PULL BEHIND TRAILERS & MPH

[Builder630]

So I believe I lost my spot in a rental house for the Sturgis Rally. I'm now thinking about pulling a trailer or one of those motorcycle mini pop ups. I'm wondering how fast you can safely ride with a trailer in tow. Anyone pull a trailer or perhaps selling one?

[alph]

several years ago, I rode back to Chicago from North Carolina with a guy that was pulling a trailer.  we were pushing 75-80 mph.  his trailer had thinner wheels, and that thing scared the living daylights out of me!!  it wagged like a salmon heading up stream ready to spawn!!  I asked the owner if he could feel his trailer swaying back and forth, he said "not at all"!! 

I just made a "single wheel trailer".  I've only ridden about 10 miles with it, speeds up to 50mph, nothing serious 'cause I didn't really know what to expect, and that thing doesn't even exist back there!!  I only noticed it when I hit a bump 'cause there was an extra "thump" sound.  I'm running it empty, with no weight.  i'll give it a real test next weekend, I'm planning on going camping with it so i'll have a tent, cot, and other camping equipment with me.  i'll let you know then.

[Jeff K]

The max Speed I have ever hauled a trailer is 125 mph. But I was in a hurry and following some blown Valks NOT pulling trailers.
But normally I keep it to about 90-95 mph

[WamegoRob]

Two-up from Kansas to Wisconsin pulling a PiggyBacker and neither 80mph on the interstate nor slower on curvy gravel roads was a problem.

It was the first time we'd pulled a trailer so I didn't know what to expect.  I was pleasantly surprised as soon as we hit the road that I honestly couldn't even tell it was back there, and it was full of a suitcase, couple of other bags, a tool bag, two lawn chairs, etc...

[Michvalk]

I have routinely pulled mine at 70 fully loaded. Most trailer manufacturers advise no more than 55, but depends on how the trailer is loaded and the bike hauling it

[da prez]

As the speed goes up , the MPG goes down. I have ran at 105 mph with a loaded (350 lbs?) trailer.
 Make sure the bearings are good and properly serviced and good tires. I run balance beads in the trailer and bike. When I ran about 75 MPH , I got between 30 and 35 MPG. You will forget that is there.

                                   da prez

[Rams]

I have routinely pulled mine at 70 fully loaded. Most trailer manufacturers advise no more than 55, but depends on how the trailer is loaded and the bike hauling it

As the speed goes up , the MPG goes down. I have ran at 105 mph with a loaded (350 lbs?) trailer.
 Make sure the bearings are good and properly serviced and good tires. I run balance beads in the trailer and bike. When I ran about 75 MPH , I got between 30 and 35 MPG. You will forget that is there.

                                   da prez

I agree with both of these posters.    I can attest that trailer loading is ultimately important.   Load it tail heavy and you'll get that wag someone else mentioned.   A pull behind should be loaded slightly tongue heavy.    How heavy depends on the towing vehicle.   I like to have no less than 30 lbs and no more than 50 lbs. max when towing my pull behind bike trailer.    It's also true that it's easy to forget it's back there.   At least until you go into a curve pushing it and discover the trailer is pushing you or, you cut a corner and end up curbing the trailer.   I highly recommend getting one and riding/towing it for a while empty and then work on putting some weight in it.   You'll learn very quickly not to load tail heavy and how to balance the load with the tongue slightly heavier.   Ride safe.

[trout dude]

I pull a trailer almost every where it's like I never take it off. It depends on the trailer you have and the longer the longer the  tongue the better it pulls. If it pulls good at 70 it will take all you can give with out any problems. One thing is if you have new tires on the bike get 3 to 4 hundred miles on them before pulling the trailer. If you pull it with new tires on the bike it will start to throw the ass end of the bike around at about 65 MPH. Been there done that.

[Builder630]

Great info guys, Ty.

[Marinakorp]

I have pulled my Roll a Home Wide - fully loaded at 80 mph - with no problems other than needing to fill up a little more often.


Where re you located... I have a Harbot Freight Tag along... that I dont use at all. If in the Philly Area, drop a dime.

[Master Blaster]

Main thing with pulling is tongue weight and length of tongue.  Too light or too short will induce sway.  Speed really doesn't matter that much if it is set up properly.  Another thing to be aware of is maneuvering around objects, like when you pull into a station to gas up, a two wheeler is wider than the bike and it is easy to catch the inside wheel if you are not paying attention.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I have an American Legends trailer and have had it at 110 mph when trying to outrun a storm. MPG were in the low 20's at those speeds.

On the Natchez Trace

[Builder630]

MARINACORP.... thanks for the offer. Unfortunately I'm in Chicago. I'm debating my options. If I buy a MC camper trailer, or a slide in for my pickup but then I'm trailering and spending 500 in truck gas, or a small MC pull behind and carry camping tent/gear. In my truck I can drive straight through to SD, and rainy days won't mean a soggy tent floor. On the other hand, I just bought my first Vslkyrie Interstate for long rides.

[fudgie]

MARINACORP.... thanks for the offer. Unfortunately I'm in Chicago. I'm debating my options. If I buy a MC camper trailer, or a slide in for my pickup but then I'm trailering and spending 500 in truck gas, or a small MC pull behind and carry camping tent/gear. In my truck I can drive straight through to SD, and rainy days won't mean a soggy tent floor. On the other hand, I just bought my first Vslkyrie Interstate for long rides.

Where you staying out there? Have your camp gear etc shipped to your camp ground. Ive done that many times. I get one of them plastic trunks with roller wheels at wal mart. It like 30x18x18. Only cost me $40 to ship it thru USPS and it weights 20+ lbs. When I leave I pack it all in and hit the PO at 9a to have it shipped home and then I continue my trip. 

FWIW I've never had a soggy tent floor or sleeping bag. Been tenting it for 10 yrs, 9 straight. 

I hear them mc pop ups really cut your mpg. Prob into the teens.

This is when I'm solo. I packed everything for 2 weeks.

[CajunRider]

Two up at 95 for many miles...  No problem so far. 

It's ALL about weight distribution (including tongue weight). 

[sandy]

I have a Roll-A-Home. At 65 MPH, it got about 25 MPG. It weighs about 425 loaded with all my travel gear.

[alph]

Two up at 95 for many miles...  No problem so far. 

It's ALL about weight distribution (including tongue weight). 

HEY!!  THAT TURN LOOKS FAMILURE!!  love that Uni-Go trailer!  that's the main reason why i built my own.  i don't have any decent photo's yet!  just got a "box" from work that is a temporary crate.  planning on making something "nice" one of these days, but until then my crate will work fine.  i'll post photo's in a few days.

[CajunRider]

HEY!!  THAT TURN LOOKS FAMILURE!! 

Heh... even the roots are still the same!    

Definitely post pics of your trailer build... I'm always interested in seeing things built by people with more talent than me! 

The most I'm able to build is the occasional bracket... if it's small and I can find someone to weld it for me.   

[ricoman]

The max Speed I have ever hauled a trailer is 125 mph. But I was in a hurry and following some blown Valks NOT pulling trailers.
But normally I keep it to about 90-95 mph

that is awesome, 125 is within 5-10 mph of the top speed shown in many tests, without a trailer
wonder what yours would do without the trailer?
where do you find roads to even go at 95 for any length of time?

[Rams]

I rarely ride my Valkyrie more than 5 over the posted speed limit.    But, that includes when I pull the trailer.   Speed always depends on conditions and circumstances.    But, I do admit to looking down at the speedo and being clueless as to how I managed to get up to that (whatever) speed.   Even with the trailer on behind.

where do you find roads to even go at 95 for any length of time?

Lots of places to stretch her legs out if you're willing to pay the piper when ya get caught. 

[~ Timbrwolf]

....This one was made by a company called.."Piggy Backer"....It was around 600
dollars when we bought it about 6 years ago and came unassembled. We took
it across country to the GOTF Barbecue in Texas and averaged around 80 mph.
We had a rear blowout on the bike pulling it at 80 mph and it swayed just a tiny
bit back and forth and I didnt know I actually had a rear flat until I saw it visually.
It came with a spare tire and cooler rack and I highly recommend it. ..  


.....I dont recommend having a rear blow at 80 mph while towing a trailer though. ..  

[R J]

The max Speed I have ever hauled a trailer is 125 mph. But I was in a hurry and following some blown Valks NOT pulling trailers.
But normally I keep it to about 90-95 mph

that is awesome, 125 is within 5-10 mph of the top speed shown in many tests, without a trailer
wonder what yours would do without the trailer?
where do you find roads to even go at 95 for any length of time?

Hey good buddy, JeffK forgot to tell you he was riding a blower bike.    Trust me, it will haul ass with or without a trailer.     Jo is usually right behind him on her bike.