Towing with a motorbike

[BikerChick101]

I am hoping there's someone out there who knows a bit about rigging a bike to tow a trailer.
There doesn't seem to be much info on it on nz web pages, found a few American pages but they were mostly related to the big cruisers.
I'm thinking that I'll have to make up some kind of framework to attach to (possibly) the bolts that hold the rear wheel on...?
Also wondering what kind of wiring I'll need to do and what kind of lights would be best for the trailer. I was considering some bike led lights...
I'm wanting a trailer that I can put my dog in, strap a tent to the top of and go away camping for the weekend.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated [emoji4]
Cheers in advance

[haydes55]

Mossy has built a couple. I bought one off him and haven't even looked at starting to get it mounted yet (new job, life etc.)http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/02/24b0867f0a050c92a21a0f972b8bc5f9.jpg

[Tazz]

I think you need to know what bike you're attaching it to before going any further. Not all subframes are designed or created equally.

Don't like being a Debbie downer, but for a dog and camping gear you might, well will, be better off with a sidecar rig.

That trailer pictured above only handled 30 odd kg of weight from memory. That's probably your dog alone, unless it fits in a handbag.
A cruiser would be a better choice for weight, as they already weigh a ton :D A local guy has a Vulcan with a trailer setup that includes a mini kitchen and bed, but the bike alone is pushing 400kg and it has still tried to shunt him off the road once or twice when caught off guard.

[BikerChick101]

Thanks for the input.
I'm looking at a GS500 currently, my last one suited me great and always regretted selling it.
My dog weighs around 25kg, no hand bag dogs for me lol.
I'm thinking two wheels for stability, metal tubing frame, or maybe some right angle steel (not sure if that's what it's called) and weld on some aluminum or checker plate for the walls and floor. Should make it fairly light while still being strong enough to hold my dog.
I'm definitely going to be getting something the same style as the GS500, not a huge fan of cruisers.
How difficult are sidecars to find, fit, ride with? I haven't considered this option

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[Stirts]

I'd lean towards sidecar (not biased or anything) purely for the safety of the dog. Likelihood of a trailer getting rammed up the arse by some fuck-knuckle munter in their car is too great.

[BikerChick101]

How easy is a sidecar to attach/remove? The other reason for thinking a trailer was because I'll be using the bike to get to work in rush hour Auckland traffic, so I want something quick and easy to remove for work, or throw on after work to shoot down to the beach...

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[Akzle]

I want something quick and easy to remove for work, or throw on after work to shoot down to the beach...

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not a sidecar

[swarfie]

Sidecars are bloody good fun but not for you if you want to take it on and off all the time. To make them easier to steer they need the front fork trail altering for a start. But don't let that stop you....they're a grin a mile:woohoo:. Once you've got one you'll not likely go back and to go solo you'll need two bikes...and there's nowt wrong with that :2thumbsup

[Stirts]

you'll need two bikes...and there's nowt wrong with that :2thumbsup

:woohoo: what he said!!

[BuzzardNZ]

Or just put skates on the dog :eek5:

[nodrog]

I think you want an MX5.

[BikerChick101]

I think you want an MX5.
I already have one of those lol

[Stirts]

I already have one of those lol

Choice...I need a hair cut :shutup:

You could modify a top box...

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d7/ce/c0/d7cec0db20fe78ea081ba58a6bf8cfc7.jpg

[Erelyes]

Thanks for the input.
I'm looking at a GS500 currently, my last one suited me great and always regretted selling it.
My dog weighs around 25kg, no hand bag dogs for me lol.
I'm thinking two wheels for stability, metal tubing frame, or maybe some right angle steel (not sure if that's what it's called) and weld on some aluminum or checker plate for the walls and floor. Should make it fairly light while still being strong enough to hold my dog.
I'm definitely going to be getting something the same style as the GS500, not a huge fan of cruisers.
How difficult are sidecars to find, fit, ride with? I haven't considered this option

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Two wheels - hmm, this will mean the trailer doesn't lean when the bike does and may 'push' the back end of the bike outwards more around corners. I think one wheel would be fine weightwise.

Weight - the main problem will be, over a certain weight, attaching it to the swingarm will be right out. Rigging something up to the subframe should be OK as long as you measure how much the trailer 'weighs' at the hitch and don't go over (loaded) what a pillion would weigh.

Sidecars - I've never ridden one but have heard they are nothing like a car and nothing like a bike. Under power they will tend to turn left. This makes right-handers interesting, especially uphill. Downhill left-handers can be very dicey too. Mods to the front end will help.
You can get 'flexi' sidecars of various sorts, where either the sidecar is stable and the bike still leans, or the bike and sidecar wheel leans (the tub stays level), or, the bike and the whole sidecar leans.

If It was me I'd build a leaner. (Sidecar and wheel level, bike leans). http://www.haulnride.com/leaner_sidecars.html. You can build a 'cradle' and then the whole thing can come off with two bolts and your electrical plug. The front mount is higher than the rear which introduces a slight 'toe in' on the sidecar wheel around corners. That way the handling of the bike itself is less affected too. If you do it right you could keep your left-mounted kickstand, otherwise you could move it to the right, or even build a stand into the outfit.

[BikerChick101]

Choice...I need a hair cut :shutup:

You could modify a top box...

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d7/ce/c0/d7cec0db20fe78ea081ba58a6bf8cfc7.jpg
I thought of doing something like that originally but my dog would probably be too big

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[Stirts]

I thought of doing something like that originally but my dog would probably be too big

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I would look into this first... less faffing about with your bike and it will certainly be the option that least affects handling. Or get a custom seat made that includes a harness. Like this (well not exactly like this cos it's a bit naff looking, but you get the idea) ...

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/v-twin-forum-general-harley-talk/167239-dog-my-copilot-dogs-first-motorcycle-ride.html

[vifferman]

I worked on a farm for a few years, where we had the (two-wheeled) farmbikes mostly fitted with trailer hitches. Lot of drama with sheep or a load of haybales on the back; they'd wheelspin wildly uphill, and if you tied the fookrs to the front of the cage, you'd pull some pretty awesome wheelies. Also (plus!) as others have mentioned, the trailer would push the back of the bike when decelerating into corners.
I'm a bit fuzzy on the details, but the trailer hitches would be legal for on-road. IIRC, the bike had an extension to the rack on the back that had a ~15mm steel tongue with a hole, while the trailer had a double tongue. There was a fat (20mm?) pin with a large head that was inserted through the holes, and a ring with a locking pin that went through a small hole in the bottom of the large pin, with a chain to the drawbar so it didn't get lost.
All pretty lightweight, but I dunno how you'd go getting it all WOFd. Plus it all rattled like a bastard, and the rudimentary suspension made it bounce wildly at speed over bumps. The the drawbar on the back of the bike exerted quite a bit of leverage on the bike, due to the way it transferred to forces to the bike (a more cunning system connecting closer to the bike's centre would have been better. But not so much fun...

If you had a more road-worthy trailer, I reckon you'd have trouble getting it lightweight enough without spending some serious coin. Plus ideally you'd need the trailer at least lightly braked, a pretty good (and certified) swivel joint for the hitch. I reckon it'd be easier just to take the car...

[nodrog]

I thought of doing something like that originally but my dog would probably be too big

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http://cdn.toolstation.com/images/141020-UK/800/87269.jpg

[BikerChick101]

I reckon it'd be easier just to take the car...

Now where's the fun in that? [emoji12]

That hitch you're talking about sounds very similar to the set up they have with tractors, yeah?

I might have to look into some kind of seat on the bike for her, just worried she'll freak out. I don't think a dog going crazy on the back of a bike would be much fun. She's a rescue dog so pretty much scared of anything. Was used for pig hunting so loves being in a dog box, hence the trailer idea

[BikerChick101]

What about one of those dog boxes that bolt on a car towball? Would that be a better option? I would just be worried about her sliding around a bit when the bike leans over around a corner

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[nodrog]

What about one of those dog boxes that bolt on a car towball? Would that be a better option? I would just be worried about her sliding around a bit when the bike leans over around a corner

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See if you can rent a bike from a bike shop, then see if you can rent a retarded ADHD child with full body Tourette's from the IHC, then take them for a ride.

That should answer all your questions.

[EJK]

Picture of a hacksaw

Hello BikerChick101. Do you Chinese delivery to house?

[Stirts]

just worried she'll freak out. I don't think a dog going crazy on the back of a bike would be much fun. She's a rescue dog so pretty much scared of anything. Was used for pig hunting so loves being in a dog box, hence the trailer idea

If she is harnessed in properly there should be no issue, and if you ease her into the "pillion" thing she will be fine. If she is not already, get her used to hearing the bike, then sitting on it while going, then little rides up the road...baby steps.

[James Deuce]

Mossy has a trailer fetish. He'll be along shortly.

A mate with a KTM 1190 Adventure has a wee dog and he's modified a plastic crate to mount to his top box plate and installed a wee perspex windshield and his miniature schnauzer sits in there quite happily, for long, fast periods of time. Including wheelies and heavy braking to avoid hares.

[BikerChick101]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/02/844a4144941a95667d6dea83df93d2df.jpg
This is my dog, just for size reference

[Stirts]

This is my dog, just for size reference

Naaawww those eyes!!! Why is there a smiley face on her butt cheek?

[EJK]

This is my dog, just for size reference

Looks delicious

[Big Dog]

What about one of those dog boxes that bolt on a car towball? Would that be a better option? I would just be worried about her sliding around a bit when the bike leans over around a corner

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I don't know about a dog box specifically but I have seen a few bikes with a wooden crate tied either to the back sear or some sort of frame and a dog the size of a sack of spuds patiently sitting inside.
Usually on adventure or farm bikes in rural areas.

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[BikerChick101]

Naaawww those eyes!!! Why is there a smiley face on her butt cheek?
It's a brand, something to do with pig hunting, I'm not entirely sure

[BikerChick101]

I don't know about a dog box specifically but I have seen a few bikes with a wooden crate tied either to the back sear or some sort of frame and a dog the size of a sack of spuds patiently sitting inside.
Usually on adventure or farm bikes in rural areas.

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Yeah, I was thinking I could fabricate some kind of frame to hold one of those dog carriers onto the pillion seat. Mount it so that the door faces backwards (so it's along the bike rather then across it) that should minimise her sideways movement

[Tazz]

Now where's the fun in that? [emoji12]

That hitch you're talking about sounds very similar to the set up they have with tractors, yeah?


Tractor linkages are are heavy as fawk. They are thick walled and the rose joints at each end are solid.

Light weight pintle hook, UJ or something made specifically for bike trailers (maybe even light ag, like ride on mower territory) would be where I'd start, after working out how how to make a decent mount on your GS. After all that I still think you'll find a side car is a better bet financially and setup wise.

[russd7]

trailors don't have to be heavy to be legal, chap down this way has one made out of a plastic 200l drum with a scooter wheel on the back and a drawbar mounted on the front. as far as dogs riding on bikes, you will be surprised how quick they get used to it, hell back in the days before trikes we used to carry the dogs on the bikes, not a lot of room on a KM 100 when ya have one on the tank, one on the seat behind and another one trying to get on as well, ahhhh them were the good ole days:rolleyes:

[Paul in NZ]

Towing a trailer you will be limited to 90kph I think...

[granstar]

trailors don't have to be heavy to be legal, chap down this way has one made out of a plastic 200l drum with a scooter wheel on the back and a drawbar mounted on the front. as far as dogs riding on bikes, you will be surprised how quick they get used to it, hell back in the days before trikes we used to carry the dogs on the bikes, not a lot of room on a KM 100 when ya have one on the tank, one on the seat behind and another one trying to get on as well, ahhhh them were the good ole days:rolleyes:

Was that with the ex then, the tank gets hard after a few miles?

[BikerChick101]

317061

This looks like its attached rather precariously but is the best example I could find of what I'm currently considering after everyone's input on trailers and sidecars etc.
Any thoughts?

[Daffyd]

Could be a tad top heavy.

[BikerChick101]

Compared to a pillion? I'm thinking something a bit more solid with a frame to attach it to the frame of the bike so it can't move around when she moves...

[Big Dog]

Yeah, I was thinking I could fabricate some kind of frame to hold one of those dog carriers onto the pillion seat. Mount it so that the door faces backwards (so it's along the bike rather then across it) that should minimise her sideways movement
The ones I have seen on the road have been more like the old style apple crates with the lid off.

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[BikerChick101]

The ones I have seen on the road have been more like the old style apple crates with the lid off.

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I just don't want to risk her trying to jump out...

[James Deuce]

Towing a trailer you will be limited to 90kph I think...

From de Road Code mon.



If the trailer, including its load, is up to half the weight of your motorcycle, the maximum speed you can ride is 90km/h.
If the trailer, including its load, is more than half the weight of your motorcycle, the maximum speed you can ride is 40km/h.


An American tourist got quite a shock a few years ago to get hauled off to the station, his license removed and his visa endorsed for travelling about at 100 kph with a what amounted to a 2 tonne camping trailer attached to to his Harley. There was a bit of to and fro with the Tourism minister and it was agreed that he could continue his holiday if he stuck to 40kph. He quite rightly went home instead.

[James Deuce]

I just don't want to risk her trying to jump out...

All you need is a harness and leash clip. You'll be fine.

[Big Dog]

Introduce her slowly. If she likes it she won't jump. If she doesn't you are better of leaving her home.

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[Erelyes]

This looks like its attached rather precariously but is the best example I could find of what I'm currently considering after everyone's input on trailers and sidecars etc.
Any thoughts?

Large dogs need not apply.

Um, one thing I forgot to mention about side cars before. Technically you have to get LVV certification to put one on your bike. The law views them as a modification to the bike, not a unit unto themselves.

[BikerChick101]

Would you also need to get a certification for a tow ball if I decided to take that path?

[BuzzardNZ]

I just don't want to risk her trying to jump out...

Then perhaps it's time to abandon this idea and just use the car for camping trips with your dog and leave the bike trips just for you.

Failing that, I think the only sensible and safe option for a dog that size ( German Shepard ? ) would be a large permanently fixed sidecar.

[Erelyes]

Would you also need to get a certification for a tow ball if I decided to take that path?

No. (source (http://www.lvvta.org.nz/documents/suplementary_information/LVVTA_LVV_Cert_Threshold.pdf))

'A towbar attachment is a modification to the vehicle structure which never requires LVV certification unless the structure may have been weakened.'

In other words, if you don't drill/cut any factory part of the bike and just construct a bolt-up towbar you don't need cert.

[BikerChick101]

Then perhaps it's time to abandon this idea and just use the car for camping trips with your dog and leave the bike trips just for you.

Failing that, I think the only sensible and safe option for a dog that size ( German Shepard ? ) would be a large permanently fixed sidecar.
She's about the size of a staffy. She loves being on the quad bike so I might just make up some kind of platform and take her around the paddock a few times and see how we get on

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[Gremlin]

I'm surprised mossy isn't here yet. Speed laws around trailers have been covered.

I know mossy has commented on the type of coupling before, and certain easily detached ones (like a tow ball) I think have more legal requirements?

Also, a tow ball type setup won't work if the trailer only has one wheel... there is nothing to control the lean of the trailer. You need more of a u-joint, and the trailer only leans when the bike does. Basically, you want flex for gutters/ridges, sideways when turning, but not sideways lean angle...

[BikerChick101]

I'm surprised mossy isn't here yet. Speed laws around trailers have been covered.

I know mossy has commented on the type of coupling before, and certain easily detached ones (like a tow ball) I think have more legal requirements?

Also, a tow ball type setup won't work if the trailer only has one wheel... there is nothing to control the lean of the trailer. You need more of a u-joint, and the trailer only leans when the bike does. Basically, you want flex for gutters/ridges, sideways when turning, but not sideways lean angle...

I was thinking tow ball and two wheels... If I go with a trailer it will need to be stable so that she doesn't get thrown around every time I lean it over going around a corner...

Still very much considering some type of cage/platform on the pillion seat and a harness to keep her secure. From the input on this discussion, this might be the way to go for the meantime.

I am just very much in love with the idea of taking my bike, my dog, a tent and just cruising around NZ...

[Big Dog]

I was thinking tow ball and two wheels... If I go with a trailer it will need to be stable so that she doesn't get thrown around every time I lean it over going around a corner...

Still very much considering some type of cage/platform on the pillion seat and a harness to keep her secure. From the input on this discussion, this might be the way to go for the meantime.

I am just very much in love with the idea of taking my bike, my dog, a tent and just cruising around NZ...
If the seat she is on leans she will be pushed down onto her seat. Much like you are. If she is vertical the energy from turning will cause her to slide around.

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[BikerChick101]

If the seat she is on leans she will be pushed down onto her seat. Much like you are. If she is vertical the energy from turning will cause her to slide around.

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Now that actually makes sense, I hadn't thought about it like that. Thank you for the input!

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[Ender EnZed]

I'm surprised mossy isn't here yet.

Same. It's almost like he found something else to do instead of fuck around on KB late on a work night.

I just sent him a PM with a link to this thread (which may have forwarded to his email).

[Daffyd]

If the seat she is on leans she will be pushed down onto her seat. Much like you are. If she is vertical the energy from turning will cause her to slide around.

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What 'e said. I also heard that if you need to use a tool, (socket, spanner, screwdriver etc,) to disconnect it from the bike it doesn't need to be registered as a trailer. Someone else may know more about this.

[nerrrd]

I remember seeing this on the telly (Jeremy Irons)...two dogs in this one.

http://1657156.sites.myregisteredsite.com/motorbikewithdog.jpg

[Tazz]

I remember seeing this on the telly (Jeremy Irons)...two dogs in this one.


I didn't realize you could fit KLR parts to bimmers.

[Flip]

Ted the welsh terrier comes with me on the bike.

The side car is a lot easier but he is fine in his gimp harness on the backof the "fucking harley". The dog bag is a Beast rider and is very well made. Ted is 12kg and about the size of a staffy (medium sized terrier). I can fit the 50 litre top box, the dog and me on the bike or dog, wife and me with no top box.

The best thing is when we do either a toy or kids hospital run, the kids love the dog on the bike.

The best trailer I have ever seen was one at the brass made of a plastic 210 drum with a single moped tyre on it with simple swing arm suspension.

[mossy1200]

I'm surprised mossy isn't here yet. Speed laws around trailers have been covered.

I know mossy has commented on the type of coupling before, and certain easily detached ones (like a tow ball) I think have more legal requirements?

Also, a tow ball type setup won't work if the trailer only has one wheel... there is nothing to control the lean of the trailer. You need more of a u-joint, and the trailer only leans when the bike does. Basically, you want flex for gutters/ridges, sideways when turning, but not sideways lean angle...

Been very busy.
If you have a tow hitch on the bike that's not been manufactured as a bolt on it would need be certified.
Trailer itself as one piece bolt on (without hitch) does not require.

[Hawkeye]

There's a guy in Wellington who takes his dog everywhere on his sports bike. Has a box mounted on a pack rack. From memory the box is made of canvas over a frame and has mesh for sides and front facing door. Also has an opening in the top for the pooch to stick it's head out if it wants to. I'm sure there may be a pic on here from one of the toy runs. Will see If I can locate it.