New Trailer

[GoldRush]

After our 5000 Km. trip on Hwy 101 to California and then Desert Country on our loaded to the max Goldwing we decided it was time to find another Trailer for the Bike. I figure our Bike when loaded was around 1200 Lbs. riding 2-up for a 2 week trip. Saddlebags full,Trunk Full,Tank Bag on the Trunk and a Trailer Hitch Rack and Bag. On the Freeways and normal Hwys no problem but in City stop and go traffic or in parking lots weaving in and out of traffic I had my hands full,the bike was top heavy even despite the low center of gravity on a Wing.
We've towed trailers before and decided it was time to find another one and get the weight off the Bike,it makes a big difference to the handling characteristics of the Bike and is much safer and easier to handle. Here's our new Trailer which my son will pick up for us. Guess what colour I'm going to paint it...Yep Gold to match my Wing.
3k23o53l05T05W55S2b6p8d7205b7ca1218b3.jpg

Robert

[Dudette]

After our 5000 Km. trip on Hwy 101 to California and then Desert Country on our loaded to the max Goldwing we decided it was time to find another Trailer for the Bike. I figure our Bike when loaded was around 1200 Lbs. riding 2-up for a 2 week trip. Saddlebags full,Trunk Full,Tank Bag on the Trunk and a Trailer Hitch Rack and Bag. On the Freeways and normal Hwys no problem but in City stop and go traffic or in parking lots weaving in and out of traffic I had my hands full,the bike was top heavy even despite the low center of gravity on a Wing.
We've towed trailers before and decided it was time to find another one and get the weight off the Bike,it makes a big difference to the handling characteristics of the Bike and is much safer and easier to handle. Here's our new Trailer which my son will pick up for us. Guess what colour I'm going to paint it...Yep Gold to match my Wing.
3k23o53l05T05W55S2b6p8d7205b7ca1218b3.jpg

Robert

Good for you Robert..........you're even ready to hit the road again......soon!!!!

[fysty-1]

That is great news, Robert! Nice looking little trailor as well. Should serve you well. Just remember that to keep the touge weight down. About 25-30lbs but no more than 45. Angela

[LegalAlien]

So how do you protect it from getting stolen at the campground when you go site-seeing on your Wing and want to leave the trailer behind, or when you're sound asleep in your Motel room and you can't keep an eye on it?

[crispy]

riding two up with luggage for 11 days got me feeling the top heavy blues a few times, even though we packed light The tall nature of my v strom combined with the up high placement of the saddlebags and trunk got me thinking about a set of lowering links . Perhaps a trailer would be a better idea.

[GoldRush]

To answer a couple of questions here..first the tongue weight is important Angela but usually there is'nt enough weight,For instance my son had never towed a trailer before this trip and he was concerned that his trailer fishtailed over 100 Kms. and when leaned over in banked corners at speed. I straightened his problems for him. His Tire pressure was 40 Lbs. thats to high 28 lbs. is about right. The weight should be at least 30 lbs. on the hitch ball,his was too light at about 15 Lbs.
I helped him load the heavy stuff up front to get more weight.
His trailer was not sitting level when hooked up it was sloped downward to the hitch, I had him raise the hitch ball by at least an inch to make the trailer level.

I followed behind him to see how the trailer responded at diifferent speeds and corners after our fine tuning...120 Kph steady as a rock and no fishtailing at all...I said.."There ya go fixed" He never had one complaint after that through all the twisties on Hwy 101 and some other roads that were like the Dragons Tail.

So how do were secure our trailer "Legal" I always carry a Titanium cable to lock it to something if needed but we never unhook...ever... and its chain locked to the bike. We motel it and park either where we can see it from the room or in a security camera area the Motel has,you'd be surprised what the Motels and hotels will do to accomoate Bikes these days. They often have a special place for us if you ask and usually don't mind us parking under the covered unloading forier at the front door,,some actually prefer that so they can watch our bikes and it draws other bikers to check in there for the night. We've never had an incident yet.
I also always cover my bike with the bike cover,out of sight out of mind,most guys that travel alot do this,its a good practice but I still strip the electronics for the night anyway..Satellite radio and the GPS goes into the room with us. I think if someone wanted to try stealing something from my bike or someone elses that was parked they'd be taking on a bunch of very angry Bikers cuz we stick together,thats been my experience,we tend to watch each others bikes,its another one of the Bikers courtesies,our bikes are vulnerable and to rip us off...well thats really really low and they'd get what they deserve,its like the Bikers wave when we're traveling commeradery amoungst strangers.

Robert

[fysty-1]

Good post, Robert. Thanks for the info. Good to know.

[LegalAlien]

Didn't you have an unfinished trailer too, Angela?

[fysty-1]

Yes Bob I do. But it is actually 98% finised. I just have to replacve the tires & rewire the front plug but that has to wait until I get my electrical problems on Baby taken care of. I have been going thro some bad times lately so I have been uber lazy as of late. Here are some pics.

[GoldRush]

Crater Lake Oregon is an awesome place once visited will never be forgotten.Elevation 7000+ Ft. Depth of Lake 1900 Ft.
several miles across and the panorama of scenery is Breathtaking.


100_1168.JPG

It was a hard winter at Crater Lake Oregon,57 Ft. of snow,normal snowfall is 43 Ft. Locals said usually there's grass and
Alpine flowers in late July...not this year. One old guys said "ICE AGE" LOL


100_1174.JPG

Sun Lakes Recreation Area at the bottom of Dry Falls Washington,I always enjoy this area,True Desert,always Sunny.


100_1180.jpg

A familiar site along Hwy 101 "Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox"

100_4181.JPG

While traveling most Motels and Hotels want us to park either in the parking lot areas with white lines designated "No Parking" or in the handicapped area as shown in this photo.

100_4191.JPG

Hope you enjoyed a few of my Memories of a great trip."Living the Dream" was a common phrase spoken by fellow Bikers in the USA

Robert