trailer versus loading down the bike
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 689
Likes: 6
From: Glen Rose TX
I hate the idea of dragging a trailer around on a motorcycle. Plus the cost of the trailer and then you say you'd have to pay storage?? NO WAY. Spend the money on light weight camping gear. Shouldn't need more than one saddlebag for your gear. The OL gets one+ and the rest for the camping. Take off with two shirts, two pairs pants and a pair of shorts. If wifey has to have more crap then pack up a box of it and ship it ahead to a place you know you will be stopping at. You can ship stuff back at that point for not much$$ or on to another spot.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Clinton
It seems like the biggest thing I pack is a Cabelas
foam sleeping mat (very comfortable). I have plenty of room if I could
get a nice reliable blow up kind.
Any suggestions that don't leak after 2 hours?
foam sleeping mat (very comfortable). I have plenty of room if I could
get a nice reliable blow up kind.
Any suggestions that don't leak after 2 hours?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 23
From: Ontario
I pulled a trailer for a few years . Probably about half of the stuff I brought never got out of the trailer . The biggest issue with the trailer is it took away all of the things I like best about biking, agility,speed and the immediacy. Having to plan all manouevers a little bit ahead of time became a bit of a pain in the butt . My solution was I kept the hitch and made a rack for it . Tent went there,all other gear is quality backpacking gear . For those looking for a small mattress look to an outdoor store or outfitter for a company calle Thermarest . It self inflates ,comes in various sizes and packs very small.
Stage I
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 56
From: Eastern Iowa
I took the Ultra 2,000 miles to California.
Had both saddlebags, TP full, T-Bag on the TP lid and tent/sleeping bag on the passenger seat.
Just a bit overloaded.
I see travelers overloaded with a babe on the back.
I decided to buy a trailer. Haven't gone on a trip to try it out.
Bought a year-old Road Dog Wide-Track Deluxe from a HOG member for 1/2 price.
Beautiful trailer but it seems Road Dog is out of business.
Planning a trip out west and not sure if I should just run without the trailer.
Nice thing with a trailer, items are out of sight in case I want to sight-see.
Still I'm glad I have the trailer.
Had both saddlebags, TP full, T-Bag on the TP lid and tent/sleeping bag on the passenger seat.
Just a bit overloaded.
I see travelers overloaded with a babe on the back.
I decided to buy a trailer. Haven't gone on a trip to try it out.
Bought a year-old Road Dog Wide-Track Deluxe from a HOG member for 1/2 price.
Beautiful trailer but it seems Road Dog is out of business.
Planning a trip out west and not sure if I should just run without the trailer.
Nice thing with a trailer, items are out of sight in case I want to sight-see.
Still I'm glad I have the trailer.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
I pulled a trailer for a few years . Probably about half of the stuff I brought never got out of the trailer . The biggest issue with the trailer is it took away all of the things I like best about biking, agility,speed and the immediacy. Having to plan all manouevers a little bit ahead of time became a bit of a pain in the butt . My solution was I kept the hitch and made a rack for it . Tent went there,all other gear is quality backpacking gear . For those looking for a small mattress look to an outdoor store or outfitter for a company calle Thermarest . It self inflates ,comes in various sizes and packs very small.
(she may make me eat those words.....lol)
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
I've toured with and without a trailer. All things considered, I'd rather tour without one.
With a trailer I pack more. Things I really don't need, just because I can. Then the bike works harder, is louder, hotter, and gets worse gas mileage. Tolls can also eat through your wallet.
As badly as fiberglass reflects exhaust noise back at you, I can't imagine how strongly an aluminum trailer would reflect it.
But, if you really have to travel heavily loaded, pulling the load behind the bike leaves the bike a lot more stable than having it all perched up on top of the bike.
With a trailer I pack more. Things I really don't need, just because I can. Then the bike works harder, is louder, hotter, and gets worse gas mileage. Tolls can also eat through your wallet.
As badly as fiberglass reflects exhaust noise back at you, I can't imagine how strongly an aluminum trailer would reflect it.
But, if you really have to travel heavily loaded, pulling the load behind the bike leaves the bike a lot more stable than having it all perched up on top of the bike.
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