How much trail?

[Broken_Mold]

I've read and read unsuccessfully trying to determine how much trail is needed for a (rear eng VW) trike. I've read that as little as 2 inches is correct. Is less trail required for a trike (any) than for a two-wheeler? If so why?

I have access to a good rake and trail calculator and know how to adjust frame rake, offset, triple tree rake, etc to change the trail but I just don't know what trail I should be adjusting for.

[Jack Klarich]

There is no absolute number for trail, however 2inches seems to be the most common for good handling

[vwbug72501]

Check out this thread. A lot of good info: https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...-build-a-trike

Also check out Rex's Anyone Else thread in VW ttrikes.

[DeathBySnuSnu]

I've read and read unsuccessfully trying to determine how much trail is needed for a (rear eng VW) trike.

Any amount of trail is ridable as long as it is trail and not lead. It may be quite difficult to ride and you certainly would not enjoy it. Being a rear engine the front should be light and you can get away with larger trail. It will go down the highway fine, but the head will shake on deceleration, it will be stiff to steer on the curvy roads, and it will be a bear to wrestle backing up

I've read that as little as 2 inches is correct. Is less trail required for a trike (any) than for a two-wheeler? If so why?

Two inches is considered the "safe" number. But much depends on the rest of the trike, wheel diameter, fork type, pivot height.. My drop pivot linked shocker front on mine is well under 1 inch trail. The Sugar Bear front ends are ZERO trail.

Motorcycles in general are around 4 inch trail. Motorcycles are more because they lean and a trike does not. A trikes geometry is more akin to a car than a motorcycle.

I have access to a good rake and trail calculator and know how to adjust frame rake, offset, triple tree rake, etc to change the trail but I just don't know what trail I should be adjusting for.

Shoot for the two inch (if you have normal size wheel,) and if you miss by a little either way you will still be good.

[stacebg]

generally i shoot for 1.5 - 2.5 never had a bad handling three wheeler same for side car

[TomyJ]

Do these help, about 2"...