So, I'm looking at ways to be able to extend our trips without maxing out the credit card for hotel stays. I usually do a couple of trips a year where I camp off the bike solo and everything is great, the problem is that when trying to do that with two people on a bike, I am out of room for gear. I am looking at one of two options, 1) build a custom rack using the touring pack mount to accommodate more gear or 2) install a hitch and go the trailer route.

I know that the optimal solution would be to buy all new camping gear and get backpacker equipment etc. but that still pushes the bikes luggage capacity (Road King Classic) not to mention starts getting really expensive. Just mine and the OL leathers eat both side bags when the weather is too hot to be wearing them.

Can you guys post some pictures and let me see how you setup for 2 up camping? Maybe my loading technique really sucks. For those that use trailers, what are the pros and cons? Any custom racks that anyone has built to address this?

For reference, I'm thinking about using the HF Tag-along trailer. All input is appreciated.

I would like to get a thread going dedicated to camping off of a Harley. I know there are other sites dedicated to "motorcycle camping", but they don't address the concerns that Harley owners have, and there is different equipment available for those other types of bikes that are not necessarily available for Harleys.

 

I got the stock TP mount rack from my 09 if that would help you- cheep. PM me.

I do alot of solo camping too.

couple of things I finally figured out.

no cooking stuff- I never end using it- can opener and some utensils will do.

get some stuff at the market that needs little preparation.

If I am somewhere without coffee in the morning- a can of red bull will substitute until I see some.
KOA's always have coffee, internet, laundry and great showers.

tents just keep getting better and cheaper and easy to set up.

maybe an upgrade ?

My camping tent is really lightweight, not that water proof though- if weather is gonna suck I figure I am making indoor arrangements, no matter what tent I have. So go light weight.

thermarest pad- the medium size will fit in a saddlebag!

I always end up with too many clothes...buying friggin' t shirts and having 2 hoodies.

I keep trying to edit. Even on a trip where I take old clothes with the intention of throwing stuff away as I go..I end up with too much crap.

I don't take my laptop unless I have a specific reason.

I do fine on the road using my ipod touch to browse and email...that's me you see standing outside of mcdonalds sucking up coffee and wifi

Mike

 

If you have a warranty, you may want to reconsider a trailer hitch, it will void the warranty, I started to fab a single wheel trailer and found this out (wtf), I would have continued and disregaurded the warranty issue but I saved up and purchased the extra 5 years (4 to go). good luck in your packing for 2 up camping, I too will watch for input for this same matter.

 

You really need to invest in the new small, lightweight tent, sleeping bags, pillows, towels and sleeping pad. My wife and I have done it, but on an ultra with stuff strapped on the tour pack luggage rack. Spend some time at a sporting goods store looking at the new high tech camping stuff....it is really small and lightweight, and worth it in the long run.

 

I'll be following this. I was just out in the garage looking over some of the materials I have considering what it would take to build a hitch and a trailer (with a tent built in). I know I could go with a HF trailer but I think I have everything I would need except the axle hubs, wheels, tires, and hitch to build a custom setup. May make a run down to the trailer shop here in the next couple of weeks and do a bit of figuring.

 

I pull a Cycle Mate CM1000 and put all the camping stuff I need inside it and have a cooler on the tongue. This allows me to bring small camping chairs, a nice tent (http://redverz.com/Tent-Tenere.html) bags and cots and all our clothes. The thing I like about the trailer is all your stuff is watertight and the bike isn't loaded down to the point of being top heavy. When you get to your destination you simply setup camp, drop the trailer and your good to go for the week.

 

We did the tour pak camping (see sig pic) then I did the HF trailer build a couple years ago for less then 4 nights hotel stays..... We take everything, including the wife's dog... Pulls great, no issues but give yourself more room for breaking.

 

Saddlebag top racks, and a tour pack rack. Put the lightest stuff on the top of the tour pack, the heaviest in the saddle bags... I have a trailer hitch and a kuryakyn hitch rack...Only low profile items on that so it doesn't obscur the tail lights.
By the way, I don't camp...kinda did once but stayed in a cabin with only a bed and a light...I use a CPAP for my sleep apnea so i need a power source... i am thinking a little generator...The only other thing i don't have is a Good tent....i have a trailer ready to assemble.

 

For all out camping comfort - go the trailer route. You can pack nearly anything you need equivalent to car camping. Even a queen size blowup mattress and camp chairs.
Problem is - you're pulling a trailer. I've never done it, so I can't really comment on that part of it. We've thought about it many times though.
As far as no trailer goes, tons of experience with multi week 2 up experience.
There's no way around it - you have to pack spartan!
We typically pack for 3 days clothes supply, then a mandatory wash day to start the cycle again. Most camping areas have this available.
You could wear repeat clothes, and some people don't mind it, but we have to start fresh, just makes the experience better for us.
Here's how we pack:
Saddle bags - one side mine, one side hers. We use the bag liners for organization and easy transport. Also put camp towel and shower supplies in each, along with flip flops for all off bike use, including showering.

Inside the Tourpack - leathers, rain gear (easily accessible), and any electronics, nick nacks (ie. axe, lantern, flashlight, led headlamps, fan, etc.)

Tourpack rack - I have a relatively large TP bag w/ rain cover, that I pack all camping supplies in. Tent, mattresses, pillows, small sleeping bags, fleece blanket for cold nites.
All camping equipment is backpacker weight and size - but way better then sleeping on the ground. Can be had cheaply if you shop around and stay away from newly released stuff.
I bungee the bag down to the rack with a bungee net that lets me expand the load if necessary as we accumulate "stuff".

A couple suggestions: Get a lightweight, 3 PERSON, waterproof tent that packs as small as possible. REI has a good compare tool for this. Also good deals on older tents. The 3 person tent will give you a bit more room for those rain days and room for your gear. A 2 person will pack smaller, but it will only fit two people - snugly.
Pick you're pillows based on how yours at home is, ie soft or firm.
A small, square, zippered, sleeping bag designed for 50 degree plus weather is what we use. They pack down to the size of a small waterbottle and can accomodate below 50 with the fleece blanket.
Pads - you'll need at least 1 inch thick for comfort. The thicker the better, but you sacrifice packability. It's a trade off.

I'm sure theres more, your questions will spark my recollection as this is my recipe after years of bike camping.
One thing a previous poster stated - no need for kitchen supplies! I have an awesome lightweight camp kitchen that I found I rarely used and eventually abandoned bringing all together.
It's way easier to stop for food and coffee then it is to pack and use it.

 

One of these days I'm going to put together a post on everything we carry. After a few tries I think we have this down to a science. Stay tuned (i can't do it now as I'm out of town).