour pak for our return journey next year as we know it will give us extra space to buy extra stuff, if we can do it I know you can.
Hey we are even fitting a tour pak for our return journey next year as we know it will give us extra space to buy extra stuff, if we can do it I know you can.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
Thanks for the suggestion of the ride planner, we will definately look into that. Do you ever use KOA type campgrounds, or hotel/motel only? We are thinking that we would do both depending where we are and how we feel. Also, did you use a trailer during your trip to the Grand Canyon? Of course we will take photos of our journey to share...
Thanks again,
Steve
Thanks again,
Steve
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, FL
Shimi- I'm pretty much in the same boat as you..I'm down in Ocala and it is my plan to do the Sturgis ride on '13 as well..my wife isn't keen on such a long trip, but I think I'm ready.. let's keep in touch and maybe we can do it at the same time..my first stop when I come that way is always Pensacola, as I lived there for 30 years and still have family and friends there..keep in touch!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 792
From: Kansas City, Missouri
If camping in Sturgis during bike week and like to party. I suggest staying at a camp site where the party bus runs from the camp into town and back. It's like $15.00 a night. The ride into town and back is worth it. No worries except missing the bus. I won't ride after drinking. I'm just don't think the outcome is worth the risk.