Hauling a motorcycle behind a 5er.

mapguy wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
Not a good idea for a Goldwing. The Goldwing uses pressure fed oil to lube the transmission. If the engine isn't running the transmission won't be getting any oil. And since it's a shaft drive, you can't just unhook the chain.

So in your case, really bad idea. It could work with a Harley, since they run a separate gearbox, and just use splash lubrication for the gearbox. So that pretty much rules out almost all Japanese motorcycles since 90% of them use shared motor oil with the transmission.

They came out in 50's and 60's mostly to haul dirt bikes to the track and such. Easy to pull the drive chain, and not much stress on the frame.

This is one of the big things to research and consider. fj12ryder is correct on the Gold Wing lubrication. There are other makes and models that have similar issues being flat towed.

And it's seems as though some automobile manual transmissions use pressure fed oil to lube the gears/shafts. That seems pretty weird to me.

fj12ryder wrote:
Not a good idea for a Goldwing. The Goldwing uses pressure fed oil to lube the transmission. If the engine isn't running the transmission won't be getting any oil. And since it's a shaft drive, you can't just unhook the chain.

So in your case, really bad idea. It could work with a Harley, since they run a separate gearbox, and just use splash lubrication for the gearbox. So that pretty much rules out almost all Japanese motorcycles since 90% of them use shared motor oil with the transmission.

They came out in 50's and 60's mostly to haul dirt bikes to the track and such. Easy to pull the drive chain, and not much stress on the frame.

This is one of the big things to research and consider. fj12ryder is correct on the Gold Wing lubrication. There are other makes and models that have similar issues being flat towed.

klr650goldwing wrote:
Thanks everyone. I didn't think it was a good idea either, but thought I'd check. We spent the winter in Texas hill country this past winter and we'll be heading down there next winter too. I'd sure like to figure out a way to get my bike down there.

If you're going pretty straight down, a trailer or swivelwheel trailer behind you 5th wheel is doable. The states you'd pass through have no issues with a add-on trailer.

Although I would stick to a swivel-wheel type trailer to make life easier. I used one for a couple years and they do work well.

Assuming that the frame of the 5th wheel is strong enough, and reinforced well enough to handle the stress.

I have used “HaulBike” twice with good results.

Thanks everyone. I didn't think it was a good idea either, but thought I'd check. We spent the winter in Texas hill country this past winter and we'll be heading down there next winter too. I'd sure like to figure out a way to get my bike down there.

I believe they are called swivel wheel trailers.
Barney

RoyB wrote:
They make a platform that attaches to the rear of the fifth wheel and has swivel wheels under it. Those are legal here behind a fifth wheel trailer... Any trailer with a tongue and uses a ball hitch is NOT...

I've seen a few of these going down the roads...




Google images

I forget what the name of these are... They are not considered trailers but attached platforms...

Roy Ken

Sorry, but a number of states consider these as trailers and won't allow them as a double tow. Not even LEOs and most MVD agents even know if it's legal in most states.

Lyle

That’s a nice setup!

For my bike I built this:




You need a heavy frame, hitch and you might have to add an axle or move your axles rearward to accommodate a Goldwing.

I believe the pics above are "Idaho Tote".

As far as Slick Willy goes for $150 I would NOT trust my bike on that!!!

I prefer this!