Hitch carrier with OEM saddlebags question?

[CrystalPistol]

Hitch carrier with OEM saddlebags question? Was a time they were popular. I had forgot that I have the original saddle bags from our '97 that were even pin striped in 1997 by Mountainman just prior to the bike being triked in 1998, they were given to me when I bought the trike. They are over my carport, stored.

Used to see folk use them with a frame to build a hitch carrier that hung off the back, had a soft cover between the saddle bags. I have plans for the frame work, have a very stout 1-1/4" receiver that ties into the frame of the trike all the way up to the former center-stand mount, the bags are the correct colors and the same pinstripe theme (the new trike parts were updated by Mountainman in 2004 at our Ralley) but I have not made the carrier because it looks to me like too much potential weight too far overhanging off rear, like taking weight off the front tire?

Not mine obviously, but just to illustrate: https://www.triketalk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=14728&d=1338697583

I also … think I have … a plan for a frame that included a single caster type wheel in center that followed the trike but it takes two hitch points to level the single wheel trailer. I recall seeing a few years ago behind cars like compacts in the '50s & '60s, but you never see them now?

Anyway, was really just curious if anyone used saddle bags as a hitch rack anymore? I've considered it, makes use of saddle bags. I have the bags & extra lights on hand.

Just realized, this is wrong forum room … maybe? :Shrug: Dunno?

 

[Volkemon]

I also … think I have … a plan for a frame that included a single caster type wheel in center that followed the trike but it takes two hitch points to level the single wheel trailer. I recall seeing a few years ago behind cars like compacts in the '50s & '60s, but you never see them now?

They are not uncommon, they are used on 5th wheel campers to get around triple tow regulations -

https://www.discountramps.com/swivel-wheel-trailer/p/SW-58/

Might be a bit big for your use, but may give ideas.

Here is an ad for several smaller 'fixer uppers' in AZ - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2182162 on my fav VW site.

I had a VW bug customer with one of those trailers you describe. Early 60's bug, he claimed the trailer was too. His trailer had a castor wheel back, and it was unsuspended. The mounts had a pivot and spring/shock that kept pressure on it slightly. Was not steady at higher (45 mph+) speeds, I think it was homemade.. but REALLY hard to tell with old VW stuff, as lots of 'dealer' items were not factory made. :Shrug:

Whats the weight with operator of your trike? That would definitely be a guideline as to how much trailer weight one could safely have. And maybe considering the 'twisting' force the single wheel/double mount may transfer to the trike chassis, unlike a conventional ball hitch. The more I think about that twisty force... better be strong saddle bag mounts.

 

[CrystalPistol]

They are not uncommon, they are used on 5th wheel campers to get around triple tow regulations -

Never seen one used like that, does look safer/better than some of the rigs I've seen.

When I bought the trike in '04 it was a popular thing to do with the left over saddlebags, I can recall seeing them often enough, but it's been years since I've seen one now, and I have a hitch rack that handles a "Action Packer" tote real well (was purpose built) and a trailer so doubt I'll actually evert build another using the saddle bags. I saw the one I linked to in the pics here, saw another too, surprised me. We went to California Side Car's new facility here in Va. a few times for open house, I saw a vendor there once selling the kits.

Maybe I was just around them more back then, was a CE for couple years, then chapter ride co-ordinator, then ACD, then a sudden surprise promotion to CD (6 years as CD) … then I let go.

The BUG pulling the caster wheeled trailer … stuff one used to see? I do recall some had a sprung caster wheel, but yeah, two hitch points. Neighbor of ours when I was a kid built his too I think, hooked to early '50s Ford car bumper with 2 hitch balls, one on each side, last I saw it was turned over on it's side next to the garden. He used it to haul a Gravely walk behind garden tractor mostly. Seen race cars flat towed back in the day, even NASCAR racers with two hitch balls on front bumper (steel) to hook an "A" shaped tow bar to. I remember an uncle (who followed Patton all over Europe in earlier times) … once took the trunk lid off of his Hudson Hornet and put a wooden box like deal in it's place to haul feed, etc (not pretty). He did it to a Dodge too.



Just curious.