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Horizonchase · 08-01-2012, 09:28 AM

I recently acquired a 10 foot landscaping trailer which I thought would be ideal to tow my motorcycle with my 24' Navion Itasca. A couple of concerned that I have are:
A) The trailer has working lights but not brakes.
B) I have read that ( and I'm not sure ) if said trailers don't incorporate their own breaks then it adds like 1000 lbs to the CCC of the MH. Is that true?
C) Seeing that the 2008 154 HP engine has been known to be underpowerd I am wondering if I am going about this the wrong way?
Please tell me all is not lost otherwise I'm afraid I will have to return the landscaping trailer because I wanted it primarily for towing the bike. I really don't need it for landscaping.
Thanks all!

MRBB · 08-01-2012, 11:25 AM

I wouldn't worry about the brakes because you won't have that much weight back there but I would worry about the tire size. Anything less than 15" wheels will throw bearings fast at 60 mph. Ask me how I know....

Murf2u · 08-01-2012, 02:07 PM

It's a motorhome, you're supposed to be relaxed, so it will go a little slower, so what?

Seriously, you should have about 2,500 pounds towing capacity without any issue IIRC.

DonDee · 08-01-2012, 02:12 PM

I tow up to 1500 with my Dodge Neon for many "brakeless" miles without issue. Go for it.

Horizonchase · 08-01-2012, 02:35 PM

Whew! I wasn't expecting to hear those positive replies. I thought for sure that by not having brakes on the trailer while towing my nine hundred plus pounds Harley Davidson that I was asking for trouble.

tinkerreknit · 08-01-2012, 03:04 PM

Add up your trailer and motorcycle weights, then look here Trailer Brakes | AAA/CAA Digest of Motor Laws
It might help some.

Tha_Rooster · 08-01-2012, 04:45 PM

About all utility single axle trailer don't have brakes, mine has a 3500lb axle no brakes.

Horizonchase · 08-01-2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinkerreknit

Add up your trailer and motorcycle weights, then look here Trailer Brakes | AAA/CAA Digest of Motor Laws
It might help some.

Hey, thanks for this link! It looks like I'm under 3,000 lbs. so I should be good to go!

Murf2u · 08-02-2012, 07:56 AM

Don't rush into a decision about where you'll be ok without brakes until you read the fine print.

In some jurisdictions the term is "registered gross weight" of XXX pounds.

New York State for example, if your trailer has a manufacturer label that says it has a GVWR of 3,500 pounds, brakes would then be required even if the trailer is empty.

Go Dawgs · 08-02-2012, 08:04 AM

Man don't let some dissuade you. I have a small utility trailer that I load with about 800 or so pounds of stuff when we are going to the lake with friends. The max the trailer will hold is 2k. I don't even feel it. With just a motorcycle you will be ok. Just make sure you go slow and give yourself room for stoping. I don't drive fast anyway. If I was towing a car I would have brakes

JMHO Arnold

NFlcamper · 08-06-2012, 09:12 AM

Just don't overload the trailers MGWR and you will be ok behind a MH. I have a box trailer I carry 2 full size cruisers in. It has a single axle which is a brake axle. The brakes helps, but are not necessary unless I have both bikes in the trailer. That is behind a Z-71GMC 1500. The only thing I would worry about is debris hitting the bike. Sand and other stuff kicked up can ruin a bike quick. Make a deflector to go on the front of the trailer to protect the bike. A good wheel chock and ratchet straps to secure the bike with will be on the checklist too. To keep the straps clean and store out of the sun when not being used, I'd put a small lock box on the trailer somewhere.

Horizonchase · 08-07-2012, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NFlcamper

Just don't overload the trailers MGWR and you will be ok behind a MH. I have a box trailer I carry 2 full size cruisers in. It has a single axle which is a brake axle. The brakes helps, but are not necessary unless I have both bikes in the trailer. That is behind a Z-71GMC 1500. The only thing I would worry about is debris hitting the bike. Sand and other stuff kicked up can ruin a bike quick. Make a deflector to go on the front of the trailer to protect the bike. A good wheel chock and ratchet straps to secure the bike with will be on the checklist too. To keep the straps clean and store out of the sun when not being used, I'd put a small lock box on the trailer somewhere.

Yeah, sand & debris are a genuine concern of mine. I have heard that they will scuff up the bike pretty good. I do try to keep my bike as unblemished as I can. Owners pride, I guess.

What kind of a deflector? How about a cover for the bike after is is secured? And yeah, a wheel chock & good tie downs are on the way.
Thanks! Ride safe!

NFlcamper · 08-07-2012, 07:07 AM

At the front of the trailer, if no solid barrier rising up from floor, I'd attatch something 18 to 30 inches tall, depending on the length of the tongue and distance from rear wheels of tv to hitch.

As far as a cover, not on an open trailer. The wind will constantly be moving the cover and causing abrasion to the bikes finish. Won't take long to leave marks!

Nonno · 08-07-2012, 07:36 AM

Quote:

In some jurisdictions the term is "registered gross weight" of XXX pounds.

I agree, that's important.

I have a 10' landscaping trailer (not used for RV'ing) with an axle rated for 3500lbs. However, the manufacturer rates the trailer as 2995lbs gross which means it doesn't have to have its own braking system, doesn't have to have an annual inspection and it can be priced lower than if it had brakes. I'd bet yours is also rated below the 3000 lb mark.

I'd say you're good to go if the states you travel in use > 3000lbs gross as their requirement for brakes and you're comfortable with its size.