Re: Trailering

[Mark Easterbrook <mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 19:40:23 EST
> From: Bmsdcr@xxxxxxx
> Subject: Trailering
> 
> Who here has pulled a trailer with their R1100? I have an R27 I would like to 
> shuttle to nicer locals but don't want to use the pickup truck. So mid-winter 
> blues dictates I design a trailer to pull the R27 behind the RS. The bike 
> weighs about 350lbs. Outside a hitch I figured I would install a 33:11 rear drive 
> to help out. Anybody have any recommendations for which hitch to buy or any 
> other wisdom.
> 
> Steve Szelestey 
> Shelby Twp, MI
> 94 R1100RS
> 63 R27
> 

I pull a small trailer. See pictures at 
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mark.easterbrook/bike/bike.html

My recommendation for towing:

The trailer should have a 360 degree hook up. This means that the
hook can rotate fully compared with the ball on the bike. If either
the bike or trailer turns over or falls over it does not take the
other with it.

The trailer should not be wider than the bike. If the bike gets
through in a straight line the trailer will as well. (In the UK,
the maximum allowed width for a motorcycle trailer is 1m).

An unbraked trailer, when loaded, should be no more than 2/3 the
weight of the unladen bike. (This is the law in the UK). My
R1100RT is 282Kg allowing upto 188Kg loaded trailer, the unladen
trailer is about 50Kg. 350 pounds US weight is about 160Kg so
you are pushing the limits when the weight of the trailer is
included. A braked trailer increases the max weight to that
of the towing vehicle, but you are putting a lot of stress
on the towbar mountings.

A towbar (=tow-hitch in the US) should be fitted by someone
who knows what they are doing (i.e. a company that specialises
in motorcycle towing).

The R1100 motor has plenty of power for pulling so you don't
need the change any ratios.

My trailer loaded with about 50Kg is rock steady at 140kph
(a dare not go any faster in case the police spot me).
A similar model has been tested behind a Kawasaki rocket
on a closed track at nearly 250kph. I don't recommend trying
this on a public road! (This disproves the "trailers on
motorcycles are dangerous" train of thought, or maybe not!)


- -- 
mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx CEng MBCS G0JPW R1100RT

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