towing with a motorcycle

[lpwrockguy]

Just returned from the rally in Spokane. Saw a guy towing a 17" canoe on a trailer behind his BMW. Told me he'd been towing it for 15 years and was out of Las Vegas. Didn't get his name. Does anyone out there know this gentleman? Would very much like to talk to him. Furthermore, does anybody have info and knowledge about the physics and handling dynamics of towing with a bike? Would appreciate any comments, etc.

Thanks,

Guy

[Unregistered]

Can't fit much in a 17" canoe. Why even bring it?

[lpwrockguy]

Oops...typo...that's a 17 ft canoe!

[Visian]

... is on the BMW MOA CampSite. (http://www.bmwmoa.org/camping/trailers.htm)

For me, the ultimate trailer set-up would be an R1200GS pulling a Honda CRF450 for when the going got tough. :burnout

Ian

[Don]

I've towed over 8000 miles with no problems.

[bamabmw]

His name is Ed Ferguson. He used to work for Dixie Sports Plus BMW dealer years ago in Vinemont , Alabama. He still keeps in touch with some of the Alabama club members. I don't have a phone number or work place in Vegas, but if I can find out I'll post back. He was towing that canoe years ago and kept us all amazed.

[lpwrockguy]

Thanks...hopefully someone has a phone number.

Guy

[Rich]

Originally posted by Don
I've towed over 8000 miles with no problems.

Hello Don and Nancy!
Nice to see you have your posting problem figured out. And great to meet you both at the rally. You really need to get a close-up of that trailer and post it for others to see, it is one fine trailer. I'll be keeping in touch, via email.

Rich

[Don]

Hopefully, here's a larger view

[RTRandy]

I thought those Uni-Go trailers (http://www.uni-go.com/trailer.htm) shown in the indoor pavilon at Spokane were pretty cool being I had never seen anything like that before. Don't know what the learning curve is for towing a trailer, but they sure looked like they'd be easy to handle. The only thing difficult might be the price.

[Rich]

I am entertaining the idea of pulling a trailer behind my 1150RT and have a couple of questions.

Has anyone had or heard of anyone having any problems pulling a trailer when you have radial tires on your motorcycle? I have heard it is an issue, but that was only from speaking to one person on the subject. He mentioned the possibility of switching to bias ply tires??

Does having a hitch on a BMW make the warranty void? I hear that it can, but the individual dealers vary with how they handle that one. Anybody have any troubles? I would hate to go this route and then have something unforeseen happen, with no warranty coverage. I will be checking with my closest dealer, but would like to know if anyone has actually dealt with this before.

Lastly, are there any drawbacks to towing a trailer? I can't imagine it is that tough. I am hoping the big advantage of taking more stuff along (with a passenger) will offset any disadvantages involved.

Thanks!

[BouncinBob]

Originally posted by Visian
For me, the ultimate trailer set-up would be an R1200GS pulling a Honda CRF450 for when the going got tough. :burnout

Ian

You can find small alum trailers in the AMA mag, then you bolt on one of 2 rails etc. I always thought it would be find to loan up my son, 2 dirt bikes and head off on the K12 towing them.

[gambrinus]

Here is some good general trailering info:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648pt12.htm

Just a review of the things to be aware of no matter if the tow vehicle has 2 wheels or 4.


RW