Trailering Question

[Doc809]

Planning a couple of longer trips in a few weeks and was wondering about trailering my gear.  I have pulled a trailer behind the phat gurl (99 std) for several years but never wanted to take as much gear as now.  I know about the 60% weight in front of the axle, etc.  What I do not know is about how much weight (including the weight of the trailer) can the ol' girl handle safely.  Can't seem to find specs anywhere.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Larry

[sandy]

I towed a tent trailer over 8,000 miles one summer. It weighed over 400 lbs. All was OK until it rained. The limit is the Valks brakes. In the rain it was panic city. I'd keep the weight down to 300 or less.

[Chrisj CMA]

The weight distribution plan I use for my 19cuft tow behind is to have 20-30lbs tongue weight.  You dont want a lot more than that or it will interrfer with your riding

[John Schmidt]

Another thought to keep in mind has to do with whether you have air adjustable shocks on the trailer. If so, hook it up to the bike while empty and measure from the floor to a fixed point on the trailer, do each side separately. Then after loading the trailer with all the stuff(and we all know who's stuff it's going to be, right?), pump the shocks back up to the same measurement. And keep in mind as was mentioned re. tongue weight.

[R J]

I pulled a look-a-like home made Stage Coach in all the lower 48 and to Alaska, hitting all the Canadian Providences except 3.

I didn't have brakes on this trailer.

I bought a heavy assed camping trailer.   I added electric brakes to it.    The Valk brakes are mush with a large trailer, expecially loaded.

Make sure you distribute the load properly and everything should be a go....

[deadwood]

I've been pulling a Kwik Kamp with my 2001 I/S for a number of years. When I got it I set it up on bathroom scales and got the following measurments. (trailer empty but with a full small propane bottle, spare tire and empty cooler.)

Total Wt = 479 Lbs
Left wheel - 208 lbs
Rigth wheel - 206 lbs
Tounge = 65lbs

I've loaded it up as much as 660 lbs with a tounge wt of 98 lbs. (Darkside)
Never really had any problems except it does not like to pass gas stations. Typically get about 24 MPG but once on I10 at 80MPH with a 20 Kt headwind I got 18 MPG.

I've only ridden it solo when pulling the trailer but I did loan it to a buddy once who put his wife on it and did a 1000 mile trip including 10,000 ft mountain passes.  He never complained.

YMMV

Planning a couple of longer trips in a few weeks and was wondering about trailering my gear.  I have pulled a trailer behind the phat gurl (99 std) for several years but never wanted to take as much gear as now.  I know about the 60% weight in front of the axle, etc.  What I do not know is about how much weight (including the weight of the trailer) can the ol' girl handle safely.  Can't seem to find specs anywhere.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Larry