Pull Behind Trailer single wheel vs two wheels?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,521
Likes: 57,072
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Afford a trailer? I'm in Ga, not Ala. A cousin has nothing to do with my $40,000 bike... You can have whatever you like on or behind your bike. I was asking/saying WHY? Why the extra strain on the bike, the extra weight plus the fat lady drinking a NON-Diet coke on back with a McChicken in her hand is enough weight. No, I have a weight limit of 140 for a passenger... I'm the only fat chic that is riding on my bike! Gross Weight limits and pulling weight limits are different, I understand, but why have it at all??? Those are the folks that are going slow enough to wave at ya when the limp by because they are slowed by the trailer. If you feel the need to haul that much stuff, put it on a trailer, fire up your $500,000 motor home and go for a mear 3 day trip.. Trailer...Please... It's not an affordable issue here, it's lack of knowing how to survive as a true biker like in the 60"s or even the 70's. You put a 4x6 pup tent on the handle bars and go! I bet your trailer pullers have a freaking toilet on it too... And wet naps for your butt! OR Depends....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 4
From: On. Canada
Seems to me that jj was asking for single wheel or the two wheel pull behind trailer thoughts and advice. Yet once again the haters take this thread and make it something it shouldn't be.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 11
From: USA
If your considering a trailer give thought to how you will use it. I hook mine up, load it up, pull it to my destination, unload it, unhook it, lock it up and tour the local area. We do Sturgis, Duluth MN and LaCross WI every summer. I don't pull a trailer when we are touring Mondoro Cut or Wildcat Mountain or Iron Mountain road in Black Hills, the trailer is back at the hotel. But if I was going to pull a trailer through twisties I quess I'd look for a single wheel trailer, although I admit I have NEVER had a problem pulling a trailer on any road I've been on. Maybe some people have to have a 3k dollar trailer behind their 30k dollar bike, but I'd worry a lot less about my 300 dollar trailer being left in a parking lot than I do a 3k dollar trailer. I don't worry much that my trailer isn't "fancy" enough for my bike, when it's hooked up and I'm going down the road I can't see it anyway and when I get to where I'm going it's unhooked and I'm not worrying about somebody stealing it, I have it locked up anyway.
People who warn you of a fiery death from pulling a trailer simply have never pulled one. There's really nothing to it if you use your head.
People who warn you of a fiery death from pulling a trailer simply have never pulled one. There's really nothing to it if you use your head.
Last edited by 472viper; Nov 1, 2014 at 11:03 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 161
From: Booming metropolis
OP I have not pulled one. I saw a bunch in and around Montana South Dakota area this summer. There were some pretty nice ones too. I saw a yellow one with a single wheel being pulled by a guy with a yellow goldwing. His front windshield light up in purple displaying the name of his billiard club and sports bar in jersey I think.
That guy pulled in and out of the lot in red lodge Montana with such ease not scraping wobbling of the trailer that I thought if I ever decided to get one it would be a single rear wheel model.
Don't know the brand. I would love to have a tent model but those days are behind me also.
That guy pulled in and out of the lot in red lodge Montana with such ease not scraping wobbling of the trailer that I thought if I ever decided to get one it would be a single rear wheel model.
Don't know the brand. I would love to have a tent model but those days are behind me also.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
Not sure I understand all the back and forth on this.
If a rider wants to carry a passenger they add a sissy bar comfy rear seat, and rear pegs.
If they want to carry more stuff they get a bike with saddlebags. Bigger bags hold more stuff.
If still not enough they add the size tour pak to hold the amount of stuff they require.
If not enough (like going camping) they hook on a trailer of a size sufficient to carry their stuff.
If even more people or stuff is needed (even a dog) a side car is till an option.
The more people and stuff they carry, the more loaded down the bike becomes and perhaps less performance.
Everybody gets to decide for themselves their balance on stuff vs drivability. If carrying more stuff bugs you, then just take less stuff. If you need to carry more stuff, then suck it up and deal with the additional weight.
Hope everybody ends up with just the right amount of stuff that makes them happy.
Hope I did not sound too much like George Carlin here.
Worry more about your own stuff, and less about other people's stuff.
If a rider wants to carry a passenger they add a sissy bar comfy rear seat, and rear pegs.
If they want to carry more stuff they get a bike with saddlebags. Bigger bags hold more stuff.
If still not enough they add the size tour pak to hold the amount of stuff they require.
If not enough (like going camping) they hook on a trailer of a size sufficient to carry their stuff.
If even more people or stuff is needed (even a dog) a side car is till an option.
The more people and stuff they carry, the more loaded down the bike becomes and perhaps less performance.
Everybody gets to decide for themselves their balance on stuff vs drivability. If carrying more stuff bugs you, then just take less stuff. If you need to carry more stuff, then suck it up and deal with the additional weight.
Hope everybody ends up with just the right amount of stuff that makes them happy.
Hope I did not sound too much like George Carlin here.
Worry more about your own stuff, and less about other people's stuff.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,521
Likes: 57,072
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Not sure I understand all the back and forth on this.
If a rider wants to carry a passenger they add a sissy bar comfy rear seat, and rear pegs.
If they want to carry more stuff they get a bike with saddlebags. Bigger bags hold more stuff.
If still not enough they add the size tour pak to hold the amount of stuff they require.
If not enough (like going camping) they hook on a trailer of a size sufficient to carry their stuff.
If even more people or stuff is needed (even a dog) a side car is till an option.
The more people and stuff they carry, the more loaded down the bike becomes and perhaps less performance.
Everybody gets to decide for themselves their balance on stuff vs drivability. If carrying more stuff bugs you, then just take less stuff. If you need to carry more stuff, then suck it up and deal with the additional weight.
Hope everybody ends up with just the right amount of stuff that makes them happy.
Hope I did not sound too much like George Carlin here.
Worry more about your own stuff, and less about other people's stuff.
If a rider wants to carry a passenger they add a sissy bar comfy rear seat, and rear pegs.
If they want to carry more stuff they get a bike with saddlebags. Bigger bags hold more stuff.
If still not enough they add the size tour pak to hold the amount of stuff they require.
If not enough (like going camping) they hook on a trailer of a size sufficient to carry their stuff.
If even more people or stuff is needed (even a dog) a side car is till an option.
The more people and stuff they carry, the more loaded down the bike becomes and perhaps less performance.
Everybody gets to decide for themselves their balance on stuff vs drivability. If carrying more stuff bugs you, then just take less stuff. If you need to carry more stuff, then suck it up and deal with the additional weight.
Hope everybody ends up with just the right amount of stuff that makes them happy.
Hope I did not sound too much like George Carlin here.
Worry more about your own stuff, and less about other people's stuff.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
I would go single wheel.....haven't gotten to that point yet....but single wheel lets you stash it in a hotel room. (YUP....I said HOTEL).
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
I have been riding for over 4 decades, about 10 years ago started pulling trailers regularly because the wife wanted more creature comforts when camping.
I have a cargo trailer and a pop up tent trailer.
I have not seen a single wheel trailer that will pull all the stuff she "needs" to take camping.
Also, I use the cargo trailer sometimes when going to pick up something, again size matters. lol
Except for a little slower acceleration, taking a bit longer to slow down, and remembering you are longer when changing lanes, as far as handling I don't even feel it is back there.
One thing I have always had, and would recommend regardless of trailer, is a swivel hitch like pictured below.
__________________
DKCustomProducts.com
DKCustomProducts.com
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
I agree! Why do you want a stinken trailer... A DECENT hotel has a washing machine.. Why do you want to carry dirty clothes? Or anything..cooler? What for? i carry a cooler every day. Beer, wine, food fits fine on a day trip or 3 days... A week? Two weeks???? WASH YOUR CLOTHS!!!! Might as well be riding a gold wing.. geeezzzz... Rookies.... I bet you have a wig glued to your helmet... Lawyers, doctors want to be bikers... My lord.. Probably have GPS too! Why not trailer your bike too.... Then you could take your motor home. Who cares how far you go, adapt, over come... Get change and use a washer and dryer.. If you pull a trailer, you probably are sitting around sippen a pina colada or however you spell it... Gezzzzzzz................... And don't blame it on the wife. SHE IS THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO USING THE WASHER AND DRYER! Or she'll fly to the next state and meet you... Real bikers, huh?
//////////
I haven't gotten a trailer, but giving it consideration. From what I can tell, ya can't go wrong with Bushtec except for the price.