Pulling Trailer
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Pulling Trailer
The only thing I can add is this. If for some reason the trailer is not full make sure the items in it can not shift aroundchanging thetongue weight.Taking off fast or hard cornering can move things to the rear of the box.As prevously mentioned 20 to 25 lbs is good, tongue weight under 10lbs or so can produce a little trailer wiggle and a lot of excitement.
Gary
Gary
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
RE: Pulling Trailer
I have to give another pointabout the tire pressure issue. I am an LEO and responded to a crash last year on an interstate. It was raining heavy and a wing pulling a trailer had crashed. The rider and passenger werent hurt badly and told me that his trailer tires hydroplaned, the trailer started swaying back and forth until he couldn't get it back and went off into the median. He suspected that he had under-inflated his trailer tires that contributed to the hydroplaning that started his whole mess. I'm not sure if he was correct or not, but maybe he was. Just wanted to put my .02 in.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 7
From: Bedford , Pa
RE: Pulling Trailer
I am sorry but I disagree with one of the above post (keep tongue wt. below 25#) . I have pulled for a couple years and I have found that with my piggy Backer if I go much less than 35# it will sway alot. But depending on the wt. you are hauling I would not go any less than 25# ever My advice is to do alot of testing with wt.The first pull I ever did was the worst 500 miles I ever did. To light on the tongue and the trailer would sway and push me into the other lanes in a turn. Part of the problem was over load also. So keep that inmind
Clap
Clap
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
RE: Pulling Trailer
I have been towing a Bushtec for 2 summers now and have had no problems at all. Of course I can't back it up but that is me not the trailer! We came home from VA to CT 600+ miles in the rain all the way and it was never a problem. The only thing you have to bewatch isgas stations, forget it is there when pulling into the pump!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
RE: Pulling Trailer
Years ago I said if I had to pull a trailer behind my bike the wife would just have to sit her *** at home. Lesson learned, sometimes you have to eat your words. Some years ago I was riding behind afriend pulling a Bustec trailer, we hit a curvey section and I thought he is going to slow down. Wrong! he ate the curves up. Fast forward some years. In 04 we made a trip from Tennessee to Nova Scotia via Bar Harbor, Maine. The trip lasted 16 days. We had the UC packed to the hilt plus a pack on top of the tour pack. Everyday we had to unpack our **** and then pack it back the next morning. That winter I ordered a Bushtec trailer and life has been much easier.
If you adjust the air suspension correctly you will not feel any shock from bumps hit by the trailer.
The main thing is to allow more distance to stop. And to aviod panic stops. You notice the trailer is behind you when you stop.
As someone else said a trailer will lend to over pack-alot-itus. The old saying 'if Momma ain't happyno one is happy' is true. The trailer keeps Momma happy.
If you adjust the air suspension correctly you will not feel any shock from bumps hit by the trailer.
The main thing is to allow more distance to stop. And to aviod panic stops. You notice the trailer is behind you when you stop.
As someone else said a trailer will lend to over pack-alot-itus. The old saying 'if Momma ain't happyno one is happy' is true. The trailer keeps Momma happy.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 5
From:
RE: Pulling Trailer
I've been wanting to pull a trailer for a while now. We love to go to rallies. The problem is , we don't have enough room to put everything. I bought a new coleman tent that was smaller. And downsized other things , but I still find I don't have enough room. I would really like to get a trailer but I am worried about the safety issues. I âve heard the stopping time is 20 % more than without. So your two up and with a trailer. Is this not asking for it in a emergency situation ? Just asking. And I don't believe for a second that hat guy had His Ultra Classic sideways on the road and saved it. No way. Second, If my Harley was sideways, I would of let it go already. I've found that I do most of my traveling on the highway. It's much safer there. The rules kinda change a little. I try to stay out of town as much as possible.
I would love to have a small quality trailer. I really wouldn't want to pull anything like a bushtec. Those trailers are to big in my opinion. There wonderful trailers, just to big. Anyone got any ideas on small trailers.
I would love to have a small quality trailer. I really wouldn't want to pull anything like a bushtec. Those trailers are to big in my opinion. There wonderful trailers, just to big. Anyone got any ideas on small trailers.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
