Waterproofing GW on open trailer

[Dockem]

Recently got a Aluma TK1, and I got to thinking the other night. (I do that occasionally )

If you were to heading into inclement weather, would it be advantageous to protect the

Audio/CB buttons and controls on the upper cowling by covering them with, say, saran wrap?? Along the same lines, would the same be a good idea for the left (or right) handlebar controls??

I'm not sure how water resistant these areas are in heavy rains at 65 mph. Any thoughts?

 

[mhgoldwing]

Very difficult, IMO, to waterproof those areas when they are in the immediate spray from the tow vehicle. In normal rain riding there is some chance not to saturate those controls. That said, Saran wrap might be a good way to protect them. A light squirt of WD-40 or other water displacement product prior to covering might also prevent future troubles.

This is one of the reasons I'm looking at an enclosed trailer to haul my trike; inclement weather and prying hands.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Okay ... what's different when the trike is on a trailer as opposed to on the road???? Motorcycles get wet ... at least when I ride ... weather seems to always find me.

 

[CrystalPistol]

Shrink Wrap....

 

[MDO]

Okay ... what's different when the trike is on a trailer as opposed to on the road???? Motorcycles get wet ... at least when I ride ... weather seems to always find me.

He mentioned an enclosed trailer Fuzzy!

 

[nucseal]

Okay ... what's different when the trike is on a trailer as opposed to on the road???? Motorcycles get wet ... at least when I ride ... weather seems to always find me.

I agree. I ridden through monsoons on several GLs. Instrument panel getting soaked and never had a problem. Just got a can of compressed air when every I got home and blew around the knobs and buttons. Maybe several days to a week later before I did it.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Okay ... what's different when the trike is on a trailer as opposed to on the road???? Motorcycles get wet ... at least when I ride ... weather seems to always find me.

The difference is that on a trailer immediately behind a tow vehicle, the bike is subject to the high pressure spray thrown up by the car plus direct blast of water from the tires. When riding I can stay behind all but the light spray, the rain is being deflected by fairing and windshield and I don't get the blast of water thrown up by the vehicle.

​

Just think riding is less damaging than towing under the described circumstances. JMHO.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

When your riding a bike in the rain at any speed over a crawl, you're gonna seat the bike ... your relative speed to the rain will make every crevasse on the bike soaked ... if your controls are getting wet enough to damage them ... maybe some dielectric grease is in order ... :Shrug:

 

[jjvw]

If your traveling south for the winter and hauling an open trailer in winter salt, you will have frozen and rusted cables. Our first trip to Texas from Michigan with an open trailer, the brake cables needed replacements before we got to ride. On the return trip we used a leaky airbed under a canvas trap to protect it. We bought a cargo trailer for the next trip.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

The trailer mentioned has a front/wrap around shield to protect the trike form direct road spray/debris. There is no need to try to wrap handle bar or radio controls IMO.

Most likely would end up w/damaged finish from wind "whipping" any material one might try to wrap with?

Having said that, I never towed on an open trailer simply because I wanted a clean/protected bike/trike while traveling pulling it

Also, while parked at various places, over night, felt much better knowing the trike was in a fully enclosed, locked trailer.

 

[FRR]

I towed for over 25 yrs with open trailers and never had an issue with rain or controls. Just hated cleaning it after I arrived at my destination. Then I bought an enclosed 7x 14 v nosed to haul my Trike in. It is a pain pulling that big "box" behind my truck, but it is so nice to put that door down at the end of the trip and find my Trike as clean and prestiene as when I loaded it. For me it was well worth the investment.

 

[Dockem]

Thanks for replies. Agree, enclosed trailer would be ideal, but not in the cards right now. So, the TK1 was the best alternative.

I did get caught in a torrential downpour once and it affected the radio controls until things dried out.

I thought taping a bit of Saran Wrap over the controls might be a good idea. Also, throwing a cover over the trike at night at the hotel (Need one stop on way south) and then uncover before hitting the road again. Hopefully, rain will not an issue at all.

Ahhh, adventures in moving.

 

[RUMRUNR]

Thanks for replies. Agree, enclosed trailer would be ideal, but not in the cards right now. So, the TK1 was the best alternative.

I did get caught in a torrential downpour once and it affected the radio controls until things dried out.

I thought taping a bit of Saran Wrap over the controls might be a good idea. Also, throwing a cover over the trike at night at the hotel (Need one stop on way south) and then uncover before hitting the road again. Hopefully, rain will not an issue at all.

Ahhh, adventures in moving.

I know this is off-thread but have you tried putting your trike on the TK1, I had one and it would high center where the ramp met the trailer floor. I had to jack the trailer up, load the trike and then attach it to the truck. I had the trailer sitting level when attached to the truck and it would drag. I now own an air ride trailer, Adventure is the brand I believe, flop the air dump switch and the trailer lowers to the ground.

 

[paws]

I own a TK1 and have trailered my GL1800 MotorTrike several times - absolutely no problem with dragging anywhere and didn’t have to do anything special to load/unload it. My husband had a GL1800 Lehman Monarch II. No problems whatsoever.

Just rode it up, reversed it down.

 

[RUMRUNR]

I own a TK1 and have trailered my GL1800 MotorTrike several times - absolutely no problem with dragging anywhere and didn’t have to do anything special to load/unload it. My husband had a GL1800 Lehman Monarch II. No problems whatsoever.

Just rode it up, reversed it down.

Forgot about the belly pan, the 6 degree rake and maybe my Champion kit sits lower, anyway it made bad noise.

 

[paws]

Could be. Both of these trikes had a belly pan and the 4-1/2* rake. Sorry it didn’t work out for you, it is a really nice trailer....so light to tow and tracks true. It’s a nice answer for those of us who don’t have a tow vehicle that will pull an enclosed trailer.

 

[Woolie]

I have pulled my TK1 lots of places and never had any problems caused by rain or water. I have been to Utah, North Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado, Arizona and all over New Mexico and Texas. My only concern is the heated seat. I have an Ultimate seat and they recommend/require using a water resistant cover riding in any rain. Water soaks into the seat through the thread holes and can damage the heat elements over time. Ultimate sells a rain cover made from the same material that Frog Toggs are made with, just pull it over the seat and tuck it in so it won't be likely to blow away. If you are thinking about using Saran Wrap you might consider Glad Press and Seal Wrap, that might stay on better and won't require as much wrap, but I have never used it. Don't use so much wrap that the moisture that does get in can't get out, or dry out, or that will create another problem.

If I were going to protect the handle bar switches I would use a plastic bag and pull it over the end of the bar on either side, then tape it around the bar past all the switches. You might want to put tape around the bag in 2 or 3 places to tighten it up so it won't flop in the wind.

I do try to have my front tire valve stem at about 6 o'clock when setting at the bottom of the loading ramp so it won't be in the way and get damaged by straps when I strap the front wheel to the chock after driving onto the trailer. It has been a long time since I loaded it but I think 6 o'clock is about right, it won't take long to figure it out next time I load it. I normally drive the speed limit but I have pulled it as high as 90 mph just to see how it would act and it was great.

What ever you decide, load it up, go places and have fun, I don't think you will have any problems. I don't.

 

[RUMRUNR]

Could be. Both of these trikes had a belly pan and the 4-1/2* rake. Sorry it didn’t work out for you, it is a really nice trailer....so light to tow and tracks true. It’s a nice answer for those of us who don’t have a tow vehicle that will pull an enclosed trailer.

My Adventure Sport is a little heavier but I like turning a valve and it drops to the ground, turn it the other way and it brings it up to ride height.

Been working on a tow vehicle & trailer that we are bringing to Texas, trying to get the Hot Tub installed this weekend.

 

[CrystalPistol]

Backing the tow vehicles rear wheels up onto ramps like Rino Ramps will lessen chances of high centering a trike being loaded on the trailer.

 

[paws]

My Adventure Sport is a little heavier but I like turning a valve and it drops to the ground, turn it the other way and it brings it up to ride height.

Been working on a tow vehicle & trailer that we are bringing to Texas, trying to get the Hot Tub installed this weekend.

Delbert! You’re bringing a hot tub to Texas with you? After a long day of riding these guys will be lined up to hop in it! :clapping: