Triken via trailer???

[Blackwillow]

Thinin after this weekend excursion, on a trailer when to NY and had a blast only was very limited as to what we could bring due to space. Met a nice fellow from Vermont on a 5K trip who had a trailer and was quite happy with it. Any Suggestions,,, looking in to travel long termpepper.

If it were is easy , everybody would be doing it.



Anthony of Erin...and them some.

[msocko3]

I used to call trailers 2 wheeled PIA's until I grew tired of having the wife mad at me for not allowing her to take what she wanted. I'm on my 2nd year with my Aluma MCT and love it. My wife is happy because she can take pretty much what she wants on a trip now. I can even take out Keurig coffee maker.

[bikerbillone]

Yes, I've been giving that consideration, just haven't pulled the trigger.

[Konrad]

What's the hit on MPG for those who know?

[Ozarkryder]

Saw on another forum some time ago that some guy named his trailer after his wife. He called it "BOB", short for "Barb's Overnight Bag".

[cirbtap]

Whenever I pull my Aspen, I get about mid 30's m.p.g. Without it, I'm pulling about 42 ish. CSC Trike. 2008/1800. I guess it all depends how
hard you pull back on the gas.

Ride safe.

Pat

[OldBold]

Well, I built my own, but if I had it to do over again, I would buy one. By the time I bought all the parts and had it painted to match the bike, I put almost $2000 into it. Still, by building mine, I am familiar with all the parts and wiring, etc. and if I ever have a problem, I will be comfortable handling the situation. Plus, not only was it fun, but it matches the trike and has chrome wheels with radial tires (overkill, I admit!), and it only weighs 200 lbs.

So, that's one way to go. Another option: Find what you like on the web (most will be overpriced) and then look for a used one.

Don't neglect your local dealers, and by local I mean anyone within a couple hours. I found a number of trailers I liked online, but shipping was prohibitive. Then I found that there was a trailer place about 50 miles north of me where I could have purchased something at a very reasonable price that would have been just as good as the stuff that was online. In fact, I'm going to buy a different trailer to haul the Trike behind the car.

To determine what size to buy or build, first determine what you are likely to want to carry. The deciding factor for me in pulling a trailer was that when I went to Sturgis last year, I really did NOT like laying down in my tent to get dressed. So, I bought a 9' x 10' x 6-1/2' tall Coleman InstaTent that goes up in 1 minute and also bought a double high king air mattress. The tent, when collapsed and bagged is 4' long, so I obviously couldn't carry that on the Trike. Aside from clothing, I also wanted to carry my small cooler that is attached to a rack the fits into the trailer hitch. I'm not talking about the larger cooler I'm putting on the tongue of the trailer--this is an additional cooler. Once I get to the campground, I'll disconnect the trailer and then pop on my smaller cooler for our daily excursions. In any case, I determined that a trailer with a 40" by 52" bed would be perfect for a Sears car top carrier to hold all my stuff. I found some 1/4" aluminum diamond plate at a local welding shop and had them cut it to size. When I get home later this week, I'll try to remember to post some pictures.

Good luck, Blackwillow!

[plmath]

I am pulling an Escapade and usually getting 33-34 mpg. I never have checked the gas mileage when not pulling the trailer because those are usually short trips, start/stop etc.

I've probably pulled a trailer 150,000 miles behind Gold Wing bikes and now my trike and I'd never leave home (on a long trip) without it.

[Ozarkryder]

Whenever I pull my Aspen, I get about mid 30's m.p.g. Without it, I'm pulling about 42 ish. CSC Trike. 2008/1800. I guess it all depends how
hard you pull back on the gas.

Ride safe.

Pat

We have a Bunkhouse, very close to the Aspen, and it weighs 340 lbs empty. Our figures are just about the same as yours, except the few times when running the freeway at 75 mph 2-up with a full camper we have dipped into the upper 20's. A regular Bushtec Quantum Sport GT with all the bells and whistles comes in at about 140 lbs and it is rated at 350 lbs GVWR. Pulling a camper that weighs as much empty as the most expensive tricked out Bushtec can weigh full takes a bigger hit on the mileage. Be interesting to see what the mileage is on the regualar motorcycle cargo trailers.

[Gunslinger]

I tow an Aluma MCT. Plenty of room, well insulated, all aluminum trailer with 12" tires and rims. Weighs only 175 lbs. check out their website for info.
If you can find a used one you won't go wrong.

[Blackwillow]

If I remember correctly, the fellow had a "time out" that he paid like $895.00 (several years previous) and assured me the "todays price" was more like $2400. I liked the fact that he stood right side of it to open, a way from traffic and had, I believe he said 22 cubic feet of space. Room for cooler, luggage, jackets and stuff. Not looking for a camping style trailer at this point but rather to be able to bring the stuff for "princess" to be comfortable on the long hauls...<img src="images/smilies/poof.gif" border="0" alt="" title="poof" class="inlineimg" /><br />
<br />
Thanks to all for the input on this thread so far giving me some thoughts on where to look next. <img src="images/smilies/coffee1.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Coffee" class="inlineimg" /> <br />
<br />
Take care all.

[Coldcanuk]

I too am looking and have looked at about 5 different trailers (some homemade, some manufacturer....sorry don't remember the Manuf. names). Prices have ranged from $300 to $3300. My favorite is a home built unit that is coloured to match my bike. Is $500 too much?

[msocko3]

What's the hit on MPG for those who know?

When I pulled my Aluma with the Triglide I used to own I could count on a 5 - 9 mpg drop depending on speed. Pulling the same trailer with my 2 wheel 2012 GL1800 and I'm seeing about a 3 - 5 mpg drop depending on the speed.

[jackthemachinist]

We also have an Aluma trailer, and love it. We previously towed a cut-down Harbor Freight trailer with a Sears car-top cargo carrier. It also worked very well, but was a little less convenient to load and unload. You might think about buying a Harbor Freight Tag-Along to see how it works for you. They are quite inexpensive, especially with a 20%-off coupon. I would very highly recommend that you relube the wheel bearings. The factory "lube" seems to be just cosmoline rust protection, certainly not wheel bearing grease. (Our trailer also has a name - "Peggy's Shopping Cart.")

Just my experience.

[kimber45]

This is what I made. It looks best at 70 mph. pepper

[VaThumper]

I have pulled my Harbor Freight trailer for 3 yrs now and other than using lots of bearing grease at first no issues what so ever. I did put it together less 1 of the leaf springs which makes it handle better with a light load. I also replaced lots of the nuts and bolts with chrome/stainless over the years for looks

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

Motorcycle Touring Trailers - Country Trailers, Wisconsin.
This the 3rd one of these I have owned.
The Breeze, a great trailer at a great price.

[shadow]

Here's mine....................