Don't Pull A Trailer With Your Motorcycle Until You Watch This Video | Cruiseman's Garage

[@jobos98]

Whenever i use those coupling links i make sure that gravity will be working for me. The way you put them on in the video. Vibrations can loosen the barrel nut & gravity will allow it to unscrew. If the Barrel nut is on the top & it becomes loose. Gravity will keep it screwed down & closed.

[@BTimmer]

I've towed 10's of thousands of miles with trailers behind my Wings and your descriptions are spot on! Thanks for sharing. I'd add one other safety check and this is to check that the hitch is fastened into the receiver. Don't ask me how I know about this tip. The safety chains criss crossed did their thing!

[@RobertLBarnard]

For cars and trucks, the breaking strength of each chain, including the spring link, should be at least the GTW of the trailer. This is because in an emergency, the load will alternate between the chains, not distributed between them. So you may want to you may want to double up on the spring links, if they don't tend to bind up. Brilliant idea of using another set of pressure gauges for the trailer....ANY trailer; not just behind a bike.

[@billchmelik5697]

I would suggest thread lock on the screw ring connectors

[@1300BlueStar]

Something you forgot to mention is fuel mileage will be decreased so pay attention to that or you will be walking for fuel. Glad to see you cross your chains because in some places that's mandatory and has a hefty fine if they are not crossed.

[@roadglide]

IMHO. The best trailer right there. Bushtec. The information is spot on. Excellent recommendation on percentage of trailer tongue weight to payload weight and how that payload should be packed to best balance the load. Thank you. Ride safe and often.

[@duanneblouin7148]

I saw a video of a guy pulling a trailer with a bike and had to stop at a light on a steep uphill I believe he had a bike without linked brakes and when he put his feet down the weight of the trailed pulled him backwards with the front wheel skidding and down he went if he had his back brake on or linked brakes I dont think this would have happened. Sorry dont know who to give credit to for the video I saw. P.S Many trailers have different size tires make sure when you buy new tires they are the same size and are Speed Rated found out the hard way. Keep up the good work.

[@raymondalbert149]

I now drive a 2016 GL 1800 with a very light cargo trailer and the bike has anti-lock my 1997 1500 that I sold had 225,000 km and towed a trailer a timeout for more than half that distance it was a heavy trailer so I had electric brakes applied when I bought it when properly set up and normal riding condition they are a life changer they will stop the bike just as fast or faster than without the trailer in the rain I turned them right down or off as I did not want the trailer wheels to lock up

[@daviddulaney3984]

I’m a new subscriber and I really appreciate all the great content on your channel. I have an 01 gl1800 and it’s an amazing bike. Started out with a 1986 1200 aspencade. Love the wings!! Thank you and look forward to new videos! Dave Gettysburg PA

[@earlaker]

Also, be sure to make your safely chains long enough to not hinder the bike or trailer during a turn.

[@cruisemansgarage]

Very good point!

[@DavidSmith-fw6uj]

It looks like he’s were too short in the video It is hard to tell 🔰 Love from Mississippi USA 🇺🇸

[@stephenp8644]

Yes, I agree... too short will cause binding, like when going in and out of driveways also. I would recommend at least two more links. That "spring link" is also too light weight. One link should be rated for the whole trailer weight. There will never be the same weight pull on two chains... just dynamics of the design in pulling a trailer that goes left-right and up-down when traveling. You're better off with quick-links. Or an even better option is to get the safety chain kit with pre-attached s-hooks with spring locks. They're $20 at Home Depot and they're designed to be safety chains for class I and II trailers.

[@rickcade1474]

Both of my Bushtec trailers came with the safety chain already installed.

[@timothyadderly1733]

Thanks Cruiseman!

[@moorgoon]

I have a Uni-Go trailer and it’s a whole different story - max weight full 90lbs? I’ve heard pulling a trailer with a DCT transmission could be a problem in stop and go traffic. Any comments?

[@kelvinknaff9903]

Isn’t Wing Ding in Shreveport Louisiana?

[@cruisemansgarage]

The intro was 3 years ago

[@SurmaSampo]

Crossing the chains will create a single point of rotation (a fulcrum as well) when the trailer is being held by the chains increasing instability so your chains will be working against each other. Don't do that as it creases the chance of the trailer rolling over to correct the imbalance.

[@452jman]

Thanks, great tips 👍

[@ST1300Jim]

I wouldn't use cheap 260 lb. carabiners to attach safety chains. If you actually have the misfortune to need the chains there is likely to be quite a shock load well beyond the simple trailer weight. Checking amazon shows many inexpensive climbing carabiners rated at many thousand pounds.

[@HondaGoldwingChannelHolland]

Thanks for all Great video's 👍👍👍

[@cruisemansgarage]

Glad you like them!

[@ghostrider564]

Im hopefully looking at towing a trailer teardrop style behind a F6B. Im looking at having power assisted brakes added but wondering how much more trailer weight (tare or ATM if thats the right usage) that would allow for the total weight of the trailer to be. Thanks probably confusing

[@DavidSmith-fw6uj]

How hard would it be to get a replacement tire on the road for trailer ❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❔ Love from DeKalb Mississippi USA 🇺🇸

[@rlward55]

Carry a tire repair kit and electric pump or bicycle pump in the trailer.

[@cruisemansgarage]

Depends on the trailer. I think the Bustec used standard bicycle tires, but I could be wrong about that. You can carry a spare.

[@nickbunch1]

im looking for a hitch for a sport bike is there a place I can look? all I find are cruiser hitches.

[@Sciguy95]

Can you do a video on motorcycle camper trailers that you would recommend?

[@cruisemansgarage]

I have no experience with camper trailers. I would recommend that you post this question on our Facebook group. I am sure there are plenty of owners there that could help you. facebook.com/groups/goldwingmaintenance

[@gonzalo1042]

What are actual pros and cons on ride, handling, braking etc?

[@stevemoore6812]

Put lite beer in it. 🚗.mini

[@cruisemansgarage]

Now that’s just funny

[@YouMotorcycle]

We're doing a 10 day trip, two up, on one bike, with just two saddlebags and a topcase. You're going away for 3 days and bringing a trailer? What the heck are you bringing with you man? Kitchen sink? lol

[@RanGer-498]

Wait arent you cruisemans garage 🤔

[@alexgala2991]

do you kmow what brand of trailer it s match to Harley Davidson Road GlideLimited?

[@livewire..]

Sorry Cruiseman I disagree with this video on a few points. The spring clips you are using to attach the front of the chains are inadequate. They need to be rated for at least twice the weight of the trailer each. There is no guarantee that under an accidental disconnect, the chains will be pulled equally. One could be pulled alone and the sudden "snatch" load on the chain could easily exceed the weight of the trailer. Keep this in mind when selecting the chain, Each chain should be rated at twice the weight of the trailer. On another point, the length of the chain should be short enough that they do not drag on the ground yet long enough they do not bind when turning a sharp corner. And as for tongue weight, you stated the tongue weight should not exceed 10-15% of the total weight of the trailer including its load. However, you should have stated the tongue weight should not be than 10-15% of the total towed weight but not exceed the rated tongue weight of the trailer hitch or cause the total weight of the rear of the motorcycle to exceed the weight limit of the rear tire of the motorcycle including the driver, passenger and all other luggage. This problem is particularly acute with the previous generation of Goldwings. In any case, the GVWR of the motorcycle should never be exceeded (the weight of the mc+rider+passenger+luggage+trailer+load).

[@joe2479]

When talking about tongue weight you didn't mention the weight of the empty trailer. You just mentioned the cargo weight.

[@stevemoore6812]

They are called sister links

[@michellavoie1714]

Good day Cruiseman! You mentioned in your video to use Fabo Bike 2 TPMS for the trailer. Don't you think the weight added to the air stemp will cause the tire to be off balanced? Let us know what you think! Ride Safe Always! Mike L.

[@cruisemansgarage]

That is an interesting question that I had not considered. The sensor is very lightweight, but I suppose it is possible that is could make a slight imbalance. I have never noticed any rough riding though when using them.

[@michellavoie1714]

@@cruisemansgarage Goud morning C! So would you balance the trailer tires with the TPMS installed?

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@michellavoie1714 I doubt that it is necessary, but if you can do that, it would probably give you a more accurate balance.

[@stephenp8644]

TPMS should ONLY be used with metal valve stems like the ones on the wheels in this video. Rubber stems will flex during rotation and break.

[@Gate3739]

Not sure but my Honda manual said NO TRAILERS as the bike was not designed to pull?

[@gohjohan]

Not surprising because it depends on your model which is tied to the country you are in. Mine's the Australian / New Zealand version, so mine is the "U" model. Also mine is the 2017 model, last of the 5th Generation but just as relevant.

[@davem5333]

That is pretty much the standard Honda position on trailers. NONE Probably the legal department.

[@timbarnett3898]

I've never pulled a trailer behind my motorcycle, because I figure if I have too pull a trailer, I'm taking too much stuff on my bike? If I need too take all this stuff, put in in my car! I really don't like how a co-Rider effects ride, let alone a trailer! Does any motorcycle manufacturer recommend towing trailers behind their bikes? I always think of Nebraska biker group pulling into every rest area, pulling a trailer too store all the ice an beer!

[@HondaGoldwingChannelHolland]

👍

[@Dalevd]

This an old video… why are you recycling old videos?

[@gohjohan]

How old is the video? Any changes to the old video?

[@1300BlueStar]

I was thinking the same thing, about 2 years old maybe?

[@gohjohan]

@@1300BlueStar I found the old video. This one is slightly longer.

[@1300BlueStar]

@@gohjohan Oh good, I was going to look later so you saved me a bunch of time.

[@Johnrider1234]

Gold wing. I bought a 2023. The service sucks. Everything is expensive on it. Air filter is stupid. Oil changes are stupid. Never a goldwing for me again. Honda guy for 50 years