Extra Camper Wheels

[xszgrider]

I attended a rally this past week and saw several motorcycle campers (Bunkhouse, Aspen, etc) with an extra set of wheels that attach between the camper and the motorcycle. They had a hitch ball and coupler mounted between the wheels. The wheels were about 2 feet apart.

I have no idea what you call this apparatus and none of the owners were at their camp site.

They appear to eliminate the tongue weight on the motorcycle, but I was wondering if they improve the handling. My Voyager is a handful at low parking lot speeds with my camper attached. The front end shakes and wanders all over the place.

I would appreciate any information.

John

[Chris near Kansas City]

It was a dolly. Someone on here has one, maybe Doug from S. Dakota? I'm not really sold on the idea, as far as keeping that tail from wagging. Just like the semi trucks that have 2 or 3 trailers in tow, there's not a lot you can do if you need to make an evasive maneuver and that stuff back there gets to whipping around. Plus, once a trailer gets that heavy anyway, it really puts a strain on the bike. This past summer on the Bowling Green trip, my trailer was just too heavy, and that was before I put 38 bottle of soda in it. I could have used a lower first gear in some spots.

[Doug in South Dakota]

To much tongue weight will cause this

[xszgrider]

Thanks Chris and Doug for the information.

I ride 2-up and only notice the problem when stopping or in a parking lot. Once I am moving above 5 or 10 mph, the problem goes away.

I attended the CMA Colors Rally on Iron Mountain last week and negotiating their bike trails in the camping area with the trailer attached proved to be a challenge.

I am going to monitor the tongue weight in the future and attempt to keep it between 20-25 lbs.

Again, thanks for the information.

[TaiwanJohn]

Your tongue weight should be about 10% of your total trailer weight. Too little tongue weight is worse than too much.

[Doug in South Dakota]

John
Marty and I were both there also.
I think I mite have a pic of your bike...Was it sitting kinda by the rode going from the worship center to the vender area on Thursday/Friday, Has Chris's armrest mounts on it? 1st time for us to go to colors. Life changing time.

[Marty in Texas]

I attended the CMA Colors Rally on Iron Mountain last week and negotiating their bike trails in the camping area with the trailer attached proved to be a challenge.

What color is your bike? Is it burgundy/silver? I saw another Voyager driving by on the road between the pravillion and the campground on the south side.
Was probably you if the right color?
Great rally, we didn't get to spend enough time there. We got there Friday afternoon and had to go home Sunday. Check my ride report, I have a link to it posted in the Trips & travel sub-forum.
Marty

[xszgrider]

Doug and Marty,

Yes, my wife says our bike is burgundy. It looks red to me. We arrived Tuesday afternoon and left for home on Saturday morning. We were camped on the first trail to the left as you entered Iron Mountain, next to the highway. We had the pleasure of listening to the Harleys as they departed the campground and trucks as they drove by. Next time, we will camp further away from the highway.

We have been to several western rallies, but this was our first time at Colors. It was a great experience. Iron Mountain is an impressive facility. We really enjoyed it.

Hope to see you in Chama.

[Bill O]

John,
If my eyes haven't failed me, you have the 10th Anniversary (1996) RED Voyager. (A Very nice one, I might add!) That color Red was only used for that year.

Bill

[xszgrider]

Bill,

I am under the impression that the color was used for 2 years, 96 and 97. I bought my Voyager used and the title says 1997. It did not have the 10 year decal on the cover when I purchased it. I have seen a 96 and the colors do look the same.

[Nathan (South Carolina)]

Bill,

I am under the impression that the color was used for 2 years, 96 and 97. I bought my Voyager used and the title says 1997. It did not have the 10 year decal on the cover when I purchased it. I have seen a 96 and the colors do look the same.

You are correct. The red with dark red inserts were used for years 1996 and 1997. http://voyagerxii.4kaztwylde.com/voyage ... colrs.html

[Bill O]

I stand corrected.

[Doug in South Dakota]

Pic's of my wife and I on Iron Mountain and of our camp site at night