TheDirtBiker
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Re: Adding a Hitch To The Trailer
mkirsch wrote: Earlier you claim you know about proper trailer balance. If you can put enough weight in the front of the trailer to counterbalance the bikes, there's no problem. However, people with NOTHING on the rear of their trailers frequently have problems finding enough stuff to put in the front of the trailer to achieve a stable tow. What are you going to put in the front of the trailer to counterbalance the bikes on the back? In the moto forum I participate in the folks who've done this successfuly with similar trailers load all of their gear in the front of the trailer. I'll probably end up going to two 6 volt batteries up front for additional capacity and weight, add my generator, ice chest, fuel for the bike etc. It doesn't sound like it takes too much to get it balanced with only one bike in the rear. I've got a scale nearby where I can weigh the tongue weight before and then make modifications and weigh it again. But again with only 1 225lb motorcycle from the folks I've spoken with it's not difficult to balance things at all.565Views0likes0CommentsRe: Adding a Hitch To The Trailer
carringb wrote: JIMNLIN wrote: Hang in there biker. We have some folks don't believe in towing doubles (2 trailers). In my state we actually tow RV triples (3 trailers) mostly in the summer (5th wheel trailer/ski boat/PWC trailer ....or load of ATVs/bikes.) I'm pretty sure he's not asking about double towing. He wants to put a double-motorcycle carrier back there. I am considering multiple options but I would prefer to use a hitch hauler. I have a Kendon motorcycle trailer that weighs 420lbs I would consider towing behind the trailer. I plan to speak with the CHP to see what's legal in Ca hopefully this next week.414Views0likes0CommentsRe: Adding a Hitch To The Trailer
Adam H wrote: z_g wrote: Isn't the issue of exceeding manufactures recommendation, in this case you are assuming all liability should something happen. Your insurance won't cover and likely if you are involved in an accident your configuration could be suspect and contribute additional damage. It's not about the physics of towing and if it could be done... It's if it should be done... We all share the road with your choices here..could the bikes find a different way to join you... I guess anyone with a hotrod or lifted truck should be worried? I call BS on this and the worst part is this type of hype is said daily here. Thanks for the encouragement, I'm not in this to make a quick or brash decision but I know it can be done as I see it being done when I go to the races. I've also got a friend who's a real good fabricator (mechanical engineer too who designs medical devices) so I know if we take our time we can get it done. So far I think I need to build a support that goes all the way up to or forward of the axles that has a K design with dual recievers.413Views0likes0CommentsRe: Adding a Hitch To The Trailer
MWJones wrote: Dirtbiker, I have carried a generator (80lbs)& Electic wheel chair (85lbs) on the back of my TT with no problem on a well build platform. This is a lot of difference in 500lbs!!!!. Also, pulling a dingy ( which is done behind a MOTOR HOME NOT A TT) with a tow bar is a LOT different than HAULING 500lbs of dead weight. PLEASE LESSEN TO REASON!!!! Your and your family's lives depend on it. GEEZ! you folks are DRAMATIC!!!! I came here to research, I've already determined (not from here) that two bikrs is too much but one can be done safely, that wouldbe a maximum of 250lbs if I put fuel in the bike, and clearly I don't have to.386Views0likes0CommentsRe: Adding a Hitch To The Trailer
klutchdust wrote: Hey, can I chain my tow bar to the front of the car instead of bolting it on, sure you can. Funny guy.... I'm not going to do anything stupid and I only came here to research options. As I've found out in my motorcycle forum this is possible and quite a few people have been doing this successfully (with some limitations) for many many years. Sounds like a few of you aren't as smart as you think you. And certainly not as helpful as I'd hoped.... Guess I'll tuck my tail between my legs and head back to the moto forum... I honestly expected RV folks to be as helpful as the moto crowd where us racers are willing to lend parts and tools to even our biggest competitors in the spirit of sportsmanship... Hope I don't need any help on the road from RV folks because so far it doesn't seem like ya'll are what I expected.387Views0likes0CommentsRe: Adding a Hitch To The Trailer
Bionic Man wrote: Wether you call it double towing, triple towing, or tandem towing, it is one of the consistent hot topics on this forum. Most here will warn you that you can't or shouldn't do it. And most have no 1st hand experience with it. I on the other hand have been doing it mostly trouble free for close to 20 years. For your specific question, I think it can be safely done. Here is what I would do/consider. In regard to your trailer warranty, the only thing that the manufacture can void is the frame warranty. If that is a concern for you, might want to wait until you are out of warranty. Have a qualified welder custom build a hitch. If you buy something off the shelf, be prepared to do lots of modifications. Have that same welder reinforce the frame of the trailer at least up to the rear axles. My reinforcement goes up forward of the rear axles. Regularly inspect the hitch to make sure it holds up. It will be under a LOT of strain. More of the downside. Those that say the hitch/trailer/bike mount can cause trailer sway are right. I have a 5th wheel, and even on my old set up, I did experience it once. Not a good feeling. Make sure you test your tongue weight, and use a good weight distribution hitch. Even with this, the ride in your truck is going to suffer. That extra weight on the back is going to cause a lot of bouncing. Expect more wear and tear on the rig. I had a weld brake on my boat trailer that I am sure was caused by towing tandem. I also had the original hitch on my 5er crack and need to be replaced. Its not all roses to do what you are suggesting, but it is possible. I will agree that less weight on the back end would be better. would it be possible to put one bike on the back of the trailer, and one on a front hitch on the tow vehicle? Or haul the bikes on the truck? Just other thoughts. THANK YOU for the helpful post. So far the plan seems to be developing into something similar to this. One bike on the back at most, possibly move the bottles up on the tongue a bit and put one more rail on the front. My truck only has a 5.5' bed so Full size bikes only fit with the tail gate down or I can get one in if I go 100% diagonal. I'll have to remove my bed cover to do this which I was trying to avoid but am willing to do. I'd be open to leaving two in the bed and doing nothing to the trailer so long as I could tow successfully with the tail gate down but I highly doubt that's possible without wrecking the trailer and tailgate in a jack knife situation. Edit: another possibility is one onthe tongue of the trailer and one in the bed. I've even seen people put one on the front of the truck. Need to keep exploring options.386Views0likes0CommentsRe: Adding a Hitch To The Trailer
Man tough crowd..... I had a bit more luck posting on my normal motorcycle forum and found that as I had noticed a lot of people do this successfully and have done so for many years.... Yes it requires some extra bracing... It's only feasible to do one dirt bike on the rear or yes there will be sway issues. Careful loading makes all the difference.386Views0likes0CommentsRe: Adding a Hitch To The Trailer
camp-n-family wrote: What you’re considering is called double towing and is not legal in many states. If it is legal it is usually with a fifth wheel as the first trailer due to stability. Anything hanging off the rear of a trailer will decrease the tongue weight and cause stability and sway problems. Your new trailer warranty will be voided as soon as you weld that hitch on too. In either case, not a good idea. Should have bought a toy hauler. adding a trailer is called triple towing and is legal in all the states I'd travel to. I know the hitch hauler is possible as I just spoke with a friend who does is with his and his buddy has done it on a popup since 99. I see these guys at the races I go to doing this so I know it's possible, I just don't know what they've done to pull it off. Maybe they've added more bracing. I'll have to talk to them and take a look. I am still curious though for you guys that tow a dingy, how much time weight do you put on the rear of your trailers? Am I mistaken that isn't what this post of the forum is for? Clearly you guys are putting some load on the trailer frame or am I completely wrong? For triple tow states here's your list. https://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/triple_towing/ Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah262Views0likes0Comments
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