Trailer question. Do I need chains?

[alph]

I’ve been wanting to make a single wheel trailer for my IS.  I’ve found a front wheel off of an older cycle, and now I’ll be making everything else.  The question is, do I need to install chains on my trailer the same way that they’re required on a car/truck?

Has anyone else made a single wheel trailer for their cycle?  Got pictures?  What did you use for a wheel?  How about suspension?  Were can I go for diagrams?

[Bob E.]

I believe chains are required by law the same as a car or truck.  Maybe some states are different, but PA requires them. Traffic laws aside, there are also the philosophical reasons for using or not using chains on bike/trailer rigs. 

Arguement against using chains:  I know alot of people who don't use them on bikes for fear that a detached trailer could cause the bike to go down, causing increased risk to the rider.  My dad holds this belief and never uses them. 

Arguement for using chains:  Others believe that it is the trailer puller's responsibilty to use the chains to prevent a run-away trailer from harming the travelling public, even if it puts the rider at increased risk since it is his choice to pull a trailer.  I tend to hold this belief and use the chains. 

The big question:  I struggle with the thought that a detached trailer could cause loss of control of the motorcycle thereby creating a 1100 lb run-away object that could harm or maim others...rather than a 300lb object.  Which is worse??  I'm not sure. 

For pics of a home-made single wheel trailer, check out this thread.  He didn't build the frame, but you can get a pretty good idea of how the frame is put together and the suspension and all.  http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2399

[Steve K (IA)]

As far as the safety chains go, that could be required by law depending on the laws in your state.  I'm not sure of the law here in Iowa, but I have safety chains on my Cycle Mate trailer.      

[alph]

hey bob, thanks for that web site.  i visited the guys webshots site and found some good idea's.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/575925469YzhDvU

[R J]

When I retired chains were required in all states per Federal Law.

If you mount the chains CORRECTLY, they will save your bacon if you lose a ball, receiver and or etc.

When you put chains on a trailer tongue, put one on each side of the tongue.    Take the left side and cross over under the tongue, do like wise with the right one.      
 
Put the trailer behind the bike, or car or truck, whatever you are building it for.

Set the tongue on something 5 or 6" tall.

Load the bike down to it's riding weight when you will be using a trailer.   Measure how high the top of the ball is.   You will need this measurement when you are finalizing the length of the chain.
If you want shorter length on the chain somewhere down the road, you can twist the 2 chains and hang them with the twist.   You do not wanting them dragging, trust me.........   ALWAYS KEEP THAT SAFETY CHAIN UNDER THE TONGUE AND CROSSED OVER TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE WHEN IN MOTION.

Put the ends on your chains that you will be using to connect them.  Leave them crossed over UNDER the tongue.   Connect the hooks and make the chain snug with the tongue on this block, secure your 'S' ring quick snap or whatever you use.    Now, cut the chain to keep that chain snug under the tongue.    Add your connector permanently and you are good to go.  If you end up with too much chain, you can twist it together and take out some slack.

IF, that ball or hitch should come off, your trailer tongue it will not dig into the pavement and toss it over your back.

[Bob E.]

hey bob, thanks for that web site.  i visited the guys webshots site and found some good idea's.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/575925469YzhDvU

No problem! 

[Jeff K]

I don't run a ball hitch, mine is a swivel joint, it is bolted on to the receiver hitch.
The trailer didn't come with chains and I've never added them. No one has ever said anything about it.

[Bob E.]

When I retired chains were required in all states per Federal Law.

If you mount the chains CORRECTLY, they will save your bacon if you lose a ball, receiver and or etc.

When you put chains on a trailer tongue, put one on each side of the tongue.    Take the left side and cross over under the tongue, do like wise with the right one.      
 
Put the trailer behind the bike, or car or truck, whatever you are building it for.

Set the tongue on something 5 or 6" tall.

Load the bike down to it's normal riding weight with a trailer.   Measure how high the top of the ball is.   You will need this measurement when you are finalizing the length of the chain.
If you want shorter length on the chain somewhere down the road, you can twist the 2 chains and hang them with the twist.   You do not wanting them dragging, trust me.........

Put the ends on your chains that you will be using to connect them.  Leave them crossed over UNDER the tongue.   Connect the hooks and make the chain snug with the tongue on this block, secure your 'S' ring quick snap or whatever you use.    Now, cut the chain to keep that chain snug under the tongue.    Add your connector permanently and you are good to go.

IF, that ball or hitch should come off, your trailer tongue will not dig into the pavement and toss it over your back.

My fear isn't that the tongue will dig into the pavement and flip the trailer, my fear is that the trailer will whip side to side causing loss of control.  I actually had this happen while towing an empty (lucky for that!!) atv trailer with my Bronco.  For whatever reason, the ball came unbolted from the hitch bar causing the trailer to be caught by the chains.  Even though I was driving on a relatively straight road (I-81 in PA) the trailer started whipping from side to side until it ultimately swung around far enough that the tire caught the softer shoulder (as I eased over off the highway) and flipped the trailer into the air, striking the tailgate of the truck.  I still have no idea why it didn't blow the glass out because the tailgate was f'ed up pretty bad.  The trailer tongue never hit the ground because the chains were the proper length and criss-crossed under the tongue.  That actually worked out well.  And the hitch never actually let go of the ball...it was still clamped in the hitch when I checked it out.  It was easy to see because when I stopped, the trailer was upside-down being dragged by the chains...with the wheels still spinning at what looked like 70mph.  It was a pretty violent occurrence that happened very quickly.  Luckily, nobody was in the lane next to me when it let go or I would have taken them out too.  

[fudgie]

I'd put them on mine, and I do. I figure if it came off, with my luck all my stuff would fly off the mountain! Bob has alot of good logic of to do or not to do. I say the likelyhood of it coming off the bike is slim. I'd feel better/more responsible about myself if it came off and I wrecked then if it came off and killed someone behind me or in the other lane.

[Al in AK]

Arguement for using chains:  Others believe that it is the trailer puller's responsibilty to use the chains to prevent a run-away trailer from harming the travelling public, even if it puts the rider at increased risk since it is his choice to pull a trailer.  I tend to hold this belief and use the chains


I have a conscience, and have to go this route also. I have the tongue locked on the ball and the chains crossed. A little shorter than in this picture........
Of course I should have my jacket on also...................


 I love to trailer................ And post pictures................

[MP]

If the chains are set up per RJ's instructions, ie crossed and as short as possible, there will not be much side to side either.  By crossing, it not only catches the hitch, but the chains can be much shorter also.

MP

[Bob E.]

I'm sure that the shorter chains would help in minimizing the whipping action.  In my case with my Bronco, the truck was lifted 4" with 33" tires and I was running a pretty long drop hitch.  But the chains were still attached at bumper height so they were pretty long...even though they weren't sagging.  So that created somewhat of a pendulum effect that allowed the trailer tongue to swing side to side pretty far...which resulted in the severe whipping action I described in the previous post.

[larryh0841]

I support Bob in that anyone that pulls a trailer should be responsible and use the safety chains.  I have been pullling trailers behind motorcycles for more than 40 years and during that time have had a trailer separate from a bike twice.  On both occasions the safety chains held and I was able to bring the bike and trailer to a save stop.  One chain broke on one occasion, but the second on held.  As far as comments on the trailer whipping from side to side or other handling problems these have to be addressed with proper construction and weight distribution.
                                                   Larry

[Red Diamond]

I’ve been wanting to make a single wheel trailer for my IS.  I’ve found a front wheel off of an older cycle, and now I’ll be making everything else.  The question is, do I need to install chains on my trailer the same way that they’re required on a car/truck?

Has anyone else made a single wheel trailer for their cycle?  Got pictures?  What did you use for a wheel?  How about suspension?  Were can I go for diagrams?

RJ, I agree with everything you said, but read the original post. May the good lord have mercy if anything comes loose with a single wheel trailer, chains or not. I would also think there would be a load balancing issue associated with a single wheel setup.

[hubcapsc]

Frank Smoak made one, he likes it.



-Mike

[alph]

RJ, I follow those instructions when ever I hook up the pop-up camper, or any other trailer on my truck, but as 99 Red Diamond said my concern is with a single wheel. Since it is a federal law, I guess that answers my question!  Thank you!

Al in AK, love that trailer!!  Nice and slick looking, would be excellent behind any vehicle, (well, maybe not behind a huge 4x4…)

Mike in SC, now we’re talking!!  What did that trailer do for your gas mileage?  Does it add too much weight to your back wheel causing the headlights to rise, or do you adjust your shocks to compensate?  Does it ever “swagger” or sway?  What about loading?  Just keep it balanced in the center right?

[hubcapsc]

Mike in SC, now we’re talking!!  What did that trailer do for your gas mileage?  Does it add too much weight to your back wheel causing the headlights to rise, or do you adjust your shocks to compensate?  Does it ever “swagger” or sway?  What about loading?  Just keep it balanced in the center right?

No effect. That's Frank's bike it is hooked to  He doesn't stop by here as often as he used to, but I bet he'd
be glad to talk about the trailer if you send him email... maybe he'll even come back here for a visit...

-Mike

[Jeff K]

RJ, I follow those instructions when ever I hook up the pop-up camper, or any other trailer on my truck, but as 99 Red Diamond said my concern is with a single wheel. Since it is a federal law, I guess that answers my question!  Thank you!

In reference to trailers under 3,000 pounds

Safety chains are not Federal Law.
Trailer requirements are at state level.
Many states do not have any regulations for trailers under 3,000 pounds.

I know safety chains are not required on trailers under 3,000 pounds in Florida.

[R J]

I just called one of my old CHiP buddies, who still works for the state DMV.    We just enforced what was passed down.

When I retired, in 1986, he said the Fed's were trying to get this bill passed on safety chains.    He said it failed after my retirement that year.

Jeff K is correct, it is over 3,000 # trailers.

He suggested you call your state DMV and ask them.   He couldn't tell me how many states had a chain requirement.

He also didn't know about a single wheel trailer and chains...

Sorry for the confusion.

Iowa requires chains, 1 wheel, 2 wheel, 4 wheel, 6 wheel, or more wheels.

I know any trailer you buy anymore, it has chains included.  Factory or Harbor Freight style, some assembly required.   LOL

[Bob E.]

Frank Smoak made one, he likes it.



-Mike

Hey Mike...Nice Bronco!   I love them old trucks.

[Sodbuster]

I would have to agree that the chains should be used .... part of being a responsible rider.  I would think it would look good in court that you were using chains should the darn thing come apart from the bike and end up hurting someone.

Also, here's a website on cycle trailer chains with PICTURES

http://www.customcruiserchrome.com/chains

[clintsdivco]

I found this on another site regarding safety chain requirements by state.

http://home.att.net/~vintage_campers...yChainLaws.pdf

Clint

[Jeff K]

I found this on another site regarding safety chain requirements by state.

http://home.att.net/~vintage_campers...yChainLaws.pdf

Clint

The link does not work


Try this one
http://home.att.net/~vintage_campers/info_pages/StateSafetyChainLaws.pdf


But once again... some of these laws DO NOT APPLY to trailers under 3,000 pounds.

[Hobo]

http://www.n-line.com/trailers.htm

Here is a trailer I used to have with a cycle type wheel.
It had chains, however I was undecided about their use.

It handled very well but when off the bike it needed a centerstand.   ???