Trailer Hitches and Harleys
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 35
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Trailer Hitches and Harleys
My wife and I were thinking of pulling a small trailer on our way to Sturgis next year so I talked to a sales guy this weekend about installing a trailer hitch on my Road Glide. He winced and said that Harley does not recommend doing that. What kind of damage can be done by pulling a small trailer?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,602
Likes: 5
From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area
RE: Trailer Hitches and Harleys
Redneck is RIGHT - No Motorcycle Manufacture Recommends it.... But people still do it!!!
Recommend contacting a few of Trailer Manufactures and talking to them...
I have pulled many trailers logging many miles behind my bikes in the past!
Here's a few to get you started
http://www.tourmate-trailers.com/
http://www.cycle-mate.com/
http://www.acctrailers.com/
http://www.uni-go-trailers.com/
Hitches - Check out E-Bay they always have a few listed
Recommend contacting a few of Trailer Manufactures and talking to them...
I have pulled many trailers logging many miles behind my bikes in the past!
Here's a few to get you started
http://www.tourmate-trailers.com/
http://www.cycle-mate.com/
http://www.acctrailers.com/
http://www.uni-go-trailers.com/
Hitches - Check out E-Bay they always have a few listed
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,500
Likes: 332
From: Blue Grass (KY)
RE: Trailer Hitches and Harleys
Been pulling one since '98, never had an issue....both with HD's and wings....again,no problems....
I've a Time-out Dart and now a Bushtec....love the Bushtec....
go for it, you'll never understand why you waited so long....
I've a Time-out Dart and now a Bushtec....love the Bushtec....
go for it, you'll never understand why you waited so long....
RE: Trailer Hitches and Harleys
No damage will become by pulling a trailer. You will need to do some proper loading and learn to balance your loads. Remember to always keep at least 20 pounds of tongune weight when hooked up. I heard this when i began pulling and experimented with different weights and this is a magic number. It will keep the trailer from trying to do a weave/.wobble behind the bike, and it is especially pronounced at speeds greater than 50MPH.
Good luck and drag that waggon!!
Good luck and drag that waggon!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 13
RE: Trailer Hitches and Harleys
At Ride the Rockies rode with a couple from Louisianna.with a FXST. they pulled a trailer all over the country. They both had HOG mileage patches for 125K and on the FXST. no issues. the biggest thing is actually not overloading the trailer.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,945
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Trailer Hitches and Harleys
As I said earlier, the manufacturer's take a certain position. I'm only aware of ONE warranty claim that's been turned down - by Honda - and that was an instance where it was obvious that the damage, in fact, had been done by the idiot owner (can you say jury-rigged hitch?!?). While ah've got the stuff ta build my own - and certainly the knowledge an' experience - I figure it's better ta have one professionally built by someone who'll stand behind their product in case there's a problem. But ta each their own!!
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
RE: Trailer Hitches and Harleys
If you're interested in towing a trailer behind your bike, you won't find a better source of information that here:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/
and go to the MC Trailer Towing forum. You have to register but it's free. I had never towed a trailer behind a bike and I built my trailer, wired the bike and installed the hitch by myself with info I found here. It's not the prettyest thing on the road, but it's fine for hauling a 12x12 tent and assorted camping gear to a "rally campground" (a pasture) a couple of times a year and I only have about $300 in the whole deal (including the hitch) and everything except the cargo box was bought new.
[IMG]local://upfiles/12883/8F05EF546DE64D67AFCDC5CA5D6AD17D.jpg[/IMG]
http://forums.delphiforums.com/
and go to the MC Trailer Towing forum. You have to register but it's free. I had never towed a trailer behind a bike and I built my trailer, wired the bike and installed the hitch by myself with info I found here. It's not the prettyest thing on the road, but it's fine for hauling a 12x12 tent and assorted camping gear to a "rally campground" (a pasture) a couple of times a year and I only have about $300 in the whole deal (including the hitch) and everything except the cargo box was bought new.
[IMG]local://upfiles/12883/8F05EF546DE64D67AFCDC5CA5D6AD17D.jpg[/IMG]
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
RE: Trailer Hitches and Harleys
I've been pulling a Bushtec Turbo 2 for a couple of years. They are the greatest... truly. I picked it up at the factory... in Jacksboro, Tennessee; however, you can usually find them at the Rallies too.
Bushtec has several nice features you won't find on others. It has a hidden hitch that you can remove if you want... no one knows you tow. Also, the hitch doesn't use a ball joint... it uses a Heim joint instead -- much more solid.
Also, it has an air adjustable suspension... just like on the baggers, so you can use the same low volume air pump on the bike and trailer. The nice thing about the suspension is that you are actually adjusting the camber with air so the trailer never wobbles. Of course, as previously mentioned, you have to pay attention to tongue weight. I check mine EVERY time I load the trailer... I just bought an digital fish scale with a big hook. Was pretty cheap at Bass Pro Shops... and I know that my trailer is loaded right every time.
My current trailer has over 50,000 miles on it with no issues at all. The guys that run Bushtec really stand behind their product and will help you no matter how long you've owned it. Hell, they helped me remove the compartment from the suspension over the winter so I could spray the underside with black undercoating.... over the phone and walked me through it. You can even get it painted from the factory to match your current paintjob. It's a family owned, American business. I deal with the son, Andrew Preston... GREAT PEOPLE!
http://www.bushtec.com/
=================================================
"For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."
Bushtec has several nice features you won't find on others. It has a hidden hitch that you can remove if you want... no one knows you tow. Also, the hitch doesn't use a ball joint... it uses a Heim joint instead -- much more solid.
Also, it has an air adjustable suspension... just like on the baggers, so you can use the same low volume air pump on the bike and trailer. The nice thing about the suspension is that you are actually adjusting the camber with air so the trailer never wobbles. Of course, as previously mentioned, you have to pay attention to tongue weight. I check mine EVERY time I load the trailer... I just bought an digital fish scale with a big hook. Was pretty cheap at Bass Pro Shops... and I know that my trailer is loaded right every time.
My current trailer has over 50,000 miles on it with no issues at all. The guys that run Bushtec really stand behind their product and will help you no matter how long you've owned it. Hell, they helped me remove the compartment from the suspension over the winter so I could spray the underside with black undercoating.... over the phone and walked me through it. You can even get it painted from the factory to match your current paintjob. It's a family owned, American business. I deal with the son, Andrew Preston... GREAT PEOPLE!
http://www.bushtec.com/
=================================================
"For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Trailer Hitches and Harleys
Been pulling trailers for 25 yrs. now without an issue. Just got back from a run down the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Smoky Mts., pulling my small cargo trailer. No problems at all.
I also have a "Bunkhouse" camper that I pull.
And contrary to what alot of people will say, you DO NOT need a 360 degree swivel hitch. I have had my bike on it's side with just a standard ball, and it didn't hurt a thing, or come undone.
If you need a great looking hitch - here's the one : http://www.n-line.com/hitches.htm
It's a receiver style that lets you put a custom plug in if you don't want a ball on. Looks and works great, and easy install on dressers.
Good Luck !
I also have a "Bunkhouse" camper that I pull.
And contrary to what alot of people will say, you DO NOT need a 360 degree swivel hitch. I have had my bike on it's side with just a standard ball, and it didn't hurt a thing, or come undone.
If you need a great looking hitch - here's the one : http://www.n-line.com/hitches.htm
It's a receiver style that lets you put a custom plug in if you don't want a ball on. Looks and works great, and easy install on dressers.
Good Luck !