a different way to tow a trike?

[roadrunner1800]

Here's a ridiculous thought I admit that I just asked on "gl1800riders group"...say someone doesn't have the means to acquire a nice toy hauler....how would it work putting the two rear wheels up onto a car dolly behind the tow vehicle and lash the handlebars in the straight position with a good set of ratchet straps. Would the front wheel then track behind much the same as a Unigo single wheel trailer. It shouldn't tip because of the stability of the rear two wheels being firmly secured to the tow dolly. The only drawback I can picture would be the windshield acting as a scoop with the wind, but that could be somewhat easily remedied by removing the windshield while being towed. OK I'm getting the flame suit on now.

Allen Serviss

[Gorilla]

I see no issue other than the windshield and maybe a speedo drive if it had one off the front wheel.

[tfdeputydawg]

If you have the car dolly, consider extending the hitch, add a center rail and you can then tow the trike on it's own trailer!

[mhgoldwing]

I would also wonder about the effects on the forks as they will be backwards to their intended movement. Damage?

Windshield and fairing "scoop" would be huge drag tending to push the front suspension downward; again, loading up the front suspension backwards.

On second thought, if you can afford a car dolly, then you're already close to a trailer that would carry the trike properly. Why not?

[rhino 2]

This Question comes up a lot on all Trike forums, And I always ask 'why would someone want/need to tow a Trike that way???

[bayoudave]

Don't know about the forks, seems to make sense. However, I can tell you about the windshield. Had a friend once put his trike on an open trailer backwards. When he got to his destination. There was no windshield on the trike. At some point the wind was just too much and it snapped it right off. They are designed to withstand a tremendous amount of force from the front but not from the rear. I would buy or rent a trailer but if you just want to put it on a tow dolly why not put the front wheel on the dolly and leave the rear on the ground? I am sure the are hazards to that also. I would be afraid of throwing something up on the bike and having a major repair to do. Could be an expensive lesson to learn. MHO for what it's worth.

[Keystone]

This Question comes up a lot on all Trike forums, And I always ask 'why would someone want/need to tow a Trike that way???

Because it was -9f with snow, ice and salt on the roads for the next 7 hours.

But that is just one answer. Another is because pulling the place one will be sleeping costs less that the over priced motel rooms. The wheel chair that is part of my license plate is another. The list goes on and on.

[tfdeputydawg]

Engine must be running on a Wing to lube the tranny! You would not like the results of towing w/rear wheels on the ground

[rhino 2]

Because it was -9f with snow, ice and salt on the roads for the next 7 hours.

But that is just one answer. Another is because pulling the place one will be sleeping costs less that the over priced motel rooms. The wheel chair that is part of my license plate is another. The list goes on and on

I Don't quite understand your post..

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I Don't quite understand your post..

I'm guessing rv being pulled ... maybe a toy hauler

[roadrunner1800]

Let me start by saying my GL1800 is currently sporting two wheels and soon hope to change that to a Roadsmith HTS.

The post was sort of just a thought that I had because someone else posted on a board about towing a trike with just the front wheel elevated....a thought I wouldn't want to try as you are obviously then running forward motion through the entire drivetrain with just the transmission in neutral...not sure which board either this one or gl1800 riders.

mhgoldwing "On second thought, if you can afford a car dolly, then you're already close to a trailer that would carry the trike properly. Why not?"

I wasn't thinking of owning a dolly...just a short term rental for any number of short term reasons.

rhino 2 "This Question comes up a lot on all Trike forums, And I always ask 'why would someone want/need to tow a Trike that way???"

I have always thought that it might be nice to attend Bike Week in Florida during the dead of winter but I'm not about to hop on my bike or trike and motor on down to Florida from Vermont and be at the mercy of Mother Nature. I didn't check to see where you live, but not all of us can ride our bikes and trikes year round....my bike sits in the shed freezing it's nuts off ( a fact so I guess I can phrase it this way) from November until about April something when the sand and salt get cleaned off the highway by the springtime rains.

I see a fair number of you have very nice enclosed trailers and I certainly do wish I was financially capable of purchasing one...but being newly retired and suddenly adjusting to living on a MUCH smaller income that is just a fantasy that will never happen...unless good fortune smiles on me and I win the Powerball Lottery.

Thanks for the responses and any other thoughts most welcomed...

Allen Serviss Vernon,VT

[rhino 2]

[QUOTE=roadrunner1800;283366]




rhino 2 "This Question comes up a lot on all Trike forums, And I always ask 'why would someone want/need to tow a Trike that way???"

I have always thought that it might be nice to attend Bike Week in Florida during the dead of winter but I'm not about to hop on my bike or trike and motor on down to Florida from Vermont and be at the mercy of Mother Nature.

XXXXXXXXXX8*********************
I think you missed the intent of my post, Or more than likely the way I posted it..
What I meant was it's never a good idea to tow a trike BACKWARDS for any distain's. When I have to tow my T/G I use an open landscape trailer..

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Here's my plan for next winter ... tomorrow I'll add a deck ... 1" x 6" decking.

[rhino 2]

Here's my plan for next winter ... tomorrow I'll add a deck ... 1" x 6" decking.

Very similar to my trailer, 6 1/2 by 10 with wood deck, and iron rails front and sides...

[Phu Cat]

Harley windshields are real easy to get off. Not sure about GWs. Wouldn't taking it off solve the problem, tho?

PC

[GrandpaDave]

I went through the how should I transport my trike scenario about 18 months ago as we were planning a winter getaway to AZ. A decent car dolly will cost a minimum of $1100 and I was looking at extending the tongue and making a rail for the front wheel to sit up over the tongue but then I found a three year old aluminum 6 x 10 low riding trailer for only $500 more so went with that instead. I wrapped the painted surfaces on the trike with shrink wrap plastic and then wrapped it with a large heavy duty tarp since I knew we would likely be driving on salty, sloppy roads and I didn't want to expose the trike to that. I decided against an enclosed trailer for my situation as an open trailer is much more versatile for my needs besides everyone around where I live is always wanting to borrow enclosed trailers and I'm not in the lending mood.
pics of mine below, one with the trike ready for North Dakota to Arizona trip last February.

[J.T.M.]

I don't know about your area but here you can buy a used trailer that will hold a trike for less than a tow dolly brings. I would rather have my trike on a trailer than on a tow dolly, that way I don't have to worry about it. JUST MY 2 CENTS WORTH!

[roadking2]

To me towing your trike with it facing backwards is a disaster just waiting to happen especially if you have a windshield, lowers, or a fairing. You can try it with your trike, but I wouldn't attempt it with mine.

[roadrunner1800]

Here's my plan for next winter ... tomorrow I'll add a deck ... 1" x 6" decking.

How is the lift gate secured...by just a pin? I'd think I'd also put a ratchet strap on each side during transport in case it somehow found a way to drop down to the pavement while moving, especially if you were to hit a good size pot hole. I do have a nice single axle trailer that formerly was used to transport my Father's aluminum boat and motor...would require some additional frame pieces welded on and two of my best friends both own welding businesses. That's an idea to consider.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

How is the lift gate secured...by just a pin? I'd think I'd also put a ratchet strap on each side during transport in case it somehow found a way to drop down to the pavement while moving, especially if you were to hit a good size pot hole. I do have a nice single axle trailer that formerly was used to transport my Father's aluminum boat and motor...would require some additional frame pieces welded on and two of my best friends both own welding businesses. That's an idea to consider.

This ramp was used for my ultra too ... although I made it 8" wider on each side when I got the trike ... there are pins in each side in the picture ... but when towing a bike, two master padlocks lock it up.


As a side note, didn't get the wood decking on ... decided to move the axle forward about 6-8" ... put the trike weight over the axle.