Why do we tow trailers when the owners manual clearly states not to do so???
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Southern IL
As stated before, it's a liability issue. There have been trailers pulled for millions of miles by bikes all over the world for years. Most bikes are capable of pulling a trailer without any mechanical issues, but a trailer can drastically change the performance and handling of any bike (some more so than others). The MoCo wouldn't touch that liability issue with a 100 ft pole and wants as much distance as possible between them and a possible lawsuit.
Having said that, it depends on your comfort level and experience as to whether you want to pull a trailer or not. I don't think that anyone would argue the point that trailer pulling adds to the level of dangerousness of this sport. Same as the helmet argument-some are comfortable riding with and some without. It's a personal decision.
If you want to be completely safe-never climb aboard a bike.
Having said that, it depends on your comfort level and experience as to whether you want to pull a trailer or not. I don't think that anyone would argue the point that trailer pulling adds to the level of dangerousness of this sport. Same as the helmet argument-some are comfortable riding with and some without. It's a personal decision.
If you want to be completely safe-never climb aboard a bike.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 1
From: USA
I pulled one over 3,000mi this past summer,through the mountains of NC,with the bike loaded down and a passenger,and we never had a problem. Only once did it not feel safe,but I had it loaded wrong,as soon as I corrected the weight problem it pulled great. I will say that when I am not pulling the trailer I take off the hitch so the dealer does not give me any crap about it.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: montgomery, il.
there's a lot of things in life i do that i'm told not to do but sometimes you just have to say WTF and go for it. 
i feel HD's warranty is just worded to cover their *** i see many HD's pulling trailers with no issues. i already have a chrome N-line trailer hitch installed on my '09 FLHTC the Uni-Go trailer [single wheel] i ordered should be here on the week of the 26th. i don't foresee any issues pulling it as it only weights 70# empty and 180# fully loaded. i can't imagine putting 110# of stuff in it but that remains to be seen. the extra storage space will be great as it effectively doubles the capacity of the bike it should also be better for the bike as i'm taking all that weight off it's suspension and tires. i agree the braking distance may increase somewhat and the acceleration will suffer a little but the key to that is plan your moves ahead of time and slow down some. riding a bike loaded down with two people and a week or more of stuff crammed in or on your bike affecting it's balance is no fun either and just as hard on it as a trailer would be. Harley only has a two year warranty anyway and if something breaks and they won't fix it then so be it, clutches and brake pads are no big deal i'll repair it myself. if my 900# touring bike won't hold up pulling a small trailer then maybe i need to rethink the brand of bike i own.
i will keep the forum informed as things happen, your results may vary.
http://www.n-line.com/hitches.htm
http://www.uni-go.com/
i feel HD's warranty is just worded to cover their *** i see many HD's pulling trailers with no issues. i already have a chrome N-line trailer hitch installed on my '09 FLHTC the Uni-Go trailer [single wheel] i ordered should be here on the week of the 26th. i don't foresee any issues pulling it as it only weights 70# empty and 180# fully loaded. i can't imagine putting 110# of stuff in it but that remains to be seen. the extra storage space will be great as it effectively doubles the capacity of the bike it should also be better for the bike as i'm taking all that weight off it's suspension and tires. i agree the braking distance may increase somewhat and the acceleration will suffer a little but the key to that is plan your moves ahead of time and slow down some. riding a bike loaded down with two people and a week or more of stuff crammed in or on your bike affecting it's balance is no fun either and just as hard on it as a trailer would be. Harley only has a two year warranty anyway and if something breaks and they won't fix it then so be it, clutches and brake pads are no big deal i'll repair it myself. if my 900# touring bike won't hold up pulling a small trailer then maybe i need to rethink the brand of bike i own. i will keep the forum informed as things happen, your results may vary.
http://www.n-line.com/hitches.htm
http://www.uni-go.com/
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
I could see pulling a trailer on a motorcycle going very wrong. Harley dealers are the BIGGEST hypocrites in the world. They stock & sell all these aftermarket parts that will void your warranty but they will take your money.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
From: The Great Northwest
Don't buy your hitch from a dealer and don't have a dealer install it. Do it yourself or have an Indy do it. Why give the dealer or the Moco a paper trail for something that might come back to possibly screw you later? Pull your trailer, enjoy your bike and don't worry about it. If something major goes wrong during the warranty period, remove the hitch and go get your bike fixed.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 142
From: Sioux Center, Iowa
We have over 75K pulling a trailer and I have yet to be in a situation where I felt that the trailer had placed me in danger. As with any accessory you add to your bike, if it HD approved or not, if you ride over your head you run the risk of getting hurt.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,542
Likes: 6,196
From: In your head rent free
I have trash bags that clearly say "This bag is not a toy"
So I don't play with them.
And my mattress still has all it's tags, so I'm much safer.
So I don't play with them.
And my mattress still has all it's tags, so I'm much safer.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Don't buy your hitch from a dealer and don't have a dealer install it. Do it yourself or have an Indy do it. Why give the dealer or the Moco a paper trail for something that might come back to possibly screw you later? Pull your trailer, enjoy your bike and don't worry about it. If something major goes wrong during the warranty period, remove the hitch and go get your bike fixed.
I bought an ultra from my dad 4 years ago and he had pulled his trailer for over 35K miles on this bike and was actually on a trip when his engine went in Reno. It was towed to the dealer there with the trailer and they didn't say one word about it. I think it comes down to A- Hole dealers not wanting to do warranty work for the most part. They always sigh when you need warranty work done like it is a pain. Granted they have to do some extra paperwork and wait a few weeks to get paid which from a business stand point I understand, however that is the price of doing business. Too many dealers think that they don't need to make us loyal to them. I will gladly go to another dealer if I have to but many of us don't have other dealers close and they know that and will take a chance to bend you over.
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