trailer
 

Looking for any incite and information on pulling a trailer with my bagger. I got a rode trip I'm planning on doing this summer with the OL. Need more storage space than the bike itself can carry, so I'm thinking a trailer will help with everything that Kat needs for a long trip. My sidecar is gone, but the bike still has the upgraded clutch and belt I did when pulling the extra weight of the sidecar.

What tips and advice do you guys who have pulled a trailer on their bike have?

What kind of trailer are you planning on using? I have a Bushtec, and I hardly even notice it behind the bike. You do need to allow a little extra space for braking though. Balance the load so the tongue weight isn't too much, and don't overload it. Other than that, enjoy!

Slow speed turns in parking lots, more when your starting from a stop. Best to have the trailer straight out behind the bike, not at an angle as it will "pull" to one side until the trailer is straight.

Air pressure in the tires. Springs may make the trailer bounce; Heim joint on the hitch so if the trailer flips, it won't take the bike.

As Stoney said, balance of the trailer is important. Just the right amount of weight on the tongue. About 10% of total load is what I typically used.

I don't care much for the trailers with small wheels. I also have an older Bushtec and it's been a joy to tow. The suspension is fantastic and if you have the time to watch, you can usually find one second hand for a decent price.

Other manufactures are "In-line", "Motorvation", and "American Legend". These aren't the only ones, but the ones I recall.

http://www.1motorcycletrailers.com/escapealuminum.html

This is what I was thinking of getting. Looks well built, free swivel coupler, and decent price. Not too fancy, but functional.

Sure.. do you mind picking that up for me and bringing out to California, I'm a little busy at work this week.

Looks like a decent trailer.

Look at the bottom of this site. The "Legacy" and "Heritage" trailers. I believe these are what people are referring to as the "Bushtec" clones. They look like two of the Bushtec models, but they are not. Made in China. :blink:

I ordered the trailer online, and it showed up disassembled on a pallet to my house today. Got it all put together in about an hour. Now just got to wait for the hitch I ordered to show up.

Looks good.

I'm giving consideration to pulling a small trailer this summer as well. I always over pack, but if I had that trailer I would have load up all the gear and one of my stubby little whitewater kayaks to mount on top. Who's hitch are you using? I had though about having something made.


doB

Looks good Doug - let us know how it pulls.

Consider a heim hitch rather than a ball hitch.

Picked up the hitch & trailer wiring harness after work today. Didn't waist any time getting it mounted up. Took it for a test ride around the neighborhood, trailer was empty. Didn't even feel it behind me. Think I'll take it to work this week & run a few arrons with it to feel how it rides with a load. There is a ball hitch, but the trailer has what they call a swivel hitch. So I can still lean in corners.

Ooops, wrong picture. :doh:

What did you do with your sidecar?