darkside and a trailer

[mark81]

This is all just wishful thinking at this time. I have decided to go with the att on my next tire change. I also aspire to do a bit of traveling and camping in the next few years. I would love to get a camper I can pull behind the bike eventually but the near future i will probably end up with a tag along from harbor freight with a tent and air mattress in it. 

Have any of you pulled a trailer with a car tire and a mc tire? Which does better with a trailer?  The att is taller than a regular tire is there a significant torque loss that would make pulling difficult?

Also if anyone has an extra hitch laying around that fits an interstate they want to give me that would be great.

Thanks for any input since I have never gone darkside or towed with a bike before.

[N8171S]

I tow a camper trailer and sometimes a boat trailer with my tourer equiped with the  ATT and love it.  I did have a Bridgestone for 37,000 which strarted to handle poorly as it got worn.  You will love the ATT whether just riding or towing.

[old2soon]

Handling ALL comes down to proper loading of the trailer and the CORRECT amount of weight on the tongue and ball. And the tongue being as near level as possible when hooked to the M/C. First time I pulled a trailer with my I/S within 10 miles or less I had to remind myself it was there. First time you try to drag it over a curb you WILL remember to swing out and turn a tad later. NOPE-I didn't do dat-I used to drive semi!  As sorta an F Y I-used hitches still bring good money!  RIDE SAFE.

[Earl43P]

No towing experience, but that choice of a darkside tire gives a good ride, very much like a motorcycle tire.

However,.....

I have had an ATT on my 93 Goldwing for 25,500+ miles and just got it inspected. Right at 11 months since installation and it is just about touching the wear bars in the center of the tread. Nowhere near the wear bars on the outer treads, so he passed it at 2/32". I run it at 45 psi to keep the high speed wobble at bay. If you never go over 80, you can run it at the lower pressures. Just don't expect it to last like other car tires, based on my experience commuting.

Still, it gave me more than double the mileage of most motorcycle tires.

[mark81]

Old2soon I am well aware of the price of a used hitch and the limited selection of new for just a few dollars more.  That is exactly why I dont have one on my bike yet and why it would be great if I got one for free.  I  am not actually expecting one to be given to me but you dont know if you dont ask- wishful thinking.

[old2soon]

Old2soon I am well aware of the price of a used hitch and the limited selection of new for just a few dollars more.  That is exactly why I dont have one on my bike yet and why it would be great if I got one for free.  I  am not actually expecting one to be given to me but you dont know if you dont ask- wishful thinking.

          If yer goin to Morgantown in June the garage sale turns up some interesting stuff. Look up big Mike in the member list and shoot him a P M. He used to deal a LOT of Valkyrie stuff. NOT sure if he sold EVERYTHING out or not. He usually had one or two trailer hitches to sell. Worth a shot!  RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

If you have a mig welder and some metal cutting tools Mr. Tank posted plans for a hitch a while back.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,26927.0.html

[allanbegg]

I ran with a car tire and a Harbor Freight trailer on my '99 Shadow ACE Tourer.
To me, the trailer seemed a little more stable with the car tire on the bike than with a M/C tire.
My guess was that there was more contact surface on the ground, so the trailer couldn't push the bike from side to side as easily.
I pulled it from south eastern PA to Ocean City MD,  to Monterey CA, and back to PA.
Go for it.

[gordonv]

I had the ATT on my GW, but sold it. Bought a enclosed trailer as a Christmas gift to myself, but never drove it behind the bike before I sold it. 

But you are looking for a mc tent trailer. I can only suggest that with the USD now favorable to you, this one for $5000 CAD ($3710 USD) becomes very affordable. Made in BC.

http://www.leesurelite.com/build-your-trailer.asp

[mark81]

Earl43p
25,000 miles out of a tire is good enough for me.  If i got 4,000 out of a rear tire on my cb750 i was happy.  The po replaced the tires on the bike shortly before i bought it. He said he put less than 1000 miles on the bike while he owned it (only had 10,000 when i bought it) i have a couple thousand on them and the rear is shot. Bad cupping on the tread, feels like driving a tank in low speed turns.

Gordonv
I had looked at the leesurelite trailers and was very impressed, also like the addons they offer. Didn't even dawn on me that Canadian money isn't american money (you mean the entire world doesn't revolve around us?) I wonder how the taxes would be bringing that to the states.  Might be worth a reason to take a trip up to see in person.  Still probably a few years out before that kind of investment.

Allanbegg
Good to know that not only does a car tire work well with a trailer but you can put some miles on the harbor freight trailer as well

Old2soon
I am very much looking foward to going to morgantown but i cant confirm plans until a few weeks beforehand. Thanks for the tip on locating a hitch

Meathead
I do have a welder and my fabrication skills are mildly acceptable