I know I'm gonna catch flack for this...

bikerbillone said:

Kevin it appears that you and Mary have reached a most logical conclusion, and continuing to do what you both love, and enjoying it more, doesn't get any better than that, kudos to you both. Look at the exposure you get for DK with that fancy trailer, that's worth a lot to the company, miles of smiles as I see it, get where you're going, park and ride, even makes me feel good this morning over coffee.

Reading your analytical post makes me realize that my days are numbered in doing what I do, I'm 86 as most know here, my bride is 78, the trip distances is becoming a struggle in many ways, so we too must consider how we solve this problem. I have considered a Canam Spyder RTL which will give us a more comfortable ride, but then, that too has it's negatives. Wishing you both the very best on the 'new trail'.

Bill

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Thank you Bill! Wishing you and your bride many more miles of smiles!

LadyonaMission said:

I agree that you don't have to explain to anyone, but I did enjoy reading the breakdown of the reason behind this decision.

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Cool! We shall see if it all works out as planned!

Kevin

A bit about the trailer. It is a Toy Hauler, specifically made to carry a motorcycle or trike and still be able to cook, use the shower, toilet and bed with the bike inside. Since it is about the smallest TH you can get, the "Living area" where the couch and table are, is taken up by the bike when it is in there.

That is ok with us since we are only using it to get to where we're going, then the bike will be offloaded. After that we'll have full use of all the space.

We've taken several small trips in it with the bike...one was up to the Easyrider Rodeo, and we've gone to several rallies in the south.

Long ago we would go to rallies with a tent. Then we started pulling a pop-up tent trailer to rallies.

It felt really weird pulling the trailer with bike in it to the rallies. I will not lie...we used to poke fun at folks that did that as we watched them roll in.

But, the bottom line is that the rallies that we've gone to....we would not have gone if we were pulling the pop-up tent trailer behind the bike. It was in the low 40's at night, and while we used to stay in the tent in those temps...we simply have gotten too soft to want to do that anymore.

BUT...we did not get this for Rallies, we got it for our Big Trips, so those were just tests. We'll see how it does on the Big Trips!

Some photo's from a rally this winter-



Inside, breakfast time...where the table is, that's were the bike goes during transport- (Oh, and Mary prefers fixing the meals on the stove vs. the Sterno camp stove she used for the last 15+ years!)



End of the rally, time to...



...load up.



We also went to Rosarito Beach, Mexico with it. We did not take the bike with us...did not think I wanted it down there. BUT, next time we will. Mexico is not the same as it was 30+ years ago.

Photo of a Rest Area somewhere between Mississippi and Cali-



Our first night in Rosarito Beach-



Mary's much happier in our home on wheels than in a motel!



Another Rest Area we stayed in-



I'll be starting the Ride Report soon on our riding in the Black Hills and Grand Teton area. Will post a link to it in this thread then.

Here's a YouTube we made about the upcoming trip-


Kevin

peteg59 said:

Good thinking!

Not to rain on your parade, but the places where you drop your trailer tailgate will likely cost something, but it will likely be less than hotel/motel stays.

A generator for boondocks or where power is unavailable, will add something.

Food, drink, etc. still eat up funds.

Here are some websites that might help you cut overnighting costs. They're mostly for the RV crowd, but I'd bet you could use some with your "camper":

https://www.boondockerswelcome.com/

https://www.freecampgrounds.com/

https://www.tripsavvy.com/find-low-cost-places-to-park-your-rv-2972910

https://www.frugal-rv-travel.com/Overnight-RV-Parking.html

Guess you'll have to copy and paste to open the links. Not sure why, as I thought I had that glitch figured out. Sorry.

Travelling will still be more expensive but short trips will help cut costs.

Good luck, and keep posting pix along the way!

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Thank you for the links, don't thing we had all of those yet.

We'll definitely be posting up pics of our Ride Report this coming month!

Regarding expenses- I already factored in the extra gas we'll be spending on the truck getting to the "nexus" riding points. That is reflected in the $80 a day savings.

Also factored in is that we'll be staying on a lot of BLM land, and/or inexpensive "dry" camping. We have a quiet 4000 watt inverter generator that we only need to run for air, microwave, Mary's hair dryer, or for a few hours every couple of days to charge the batteries. Fridge, hot water heater, water pump, lights, stove, etc. all run off propane and/or 12 volt.

I think I've thought of most everything...we'll see, and I'll report in the upcoming Ride Reports.

Kevin

There is a really nice KOA in Hot Springs ... Stayed there a couple times when I was at the Sturges Rally. I liked it because it was a bit away from the crazies ... but really nice. Hot springs has a kewl Mammoth museum. Lots of fossils and info.

Good Plan

Looks like a well thought out plan. I know how some people feel about trailering a bike. I think if you get more opportunities for better riding its a no brainer. I think you are going to see a bigger bonus in time saved than you have estimated as you get things figured out.

This is the rig I use for fishing. My wife's palace is in the middle. I am looking at putting the trike on a trailer in place of the boat for trips like Maggie Valley or Kerrville.



After 1700 miles going west on I-40 the last 3 days I can't see any reason not to trailer. If needed it isn't difficult to make 750 to 800 miles in a day pulling. We have things down to about 15 minutes to set up camp and be ready to cook dinner or just relax.

Something that may help with gas mileage is to try not to haul water. If you can fill-up at your campsite or close to it you will see a big difference over the long haul.

Kurt

Nothing wrong with using a trailer! Several years ago the wife and I went to Red River New Mexico from Houston for a week trip the end of September. I told her we were taking the bike (Road King) on the trailer since we had ridden through West Texas more times than I cared to remember. Also, being the end of September we had to take summer and winter riding clothes. It was in the 90's when we left Houston and 34 degrees when we left Red River to head back to Houston. Once we got to the lodge in Red River I unloaded the bike and the truck never moved until we left to return to Houston, except the wife bought a rug for the house when we were riding in Taos on the bike and I had to go back in the truck to pick it up! We had a great time riding around New Mexico and lower Colorado while there and a comfortable ride going and coming in the heat and cold. I still have the bike trailer but the trike won't fit on it so I am planning on getting rid of it and getting a trailer for the trike.

Looking forward to reading your trip reports!

Sunman

FuzzyWuzHe said:

There is a really nice KOA in Hot Springs ... Stayed there a couple times when I was at the Sturges Rally. I liked it because it was a bit away from the crazies ... but really nice. Hot springs has a kewl Mammoth museum. Lots of fossils and info.

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Thanks, we may visit...or maybe not. Mary is allergic to sulfur.

This weekend we nailed down our 1st-3rd choices to stay. All free. The trailer is totally self-contained, so we don't need any hookups or a campground.

That area has a ton of scenic locations to camp for free. Just need to make sure we can get in and out of them on the bike, even if it rains.

TonkaDriver said:

Looks like a well thought out plan. I know how some people feel about trailering a bike. I think if you get more opportunities for better riding its a no brainer. I think you are going to see a bigger bonus in time saved than you have estimated as you get things figured out.

This is the rig I use for fishing. My wife's palace is in the middle. I am looking at putting the trike on a trailer in place of the boat for trips like Maggie Valley or Kerrville.

View attachment 72138

After 1700 miles going west on I-40 the last 3 days I can't see any reason not to trailer. If needed it isn't difficult to make 750 to 800 miles in a day pulling. We have things down to about 15 minutes to set up camp and be ready to cook dinner or just relax.

Something that may help with gas mileage is to try not to haul water. If you can fill-up at your campsite or close to it you will see a big difference over the long haul.

Kurt

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Thanks man. Great visiting with you last week!

Sunman said:

Nothing wrong with using a trailer! Several years ago the wife and I went to Red River New Mexico from Houston for a week trip the end of September. I told her we were taking the bike (Road King) on the trailer since we had ridden through West Texas more times than I cared to remember. Also, being the end of September we had to take summer and winter riding clothes. It was in the 90's when we left Houston and 34 degrees when we left Red River to head back to Houston. Once we got to the lodge in Red River I unloaded the bike and the truck never moved until we left to return to Houston, except the wife bought a rug for the house when we were riding in Taos on the bike and I had to go back in the truck to pick it up! We had a great time riding around New Mexico and lower Colorado while there and a comfortable ride going and coming in the heat and cold. I still have the bike trailer but the trike won't fit on it so I am planning on getting rid of it and getting a trailer for the trike.

Looking forward to reading your trip reports!

Sunman

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Thanks man!

Mary is probably going to take her "Silly Yuppie, Trailers are for Boats" sticker off her helmet.

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Kevin

I think you will enjoy your travels in the toy hauler Kevin.

We took our first long trip (Ultra Classic) from Illinois to Arizona back in 2010. We used all 2 lane roads and was gone about a month. It was a great trip. We wanted more, but it was a issue having a house and everything else taken care of while gone, plus the expense of traveling plus the expense of keeping a home began to make less sense to us.

We sold everything and travel full time in our motorhome. We pull a 24' enclosed trailer with our car and trike. I have all my gear and tools with me just like I did in my garage at home. We find areas we want to explore on the bike and camp there for anywhere from a week to a month. We even meet up with two other couples on trikes in different parts of the country. We all camp together. We ride all day then enjoy cooking out in the evening, tossing bags, drinking a few beers, and telling some lies.

I wouldn't trade this type of traveling for anything!

Oh my Joe, that does sound like fun, more power to you sir.

ISP-FL said:

I think you will enjoy your travels in the toy hauler Kevin.

We took our first long trip (Ultra Classic) from Illinois to Arizona back in 2010. We used all 2 lane roads and was gone about a month. It was a great trip. We wanted more, but it was a issue having a house and everything else taken care of while gone, plus the expense of traveling plus the expense of keeping a home began to make less sense to us.

We sold everything and travel full time in our motorhome. We pull a 24' enclosed trailer with our car and trike. I have all my gear and tools with me just like I did in my garage at home. We find areas we want to explore on the bike and camp there for anywhere from a week to a month. We even meet up with two other couples on trikes in different parts of the country. We all camp together. We ride all day then enjoy cooking out in the evening, tossing bags, drinking a few beers, and telling some lies.

I wouldn't trade this type of traveling for anything!

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Wow! That sounds like a lot of fun!

Kevin

Kevin I have been reading with great interest your story of converting to over to hauling your bike to where you want to ride. I am very excited about hearing your results. Cynthia and I have been thinking about doing much the same thing but did not know a toyhauler came in so smae an edition. If I can get my Spyder into one about that size we could that way as well. Cynthia really likes the idea of hauling to the ride area. Thank you very much for outlining your thinking process and then giving us the results. BTW we are 73 and 67.

MORE POWER TO YOU KEVIN AND MARY!

Jim and I had a blast going places in the motorhome pulling the little Nighthawk 250’s behind. This was before the trike era. Got to the “camp” site without being worn out, had ALL the comforts of home, enjoyed running around on the bikes, and BEST OF ALL.... we had our doggies with us!

We knew who had been sitting on our potty, could eat/drink/sleep whenever and whatever, and knew our little loved ones were safe, sound, and happy with us.

Those were the glory days and I sure miss them but things change and the memories are grand.

Pegasus1300 said:

Kevin I have been reading with great interest your story of converting to over to hauling your bike to where you want to ride. I am very excited about hearing your results. Cynthia and I have been thinking about doing much the same thing but did not know a toyhauler came in so smae an edition. If I can get my Spyder into one about that size we could that way as well. Cynthia really likes the idea of hauling to the ride area. Thank you very much for outlining your thinking process and then giving us the results. BTW we are 73 and 67.

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Yep, it's all theory right now. But we leave out tomorrow afternoon, so we'll know before too long if it works out as planned!

paws said:

MORE POWER TO YOU KEVIN AND MARY!

Jim and I had a blast going places in the motorhome pulling the little Nighthawk 250’s behind. This was before the trike era. Got to the “camp” site without being worn out, had ALL the comforts of home, enjoyed running around on the bikes, and BEST OF ALL.... we had our doggies with us!

We knew who had been sitting on our potty, could eat/drink/sleep whenever and whatever, and knew our little loved ones were safe, sound, and happy with us.

Those were the glory days and I sure miss them but things change and the memories are grand.

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Thank you! We're looking forward to it, and hoping our experience is like yours!

Kevin

Kevin, looks like I am late to the party, but want to wish you and Mary safe travels and a very good trip!

I have a 6x10 v-nose trailer for hauling our Tri (pulling with F150). We have pulled it out west on 2 trips (Black Hills and a second trip to Yellowstone). We stay in motels (I need juice for my c-pap). The big thing for us is that once we get on the interstates, my wife can drive the rig. So we share the driving which is great, we can go twice as far in a day this way. And we are fresh for riding when we get to the area we want to ride.

This Sept we are hauling to Durango, CO. We will leave the rig there and then ride the Tri for about a week in sw CO, the parks in UT, north rim of Grand Canyon & back to Durango. Have not done it this way before but I think it will work for us.

Looking forward to your trip report & Mary's pics. :clapping:

Quick Video of unloading and loading the TG up in Nova Scotia, Canada.


Kevin

You will love Talbot Trail but watch out for the bumps. ENJOY

DK Custom Products said:

Quick Video of unloading and loading the TG up in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Kevin

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Kevin, posted a question in the Canadian Travel thread, but maybe here is more appropriate. Question was how do you get to the front of the trailer - for sleeping, cooking, and bath with the trike loaded?

Really enjoying the trip!

Bill

Gorilla said:

You will love Talbot Trail but watch out for the bumps. ENJOY

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Bikllijak said:

Kevin, posted a question in the Canadian Travel thread, but maybe here is more appropriate. Question was how do you get to the front of the trailer - for sleeping, cooking, and bath with the trike loaded?

Really enjoying the trip!

Bill

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Hi Bill,

Yes, it is quite tight with the Tri Glide. One step into the trailer, then step over the trike, using the floorboards, then walk along side the trike, squeeze past the fairing. Once past all that, we have full access to the kitchen, bathroom and bed.

The photo below is a shot of me test fitting the TG into it Before we bought it.



This next photo is the same test, standing in kitchen area, making sure the TG could be in there and still have access to the refrigerator.



Kevin

Hi, thanks for the info. I'd seen the pics previously, but I knew from seeing the inside of the trailer, there was no way to get around the trike from the door side!

Looking forward to the rest of the Northern trip, Bill

I get it

We were determined to get a 26' toy hauler when we retired, but upon investigating the problems of bad and disappearing campgrounds, lack of quality control on the trailers and the maintenance costs, having to deal with the tanks, and the labor of set up and take down, we decided to just go with the motels. We would have to do a lot more traveling than we have planned to spend what the first year depreciation is on a toy hauler. The main factor though is our physical condition and ability to deal with it and the problems that come with it. We bought a 16' v-nose that will hold the trike, an inflatable bed and a Porta potti. We can leave it at home, haul the trike to the motel in it, or camp out if we want. I just need to add the AC unit and it's a go. If we were younger we would have gone your route. I really like the design that you chose. Happy Trails!