Anybody have any experience and thoughts yay or nay about pulling a trailer through mountains? I have a Bushtec Quantum Sport which works great in the Midwest but I’ve not pulled it in mountainous areas yet and I’m not sure how the bike (particularly the brakes but of course engine, tranny, clutch…) will handle the steep grades. Yes I know about engine braking/lower gears, speed and whatnot but everything has its limits. I have rode 2-up in the southern Colorado mountains (Million Dollar highway area) without a trailer but never with and I’m planning a 2-up Wyoming & Montana trip for Summer ‘26. I have a ‘17 Ultra Limited with a stock 114 and stock exhaust. Just want to make sure that I don’t overlook anything even if it means not taking it. I have not yet come across any video of anyone pulling a trailer through mountains and I realize there may be a good reason for that but maybe I have just missed it.

TIA for any useful experience and thoughts.

 

I pulled a trailer riding two up many times in the mountains. I had no trouble.

 

I’ve pulled my trailer through mountains with my old Honda 750 without incident.

FWIW, my pet mountain braking technique it downshifting and rear brake for holding the speeds down. That keeps the strong front brakes cool and fully available for actual stopping.

 

Shouldn't be any problem. I've pulled my Bushtec Turbo-II through the mountains without any issues. I've also pulled my Aspen Sentry pop-up camper through the mountains, but I don't recommend it. I thought it was too much weight pushing against the motorcycle during braking. My pop-up camper at the time did NOT have electric brakes.

 

I have a Bushtec Quantum that has served me well in all conditions .... Flatlands, Hill Country, Mountains in the East, South Dakota etc ... Never had an occasion that left me feeling uncomfortable or under powered ... My ride is a 2009 FLHTCU with an "HD Download Tune" and Big Sucker Air Cleaner assy and Rush exhaust ... The trailer gets loaded ( Red leaves nothing at home ... The neighbors wonder if we're moving out ) ... As mentioned a bit of common sense goes a long way ... Good Luck

 

I have pulled these through the Blue Ridge mountains. Maintain speed in the corners to me means slowing down and accelerating through the corners. Braking in corners will push the rear of the motorcycle. Just something to be aware of.

 

i've pulled my american legend fully loaded through wyoming,montana,utah and colorado with my 2016 cvo and 2018 ultra limited with no issues. use the engine to help when needed but i rarely did and had plenty of stopping power