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Cruiser
Posts: 77
Virginia Beach, Virginia | Not looking for a decision made by committee as much as trying to avoid the re-invention of the wheel, I have decided to appeal to the sages of ether, the Vision-Riders that have experience with trailers, both behind the bike and carrying the bike. The situation is this: My Wife and I would like to travel together on the bike, but obviously the bike will not hold more than 1-2 day's clothing, so we need a way to carry our stuff. I own a "stand-up" 1 bike trailer that I could tow behind my SUV, though I don't know whether the carrying capacity of the trailer can handle the Vision. The second option is to tell my wife to pack sand and enjoy the kids, and I could just go on a trip by myself with a back seat pack! 
The third option is to get a tow-behind trailer for the bike, either a good one used or a new one that is cheaper than the class acts that are out there. I am concerned about the cost of the hitch and its installation, the cost and weight of the trailer, as well as the fact that most do not have brakes, and the fact that my wife and I already top out the GVWR of the bike, before we pack anything else. I guess a forth option would be to get an enclosed trailer or toy hauler that can hold the bike, but I don't think I have that much money left! I DID just buy a bike!
Looking forward to the interesting responses! |
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Tourer
Posts: 309
Vineland, NJ United States | I tow the Uni-go one wheel trailer behind my 08 Vision Premium Tour. Over 5,000 miles, no problem with handling or braking and I also ride double. Check out my pics in the gallery section. Only drawback is the cost of the trailer. New Uni-go trailers are ridiculous but I got lucky and found mine on Ebay for $1,000. My hitch is a Hitch Doc (easy to install). The hardest part was wiring the lights. Good Luck ED |
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Tourer
Posts: 412
Fargo, ND | I enjoy my cargo trailer. I use it on a trip 1-up or 2-up...the main reason I like the trailer is most of the weight is in the trailer not on the bike. The only additional weight added to the bike is the 25 - 30 lbs of tongue weight. When I use the trailer the saddlebags are virtually empty except for the casual, easy access things, like hat, camera, etc. If the wife isn't along, I take the trunk off the bike and get rid of the 'high weight' and hook the trailer on...works great. I have had numerous trailers...some home made, some factory made. My current unit is a 'Road Dog'.
http://www.roaddogtrailers.com/
Here's my bike & trailer -
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Cruiser
Posts: 175
Hinton, Iowa | I piked up a near new (used) Piggy backer this winter. Not afancy trailer,but inexpensive. Wife, dog and me went to Helen, Ga. for the SE meet.3100 miles The trailer performed well and hardly knew it was back there.Had enough room for 8 day trip and wife was able to take all of her necessities.Didn't even have my tour pak on. I have a HitchDoc and found it easy to install and lessexpensive than the BushTec.Ride Vision on vacation , you'll have a blast Hope this helps. Good luck!!!
Ride Safe, Mike |
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Cruiser
Posts: 160
Lennox, SD | I am cheap so I bought a Harbor Freight trailer and narrowed it by 12" and mounted a 48" aluminum truck toolbox on it.
Tows real nice, don't even know it is behind you. I towed it over 10,000 miles with my 2006 Nomad but have not towed it with my Vision. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 91
| I Just finished a 5000 mile trip with my Vision and trailer. I hardly noticed it behind me. Originally I had full pressure in the tires but my friends behind me said the trailer bounced around a lot. I Lowered my pressure down to 25psi and it stopped. I only ride one up but it sure was nice to have all the storage. I did have a cooler with water (Yea right) inside so I wished that the trailer had a platform on front to put a cooler. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 91
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 10
| I put a Hitch Doc hitch on my vision took about 2 hours with a lunch break. Saw an awesome trailer at Bike Week and went to Murray KY to Hannigans and got my trailer. Have pulled it for about 4k miles, never even know its there....
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Iron Butt
Posts: 669
Peachtree City, GA | Hey Odie, Did you ever put your Vic lights on? Any pictures of it with them? Thanks.
I am kind of in the same boat... Want a trailer. Something nicer then the harbor frieght setup but a whole lot less then what I would like to have in a Hannigan LT...
Thanks |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 25
Southern Maine | I had the same issues, storage room weight overload (both wife and I are x-lg). Installed Hitch-Doc, removed trunk,purchaced Adventure Sports trailer on E-bay, storage issues gone, weight issue better, just got back from 1000 mi. run thru Green Mountains in VT. and trailer did great, had to check mirrors to make shure it was still there ! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | What effect on the Vision's fuel economy does pulling a trailer make? I'm considering getting one myself. My buddy sometimes pulls a trailer with his GL1800, and the trailer will cost him 8 to 10 MPG. The GW handles it easily, but there is a fuel economy penalty. Do any of you who pull trailers have the VM1 cams? Do you pull the trailer in 5th or 6th gear @ 70 MPH?
Ronnie |
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Tourer
Posts: 412
Fargo, ND |
I had an Alumalite just prior to my current Road Dog. The fuel economy with it was worse than my Road Dog. I don't own a 'wind tunnel' to prove my thinking correct or incorrect...but here it is. The Alumalite is a box type design and wider than the bike. It also had 12" wheels on it so the trailer sat up quite high. My thinking is it did not follow along very well in the airstream created by the bike and thus caused a lot of dirty air and thus the MPG suffered. My Road Dog is quite low and seems to nestle in pretty nicely behind the bike.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
YMMV
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Cruiser
Posts: 77
Virginia Beach, Virginia | Here is thE update so far. Purchased a hitch doc from Jaime and it should be in next week. Nothing available locally. Trailer search came down to Harbor Freight or a local minitrailerusa unit that was 14 cu ft and all diamondplate. Wife says get the nice one, it is a grand but who wants to tow the ugly one behind the new bike? Can't argue with logic like that, but still concerned about the weight and lack of brakes. Looking for comments from those of u with experience with these trailers. We got hit hard with storms in Virginia beach last night and power has been out for ten hours and counting. Going for a swim at 320 am! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| I suggest going to a Goldwing site for trailer info. Those guys are fanatics. I know others that have gotten tons of good info from them about trailering. |
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Tourer
Posts: 412
Fargo, ND |
Here's another great 'Motorcycle Trailer Forum'...
http://forums.delphiforums.com/MCTrailertowing/start
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Tourer
Posts: 576
, IA | U do NOT want breaks Aspen trailer quit putting them on |
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Need Help to Decide on Trailer
