Piggy Backer Trailer Ride Report

[BonS]

Shortly before Inzane I pulled the trigger on a Piggy Backer tow behind trailer. I'd been looking at the HF trailers but I liked the extras that I'd get with the Piggy Backer. Mainly, the 12" tires, independent suspension, swivel hitch, spare tire, kickstand, LED lights and a snazzy clear coat paint job. I figured it was a good starter trailer @ 16 cu ft. The promised 2 hour assembly time quickly turned into about 8 hours as I struggled to get the camber and toe-in dialed in. This required reaming out some holes slightly and shimming the mounts. I expect the payback will be in tread life and good tracking.

Well, I made my inaugural trailer ride to Inzane XIII. I know from experience what it's like to pilot my Interstate loaded with bags, trunk and racks full and the resulting bloated, top heavy, feeling. But I've never had or pulled a trailer and took the gamble that I'd like it better than that.

So, I packed with reckless abandon and even let my riding buddies throw in their extra equipment as well. I added the requisite cooler with ice, water, food and more. Keeping the tongue weight minimal wasn't hard at all because there's quite a bit of packing space behind the axle center-line and this is where I put the heaviest stuff.

Slow speed handling is the hardest to get used to. The trailer seems to pull the bike into a slow speed turn. The slower the speed the greater the effect. On the highway I loved the handling. It's as if the bike has a longer wheel base so the road irregularities were less pronounced and it held its direction without effort. Because the bike itself was not loaded up, the overall performance of the bike felt much more stable and controlled. I like it. Yes, braking takes longer but I don't mind leaving a little extra cushion between me and traffic.

Once home I set about finding a place to park the trailer between adventures and discovered that the Dowco XL motorcycle cover that I rarely use for the Interstate fits it quite well. The tires are mostly covered and the cooler fits underneath as well.

I looked at quite a few HF and older Piggy Backer trailers while at Inzane. Many had the smaller wheels and leaf spring suspensions and along with that they didn't have the rear overhang behind the tires. Without the rear overhang it's more challenging to keep the tongue weight in check. The current Piggy Backer has a more generous rear overhang and as a result I found it really easy to keep the tongue weight close to 20-30#. Overall I'm really happy with the new trailer and I expect that it'll get lots of use in the next few years.

Now if I can just learn how to back the thing up I'll be fine. Suggestions?

[robin]

I have many miles on my piggy backer and it is an older one and has the smaller tires.
I have never had any issues the bigger tires didn't matter one bit keep the bearings greased up and fresh and you will never have a problem.

[Michvalk]

Tip for backing up........don't. Try to find a parking space you can drive out

By the way, nice trailer!

[Jess from VA]

Great report, and nice looking trailer.  

I am wondering if it could be stood up against a wall on the rear guard bar?

That or hung from a garage ceiling stud to the tongue (hoisted up as high as possible).

Without the cooler/empty, what's it weigh? 170lbs, just like me, 20 years ago.

[sandy]

Make an adapter for the hitch that lowers the hitch ball to the same height as the rear axle. Approx 13". Your low speed handling issues will go away.

[jmann]

Your piggy backer looks like my harbor freight tag along cept yours has independant suspension. Very nice though quite a bit more expensive. The backing up part just takes practice. It can be done just remember that it doesn't take much handle bar movement to effect the direction of the trailer. You will get frustrated a few times but it will come. I do try to find pull thrus but they aren't always available. Enjoy your new ability to take everything along on your trips that you want and now picking things up from the hardware store just became more fun.   

[Mr Whiskey]

picking things up from the hardware store just became more fun.   

We grocery shop with ours, (I'm allergic to cages, haha).
Peace, Whiskey.

[R J]

When I parked mine w/trailer, I'd find a spot, usually 2 empty ones, go in on 2nd spot, get as close to the curb as you could get and head it out of the 2nd spot.

Usually you end up with the bike and trailer in an "L" shape.

If only one space open, pulled up in front of the hole and turned out toward traffic, backed the trailer n the hole 1st and if it would go up over the curb without too much effort, backed it up on the grass.     Only had one place bitch at me for parking on their grass.   Asked them how long ago had they mowed it.    He shut up pronto.     Grass was at least 8 to 10" tall.   If it is a HIGH curb just find a curb to park along side.

[John Schmidt]

Bon, you don't want to have the preponderance of weight behind the axle. If you go to far in that direction, it will have a tendency to sway....something you don't want at highway speeds. Can get very dicey very fast!

I'm still looking for a Uni-go, not too many out there for my price.    I could build one I guess, but that would get in the way of other unfinished projects. 

[BonS]

Thanks for the advice John as that sounds terrible. I'll try to follow the general rule of 10-15% of the trailer weight on the tongue. HitchDoc limits the maximum tongue weight to 40# and 10% of gross weight of the trailer on the tongue. I didn't mean to say that I'm loading the rear of the trailer without regard to the tongue weight.

[WamegoRob]

First time I pulled our new PiggyBacker was the Saturday we left the house for IZXIII.
I'd never pulled any trailer before that so no comparisons can be made by me.
I was amazed at how invisible it was... rode like it wasn't even back there, at slow speeds or 75mph.
I'd hear the hitch rattle or squeak some when I hit a parking lot bump, but that's about it.

I do like the look of your 12" wheels, though; I guess mine has the 8" version... we got it used but are quite happy with it.

[steve 3054]

I enjoyed reading this post...I have a Bushtec being built and it should be here the first week of Aug....John, I will bring it by for you to see.....

[BonS]

First time I pulled our new PiggyBacker was the Saturday we left the house for IZXIII.
I'd never pulled any trailer before that so no comparisons can be made by me.
I was amazed at how invisible it was... rode like it wasn't even back there, at slow speeds or 75mph.
I'd hear the hitch rattle or squeak some when I hit a parking lot bump, but that's about it.

I do like the look of your 12" wheels, though; I guess mine has the 8" version... we got it used but are quite happy with it.

I can see from your trailer pic, and a NICE picture it is, that you too have the independent torsion suspension and the longer rear overhang as mine. When the independent suspension Piggy Backer came out they recommended the spare tire be mounted at the back of the trailer. This didn't work out so they now recommend it be mounted where you have it just behind the cooler. I'm guessing that the tongue weight was just too light with the spare in back and without a loaded trailer.

I'm sure the cooler color is original but did you custom paint the building to match you bike?   

[WamegoRob]

I'm sure the cooler color is original but did you custom paint the building to match you bike?    

Nope  I saw that building and a photo with it was imminent.
It's Rod's Power Sports in Lincoln, NE