Teardrop Trailer advise please

[TrikerRice]

Hi,

I am looking into purchasing a teardrop trailer (caravan) to tow behind my 2010 triglide ultra.

Does anyone know what the max weight the triglide can tow. Although it is probably more about the stopping than pulling.

Most teardrops built in the UK are un-braked. The UK law only stipulates braked trailers on anything above 750Kg (1653lbs).

Running order weight of trike is about 540kg (1191lbs).

Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Many Thanks

Chris

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

The camper models built here in the states usually weight in @300-400 lbs ( 136 -181kg ) empty and the trailer suspension can hold up 800 lb ( 360 kg ) loaded. Tongue weight is around 25-35 lbs ( 11.5-16 kg )

A Triglide wont be able to pull that kind a max trailer weight without some serious engine upgrades and brake upgrades. The stock 103 engine already has to pull the added 200 lb ( 90 kg ) of added weight with the trike assembly and runs lean with the factory calibration. Also the Triglide rear brakes are barely enough to stop the trike. Expect your fuel mileage to really suffer as well. The wind drag drops the fuel mileage fast on trike. My advice would be to add weight of your trike body with the weight of the trailer and determine what lighter trailer you could possibly pull. It may end up being a cargo trailer you pull that you have to carry a tent in and setup.

I tested my flatbed trailer with a large clamshell cargo carrier top and lost 6 mpg on the run. This was a on road with the speed limit @ 65 and a fairly flat terrain.

The box needs to low to the road to follow in the slip-stream of the trike body to help minimize the fuel mileage loss

Tom

[Livin2Ride]

I'm pulling a CanAm cargo trailer with my TriGlide. Max weight is 400 pounds with a tongue weight near 40 pounds. I have limited engine and exhaust mods and the added weight of my trailer is all I would attempt with a TG. The biggest issue with me is not the pulling power, but rather the stopping power. I've upgraded to the Lyndall pads, but I still have concerns stopping that extra 400 pounds in a hurry. I will say this, I get just about the same fuel mileage with my trailer setup as I do without it. Did a 4500 mile round trip to Idaho and Montana this year and averaged 30 mpg.

[DK Custom Products]

Hi,

I am looking into purchasing a teardrop trailer (caravan) to tow behind my 2010 triglide ultra.

Does anyone know what the max weight the triglide can tow. Although it is probably more about the stopping than pulling.

Most teardrops built in the UK are un-braked. The UK law only stipulates braked trailers on anything above 750Kg (1653lbs).

Running order weight of trike is about 540kg (1191lbs).

Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Many Thanks

Chris

There is no max weight the TG can pull. Harley is very specific, pulling any trailer at all, regardless of weight, voids the warranty. They also state the the TG's are not designed to pull a trailer.

That said, the reality of how much a TG can pull is dynamic.

I see Stage 1 TG's pulling trailers that weight 400 lbs empty and 600 lbs loaded all the time. Their riders are perfectly comfortable doing so.

It does reduce MPG, increase emergency stopping distances, and put more of a load on the entire drivetrain.

I myself am very comfortable pulling 500 lbs (loaded trailer) with a tongue weight of 40-50 lbs. No brakes on the trailer, with a Stage 1 TG. Normal stopping requires more brake pressure, and emergency stops take about 30% more distance. Keep the RPM's up above 3,000 and it does fine.