Trailering
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: California
Trailering
I know, the owner's manual is very specific in saying not to pull a trailer with a motorcycle.
However, since I was a young boy I have seen Harley's, and other big bikes, pull a trailer.
Admittedly, all of those trailers I have seen throughout my life may have been the eventual death of the riders. I, of course, have no clue.
But I have seen some pretty nice trailers. Some for cargo. Some for camping. Some for pets.
Some just follow behind and some have brakes.
And, of course you have probably seen this one....
http://www.goldbrand.info/index.html
Talk about the tail wagging the dog!!!
But, for those of you who do pull a trailer...
Which receiver, ball, hitch do you use?
Is there another piece of equipment that you have incorporated into your system?
Which trailer do you pull?
Just cargo? Or, a camping trailer?
What have you learned about doing so?
Did you once but now don't for some reason? Perhaps a bad experience?
What about laws. Are you aware of any laws about motorcycle trailering that you have come across?
However, since I was a young boy I have seen Harley's, and other big bikes, pull a trailer.
Admittedly, all of those trailers I have seen throughout my life may have been the eventual death of the riders. I, of course, have no clue.
But I have seen some pretty nice trailers. Some for cargo. Some for camping. Some for pets.
Some just follow behind and some have brakes.
And, of course you have probably seen this one....
http://www.goldbrand.info/index.html
Talk about the tail wagging the dog!!!
But, for those of you who do pull a trailer...
Which receiver, ball, hitch do you use?
Is there another piece of equipment that you have incorporated into your system?
Which trailer do you pull?
Just cargo? Or, a camping trailer?
What have you learned about doing so?
Did you once but now don't for some reason? Perhaps a bad experience?
What about laws. Are you aware of any laws about motorcycle trailering that you have come across?
Last edited by Matt0987; Aug 15, 2011 at 09:12 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 2
From: New Orleans
I don't know squat about pulling a trailer with a bike. But another room on this forum has guys that do-- https://www.hdforums.com/forum/hacke...railering-100/ you should give that place a try.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: California
I don't know squat about pulling a trailer with a bike. But another room on this forum has guys that do-- https://www.hdforums.com/forum/hacke...railering-100/ you should give that place a try.
Thanks for the direction.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Show Me State
Khrome Works hitch (off flea bay for 90 bucks) - Harbor Freight built trailer with a Sears carrier. Took 4" off the width, extended the tongue 1', added LED lights and chrome wheels. Pulls great, you forget its back there and has pleanty of room "stuff"
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 9
From: Midland, VA
Don't have a hitch for the Harley (yet) but I have pulled a trailer with my Valkyrie. Same as binkman, Harbor Freight frame w/Sears car topper, cheap and light. For small trailers like that 1 7/8" is the standard size receiver you will use.
I used a HitchDoc Hidden Hitch. I liked it because with the ball removed you could hardly tell I had a hitch installed on the bike. One thing I learned quickly is to brake early in the twisties...if you enter a curve with too much smash and try to gently trail-brake in the curve, you can feel the weight of the trailer trying to push the rear of the bike to the outside of the curve. In the rain, I could see it actually pushing the rear out from under you. This "pushing" action is even worse in a downhill sweeper, as you can imagine.
For me, rule #1 when trailering is: slower is better.
I used a HitchDoc Hidden Hitch. I liked it because with the ball removed you could hardly tell I had a hitch installed on the bike. One thing I learned quickly is to brake early in the twisties...if you enter a curve with too much smash and try to gently trail-brake in the curve, you can feel the weight of the trailer trying to push the rear of the bike to the outside of the curve. In the rain, I could see it actually pushing the rear out from under you. This "pushing" action is even worse in a downhill sweeper, as you can imagine.
For me, rule #1 when trailering is: slower is better.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
Have pulled a Bushtec trailer for 6 years. We have trailer, hitch everything by Bushtec. There are many different trailer & hitches out there. I researched and talked to people for several months before buying one. This is not a cheap trailer but of us it was the best option. I don't regret spending the money for a second.
The only time you know it is there is steel grated bridges you have to be aware of it when turning, it is easy to forget it is there. Mine only weighs 125 lbs empty. Mainly we carry a wheelchair that only weighs 45 lbs a few times it has been loaded with our friends extra stuff. Still does not change how it handles. The heaver it is the more room it takes to stop it and fuel mileage decreases a few mpg. Pull it with a stock 88cu Ultra (05) not a problem, would like a little more torque but don't we always want more!
The only time you know it is there is steel grated bridges you have to be aware of it when turning, it is easy to forget it is there. Mine only weighs 125 lbs empty. Mainly we carry a wheelchair that only weighs 45 lbs a few times it has been loaded with our friends extra stuff. Still does not change how it handles. The heaver it is the more room it takes to stop it and fuel mileage decreases a few mpg. Pull it with a stock 88cu Ultra (05) not a problem, would like a little more torque but don't we always want more!
Last edited by Moe55; Aug 16, 2011 at 07:47 AM.
I know, the owner's manual is very specific in saying not to pull a trailer with a motorcycle.
However, since I was a young boy I have seen Harley's, and other big bikes, pull a trailer.
Admittedly, all of those trailers I have seen throughout my life may have been the eventual death of the riders. I, of course, have no clue.
But I have seen some pretty nice trailers. Some for cargo. Some for camping. Some for pets.
Some just follow behind and some have brakes.
And, of course you have probably seen this one....
http://www.goldbrand.info/index.html
Talk about the tail wagging the dog!!!
But, for those of you who do pull a trailer...
Which receiver, ball, hitch do you use? McHitch
Is there another piece of equipment that you have incorporated into your system? The trailer harness should include an electrical isolator
Which trailer do you pull? ALUMA MCT
Just cargo? Or, a camping trailer? Cargo when needed, camping supplies when camping
What have you learned about doing so? Keep mc maint up to snuff, brakes, tires etc. Multiply your "regular" riding alertness by 100. Get a better horn.
Did you once but now don't for some reason? Perhaps a bad experience?
What about laws. Are you aware of any laws about motorcycle trailering that you have come across?
However, since I was a young boy I have seen Harley's, and other big bikes, pull a trailer.
Admittedly, all of those trailers I have seen throughout my life may have been the eventual death of the riders. I, of course, have no clue.
But I have seen some pretty nice trailers. Some for cargo. Some for camping. Some for pets.
Some just follow behind and some have brakes.
And, of course you have probably seen this one....
http://www.goldbrand.info/index.html
Talk about the tail wagging the dog!!!
But, for those of you who do pull a trailer...
Which receiver, ball, hitch do you use? McHitch
Is there another piece of equipment that you have incorporated into your system? The trailer harness should include an electrical isolator
Which trailer do you pull? ALUMA MCT
Just cargo? Or, a camping trailer? Cargo when needed, camping supplies when camping
What have you learned about doing so? Keep mc maint up to snuff, brakes, tires etc. Multiply your "regular" riding alertness by 100. Get a better horn.
Did you once but now don't for some reason? Perhaps a bad experience?
What about laws. Are you aware of any laws about motorcycle trailering that you have come across?
I have a regular camping trailer but always wanted to have my bike with me. No toy haulers for me as I don't have the space for one.
Last edited by upstate tim; Aug 16, 2011 at 07:57 AM. Reason: pic
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: California
Binkman, I see the tent, chairs, and a lot of stuff in the attached photo. I was concerned that the trailer would not have enough capacity. It appears that it does. And a dog, too???
And Tim, I see you still have a back pack on the passenger back rest. Although you have it in place of a TourPak.
I notice that the tongue in the photos seem to be the same length as the trailer box. Putting the trailer a long way back.
And Tim, I see you still have a back pack on the passenger back rest. Although you have it in place of a TourPak.
I notice that the tongue in the photos seem to be the same length as the trailer box. Putting the trailer a long way back.
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Binkman, I see the tent, chairs, and a lot of stuff in the attached photo. I was concerned that the trailer would not have enough capacity. It appears that it does. And a dog, too???
And Tim, I see you still have a back pack on the passenger back rest. Although you have it in place of a TourPak.
I notice that the tongue in the photos seem to be the same length as the trailer box. Putting the trailer a long way back.
And Tim, I see you still have a back pack on the passenger back rest. Although you have it in place of a TourPak.
I notice that the tongue in the photos seem to be the same length as the trailer box. Putting the trailer a long way back.
I read where people say you can't feel the trailer when you're moving along and I found that to be true..
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Show Me State
Binkman, I see the tent, chairs, and a lot of stuff in the attached photo. I was concerned that the trailer would not have enough capacity. It appears that it does. And a dog, too???
And Tim, I see you still have a back pack on the passenger back rest. Although you have it in place of a TourPak.
I notice that the tongue in the photos seem to be the same length as the trailer box. Putting the trailer a long way back.
And Tim, I see you still have a back pack on the passenger back rest. Although you have it in place of a TourPak.
I notice that the tongue in the photos seem to be the same length as the trailer box. Putting the trailer a long way back.
I load the bedding/Pillows etc in the front (keep the tongue weight to 15#'s), Air bed/pump/lantern/stove/pots & pan etc. etc over the axle - chairs one on each side long ways. If packed right, plenty of room even for the wife's porta potty lol
The "Dog" - oh hell, he rides in the pet taxi on the tour pak. (sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do to keep the wife happy) Plus, he's good bear bait.