Towing with a motorbike

**BikerChick101** · 3rd November 2015, 06:00

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

Cheers in advance

**haydes55** · 3rd November 2015, 06:41

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.)

**Tazz** · 3rd November 2015, 08:58

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

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** · 3rd November 2015, 09:13

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** · 3rd November 2015, 09:46

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** · 3rd November 2015, 10:35

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** · 3rd November 2015, 10:40

Originally Posted by BikerChick101

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** · 3rd November 2015, 10:46

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

. 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

**Stirts** · 3rd November 2015, 10:54

Originally Posted by swarfie

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

what he said!!

**BuzzardNZ** · 3rd November 2015, 11:00

Or just put skates on the dog

**nodrog:Me** · 3rd November 2015, 11:06

I think you want an MX5.

**BikerChick101** · 3rd November 2015, 11:15

Originally Posted by nodrog

I think you want an MX5.

I already have one of those lol

**Stirts** · 3rd November 2015, 11:16

Originally Posted by BikerChick101

I already have one of those lol

Choice...I need a hair cut

You could modify a top box...

**Erelyes** · 3rd November 2015, 11:36

Originally Posted by 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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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.