Trailer Weight

[Rick near Kansas city]

What is the max weight we can pull with the 1200 includeing the trailer?

[Okie34]

I don't think there is a "Max" weight, though prudency would tell you "Don't go there!".

I'm guessing when I say about 350 with a tongue weight of about 25 lbs. That's going with what the more popular trailers weigh in at, plus goceries.

I'm sure others who have trailers or have ridden with them can tell you more though.

-- JD

[Nathan (South Carolina)]

With trailer weight and cargo, I would estimate that I pulled between 450 to 500 lbs. to the rally in Sante Fe last summer riding two up. I definitely knew that my trailer was behind me when climbing hills and mountains.

[voyager 2002]

brakes or no brakes ? i have pulled 800 lbs and it pulled it with ease but stoping was something else with no brakes. but with brakes it was a snap used brakes on trailer for about 80% stoping power. biggest thing i have hauled is a 250 HP Cummings engine got some strange looks don't know why.hauled a 650 Honda Silver wing home also behind my Suzuki. Cavalcade. six tires for my dump truck 11-22.5 with rims that one got me stopped by the cops but they could not find any thing wrong

[tregal16]

brakes or no brakes ? i have pulled 800 lbs and it pulled it with ease but stoping was something else with no brakes. but with brakes it was a snap used brakes on trailer for about 80% stoping power. biggest thing i have hauled is a 250 HP Cummings engine got some strange looks don't know why.hauled a 650 Honda Silver wing home also behind my Suzuki. Cavalcade. six tires for my dump truck 11-22.5 with rims that one got me stopped by the cops but they could not find any thing wrong

now that was funny... I really enjoyed reading this comment. I can picture the 250 HP Cummings... LOL
Thanks

However I agree...stopping would be a major concern...along with tongue weight.

[Turbo4x4]

brakes or no brakes ? i have pulled 800 lbs and it pulled it with ease but stoping was something else with no brakes. but with brakes it was a snap used brakes on trailer for about 80% stoping power. biggest thing i have hauled is a 250 HP Cummings engine got some strange looks don't know why.hauled a 650 Honda Silver wing home also behind my Suzuki. Cavalcade. six tires for my dump truck 11-22.5 with rims that one got me stopped by the cops but they could not find any thing wrong

voyager 2002,

Great story. Thanks for sharing

[voyager 2002]

it's all 100% the truth. just wait till the Midwest regional rally i might just pull a double camper and cargo all in one but the state of WI. can't find any law for or against but they will let cars and trucks pull double [camper and boat ] need a permit to do so. some say I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. was told that a lot in Blowing Green

[Turbo4x4]

it's all 100% the truth. just wait till the Midwest regional rally i might just pull a double camper and cargo all in one but the state of WI. can't find any law for or against but they will let cars and trucks pull double [camper and boat ] need a permit to do so. some say I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. was told that a lot in Blowing Green

voyager 2002,
Well, my wife and I will be towing our little Harbor Freight trailer behind the Voyager to the Midwest Rally also. Looking forward to meeting you.

[David (N. Alabama)]

I have no motorcycle towing experience, but have extensive trailer towing experience at the max for vehicles.

First thing is that the tongue weight should be minimum of 10 percent of the trailer weight. 12 percent is safer. This helps keep you from having trailer sway.

Second: to determine how much tongue weight the bike can handle you should weigh the bike with all passengers and gear you will carry on the bike. You subtract this weight from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the bike. Then you do the same weigh with just the back wheel on the scale. Subtract this weight form the weight rating of the back wheel/tire. These figures give you an idea of how much extra weight you can apply to the bike from the trailer toungue weight without exceeding the bikes capacity.

Take that weight and divide it by 0.12 and that tells you the maximum trailer weight can be without exceeding the weight ratings of the bike.

Third: Now you have to figure out if you can actually pull and stop the extra weight of the trailer. This is subjective since most bike manufacturers do not recommend pulling a trailer at all.

Once you decide on a trailer, load it up and head back to the scales and check all the weights with the trailer loaded bike loaded and all passengers.
So, for a 350lb loaaded trailer you should have a tongue weight of 42 lbs

[nomaddad]

Well I did all that and i have my eye on a 43' Heile looks to be a good deal. Where do I attach the air hoses? LOL

[David (N. Alabama)]

Well I did all that and i have my eye on a 43' Heile looks to be a good deal. Where do I attach the air hoses? LOL

Yep, that is why you see so many people overloaded. No one wants to go to the scales and do the math. Then they wonder why the tranny, rear end, suspension, brakes all wear out prematurely.

Can you spot the voyager in this pic?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/quadrofonic/2215962821/

[nomaddad]

Sorry! My Bad!