Towing bike with a landscaping trailer.

[Horizonchase]

Guys/Gals,
I posted this on the Trailer/Towing section of our forum and although I don't doubt their input ( which was favorable BTW), I wanted to run it again in a dedicated MC section of our forum because I feel there might be a bit more hands on experience here. So here's my dilemma:
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 & ride safe!

[Alan_Hepburn]

Originally Posted by Horizonchase

Guys/Gals,

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.

Most states have regulations regarding trailer brakes - for instance in California any trailer over 1500 lbs must have auxiliary braking. I'm not familiar with all states - you would have to check your state's regulations for legality.

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?

All vehicles have brake systems that are designed to operate within specs up to that vehicle's GVWR. When you attach a trailer to your vehicle the tongue weight gets added to the vehicle's total weight. If the trailer has its own brake system then it is designed for the trailer's GVWR. If it does not have a braking system then the tow vehicle's brakes must be able to handle the entire weight of trailer AND any load on the trailer. If the trailer and load bring the total up over the tow vehicle's GVWR then you do not have enough brakes for the job.

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?

Some information you need to make an informed choice:

1. You need to know the GVWR of the tow vehicle, and the actual weight of the tow vehicle.
2. You need to know the actual weight of the trailer and its load.

With these figures you can tell how close you are to the tow vehicle's GVWR and whether or not you need brakes on the trailer. If the total is under, but close to, the tow vehicle's GVWR it would be a good idea to have trailer brakes just for peace of mind.

[gray ghost]

My previos coach was a Class C. We pulled a trailer designed for motorcycles to pull two heavy bikes. Had no problems at all with towing that. The only concern past making sure that the weight of your bike and trailer are within the towing capability of your coach, is making sure that the landscape trailer is rated to handle the weight of the bike.

[knugent]

I don't know what to tell you about your underpowered engine, but here in LA, a 3500 lb axle with electric brakes can be had for about 300-400 dollars, and it is a fairly straightforward retrofit. Hope this helps you. Good luck

[Horizonchase]

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn

Most states have regulations regarding trailer brakes - for instance in California any trailer over 1500 lbs must have auxiliary braking. I'm not familiar with all states - you would have to check your state's regulations for legality.

All vehicles have brake systems that are designed to operate within specs up to that vehicle's GVWR. When you attach a trailer to your vehicle the tongue weight gets added to the vehicle's total weight. If the trailer has its own brake system then it is designed for the trailer's GVWR. If it does not have a braking system then the tow vehicle's brakes must be able to handle the entire weight of trailer AND any load on the trailer. If the trailer and load bring the total up over the tow vehicle's GVWR then you do not have enough brakes for the job.

Some information you need to make an informed choice:

1. You need to know the GVWR of the tow vehicle, and the actual weight of the tow vehicle.
2. You need to know the actual weight of the trailer and its load.

With these figures you can tell how close you are to the tow vehicle's GVWR and whether or not you need brakes on the trailer. If the total is under, but close to, the tow vehicle's GVWR it would be a good idea to have trailer brakes just for peace of mind.

Alan, this was extremely useful information. Thanks for taking the time and effort for giving it to me. You've opened my eyes to a few things here.

Originally Posted by gray ghost

My previos coach was a Class C. We pulled a trailer designed for motorcycles to pull two heavy bikes. Had no problems at all with towing that. The only concern past making sure that the weight of your bike and trailer are within the towing capability of your coach, is making sure that the landscape trailer is rated to handle the weight of the bike.

Thanks, the LT is rated to carry 3,500 lbs. so with the 800lb. weight of the trailer and the 900 plus lbs. of the bike I seem to be well within those limits.

Originally Posted by knugent

I don't know what to tell you about your underpowered engine, but here in LA, a 3500 lb axle with electric brakes can be had for about 300-400 dollars, and it is a fairly straightforward retrofit. Hope this helps you. Good luck

That's not that expensive for a retrofit like that. I had no idea how much that would cost or if it is even feasible in my situation.
Thanks all!
Jim

[rajuom]

I have recently bought & fitted in my 1993 Allegro Bay, (30ft). My goal is to carry my Bmw r1150r (700 lb) on the rack of the tow hitch carrier, I mean the fron wheel & then rear wheel on the ground, which means it will be rolling on its own with nutral. some say about transmission will get hot, some say Motorhome will bounce in the back may not handle well.
I am determine to try for about 20 to 35 miles distance. Am I missing some thing here. Please give me some lights & insights if you would. thank you. I just could not think of adding a trailer or lifting on the MH, too many issue. none of them are that easy. I found this is more practical, Have not experience yet though.....

[PbdBlue]

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn

Most states have regulations regarding trailer brakes - for instance in California any trailer over 1500 lbs must have auxiliary braking. I'm not familiar with all states - you would have to check your state's regulations for legality.

Just an FYI. The CA 1500# rule is for trailer coaches. The requirement in CA for a utility trailer is 3000#. I just went through this on a utility trailer purchase. I added brakes to my trailer even though it's under 3000#.

From the AAA website:

"Every trailer and semitrailer manufactured after 1940 with a GVW of 6,000 lbs. or more and operated at a speed of 20 mph or more must be equipped with brakes; trailers and semitrailers built after 1966 and with a GVW of 3,000 lbs. or more must have brakes on at least 2 wheels; every trailer or semitrailer built after 1982 and equipped with air brakes must be equipped with brakes on all wheels.

Every trailer coach or camp trailer with a GVW of 1,500 lbs. or more must be equipped with brakes on at least 2 wheels."

[NeilV]

Remember that you have to meet the rules of every state that you drive through as far as safety equipment is concerned. They will observe reciprocity on licenses and such but not mandated safety equipment. The trailer itself should be fine for the bike and if combiined is less than 1,500 lbs will meet most states brake requirements. The Sprinter Vans can haul reasonable loads so what is stated in the Winnebago documentation will be the limitation on the hitch and towing capacity.

[Gary0358]

I think this is commonly done in other countries. Take a look at the. Adventure Riders motorcycle forum...I think I saw info on this recently.

Gary
2008 Navion which we tow a pair of TW200's behind sometimes....

[Gary0358]

http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...Gadget.376536/

Gary
Navion

[TC Wndsr]

Kenyon trailer, folds in half and stands upright to save room at the campsite. Paid $1000.00 for mine.




2002 National Sea Breeze LX 8341