Trailer question
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 31
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From: DJ, Alaska
Trailer question
I am in the process of ordering a pull behind trailer. I can get a no frills that weighs about 140 with 12" wheels or one with 14 " wheels and digital elect. brakes and a few options that put it at around 200+ pounds. My Triglide is 2012. and no heat mods except S.E slip-ons and S.E. air filter and remapped. I don't deal with the ambient heat that some of you guys have. Alaska... but could hit 80' now and then. Plus planning on a trip between here and Penna. next Sept.
Do you think there would be any advantage to the lighter trailer considering the heat issues all ready inherent to the Triglide. Riding 2-up 325 pounds and probably 150 pounds cargo in trailer. Or not much difference, go with the extra safety of the electric brakes.
Thanks for input.
Do you think there would be any advantage to the lighter trailer considering the heat issues all ready inherent to the Triglide. Riding 2-up 325 pounds and probably 150 pounds cargo in trailer. Or not much difference, go with the extra safety of the electric brakes.
Thanks for input.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 3
From: castalia oh
Dont worry about the heat issue as many tg's have little heat issue.Either trailer would be ok unless you will be riding steep inclines at high speed.
Fiberglass looks better is heavy and it is salt resistant.Pull whatever your looking at before buying.Longer draw bar straighter pulling.
Fiberglass looks better is heavy and it is salt resistant.Pull whatever your looking at before buying.Longer draw bar straighter pulling.
The difference in 140 lbs. and 200 lbs. is insignificant.
What you will notice more, especially at highway speeds, is wind resistance. That will drop your MPG and increase your heat more than anything else.
I have pulled quite a few trailers behind two wheelers and a tri-glide, the shape and the size of the trailer pushing thru the wind can be significant.
The best camping trailer we had was a Bunkhouse, but the profile was so large that it felt like a parachute at highway speeds...not handling wise, it just really added a load to the drive-train.
I have never had a bike trailer with electric brakes, so can't comment on how much better it would be. But I have never felt like I was under braked without them.
Currently I have a LeisureLite pop up tent trailer, weighs about 280 lbs dry. We load another 150 to 200 lbs in it. No problems.
I also have a cargo trailer, it weighs about 180 dry and I have picked up well over 300 lbs. loads of steel with it, no problems.
Gonna look for a few pics to post up.
What you will notice more, especially at highway speeds, is wind resistance. That will drop your MPG and increase your heat more than anything else.
I have pulled quite a few trailers behind two wheelers and a tri-glide, the shape and the size of the trailer pushing thru the wind can be significant.
The best camping trailer we had was a Bunkhouse, but the profile was so large that it felt like a parachute at highway speeds...not handling wise, it just really added a load to the drive-train.
I have never had a bike trailer with electric brakes, so can't comment on how much better it would be. But I have never felt like I was under braked without them.
Currently I have a LeisureLite pop up tent trailer, weighs about 280 lbs dry. We load another 150 to 200 lbs in it. No problems.
I also have a cargo trailer, it weighs about 180 dry and I have picked up well over 300 lbs. loads of steel with it, no problems.
Gonna look for a few pics to post up.
__________________
DKCustomProducts.com
DKCustomProducts.com
Found a few pics-
Picked up a load with the 05 RK Custom and Cargo Trailer
You can see it will hold quite a bit.
You can easily & safely haul far more than most people think is possible. lol
Here's a couple with the pop-up tent trailer...yep, the wife brings everything, including the kitchen sink.
One on the way to a campground-
One leaving a rally on a Sunday morning-
Picked up a load with the 05 RK Custom and Cargo Trailer
You can see it will hold quite a bit.
You can easily & safely haul far more than most people think is possible. lol
Here's a couple with the pop-up tent trailer...yep, the wife brings everything, including the kitchen sink.
One on the way to a campground-
One leaving a rally on a Sunday morning-
By the way, no-one has mentioned yet, you will find out .....NEVER pull an empty trailer on the highway . I always put at least a bag or two of kitty litter or a bag of salt or dog food. Around 40-50# will keep the trailer behind you and not in the air !
Taller tires also seem more stable behind ya . Also. I had at one time one with independent suspension that worked great also.
Taller tires also seem more stable behind ya . Also. I had at one time one with independent suspension that worked great also.
Last edited by sloufoot; Sep 28, 2012 at 01:52 AM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 31
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From: DJ, Alaska
Thanks for the input Tk & DK
Wow DK I'm impressed. You can make the most out of a load. I was hoping to chat with some folks that actually pull trailers with Triglide. So do you feel the brakes on the bike are adequate pulling your loaded leisurelite. Steep downhills, quick stops etc. How many miles are you getting on your brake pads. Your camper is pretty light considering. The trailer I am looking at is basically a 48"x24"x22" aluminum toolbox on wheels. Eagle trailers on ebay. With the 14' wheels and brakes nearly as much weight as your leisurelite, but I am pretty sure it is the one I want.
Wow DK I'm impressed. You can make the most out of a load. I was hoping to chat with some folks that actually pull trailers with Triglide. So do you feel the brakes on the bike are adequate pulling your loaded leisurelite. Steep downhills, quick stops etc. How many miles are you getting on your brake pads. Your camper is pretty light considering. The trailer I am looking at is basically a 48"x24"x22" aluminum toolbox on wheels. Eagle trailers on ebay. With the 14' wheels and brakes nearly as much weight as your leisurelite, but I am pretty sure it is the one I want.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 31
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From: DJ, Alaska
Sloufoot
I will take that into consideration, Thanks
I considered building a trailer but the torsion axle halves alone are $400 here in Alaska. The eagle trailer has leaf springs with nitrogen filled shocks. I was leaning to have a trailer with torsion axles but settled on this one.
I will take that into consideration, Thanks
I considered building a trailer but the torsion axle halves alone are $400 here in Alaska. The eagle trailer has leaf springs with nitrogen filled shocks. I was leaning to have a trailer with torsion axles but settled on this one.
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Sloufoot
I will take that into consideration, Thanks
I considered building a trailer but the torsion axle halves alone are $400 here in Alaska. The eagle trailer has leaf springs with nitrogen filled shocks. I was leaning to have a trailer with torsion axles but settled on this one.
I will take that into consideration, Thanks
I considered building a trailer but the torsion axle halves alone are $400 here in Alaska. The eagle trailer has leaf springs with nitrogen filled shocks. I was leaning to have a trailer with torsion axles but settled on this one.
Bike safe !
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Thanks for the input Tk & DK
Wow DK I'm impressed. You can make the most out of a load. I was hoping to chat with some folks that actually pull trailers with Triglide. So do you feel the brakes on the bike are adequate pulling your loaded leisurelite. Steep downhills, quick stops etc. How many miles are you getting on your brake pads. Your camper is pretty light considering. The trailer I am looking at is basically a 48"x24"x22" aluminum toolbox on wheels. Eagle trailers on ebay. With the 14' wheels and brakes nearly as much weight as your leisurelite, but I am pretty sure it is the one I want.
Wow DK I'm impressed. You can make the most out of a load. I was hoping to chat with some folks that actually pull trailers with Triglide. So do you feel the brakes on the bike are adequate pulling your loaded leisurelite. Steep downhills, quick stops etc. How many miles are you getting on your brake pads. Your camper is pretty light considering. The trailer I am looking at is basically a 48"x24"x22" aluminum toolbox on wheels. Eagle trailers on ebay. With the 14' wheels and brakes nearly as much weight as your leisurelite, but I am pretty sure it is the one I want.
I practice panic stops periodically, with and without the trailer. Can stop much faster than any cage.
I am at 27,000+ miles on the TG and still have over 50% of my original pads left, front and rear. About 7,000 miles pulling a trailer.
leisurelite has torsion bars, cargo leaf springs. Have had 3 other trailers, 2 with torsion, 1 with leaf. Torsion definitely makes the trailer ride smoother, but very little bumpiness transmits thru to the bike.
I have had swivel tongues on all my trailers, I think this is very important for pulling with 2 wheels, not sure how important with TG.
A few other important things pulling a trailer- Weight distribution/tongue weight is important...can make a big difference in the ride quality AND in trailer stability. Lots of articles on that on the web.
Super important is to have the trailer a little lower at the tongue than the axle. This will help prevent any wig-wag of the trailer.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: DJ, Alaska
I appreciate the input you guys. I guess I fill a little better about pulling a trailer even without the extra breaks after seeing the longevity your getting on your Tri pads . I would never have thought 27000 miles even with out pulling a trailer. Maybe I will rethink paying the extra money for the electric brakes.