Motorcycle Towing Vehicle

[5thwheelreviews]

Hi Folks -

I already have a travel trailer, but love to travel on my Harley Davidson. With these molded fiberglass trailers getting lighter every generation, I'm wondering if anyone on here might be able to recommend a manufacturer that is making a good quality unit that can safely be towed with a 1450cc Harley-Davidson Wide Glide.

Thanks

Dave

[Reid Larsen]

Have ridden Harleys for years-current bike is a newer Road King. I know and know of several riders who have gotten in big trouble pulling a trailer made for motorcycles. In my opinion motorcycles+ trailers= bad juju. I take a week or two motorcycle trip every summer and the same for trailer camping. Different type of trip and not to be mixed IMHO.

[5thwheelreviews]

Originally Posted by Reid Larsen

Have ridden Harleys for years-current bike is a newer Road King. I know and know of several riders who have gotten in big trouble pulling a trailer made for motorcycles. In my opinion motorcycles+ trailers= bad juju. I take a week or two motorcycle trip every summer and the same for trailer camping. Different type of trip and not to be mixed IMHO.

Well, that isn't the advice I was hoping to hear, but I've fortunately reached well beyond that age whereby I take advice from those who have experience. Looks like the motorcycle trips will continue with the pup-tent and sleeping bag. ..and eating at Waffle House (Yummie)

Thanks for sharing... Much appreciated.

Dave

[CallDon]

Originally Posted by 5thwheelreviews

Well, that isn't the advice I was hoping to hear, but I've fortunately reached well beyond that age whereby I take advice from those who have experience. Looks like the motorcycle trips will continue with the pup-tent and sleeping bag. ..and eating at Waffle House (Yummie)
Dave

Well, you could just get an Airstream and pull it

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnbRh9d96...+Airstream.jpg

D*

[Liz&Kev]

While not fiberglass, LittleGuy makes a small model that can be pulled behind larger bikes:
Little Guy The All New Little Guy JOEY Teardrop Camper Trailer
Little Guy Little Guy Rascal Teardrop Camper Trailer

I've previously owned a larger model LittleGuy, and it was a good place to sleep to stay off the ground, but no comparison to our Trillium for utility and interior space

[5thwheelreviews]

Originally Posted by CallDon

Well, you could just get an Airstream and pull it

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnbRh9d96...+Airstream.jpg

D*

...Or even better

YouTube - Dave_Harley.mov

[Emily R.]

I'm gonna have to throw a wrench in here....My parents are avid motorcyclist and ride a Honda Goldwing towing a Combi Camp pop-up style trailer and have never had an issue in over 20 years!
I wouldn't give up on the idea, just make sure your towing the right trailer and of course use common sense.

The picture is of a Combi Camp but it's not my parents and the picture at Dry Falls in WA is my husband and I riding last summer on our bikes, Kawasaki ZX14 (hubbys) Honda Hawk GT 650 (mine! ).
May all your roads be twisty!
Cheers!
Emily

[SherryNPaul]

Originally Posted by 5thwheelreviews

...Or even better

Hilarious!

[Donna D.]

Emily, I too have friends that are avid Goldwing riders and have towed a tent trailer with their cycles for years. Never any problems. I can't believe how BIG that trailer is when the ends are folded out. They care a cooler and lawn chairs on top just like the picture you posted. I think people just need to be careful when towing a trailer... no matter WHAT the tug.

[Adrian W]

We saw this one parked near us in Trindad, CO one morning in 2009.




Did not see the name of the trailer. But from the link provided by Liz&Kiv, I would say it was a Little Guy Rascal. http://www.golittleguy.com/teardrops/models/rascal/

But these are not molded fiberglass, "tubular steel frame and light-weight composite materials". May not have any molded fiberglass ones? I am not sure if many of the molded fiberglass TT are getting lighter each year, if any. Seems they are going larger not smaller. Only one I can think of which is pretty light is the Little Joe. http://www.weiscrafttrailers.com/littlejoe.html
Esps'l the Roughneck. http://www.weiscrafttrailers.com/roughneck.html
Not sure if it would work for a motorcycle or not?

There are these:
http://www.neoshotrailers.com/

http://www.jdtrailers.com/

[DeeJ]

We pulled a fiberglass cargo trailer for about 20 years with our old Goldwing (1200cc) & never had a problem. Always made sure the trailer was packed evenly & the tongue weight was right. DH says the only thing he can remember is in Colorado he pulled out to pass a motorhome & the bike wasn't happy at that altitude so he just pulled back in behind.
Can't suggest the make of trailer as we bought one here in Canada that is no longer made, but Bushtec out of California has one of the highest rated out there & Combi camp is another that people really like if you want a tent trailer. Go to a rally like Americade etc & you'll see all kinds of trailer manufacturers there.

[Reid Larsen]

I guess on a trailer site I should have guessed that the overwhelming sentiment would be pro trailer. What can I say? I won't compromise my safety by pulling one. Maybe invoke brand loyalty and note that all pro trailer messages involve Hondas- Gold wings no less. If you must please be careful and watch out for the draft behind big trucks and what ever you do don't let a trailer wheel slip off the pavement in a corner. I can pack a tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, collapsible cooler and cook kit w/ single burner stove and clothes etc. w/ out a trailer. What more do you need?

[Cyndi B.]

I have trouble staying on a bicyle with my water bottle fully loaded.

[Joe MacDonald]

My brother puts thousands of miles on every year, he drives a 2006 roadking, previously a 96 roadking. He pulls a Lee-sure-lite trailer when he feels like it, and has never had any issues, just leave more room for stopping, like any other rig pulling a trailer.


Joe

[DeeJ]

Originally Posted by Reid Larsen

I guess on a trailer site I should have guessed that the overwhelming sentiment would be pro trailer. What can I say? I won't compromise my safety by pulling one. Maybe invoke brand loyalty and note that all pro trailer messages involve Hondas- Gold wings no less. If you must please be careful and watch out for the draft behind big trucks and what ever you do don't let a trailer wheel slip off the pavement in a corner. I can pack a tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, collapsible cooler and cook kit w/ single burner stove and clothes etc. w/ out a trailer. What more do you need?

I think that you already compromise your safety by riding a motorcycle, so I don't know that that argument holds much water.
After 30 years of motorcycling & yes we did the 2 up touring, camping thing, we feel we need a good nights sleep which for me doesn't happen on a pad on the ground & to have more than a can of chili or beans every night, cooking on a one burner stove. We travel in all kinds of weather, not just in the warm summer & that entails rain gear, a bit larger tent for all your wet things at night, a lantern, 2 burner stove, COFFEE POT (the single most important item) etc... good luck getting all that on even a Gold wing!
Sorry you feel that it's unsafe but if we only did things that were guaranteed safe you would never step out of your house. Pulling a trailer has allowed us to travel across the US & Canada in relative comfort & we have never felt unsafe in cornering, nor do we allow ourselves to follow trucks close enough to back draft.

[Greg H]

You could always get one of those bassakwards Can Am trikes.

[5thwheelreviews]

Originally Posted by Reid Larsen

I guess on a trailer site I should have guessed that the overwhelming sentiment would be pro trailer. What can I say? I won't compromise my safety by pulling one. Maybe invoke brand loyalty and note that all pro trailer messages involve Hondas- Gold wings no less. If you must please be careful and watch out for the draft behind big trucks and what ever you do don't let a trailer wheel slip off the pavement in a corner. I can pack a tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, collapsible cooler and cook kit w/ single burner stove and clothes etc. w/ out a trailer. What more do you need?

I'm leaning against pulling a trailer on the Harley. And yeah, many of the pro-towing are Goldwings which is basically a car with two wheels. You can go 100,000 miles on a bike with no issues, but it only takes one to change your life. Now I'm looking into how I can have a platform fabricated and welded to the frame of my 5th Wheel and just carry the bike along. Nevertheless, I really do appreciate everyone's input on this...

[Francesca Knowles]

Hi Dave

Maybe you made up your mind too soon...
This belongs to new member "Dennis In Texas", According to his Avatar

......................................

Francesca

[5thwheelreviews]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Hi Dave

Maybe you made up your mind too soon...
This belongs to new member "Dennis In Texas", According to his Avatar

......................................

Francesca

BaaHaahhaahahhaahhaa. I love it !!! Maybe if I were just 40 years younger :-)

[Francesca Knowles]

Hello again, Dave

I did inquire of Dennis in Texas re. details, especially as to whether or not it came with the one-Texan-horsepower propulsion system as pictured.
I haven't heard back, as yet.
If it does come so equipped, maybe you and your motorcycle could just ride along inside...
You did entitle this thread "Motorcycle-towing VEHICLE", after all. And here it is!
It does look as if it's practically got your name- well, at least your screen name- on it.
Given your apparent interest in 5th wheel technology, I mean.
I think you'd have to look a l-o-o-o-ng time to find a better example of placing "the payload" as nicely between the axles...

...Happy trails to you...
..............Francesca