Trailer for a Tri Glide

[POPSHD]

New member here who will be taking delivery of a 2020 Tri Glide this weekend. I always have had a trailer for my Limited. It was nice to have for the times that I needed it. So, I've started looking at trailer options to haul the Tri Glide. Hoping those in the forum who trailer their Tri Glide can offer some tips and other info.

Some of the things I'm interested in knowing more about ....

.. what is the minimum size trailer I need? I will need to store in on my driveway. I was thinking 5x10.

.. what are the best options for strapping down? I've read about the hooks under the rear-end and making sure you cross those ties.

.. what about the rating of the ramp gate with the Tri Glide weighing north of 1200 lbs?

.. what are some brands/models of trailers others are using?

.. any other info you can offer that would be helpful.

Thanks!

[FuzzyWuzHe]

New member here who will be taking delivery of a 2020 Tri Glide this weekend. I always have had a trailer for my Limited. It was nice to have for the times that I needed it. So, I've started looking at trailer options for the Tri Glide. Hoping those in the forum who trailer their Tri Glide can offer some tips and other info.

Some of the things I'm interested in knowing more about ....

.. what is the minimum size trailer I need? I will need to store in on my driveway. I was thinking 5x10.

.. what are the best options for strapping down? I've read about the hooks under the rear-end and making sure you cross those ties.

.. what about the rating of the ramp gate with the Tri Glide weighing north of 1200 lbs?

.. what are some brands/models of trailers others are using?

.. any other info you can offer that would be helpful.

Thanks!

I'm gonna make an assumption that you want to put the trike on ...

I would look at an Aluma TK1 ... built from the ground up to haul a trike, they are all aluminum, weigh like 550#, rubber torsion axle, easy to use/store ramp, large enough tires to be safe on the highway, and if you think you need it, you can get them with electric brakes.



Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Aluma ... just a guy who's seen them at work.

[rhino 2]

5 feet wide would be cutting it close.....I had a 6.5 by 12...Low-boy so there wasn't a problem going up to down the Ramp/Gate.....Don't cheep out on the straps....Use Heavy duty Ratchet straps....One on each tie-down loop under the rear shocks ....And one though the front wheel...Put a soft towel under the strap so you don't mar the wheel..

[graygoat]

Not sure if you want open or enclosed. I will give you thoughts about enclosed. I had a 6x10 v-nose (got it when I rode 2 wheels). It had a torsion axle and moto package. The moto package added the heavy duty ramp door (1500# rating), d-rings in the cornors and rear drop down jacks (with these down you can load/unload without being hooked to the pull vehicle). It was very tight in there and with the door cables being narrower than the door, there was only about an inch and a half clearance between the cable & the trike fender on each side. I pulled that trailer on 2 trips out west. Loading & unloading went the hardest issues due to the tight spots but it did work.

I just traded it for a 7x12 slant v- nose. With dove tail deck, torsion axle & moto package. Much easier to load & tie down. I also use it to store the trike during the winter, which justifies the enclosed for my purposes. I have a Condor chock for the front wheel & run 2 ratchet straps through the wheel to tie down spots. I run a strap through each rear wheel (criss crossed) with a slight rear pull. Trike never moves and no load on any suspension parts. I pull it with an F150.

What ever you buy, pay attention to what your puller, hitch & trailer are rated at. You will want to have 10 - 13% of your loaded trailer wt on the hitch. This might mean that you need to position the trike forward or rearward to get the % right. Too short a trailer may give you an issue here.

Good luck what every you do.

[paws]

S

I'm gonna make an assumption that you want to put the trike on ...

I would look at an Aluma TK1 ... built from the ground up to haul a trike, they are all aluminum, weigh like 550#, rubber torsion axle, easy to use/store ramp, large enough tires to be safe on the highway, and if you think you need it, you can get them with electric brakes.



Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Aluma ... just a guy who's seen them at work.

This trailer comes standard with a storage box built into the front of the shield. Spare tire holder and electric brakes are optional. I have one with the options. Tracks beautifully behind the Ford Explorer Sport - don’t really notice its back there. Run highway speeds all day long with it. We added the Condor chock. It already has tie-down rings built in. I load my 2008 Gold Wing Motor Trike Adventure on it. The trike weighs 1300# - no problem with the ramp holding the weight. This is a “made for a Trike” trailer - hence the T k1.

[Colleydog]

I use a 7 x 14 homesteader ez rider, plenty of room for the trike, used to haul 2 bikes in there, actually shoe horned 2 trikes in there but was very tight. Tows and tracks wonderfully. Use a 2018 f150 eco boost to tow it with, can’t hardly tell its back there, did 80 through South Dakota, but I figured it cost me about $1000.00 for the 3000 round trip from Tennessee to South Dakota and back at 10 miles per gallon.

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I have two trailers,a 6 1/2 x 10 open trailer and a 7x12 enclosed trailer.Both fit my tri glide just fine any smaller than either size will be two close in my opinion.

[ol' school]

We use an Aluma 7712H tilt trailer to haul our trike. The trailer weighs 650lbs. The bed size is 77.5" x 145". It doesn't show the front wheel chock in this picture. Aluma trailers are well built and tow easy. We tow with a Ram 1500 4X4 with a Hemi. The tilt has a hydraulic cylinder and makes loading/unloading easy.

[Zammy]

We use a 7 X 12 V-nose and love it, plenty of room to walk around inside plus room for storage. Our ramp is rated at 3,000 # so we're good to go.

[Firewrench22]

6x12 enclosed here, I wouldn't go any smaller. I can just squeeze by the trike rear fenders if I need to(or just walk around outside the trailer). If I needed to get in the trike trunk without opening rear door, it's possible. The trike is far enough from the rear trailer door that if the trunk accidentally came open it won't touch the door. Also I have room in front of the trike for the spare tire/wheel for the motor home, I have it strapped to the front wall inside of the trailer.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

We use an Aluma 7712H tilt trailer to haul our trike. The trailer weighs 650lbs. The bed size is 77.5" x 145". It doesn't show the front wheel chock in this picture. Aluma trailers are well built and tow easy. We tow with a Ram 1500 4X4 with a Hemi. The tilt has a hydraulic cylinder and makes loading/unloading easy.

Pretty sharp ... multifunctional too ... could be used to move "stuff" other than a trike. Some Questions:

1) When you ride the trike up onto the trailer when tilted, does it slam down or does the hydraulic cylinder allow it to go slowly down? My current trailer was a tilt bed, I bolted it down and built a ramp, didn't like the slam down ...

2) When the trike is on it, does the tilt "rattle"? What holds it secure?

I looked into this and the 3500# axle is interesting, as apposed to the 2900# axle of the TK1, not sure I'd need it, but, it's interesting.

[ol' school]

Pretty sharp ... multifunctional too ... could be used to move "stuff" other than a trike. Some Questions:

1) When you ride the trike up onto the trailer when tilted, does it slam down or does the hydraulic cylinder allow it to go slowly down? My current trailer was a tilt bed, I bolted it down and built a ramp, didn't like the slam down ...

2) When the trike is on it, does the tilt "rattle"? What holds it secure?

I looked into this and the 3500# axle is interesting, as apposed to the 2900# axle of the TK1, not sure I'd need it, but, it's interesting.

The hydraulic cylinder lets is come down slow tilting both up and down.

It does not rattle. It has a locking pin that secures the bed when it is up.

I do use it for other things, garden tractor, four wheeler, and putting a tarp on it, mulch, etc... The front wheel chock for the trike is removable so there is room to use it for other things.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

The hydraulic cylinder lets is come down slow tilting both up and down.

It does not rattle. It has a locking pin that secures the bed when it is up.

I do use it for other things, garden tractor, four wheeler, and putting a tarp on it, mulch, etc... The front wheel chock for the trike is removable so there is room to use it for other things.

Interesting ... no ramp is a plus.

[RShomo]

I have a 5x12 Top Hat Open Trailer which I have hauled my Trike on. It fits just fine. I installed a motorcycle wheel chock which I ride into and then strap the front tire to the choke and use ratchet straps to secure the end of the bike to the back of the trailer. Just recently hauled the trike +-2000 miles on my trailer.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Can't believe I'm saying this, but, I called a local dealer, like 100 miles away and am going up there to take a look at a used one that they use around the dealership to move/deliver atv's and such.

The dealer told me if I wanted one for April, I'd need to get it ordered pretty soon since Aluma delivers new product in early spring.

Might have to put a deposit on one ... we'll see. Gonna get dressed now and head up there.

[LadyonaMission]

Can't believe I'm saying this, but, I called a local dealer, like 100 miles away and am going up there to take a look at a used one that they use around the dealership to move/deliver atv's and such.

The dealer told me if I wanted one for April, I'd need to get it ordered pretty soon since Aluma delivers new product in early spring.

Might have to put a deposit on one ... we'll see. Gonna get dressed now and head up there.

I hope you get one in time to bring your trike down to ride with us.

[POPSHD]

I have a 5x12 Top Hat Open Trailer which I have hauled my Trike on. It fits just fine. I installed a motorcycle wheel chock which I ride into and then strap the front tire to the choke and use ratchet straps to secure the end of the bike to the back of the trailer. Just recently hauled the trike +-2000 miles on my trailer.

Thanks. What model Top Hat do you have?

[hocnsoc]

I use a Legend 714LRV all aluminum trailer. It is a low profile, dual axle unit with a 71" ramp door opening.

Legend Trailers are not inexpensive as trailers go but I wanted a bit more stability with two axles.

Have also stored the trike or other bikes in it as well. Helps justify having one.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Went and checked out the tilt trailer. The dealer didn't have one for sale, but I checked out his delivery trailer. It's a little longer than I think I'd need, but, any shorter might make it awkward to load. He even let me drive his yard tractor onto it .. kind of kewl how the hydraulic thing lets you gently sit flat, and slowly lower you as you unload.

No box for tools/straps, but, I've got several I can use.

We talked deal on a 2020. We agreed in writing I'd give him $500 deposit, if he doesn't have it by April 2rd, I could back out of the deal and get my money back, or take $300 off the balance, my choice. So, I guess we'll see.

My trailer is and will be ready for April, so either way ... I'll be okay on the trike to Kerrville thing.

[ol' school]

Went and checked out the tilt trailer. The dealer didn't have one for sale, but I checked out his delivery trailer. It's a little longer than I think I'd need, but, any shorter might make it awkward to load. He even let me drive his yard tractor onto it .. kind of kewl how the hydraulic thing lets you gently sit flat, and slowly lower you as you unload.

No box for tools/straps, but, I've got several I can use.

We talked deal on a 2020. We agreed in writing I'd give him $500 deposit, if he doesn't have it by April 2rd, I could back out of the deal and get my money back, or take $300 off the balance, my choice. So, I guess we'll see.

My trailer is and will be ready for April, so either way ... I'll be okay on the trike to Kerrville thing.

Glad you liked it Fuzzy! It is definitely an easy, slow tilt. And the trailer travels down the road easily. We hauled our trike to Maggie Valley back in September and got better MPG than I expected pulling a trailer.