Transport a trike

[rgw5944]

I am looking for a way to take my trike to Florida the October. I am thinking about using a tow dolly and disconnecting the trike drive shaft so there is no strain on the bike transmission. Has anyone used a tow dolly to pull your trike and if so, what were your experiences.

Ron

 

[Gold Rush]

I am looking for a way to take my trike to Florida the October. I am thinking about using a tow dolly and disconnecting the trike drive shaft so there is no strain on the bike transmission. Has anyone used a tow dolly to pull your trike and if so, what were your experiences.

Ron

If you are speaking about the tow apparatus where the front tire rests in it while it's attached to the tow vehicle then I can think of two possible issues right away.

First the weight on the tow vehicle hitch. Unless you have a larger SUV or a pick-up the hitch dead weight may over load the hitch weight. I'd certainly do some weighing before getting too committed to the idea.

Second problem I see is how close to the ground the rear of the trike will be while hitched up to the dolly. I can imagine it will be very near dragging. The one I use to have several years ago for my Honda CB350 carried the front wheel at least a foot off the ground. Which adds a third issue. How would you get the trike wheel into and out of such a dolly?

Another thought.... The road trash kicked up by the tow vehicle will not be kind at all to your trike's paint.....

 

[rmrc51]

If you are speaking about the tow apparatus where the front tire rests in it while it's attached to the tow vehicle then I can think of two possible issues right away.

First the weight on the tow vehicle hitch. Unless you have a larger SUV or a pick-up the hitch dead weight may over load the hitch weight. I'd certainly do some weighing before getting too committed to the idea.

Second problem I see is how close to the ground the rear of the trike will be while hitched up to the dolly. I can imagine it will be very near dragging. The one I use to have several years ago for my Honda CB350 carried the front wheel at least a foot off the ground. Which adds a third issue. How would you get the trike wheel into and out of such a dolly?

Another thought.... The road trash kicked up by the tow vehicle will not be kind at all to your trike's paint.....

I have to agree with all of Gold Rush's concerns stated above. The best way to transport a trike is "on" a trailer.

 

[rgw5944]

Thanks for the comments...... I was considering a tow dolly similar to what is used to tow a car with the front wheel on the dolly. The dolly below on ebay looks good but the shipping from England is a killer. Can't find anything similar online in the USA.

TRIKE TRANSPORTER TRAILER - TOWING DOLLY TOURING / RECOVERY SAFE & EASY TOWING | eBay

For sure, my Honda Crosstour could not begin to handle the weight from the trike or could the hitch with one of the tow gizmos that fit into the trailer hitch. Thought about buying a used tow dolly and cutting the width down but, a trailer is probably the best option. I need to find a light weight 5'x8' trailer that will carry 1500lbs. I just have to figure out where to store it.
Thanks again
Ron

 

[rmrc51]

It sounds like your best bet would be one of the all aluminum single axle trailers for the least amount of weight, although they can be a bit pricey. I prefer a tandem axle not only for safety in case of a flat, but they also seem to tow/track better. Just my opinion.

 

[Gold Rush]

For sure, my Honda Crosstour could not begin to handle the weight from the trike or could the hitch with one of the tow gizmos that fit into the trailer hitch. Thought about buying a used tow dolly and cutting the width down but, a trailer is probably the best option. I need to find a light weight 5'x8' trailer that will carry 1500lbs. I just have to figure out where to store it.
Thanks again
Ron

Well that was a cute little thing Ron and it might actually work but I don't know about going long distances. Then there is the road trash issue.....

I agree that a light trailer is probably the better idea except I wonder if your Crosstour can even handle that much tongue weight. General rule of thumb is 12.5 to 15 percent of the total trailer and load weight should be felt on the hitch. You would be looking at close to 200 pounds. That is alot for that small of a vehicle.

 

[Alderman]

Took my Motor trike down to Florida from Tennessee for 2012 Dayton Bike Week on my single axle open 5x8 trailer with no problem. Just had to load it on backwards so all of the weight was up at the front of the trailer and off the rear axle.Having it straight on made the trailer sway side to side and not safe.Also had to tie down the windshield with rachet strap because it would catch the wind facing the other way. ThumbUp

 

[hbrogan57]

***RIDE***