First time towing a trailer.

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I will be towing a trailer on a short trip this weekend,have less then 60 lbs weight in trailer.I am just a little apprehensive,just need to increase my braking distance for the weight of trailer and cargo.Will be riding with 7 other bikes and the possibility of rain on Friday,so wish me luck LOL.

 

[Trampas]

My first time I towed a trailer I was a little nervous as well, bought a cycle mate 2000 trailer back in 1999 and I towed it to Sturgis, first time ever of pulling any kind of trailer, I didn't even know the trailer was back there, pulled it with my 1997 FXSTC and it pulled great, later on I got a 2002 Road King and it pulled great also. Still have those bikes and the trailer, wanting to put hitch on the triglide but haven't yet.

Check out your trailer, it should tell you how much tongue weight to have, if I remember right mine was around 30lbs, I kept mine at around 20lbs, and like I said it pulled great.

Yes you might want to watch how close you are to other people and the braking distance, when I pulled mine I was in a group of 6 all going to sturgis and we all had trailers.

All for now Trampas

 

[jc1300]

I'm with Fuzzy and Trampas....I go to about 20lbs.....but basically leave the trunks empty......And I know this may sound funny, but I enjoy pulling the trailer. Not that I'm a real lead foot, but I tend to be a bit more leisurely with the trailer. Less stress for me at least - jc

 

[milemaker]

Have been pulling a trailer with motorcycles for about 30 years. It wont take long and you will be a pro. I don't know what kind of trailer you have but most of the good quality cargo trailers pull very nice. Make sure you have good tongue weight like the others said. Make sure you swing just a little wider when pulling around gas pumps at gas stations so the trailer doesn't try to climb up the curbs. If your only pulling 60 pounds in your trailer you wont have to adjust much with the braking.

I don't know if your trailer has air ride, leaf springs or torsion suspension. They all ride a little different depending on what you have. Don't put 60 pounds of air pressure in your trailer tires if you read the side walls to get the tire pressure. If you put that much air into them the trailer may bounce all over the place.

I run about 22 pounds in my trailer tires with air ride suspension.

good luck,

 

[Ed Hobgood]

You are right about watching the weight you put in your trailer. The more weight the more braking you will use. You will fine after a little while you don't even notice the trailer is behind you. I pulled a trailer behind my trikes for the last ten years and wouldn't go out for even a weekend trip without one.

 

[cph88fan]

Good luck and let us know how it goes

 

[Sunman]

First time I pulled a trailer was in 1998 from Houston to Sturgis and back. I made the trailer out of a flatbed trailer I bought at Walmart for $150.00 and a Sears car top carrier. At one point in Kansas we were trying to out run a hail storm and I was pulling it at 85 mph and it tracked straight and true. It worked great and I still have it. Whole set-up cost me less than $300.00.

As others have said, the 2 main things to remember when pulling a trailer is don't forget it is back there when turning corners, pulling up to gas pumps, etc. and allow extra braking distance.

Sunman

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Got back today,it was a short trip about 400 miles.And the trailer performed flawlessly,if i didn't see it in the mirrors i wouldn't have known it was even there.

 

[Trampas]

Got back today,it was a short trip about 400 miles.And the trailer performed flawlessly,if i didn't see it in the mirrors i wouldn't have known it was even there.

Glad you had a good trip and no problems, didn't think you would

All for now Trampas