Pull Behind Trailer single wheel vs two wheels?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
I can remember back in the day we didn't have saddle bags. If we used anything it was usually a pillow case tied to the bars or seat and if we were lucky enough to have a sleeping bag, back then they were huge and thick.
That was some 40 - years ago. We have gotten older and wiser. We paid our dues through time, yes it is called old school.
If your young or in good enough shape you can do the old school thing if you may but for me my dues have been paid. There is no reason to be uncomfortable any more.
For me it is easier to use the trailer and ride it like I prefer it, street glide look. Less stress and less weight o hold up at stop signs.
I prefer a single wheel trailer.
Any trailer with a good suspension will work well.
Only problem with most home built trailer is the suspension is over looked or a short cut was taken.
Every wreck I have ever seen with a trailer is either rider error or it was a home made trailer but each problem was caused of the suspension wasn't built to take it.
We have 2 Dyana bikes and there is no way I would take a trip on either of them. They are for short rides, 400 miles or less in in a day. A muliti day ride no way.
It is a lot easier on me to use a trailer than to hold up a 1,200-1,400 lb bike for a couple of weeks.
My trailer on my pro street trike
I also pull it with my street glide. On the trikes you have to stop to make sure it is still there. No joke.
I also get to do my grocery shopping with it and save $$ on gas. 36mpg compared to 16 mpg.
That was some 40 - years ago. We have gotten older and wiser. We paid our dues through time, yes it is called old school.
If your young or in good enough shape you can do the old school thing if you may but for me my dues have been paid. There is no reason to be uncomfortable any more.
For me it is easier to use the trailer and ride it like I prefer it, street glide look. Less stress and less weight o hold up at stop signs.
I prefer a single wheel trailer.
Any trailer with a good suspension will work well.
Only problem with most home built trailer is the suspension is over looked or a short cut was taken.
Every wreck I have ever seen with a trailer is either rider error or it was a home made trailer but each problem was caused of the suspension wasn't built to take it.
We have 2 Dyana bikes and there is no way I would take a trip on either of them. They are for short rides, 400 miles or less in in a day. A muliti day ride no way.
It is a lot easier on me to use a trailer than to hold up a 1,200-1,400 lb bike for a couple of weeks.
My trailer on my pro street trike
I also pull it with my street glide. On the trikes you have to stop to make sure it is still there. No joke.
I also get to do my grocery shopping with it and save $$ on gas. 36mpg compared to 16 mpg.
Last edited by dirtdobber; Nov 1, 2014 at 09:07 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
Some good points have been made. Like I said earlier, I've given the trailer thing some consideration. For what I would use it for, the N-Line would be my choice. But, given it's weight limitations, it might not work for some. In a two wheel I would look for a good used Bushtec. I've never looked into the fold out camper type because at my age my idea of camping is a Holiday Inn Express.......!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
I'm too Damm broken for sleeping on the ground but I understand the need for a trailer. When I have my wife with me. Her gear almost outweighs her. My tourpak luggage rack and bags are packed to the max. We followed two ultras pulling trailers on the Going to the sun Hwy. Neither had any issues. I LMAO when we saw them at the hotel in Whitefish. They were hauling beer and golf clubs.
Last edited by RevBlk; Nov 2, 2014 at 01:06 AM. Reason: sp
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 1,754
From: New Bern NC
Some good points have been made. Like I said earlier, I've given the trailer thing some consideration. For what I would use it for, the N-Line would be my choice. But, given it's weight limitations, it might not work for some. In a two wheel I would look for a good used Bushtec. I've never looked into the fold out camper type because at my age my idea of camping is a Holiday Inn Express.......!
Just My
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 498
Likes: 28
From: Iowa
Don't know if it's been mentioned and don't know if it matters, but single wheel trailers transfer more weight to the hitch than 2 wheelers.
That may or may not affect ride, don't know cause i've never had a single wheeler.
That may or may not affect ride, don't know cause i've never had a single wheeler.
You are right. Per the Uni-Go specs, it weighs 70 lbs with a 110 lb cargo capacity. Then under tounge wieght it says 1/3 of the loaded trailer weight. 70+110 is 180lbs, 1/3 of that is 60lbs on the tongue. Most hitches I have seen for bikes are rated at 50lbs or less tongue weight. The NLine trailers box is further in front of the wheel then the Uni-Go, so it would appear they put even more weight on the tongue of the hitch. With a 2 wheel trailer you are suppose to have 10% of the total weight on the tounge. My trailer is 174lbs and a 14lb tongue weight empty. If I pack 126lbs cargo that would make the total weight 300lbs , properly loaded I would only have around 30 lbs on the tounge. Half the weight of a single wheel trailer weighing 180 lbs loaded.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 7
From: D/FW Texas
Ok, point taken... I'm 60 years old, with a bad back and other health issues. But I have been riding for 40 of those years. So sleeping on the ground was alot of fun, and I really enjoyed it when I was able. I can't do it anymore. Excuse my rant on trailers, but even if I was able to camp and enjoy sleeping under the stars I still wouldn't want to pull a trailer. Like you have stated, ride, drive, and stay where you choose to. Having fun is the object....
I apologize to you folks whom own/pull trailers with your motorcycle. No matter what kind of bike it is...
I apologize to you folks whom own/pull trailers with your motorcycle. No matter what kind of bike it is...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
On the N-Line; their site says, weight 85 lbs, max load 100 lbs. I think they have done their homework on this trailer. They need more info on their web-site I think about this weight thing.
Good video:
http://n-line.com/
Specs:
http://n-line.com/products/single-wh...cycle-trailer/
Good video:
http://n-line.com/
Specs:
http://n-line.com/products/single-wh...cycle-trailer/
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
I would never give up my two wheeled trailer, I use it for camping and some general purpose hauling but I would love to pick up an N-Line trailer for road trips when I'm doing the hotel thing. Most of my riding buddy's have tourpak's and while I sometimes wish I had the extra space (trips with the wife) I have absolutly no interest in having one. I think the ride would be much less afffected by an N-Line trailer where the weight is on the ground vs the weight of a fully packed pizza box ABOVE and BEHIND the rear axle. The worst possible place to load the bike.
Just My
Just My
