bagger bumber towing
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I have trailers and bike will fit in bed of truck. problems I run into is no where to park trailer, and no safe way to get bike out of truck, once I get to destination. I ride It most of the time, but hard to carry all that is needed for a 10 day stay out of town with 2 people. leathers alone can fill the bags.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Used to see these a fair bit, but I haven't seen them in use for some years now. That alone tells me something.
Those I've seen had dubious security measures for actually holding the bike on. I suspect this is the big reason they've faded away, too many bikes falling sideways or off completely while going down the road. Especially if they have to strapping onto the tow vehicle. Then you'll have slack straps when you hit a valley, and tight straps when you crest a rise. Seems like a good way to have a strap fall off or break.
I suspect they are pretty durn hard to load the bike up onto. The higher the tow vehicle, like a 4x4 truck, probably the harder it is to load the bike onto it.
You'll be pulling the bike down the center of the roadway. Right where there it is the oiliest, and where you tend to straddle things you don't want to hit.
Those I've seen had dubious security measures for actually holding the bike on. I suspect this is the big reason they've faded away, too many bikes falling sideways or off completely while going down the road. Especially if they have to strapping onto the tow vehicle. Then you'll have slack straps when you hit a valley, and tight straps when you crest a rise. Seems like a good way to have a strap fall off or break.
I suspect they are pretty durn hard to load the bike up onto. The higher the tow vehicle, like a 4x4 truck, probably the harder it is to load the bike onto it.
You'll be pulling the bike down the center of the roadway. Right where there it is the oiliest, and where you tend to straddle things you don't want to hit.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 283
Likes: 44
From: WV
but if you need even more room check out a trailer hitch rack. That's what I did and use a soft side cooler for more storage or picnic lunch on one day trips. We have done several 10 day + trips no problem. Actually just got the rack for our latest trip. Made it just fine without it but wanted more room to carry a spare helmet.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 555
Likes: 93
From:
I saw an add for towing the bike with the front tire up on a chock while the rear tire stays on the ground. I was wondering if anyone has used this method and what are the pros and cons?
add miles, when not running.
bad for transmission.
easy loading and unloading.
possible clearance issues.
add miles, when not running.
bad for transmission.
easy loading and unloading.
possible clearance issues.
A LOT of stress on the neck bearings that is NOT supposed to be there........
YMMV
Lon
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
but if you need even more room check out a trailer hitch rack. That's what I did and use a soft side cooler for more storage or picnic lunch on one day trips. We have done several 10 day + trips no problem. Actually just got the rack for our latest trip. Made it just fine without it but wanted more room to carry a spare helmet.
I'd also be curious if you've had any grief from a cop, since it appears to block the licence plate and the brake and tail light.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
but if you need even more room check out a trailer hitch rack. That's what I did and use a soft side cooler for more storage or picnic lunch on one day trips. We have done several 10 day + trips no problem. Actually just got the rack for our latest trip. Made it just fine without it but wanted more room to carry a spare helmet.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
The few times I have had to trailer I just rented a U-Haul. I do understand that people up here like to trailer south during the winter and prefer an enclosed. Snow/ice and salt aside I would use a stinger or kendon before using the method the OP is asking about.
Last edited by todd-67; Sep 6, 2017 at 05:41 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 283
Likes: 44
From: WV
How's the handling on that? I'm curious about the impact it's had on the ride, braking and handling of the bike carrying the load like that.
I'd also be curious if you've had any grief from a cop, since it appears to block the licence plate and the brake and tail light.
I'd also be curious if you've had any grief from a cop, since it appears to block the licence plate and the brake and tail light.
As for lights. With the bag i have on there it blocks the tail light but not the turns. To compensate i installwd all led lights and converted tour pack lights to run brake turn. And I have a 15" led run brake light installed on the rack.
I had same concerns about the plates and almost relocated them to the rack, which would be pretty simple to do but with the bag you can still see them. Not easy but their not easy to see on an ultra anyway. I went through 11 states and crosses the Canadian border and back with no issues. Border guards plate reader couldn't see them so they had to step to the rear of bike to get the number but both said no problem.
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
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,980
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
In my time, I've had several trailers (two enclosed) that I've used to transport my (our) bikes on trips, and I've also had (still have one) two tow-behind-the-bike cargo trailers that worked out really well when we rode two-up.
Now that my wife rides her own bike and we both have saddlebags and a tour pack. the little trailer is no longer necessary.
I've parked my truck an trailer at motels, on private property and in trailer rental spaces and I've never had any bad incidents but that is always a possibility.
As for the "bumper" mounted dolly, I see that as a last resort in transporting a disabled bike home or to the repair shop. I'd never use it for long distance towing.
I've only loaded and hauled one motorcycle in a truck bed as it is a PIA for loading and unloading, and secondly, doing so is dangerous.
The only way that I'd consider transporting my bike in my pickup bed would if I had one of those power-loading units and they're fairly expensive, but definitely worth the investment if you use them frequently enough to justify the expense.
Now that my wife rides her own bike and we both have saddlebags and a tour pack. the little trailer is no longer necessary.
I've parked my truck an trailer at motels, on private property and in trailer rental spaces and I've never had any bad incidents but that is always a possibility.
As for the "bumper" mounted dolly, I see that as a last resort in transporting a disabled bike home or to the repair shop. I'd never use it for long distance towing.
I've only loaded and hauled one motorcycle in a truck bed as it is a PIA for loading and unloading, and secondly, doing so is dangerous.
The only way that I'd consider transporting my bike in my pickup bed would if I had one of those power-loading units and they're fairly expensive, but definitely worth the investment if you use them frequently enough to justify the expense.