Towing a trike

[sonny8l3]

Hello, Has anyone towed a trike using the cradle type that holds the front tire and fits into a reciever behind a vehicle. If so. How do you get the tire in the cradle and are there any things that have to be done to the drive train or any other problems? Thanks for your time.

[DeathBySnuSnu]

I have not towed mine, but I have looked into it before.

A front wheel pull is the least desired method. Because of the stresses put on the front end that it is not meant to have. Then with a trike not being able to lean it also puts a twist on the front end. There are trike specific tow hitches that have a swivel joint that helps the twist problem.

At absolute best I would call this type of a tow an "emergency tow". Then be very careful not to accel or decell to rapidly to get your trike off the side of the road and back home.

The best ones I have seen are attached to the frame at two clevis points and a saddle to cradle the front tire. Then had a tongue and ball.

[sonny8l3]

Thanks, I kinda figured that, but wanted an opinion from someone that is not mechanically declined. A friend told me that he got a car tow dolly, extended the tongue, added an I beam over the tongue. He said it works well. I think I'm gonna start looking for a car dolly. Thanks for your time

[vinman]

i got a front wheel holder you just pick up the front a place it in the rack and strap in it. mine fits in a standard hitch. but the tire rack swivels left and right. so that it doesn't put a strain on the neck when turning. it tracks like a trailer. i got it a few years ago don't remember where. google it. it was about $300. but works great. been towing diffance place to do stuff i can't.

building a trike with a scat 1917cc with duel carbs,harley 4" over springer. i't my first full build. going to start the wiring soon have no idea what i'm doing. been reading a lot and a bunch of youtube. everything is new except the trans and basic irs.

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Yep.

That is the only style to use on a trike. It is the best of emergency tow hitches. If you are using it other than temporary emergence be very careful and gentle with the accel and deceleration.

Post up a build thread on your trike.....we wanna see!

[grandpanystrom61]

yes, it is always great to see what others are building, so when you get the chance please do post pic's of your build.

Plus it does sound interesting. Wiring can be an issue for some and it is nothing for others. My best advice is think out the entire trike, all what you want and feel you need electrical...........lay it all out on paper or on the trike, get it all layed out and ready before wrapping it all up........that is if you do all the wiring your self...........there is the dunebuggy harness's that seem to do good for the trikes.

Winter is a good time for electrical wiring work, just watch out for the heater's, LOL

Welcome 2019, a year of progress......

[TomyJ]

#1 #2 I am thinking of this one for a RT? #3 Maybe NOT?

[grandpanystrom61]

The first one could work if the front tire set lower to the ground, just my thoughts.

The 2nd pic is the trailer I would want to own and use. Easy to make up and would be the most stable out of the 3 trailer options. Heck it is such a good idea I just might make me up one, custom trailer for a custom trike.

Thanks for sharing the options, I am sure it will help others.

[hdruss]

I've been using the Cycle Tow when I need to have both a 4 wheel and 3 wheel vehicles available when I travel long distances. It has a ramp and you just ride it up on to the carrier. I towed mine from Chicago to Portland with no problems. The only caution is to lock down your clutch lever because if your trans jumps out of neutral for some reason it will lock the rear end and pull the trike off the carrier. - Russ