Pulling Trailer
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
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RE: Pulling Trailer
I have pulled trailers for at lease 25000 miles already--(OK I am a retired Tractor Trailer Operator) if you use your head you should be in great shape. Stopping, turning,backing up all has to do with practice. Ride your bike like you normally would and do not be nervous. Trailer tire inflation is a matter of opinion--I keep mine at the recommended PSI. Equalize your load and watch the tongue weight as this will pull your rear down--not good. I live in NY and have towed trailers behing me to the coast two times already and that is without mentioning how many time up north and down south. Use your head and you will be alright.---Remember the ladst words of a moron---WATCH THIS---LOL----- Good Luck
RE: Pulling Trailer
I have pulled 2 different trailers 1 with my Honda Sahow and now 1 with my Ultra Classic they pull with no problem just remember the stopping you have an extra couple hundred pounds pushing you i have pulled both around 17000 miles with only 1 issue i had the bolt back out of the ball in North Carolina last year on the way home from the Wall luckly i was at astop light when started out from the light the trailer became disconnected and dragged behind me until i got it off the side of the road now i am not sure about having the chains hooked up anymore i had just finished 2000 miles must of witch was in the twisties in the mountains i guess the man upstairs was watching out for me that trip
ENJOY
ENJOY
Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 2
From: somewhere
RE: Pulling Trailer
Yep, I just lower the trailer tire air pressure to keep it from bouncing so much.
One additional thing I do...even on a auto/truck pulled trailer:
Cross the safety chains under the tongue.
This will allow the chains to hold up the tongue if the trailer comes unhitched as stated in the previous post by HEYENG. Usually there is plenty of chain and you will have no problems with the chains being too short on turns.
Basically, take the chain from the left side of the tongue and connect it to the right side of the hitch...reverse for the other chain.
Now if you have the Kury style hitch adapter...this will not work as the safety chains hook on the left side and the trailer lights plug into the right side. See pic. I use this just to clean up the hitch area...
[IMG]local://upfiles/2462/2DD2EB10FD244E528F33B00B675E056B.jpg[/IMG]
One additional thing I do...even on a auto/truck pulled trailer:
Cross the safety chains under the tongue.
This will allow the chains to hold up the tongue if the trailer comes unhitched as stated in the previous post by HEYENG. Usually there is plenty of chain and you will have no problems with the chains being too short on turns.
Basically, take the chain from the left side of the tongue and connect it to the right side of the hitch...reverse for the other chain.
Now if you have the Kury style hitch adapter...this will not work as the safety chains hook on the left side and the trailer lights plug into the right side. See pic. I use this just to clean up the hitch area...
[IMG]local://upfiles/2462/2DD2EB10FD244E528F33B00B675E056B.jpg[/IMG]
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 2
From: Clancy,Montana
RE: Pulling Trailer
I have pulled a trailer for about 10 years now and i agree with all that say lower the air pressure to keep the trailer from bouncing (they act more like shocks with lower pressure).
As for the chains,NOT GOOD, i have seen what a bike traveling 60 mph and the trailer comes loose for some reason,the trailer jerks you all over the highway, NOT GOOD, I think the things in the trailer and also the trailer are replaceable so let it land wherever and you can stop and gather things up without someone having to gather you up.
Some states require safth chains,(which mine does), so go to the hardware store and buy the small decorative PLASTIC chains and paint them to match your trailer or whatever color and use them, this is what i did.
As for the chains,NOT GOOD, i have seen what a bike traveling 60 mph and the trailer comes loose for some reason,the trailer jerks you all over the highway, NOT GOOD, I think the things in the trailer and also the trailer are replaceable so let it land wherever and you can stop and gather things up without someone having to gather you up.
Some states require safth chains,(which mine does), so go to the hardware store and buy the small decorative PLASTIC chains and paint them to match your trailer or whatever color and use them, this is what i did.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
RE: Pulling Trailer
One other tidbit of information if I may add it....If you carry a cooler in your trailer and you put things like eggs, BBQ sauce and other items that can break easily, you will wind up with a milkshake when you arrive at your location. I pulled my trailer back from the beach with 3 or 4 eggs and some other items in the tray that fits in the cooler and it was a heck of a mess to clean up when I got home. Also, if your trailer comes with a double leaf spring you might consider removing on of the leafs so as to make it ride smother. Bldr
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: NE Illinois
RE: Pulling Trailer
I do not agree with the use of plastic safety chains. Safety chains are there to protect the people around you. I think if you're going to pull a trailer, you should accept the risks and responsibilities that go along with it. I do not want to be responsible for another biker or cager being injured or killed because my loose trailer flew into them. I've pulled a trailer for several years. I know the risks and accept them. Therefore, I will continue to use real saftey chains.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 37
From: Boise Idaho
RE: Pulling Trailer
It's been very interesting to read about the does and don'ts of trailering behind a mototcycle.
I inherited a trailer from a friend that got it with hisGold Wing years ago, when he heardI had purchased a Road King he said come get this thing out of my garage, it's a purpose built motorcycle trailer with a pivoting tongueand after reading about trailer towing here I think it is completelyworth the effort torestore it to A-1 shape and use it.
[IMG]local://upfiles/43689/F6CD193A4EBF43B59A79F220AD14968A.jpg[/IMG]
I inherited a trailer from a friend that got it with hisGold Wing years ago, when he heardI had purchased a Road King he said come get this thing out of my garage, it's a purpose built motorcycle trailer with a pivoting tongueand after reading about trailer towing here I think it is completelyworth the effort torestore it to A-1 shape and use it.
[IMG]local://upfiles/43689/F6CD193A4EBF43B59A79F220AD14968A.jpg[/IMG]
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Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 2
From: somewhere
RE: Pulling Trailer
I read somewhere...maybe on this forum of instead of using one bigger cooler (ice Chest) to store everthing ....get two smaller (12 pack) type coolers. One for liquids (ice, drinks, beer, etc) and the other for food (bread, snacks, things that dont require ice or non-perishables) The ice will not melt on your bread and there maybe less mess to clean up. I havent done this yet...but probably will. I hink it is a great idea. The 2 smaller coolers will fit in the same rack that holds the big cooler.
just a thought.
just a thought.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,920
Likes: 6
From: Upstate New York
RE: Pulling Trailer
Nice,,,,, good read, as I am thinkin in the lines of a trailer also...
But,, one thing puzzels me in this whole post???
why would you bring raw eggs to the beach????????????
But,, one thing puzzels me in this whole post???
why would you bring raw eggs to the beach????????????