Comments on: Is Trailering Safe?

By: Dale Coyner

Dale Coyner — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:55:39 +0000

That’s a great comment, thank you Gary. You’re absolutely right – it’s important to periodically examine the entire trailer-pulling setup, including the hitch. They’re so well hidden these days, it’s easy to forget them.

By: Gary S.

Gary S. — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:30:51 +0000

Dave,
Thanks for your interest and willingness to share your expertise in the area of using a motorcycle as a tow vehicle. I have seen a discussion on wheel sizes and the related maintenance necessary for bearing longevity, but I have not seen anything on one other important piece of equipment, and that is the hitch. In addition to the obvious, such as making sure the ball is on tight, routine inspection of all the nuts and bolts holding the hitch to the frame is essential. Some, if not most, hitches come in pieces that are bolted together. Anything loose should be tightened. Signs of rust at the joints may indicate a closer inspection is necessary; this may include removal and inspection of the joint fasteners. Any cracks in the members require immediate replacement. Now, for the war story. A fearless and experienced friend of mine (who shall remain nameless) was riding his trusty GL1500 pulling his camper down a washboard gravel road, when the trailer suddenly left the bike and took off down the ditch. When he turned around to see what had happened, he found the trailer coupler attached to the ball, safety chains attached to the receiver as well as the member with the receiver. It seems the member with the receiver had broken off at the hitch frame. The broken edge revealed one half was rusty and the other half was bright and shiny. A thorough pre-ride inspection may have detected this fault and prevented an embarrassing escapade.

By: Dale Coyner

Dale Coyner — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:47:45 +0000

You could probably pull it. Getting it stopped would be another matter. Before adding gear, that’s 490 lbs. And those measures are usually skewed toward the light end. it’s probably over 500 when actually delivered. I’d feel okay with that behind a trike but I think it’s just too heavy for a bike to pull and expect to stop safely.

By: duncan

duncan — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 08:36:12 +0000

can i pull an little guy rascal with my v star 1100 s

By: Dale Coyner

Dale Coyner — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:15:42 +0000

Hi Frank – I am aware that some folks have built trailers to pull a bike with a bike, but it’s largely a one-off, custom build and they’re typically using them to haul small dual-purpose bikes. I think there are a couple of issues with this scenario. First, you’d have to build a trailer wide enough that it would be stable handling that much weight at speed, probably wider than your bike. Towing a trailer that’s wider than the bike is chancy. Second, I think it would be too heavy. If the trailer is 200 lbs and the bike is 500, you’re looking at towing nearly the weight of your bike. I don’t think that would feel comfortable, nor would it be safe.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:06:09 +0000

I need a little help understanding trailering before I run out and buy one. I am planning a trip down to the “Tail of the Dragon” and I want to ride my Kawasaki Z1000 ninja on the Dragon but would rather take my Goldwing (93) down from Mass due to the comfort factor. The Z1000 weighs 500lbs and I will be riding solo. Would this be too much weight to tow behind my Goldwing and if it is not, what will the Bike feel like trailering @ 70mph.
Thanks
Frank

By: Dale Coyner

Dale Coyner — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:55:30 +0000

Hey Dave, good question. Although there’s no hard and fast rule, I’d recommend your fully loaded trailer/camper not exceed 50% of the bike’s wet weight. Less is better. If your Road King weighs in at, what, 800 lbs?, then a suggested max loaded weight would be around 400 lbs.

Some folks are comfortable running a very heavy trailer with electric brakes. I really hate electric brakes – I think they feel funny, even when they’re adjusted right. Getting them adjusted and keeping them adjusted are tricky, and another potential point of failure.

You’re better off, I think, if you pull the lightest trailer that will suit your needs AND you modify your riding (mostly by slowing down a little) to accommodate the extra weight.

By: Dave Charnigo

Dave Charnigo — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:31:39 +0000

I ride a road king, want to start towing a trailer to camp in. What size and weight (500lbs) should I consider? what is too big?
thanks
Dave

By: Dale Coyner

Dale Coyner — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:13:50 +0000

Hi John, I think the bike would have enough power to pull it without straining the bike. You’d have to decide if it has enough stopping power to be safe. I don’t know that there’s any way to objectively determine that, but I think that would be the primary consideration.

By: John D.

John D. — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 03:53:54 +0000

Hi,

I have a Vulcan 800 Classic. Is my bike to small to tow the mini mate?

Thanks,