Trailers (fer pullin')
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,191
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From: NW AR
Trailers (fer pullin')
I've been thinking about building a trailer for pulling stuff with behind the bike, not for putting a bike on. I have been paying attention to the various trailers people have, including home builts, store boughts of several styles, and I once saw a guy on a Evo FLHT pulling a small but full size tent trailer like would be behind a car.
Right now with everything bungied on for camping, I'm pretty wide and pretty heavy. Tent (AKA The Condo) on the right saddle bag rails, helmets on the left, clothes bungied on the tour pack, sleeping bag behind me, extra saddle bags on the saddle bag rails, etc.
I don't want anything too big. I think about the width of my bike between the saddle bag rails. And not too long so I don't have parking issues, and not too heavy. Of course, beer cooler on the tounge or incorporated otherwise. Enough storage space so that I can get some weight off the bike, as I seem to be carrying more and more tools as everything ages and what used to be my half bag of tools is now approaching a full bag. And room for the sleeping bag, tent, etc. Small battery and a solar panel to run a Peltier type beer cooler? Electric brakes?
What are some good hitch designs for a FLHT? I've seen some, and I'm handy with CAD (for an amateur) and I use the chicken plant manufacturing shop for my waterjet needs, so if I know what it looks like and where it attaches I can make it from scratch out of 304 stainless.
What are some good types of trailers? I've seen:
* Single wheel that leans with the bike (how do these attach?)
* 2 18" MC wheels
* 2 10" or 12" wheels
* Leaf spring suspension
* Coil spring suspension
* No suspension
I also thought about making a spring system from a cut down McPherson Strut assembly with a lower A arm.
My wife really liked the MC tent trailer at the convention center in Sturgis. They were fairly small, bigger than my width specs, of course, but fairly small and expanded out huge with a kitchen table, bed, etc. I don't think I really want that. They also cost about four large.
I'm thinking space frame with fiberglass or aluminum skin, fiberglass hinged top section (lay the solar panels in it?) Recessed wheels so that external fenders are not needed. Other suggestions?
It has to be aerodynamic and also needs to have no issues going 95MPH in a cross wind passing an 18 wheeler.
Ideas? Pics? Links to ones you own or have heard good things about?
This is a longer term project. I am still up to my eyeballs in current projects, but I'm at the thinking stage on this one.
Right now with everything bungied on for camping, I'm pretty wide and pretty heavy. Tent (AKA The Condo) on the right saddle bag rails, helmets on the left, clothes bungied on the tour pack, sleeping bag behind me, extra saddle bags on the saddle bag rails, etc.
I don't want anything too big. I think about the width of my bike between the saddle bag rails. And not too long so I don't have parking issues, and not too heavy. Of course, beer cooler on the tounge or incorporated otherwise. Enough storage space so that I can get some weight off the bike, as I seem to be carrying more and more tools as everything ages and what used to be my half bag of tools is now approaching a full bag. And room for the sleeping bag, tent, etc. Small battery and a solar panel to run a Peltier type beer cooler? Electric brakes?
What are some good hitch designs for a FLHT? I've seen some, and I'm handy with CAD (for an amateur) and I use the chicken plant manufacturing shop for my waterjet needs, so if I know what it looks like and where it attaches I can make it from scratch out of 304 stainless.
What are some good types of trailers? I've seen:
* Single wheel that leans with the bike (how do these attach?)
* 2 18" MC wheels
* 2 10" or 12" wheels
* Leaf spring suspension
* Coil spring suspension
* No suspension
I also thought about making a spring system from a cut down McPherson Strut assembly with a lower A arm.
My wife really liked the MC tent trailer at the convention center in Sturgis. They were fairly small, bigger than my width specs, of course, but fairly small and expanded out huge with a kitchen table, bed, etc. I don't think I really want that. They also cost about four large.
I'm thinking space frame with fiberglass or aluminum skin, fiberglass hinged top section (lay the solar panels in it?) Recessed wheels so that external fenders are not needed. Other suggestions?
It has to be aerodynamic and also needs to have no issues going 95MPH in a cross wind passing an 18 wheeler.
Ideas? Pics? Links to ones you own or have heard good things about?
This is a longer term project. I am still up to my eyeballs in current projects, but I'm at the thinking stage on this one.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,602
Likes: 5
From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area
RE: Trailers (fer pullin')
Heck check out E-Bay or any GOLD WING site - They always have them for sale...
(I know I pulled a Camping Trailer behind my GW for 1000's of miles - But no more the wife says HOTEL!! (lol))
E-Bay also list a few trailer hitches... I have always liked a receiver type as they aren't as noticable when not in use....
(I know I pulled a Camping Trailer behind my GW for 1000's of miles - But no more the wife says HOTEL!! (lol))
E-Bay also list a few trailer hitches... I have always liked a receiver type as they aren't as noticable when not in use....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
RE: Trailers (fer pullin')
Take a look at Uni-Go trailers. Single wheel, enough capacity to carry your camping gear, & you can't tell it's back there. I have one from my BMW days, & may pickup a hitch for my RG if I need more carry room.
www.uni-go.com will get you to the manufacturers site, but some good buys on used ones can usually be found on the "classified forum" at bmwlt.com.
www.uni-go.com will get you to the manufacturers site, but some good buys on used ones can usually be found on the "classified forum" at bmwlt.com.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 991
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RE: Trailers (fer pullin')
ORIGINAL: Dr.Hess
It has to be aerodynamic and also needs to have no issues going 95MPH in a cross wind passing an 18 wheeler.
It has to be aerodynamic and also needs to have no issues going 95MPH in a cross wind passing an 18 wheeler.
Rethink the entire trailer idea, riding like that with a trailer will kill you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,500
Likes: 332
From: Blue Grass (KY)
RE: Trailers (fer pullin')
I've been pulling a trailer since 98, hadn't killed me yet[sm=confused06.gif]riding an overloaded bike may[sm=drooldude.gif]
Wife and I went to Biketoberfest on out UC, had every bag loaded with a bag on top of the tour pack rack, bike was very unstable. We over loaded it. The next year I had the trailer, man was this a lot better, handled great, never knew it was back there, I'll never leave without one again.
I started out with a Time-Out dart, 16 CF, did all I asked of it. Sold it and now have a Bushtec GL....this is the cats ***.[sm=groupwave.gif]...no bounce, 24 CF of storage, I can take all I need and may need....Love it.
I don't do camping, hotels for us too.....but if I wanted I could carry just about any type tent I wanted and still have room....
I keep two folding chairs, first aid kit, tools, repair items, along with luggage and still have room.....
Trailers are a big plus for me...and when you get where you're going, just leave it locked up at the hotel.....no brainer....
As for hitches, I like the Krome Werks or Kury.......clean looking to me.
Just my .02......
Wife and I went to Biketoberfest on out UC, had every bag loaded with a bag on top of the tour pack rack, bike was very unstable. We over loaded it. The next year I had the trailer, man was this a lot better, handled great, never knew it was back there, I'll never leave without one again.
I started out with a Time-Out dart, 16 CF, did all I asked of it. Sold it and now have a Bushtec GL....this is the cats ***.[sm=groupwave.gif]...no bounce, 24 CF of storage, I can take all I need and may need....Love it.
I don't do camping, hotels for us too.....but if I wanted I could carry just about any type tent I wanted and still have room....
I keep two folding chairs, first aid kit, tools, repair items, along with luggage and still have room.....
Trailers are a big plus for me...and when you get where you're going, just leave it locked up at the hotel.....no brainer....
As for hitches, I like the Krome Werks or Kury.......clean looking to me.
Just my .02......
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Cuero, Texas
RE: Trailers (fer pullin')
Here is a good website for motorcycle trailer towing. It has a lot info on different trailers, hitches, etc. Even tells you how to build one using Harbor Freight trailer and Sears cartop carrier.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/mctrailertowing/
http://forums.delphiforums.com/mctrailertowing/
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: NW AR
RE: Trailers (fer pullin')
I should have figgered there was a forum somewhere devoted to pulling a trailer behind a bike. I'm sure there is a forum somewhere devoted to pushing marbles with your nose down the interestate at midnight on odd Thursdays in July dressed as a penquin.
Those one wheel trailers certainly look interesting and they look like they would ride better than a 2 wheel trailer. I now see how they work: 2 axis of freedom. Is there some type of spring in the straight (up and down) hinge part? Do they have a spring suspension or do they just hang on back there and let gravity and the tire take care of it? Is backing out of a parking space a problem with these?
Those Bushtec's look really nice. I think I saw their display in Sturgis at the convention center. Either them or someone that makes about the same thing. They were not cheap, though, at three or four large I think, just for the trailer and accessories and that wasn't even a tent trailer. I think that is a little wider than I want to go also. That classic style one looks like it would blend in well with a HD's styling.
I like the receiver hitch idea. Should be pretty easy to make.
I have seen some HF trailers with the cargo carrier on top going down the road. That would certainly be a low cost alternative but I want something narrower and, OK, I'll admit it, with a little more bling.
Those one wheel trailers certainly look interesting and they look like they would ride better than a 2 wheel trailer. I now see how they work: 2 axis of freedom. Is there some type of spring in the straight (up and down) hinge part? Do they have a spring suspension or do they just hang on back there and let gravity and the tire take care of it? Is backing out of a parking space a problem with these?
Those Bushtec's look really nice. I think I saw their display in Sturgis at the convention center. Either them or someone that makes about the same thing. They were not cheap, though, at three or four large I think, just for the trailer and accessories and that wasn't even a tent trailer. I think that is a little wider than I want to go also. That classic style one looks like it would blend in well with a HD's styling.
I like the receiver hitch idea. Should be pretty easy to make.
I have seen some HF trailers with the cargo carrier on top going down the road. That would certainly be a low cost alternative but I want something narrower and, OK, I'll admit it, with a little more bling.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,274
Likes: 3,946
From: Vermont
RE: Trailers (fer pullin')
ORIGINAL: Dr.Hess
I should have figgered there was a forum somewhere devoted to pulling a trailer behind a bike. I'm sure there is a forum somewhere devoted to pushing marbles with your nose down the interestate at midnight on odd Thursdays in July dressed as a penquin.
I should have figgered there was a forum somewhere devoted to pulling a trailer behind a bike. I'm sure there is a forum somewhere devoted to pushing marbles with your nose down the interestate at midnight on odd Thursdays in July dressed as a penquin.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
RE: Trailers (fer pullin')
ORIGINAL: Dr.Hess
Those Bushtec's look really nice. I think I saw their display in Sturgis at the convention center. Either them or someone that makes about the same thing. They were not cheap, though, at three or four large I think, just for the trailer and accessories and that wasn't even a tent trailer. I think that is a little wider than I want to go also. That classic style one looks like it would blend in well with a HD's styling.
Those Bushtec's look really nice. I think I saw their display in Sturgis at the convention center. Either them or someone that makes about the same thing. They were not cheap, though, at three or four large I think, just for the trailer and accessories and that wasn't even a tent trailer. I think that is a little wider than I want to go also. That classic style one looks like it would blend in well with a HD's styling.
All I can say is that I've followed them for a "lot" of miles and I've never seen one take an odd bounce or do anything to upset the bike in any way. Of course, my friends say they don't even know it's back there. If I were going to buy a trailer, it would be a Bushtec and you can find used ones out there if you're willing to look around for a while. I know a couple of guys that got pretty good deals on a used Bushtec.
Good luck,
Steve R.