Who tows a trailer?

**Holy Roller** · 24th May 2005, 04:02

Even with all the extra luggage space the old girl comes with I have seen a few choice trailers for bikes. What is it like to tow a trailer behind a bike?
The tent just doesn't fit in any luggage space or the bed roll. May even be able to take a few extra creature comforts along for the ride.

**phantom** · 24th May 2005, 06:16

a couple of weeks ago I saw a Goldwing or something similar towing a bloody huge trailer, bigger than you see behind some cars. Must have been a bugger in the wet or if you wanted to stop in a hurry. Don't know what the legalities are ( someone on here obviously will )

**badlieutenant** · 24th May 2005, 08:13

i always thought one of these would be great and heres a link to a site that gives a bit of history and testimonials from motorcycletrader

**Lou Girardin** · 24th May 2005, 08:29

One of our customers uses a Unigo as swears by it. I couldn't come to terms with a trailer on a bike though. Next thing, I'd being scarfing hot dogs and gnats piss beer, hanging Old Glory off a flag pole and voting for George Dubya.

**vifferman** · 24th May 2005, 08:48

Having had extensive trailering experience in my professional sheep-shagger days, trailers can be tricky if the weight isn't balanced just right: too little weight on the towbar and the trailer will fishtail, causing the back of the bike to wag; too much, and it makes the steering light.

As far as I know, trailers on bikes are legal, but they are not allowed to exceed a certain weight and shouldn't be heavier than x% (don't know offhand) of the bike's weight. One of the most important facors will be getting the tow hitch set up right on the bike, especially these days when rear subframes are quite lightweight.

**Paul in NZ** · 24th May 2005, 08:59

One thing to remember...

If you are towing a trailer you are not allowed to do 100kph on the open road. It's either 80 or 90kph. Thus if you get pinged at 120 or 130 you are in serious trouble.

Cheers

**bugjuice** · 24th May 2005, 09:19

got this photo from a recent rallye in the UK..

I had wondered about towing on a bike before, myself. I've seen heaps of bikes doing it, so can't be that bad

**badlieutenant** · 24th May 2005, 10:05

Originally Posted by vifferman

Having had extensive trailering experience in my professional sheep-shagger days, trailers can be tricky if the weight isn't balanced just right: too little weight on the towbar and the trailer will fishtail, causing the back of the bike to wag; too much, and it makes the steering light.

As far as I know, trailers on bikes are legal, but they are not allowed to exceed a certain weight and shouldn't be heavier than x% (don't know offhand) of the bike's weight. One of the most important facors will be getting the tow hitch set up right on the bike, especially these days when rear subframes are quite lightweight.

I think the advantage of the unigo is that it submits mass to your bikewhen accelorating and braking but has little effect on handling. The bike doesnt support its static weight. My guess is that one of these trailers would be better than a full pack rack but heavier if that makes sense. Be ideal for hitchers type of bike.
the testimonials page has some guys testing it in europe at 230km/hr

**Holy Roller** · 24th May 2005, 10:39

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

One of our customers uses a Unigo as swears by it. I couldn't come to terms with a trailer on a bike though. Next thing, I'd being scarfing hot dogs and gnats piss beer, hanging Old Glory off a flag pole and voting for George Dubya.

After parting with $3500 odd dollars I'd swear by it also. Though I did see one at the Gisborne rally and was impressed by the clean lines and the way that it tracked behind the bike.

**dhunt** · 24th May 2005, 12:50

Originally Posted by bugjuice

got this photo from a recent rallye in the UK..

I had wondered about towing on a bike before, myself. I've seen heaps of bikes doing it, so can't be that bad

Do they come with a reverse gear?? I'm sure that must be hardwork trying to navigate round on at low speed such as round town, parking etc.

**bugjuice** · 24th May 2005, 12:59

Originally Posted by dhunt

Do they come with a reverse gear?? I'm sure that must be hardwork trying to navigate round on at low speed such as round town, parking etc.

I was thinking that..
Was also wondering about if you went a bit quicker than the trailer could grip round a corner, what'd happen to the back of the bike...

**Biff** · 24th May 2005, 13:04

I wonder what would happen if you pulled a stoppie....

**James Deuce** · 24th May 2005, 13:06

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

One thing to remember...

If you are towing a trailer you are not allowed to do 100kph on the open road. It's either 80 or 90kph. Thus if you get pinged at 120 or 130 you are in serious trouble.

Cheers

I think it's 50kph for a bike trailer combo, though no one obeys. An American Chap came here to tour round NZ and got pinged and jailed briefly for exceeding the speed limit by more than 60kph. He'd just done Australia "no worries" and was a bit mystified that the rules were so different here.

I will check and post back, because 50kph puts it in the "why bother?" bin.