Input wanted on pulling a trailer
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: Kings Mountain, NC
With the exception of the tongue weight, I can't add much more to what has already been said. However when it comes to the tongue weight the figures mentioned above are only guidelines.
With all of that said, my camper weighs 255 lbs empty. With the options and cargo I carry its' gross weight is approximately 375 lbs. I use a Walley World fish scale to keep my tongue weight between 40 to 45 lbs. and I have no problem with the trailer tracking straight and true at interstate speeds.
- The specified maximum tongues weight on most motorcycle hitches is 50 to 60lbs.
- 10% of your trailer weight rule will put many trailers with cargo in the 20 to 25 lb tongue weight range
- however loading your trailer so that the tongue weight is too light will cause your trailer to 'wag the tail' and trust me, you do not want that to happen when you reach cruising speed
With all of that said, my camper weighs 255 lbs empty. With the options and cargo I carry its' gross weight is approximately 375 lbs. I use a Walley World fish scale to keep my tongue weight between 40 to 45 lbs. and I have no problem with the trailer tracking straight and true at interstate speeds.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 890
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
look at harbor freight i have the same trailer never had a problem run smooth at 70 mph
http://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-...ler-66771.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-...ler-66771.html
I assume you used it with your motorcycle ..
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Just a word of caution. I'd never try to talk someone out of pulling a trailer. It can and has been done for many years. But if you take your bike in for service, remove all traces of having pulled a trailer. It will void your warranty according to the owner's manual.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 621
Likes: 3
From: N CA
I have pulled a trailer for over 100,000 miles? everything from a flat beds, cargo to pop up camping trailers - I was on a Goldwing everyone of those miles - Bought my 1st cargo trailer in 1983 - A goldwing pulls 118 HP stock - lot of difference between that and the HP a HD pulls - I'm finally starting to enjoy my Ultra but it does work me to death in the mountains because of the air cooled engine & low HP- I know a lot of guys pull trailers with their harleys but I just wouldn't do it myself - If i was going to pull a trailer I would want a water pumper for an engine and a lot more HP than I now have! Thats just me - your results may differ
Also - Here in CA the speed limit pulling a trailer is 55 MPH! doesn't matter if you a motorcycle or an 18 wheeler. 55 MPH
Also - Here in CA the speed limit pulling a trailer is 55 MPH! doesn't matter if you a motorcycle or an 18 wheeler. 55 MPH
Last edited by Tom Hudson; May 23, 2012 at 04:44 PM.
Good point - never thought about that.
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