Can I tow a small trailer with a motorcycle?

Triglider1 · December 2015

Hi everyone I'm new to this site. I'm researching to see if I can tow a small camper with a Harley Trike. I have a 2011 Triglide. I plan on going long distance. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Ratkity · December 2015

My RV dealer had a trike on display that was hooked to a towable small, pod-looking camper (apologies, can't rem name of camper or Trike). It wasn't a Harley Trike and my salesman might have mentioned the trike had some mods to improve stopping and handling when towing the tiny pod camper. The H-D forums state that Harley has NO towing capacities listed for their bikes and owner assumes all liability - the main warnings are being able to stop, jack-knifing and having the trike engine already at near pulling capacity when the bike is fully loaded.

Doing a little research, I found this product: http://www.bushtec.com/fckimages/2011-Harley-Davidson-Tri-Glide-Installation-Guide-Bushtec-Motorcycle-Trailers.pdf

It sure has an awful lot of warnings in all different colors. It does state the tongue weight limit is 70 lbs for the 2011 stock H-D trike and towing capacity is 350 lbs. The H-D forums are full of warnings and "at your own risk"

Hope this helps!! I'm waffling between having my Softail Deluxe shipped to and from major events, or get a Rampage Ramp and haul her myself while I pull the T@B.

ScottG · December 2015

I've seen it. A campground neighbor of mine was towing a very small (possibly homemade) teardrop camper with late-model Goldwing (non-trike). If I remember correctly, it was just about big enough for one person to crawl in to sleep. I might have a pic somewhere--I'll try to find it and figure out how to post it.

On a related note, there are small pop-up type campers that are frequently pulled with motorcycles.

Not saying that it should be done, mind you, just that it is--and with regular bikes, not just trikes. If you haven't done so already, you should float your question on some of the HD or Wing boards.

I'm pretty sure nobody's pulling a T@B with a bike, but there was a funny post a while back of someone who liked to park their bike in front of the camper so they could be entertained by all the puzzled looks and comments. :-)

Nomad · December 2015

Have seen several bike/popups in campgrounds - especially when I was in the Sturgus area - Wonder why that was ;-)

JandJ92010 · December 2015

Trailmaster Inc. com sells really nice pop-up tent campers made for motorcycle towing. They are in the Chicago area and sell factory direct. They make a very nice trailer, use to have one, Really enjoyed it.

jkjenn · December 2015

@Triglider1
- Welcome! I believe you want something like the MyPod made by Little Guy http://www.golittleguy.com/model?id=37&model=MyPod-Max

Ratkity · December 2015

I've been distracted a lot today and the shiny trikes have always been intriguing. I learned from the HD and general Trike forums that the braking capacity and weight load have improved significantly in the HD's from the yr 09 to 16's. I also read a suggestion that practicing emergency braking while towing 350# is sound, practical advice. From all the solicited advice I've read, those that tow do so within their comfort level of riding. YMMV (Pun intended

!). Whatever you decide to do, I hope you stay around here and post picts and stories of your adventures! I think it's finally time for me to break out the heated gear and go for a ride in the country this weekend.