Comments requested regarding trailering

[AltheBiker]

Hey all. Al in Iraq here and planning to buy an R1150RT once I get back home. I'm also considering buying a Bunkhouse trailer to pull behind. I invite your comments pro and con regarding pulling a camper. I've been reading the forum and it seems the RT is having some clutch/tranny probs? Anyone with trailering experience I'd love to hear about your experiences. Also...regarding BMW's policy to not back their warranty if you trailer....is that regarding everything on the bike or only the clutch and tranny? (As if that wasn't enough.) Thanks all.

[kbasa]

Hey Al! I don't know jack about trailering, but wanted to say thanks for taking care of business over there.

You be careful now, OK?

:thumb

[AltheBiker]

Originally posted by KBasa
Hey Al! I don't know jack about trailering, but wanted to say thanks for taking care of business over there.

You be careful now, OK?

:thumb

Hey...we're all careful over here...and thanks. I'm a civilian here for the Corps of Engineers taking a look at the Iraqi infrastructure (It needs help!). The heroes here are the kids going out daily on patrol. They see "stuff" daily and you would be amazed at how great their attitude is. They need and welcome your support! And...you're welcome. Business here will take some time. This country has some real problems. It is being fixed...but decades of neglect don't get fixed overnight.

[RevWillie]

Hi Al,

I'm one of the guys talking about clutch wear pulling a Bunkhouse on a 1100RT. My 96 RT is losing its' clutch with about 35K on it. Not sure why the clutch is going--the shop warned me about clutch and tire wear when I put the hitch on it, so they were not so suprised when my clutch started going. Doesn't matter, I am still going to pull my Bunkhouse behind my bike. I am thinking about a used K1200LT to pull it though.

Pros and Cons: The trailer is a lot of weight rolling behind you. That means you have to think about that weight when you are riding the bike. Give yourself enough braking room and time, forget rocket take-offs, your gas mileage will drop 5-9 mpg., your tires will wear out sooner (lose 2-3K of mileage), and you will have to get used to riding in the middle of the road. The good stuff is: very easy packing ability with the chance to leave it pre-packed for fast getaways; a nice comfy place to live and sleep on the road and rallies; and a ability to set-up and tear-down much quicker than tent camping.

I like my Bunkhouse, it is well-made and it travels well with my bike (given the above limitations). I have had friends that use their Bunkhouses in Wal-Mart parking lots as quickie motel rooms when they are in high-mileage interstate travel, and I definitely enjoyed having the rig at the Charleston Rally---I stayed dry!

Hope that answered some questions. Keep your head down and come on home. I hope to meet you on the road and we can talk some more about pulling your home behind you.


:bliss

[riderR1150GSAdv]

Hi Al,

Rev.Willie pretty much covered it all. The only thing to keep in mind that if you buy a new bike :bliss, BMWNA will NOT cover any repair under warranty if failures found to be related to towing.
A used bike without warranty may be the way to go.

The new bikes have redesigned trannies and should be better than the older biker:dunno, only time will tell though.
So there is a tough choice to make: new or used, either way I hope you stay safe overthere and come home to ride!:clap

[basketcase]

I own a cargo trailer that I built from a kit back when I was on a GL1500. If you browse the Gold Wing forums at www.gwrra.org, you will be able to find loads of posts about trailering. If you come up with a specific question, email me with it and I will post it for you.

I still have my cargo trailer, and as best I can tell, one company ... in Australia, manufactures a hitch that will mount on the K1100. But as yet, I haven't really looked into pulling the trailer with the K. So I would be interested to hear your experience after you get back and get set up.

[The_Veg]

Willie, before you get the Light Truck be sure to look into the final drive problems they are having. The current suspicion is that the bike is so heavy to begin with that the FD's are failing. Adding a trailer to that might not be good. But then again, this could all be wrong. In any case, do your homework and YMMV.

[Visian]

This article doesn't talk about the mechanics of your bike but is does offer some excellent advice on trailering and camping. (http://www.bmwmoa.org/camping/trailers.htm)

Ian

[Bones]

1st of all THANKS to you and your Buddies!!
Have over a hundred K pulling Trlrs.
Heres what you need to remember.
You over load the design of the bike at once. This neans faster wear and more maintinance. Is it worth it ? Depends on your desire for comfort and conveniance. There is more strain on the clutch, Tranny, Driveshaft, Final drive and tires.
I pulled a Bunkhouse over 30K with a K1100. Replaced clutch because of leaking rear main seal and replaced Drive shaft at 50K. R1100RT trike conversion working on 67K Replaced driveshaft, clutch and rear mainseal at 50K.
I've been told that I ride a bit aggressively by some sport bike riders and I am usally carying my Vending Inventory and my Lady. Rider & Pass.- 370#, Trailer Inventory-550#, Bike & Trike conversion-1148 # =2068# VS 600# Plain Bike. Therefore I have to expect more wear and tear and maintinance.
Never take your bike in to a dealer for any work with the Trlr hitch attached. It will be intered in the main BMW computer and be labled for voided waranty for ever!!!!

Enough said, - Is it worth it to me? YES! more comfort all around, no more getting wet when settng up in the rain.
There can be a problem with extra storage space when some one goes shopping! !!

Hope this helps some. Ride well, Ride Safe
Bones

[basketcase]

I found a vendor who offers a line of hitches for BMW.

http://www.bushtec.com/bmwhitch.html

Looking at the picture, I think the ball is designed to use with their trailer. But maybe it can take a standard trailer ball.

No, I don't own their product or stock in the company ... rather, I'm just passing the info along.