Trailer Info Needed

[BudMan]

I have a few questions about pulling a trailer with the Nomad.

I bought the Harbor Freight trailer with the 12" wheels.
It's 40 1/2" wide and 48" long. I was planning on leaving it that size.
From center to center the tires are 47" apart.
Hopefully some of you that have pulled trailers before can help me.
I have done some looking on Gadget's site and others and have an idea of some guidelines
to follow, but would like to hear your opinions.

Here's what I'm thinking

1. Tongue should be angled down slightly.

2. Tongue weight should be about 20 lbs.

3. Overall trailer weight around 350 lbs.

4. Info I have read says the length from ball to axle should be double
the distance of the tires. (center to center)
This looks really long. It looks like a boat trailer minus the boat.
If those of you with experence think this is the best ratio (2 to 1) then I'll do that.
But I would like to know if a 1.5 to 1 ratio would work as well.

My father told me "You gotta know what you don't know"
So...What else do I need to know?
I've pulled alot of trailers, 20 years in the beer business will see to that, just never with a motorcycle.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by BudMan

I have a few questions about pulling a trailer with the Nomad.

I bought the Harbor Freight trailer with the 12" wheels.
It's 40 1/2" wide and 48" long. I was planning on leaving it that size.
From center to center the tires are 47" apart.
Hopefully some of you that have pulled trailers before can help me.
I have done some looking on Gadget's site and others and have an idea of some guidelines
to follow, but would like to hear your opinions.

Here's what I'm thinking

1. Tongue should be angled down slightly.

2. Tongue weight should be about 20 lbs.

3. Overall trailer weight around 350 lbs.

4. Info I have read says the length from ball to axle should be double
the distance of the tires. (center to center)
This looks really long. It looks like a boat trailer minus the boat.
If those of you with experence think this is the best ratio (2 to 1) then I'll do that.
But I would like to know if a 1.5 to 1 ratio would work as well.

My father told me "You gotta know what you don't know"
So...What else do I need to know?
I've pulled alot of trailers, 20 years in the beer business will see to that, just never with a motorcycle.

1. Yes, you want the tongue angled down so it doesn't try to lift the back end of the bike when stopping.

2. I'd say 20-30 pounds when it comes to tongue weight.

3. I believe the rule of thumb is to keep the maximum loaded trailer weight at 50% of the bike weight or less.

4. The tongue should be 1.5-2.0 times the distance between the rear wheels (center-to-center). Too short of a tongue and the trailer can "wag" side to side. A longer tongue is better for controlling the trailer.

[peterdarby]

I agree with Cactus Jack. I went to an ironworker and had him make a new tonque ($109) for my tag-along with a rack for a cooler which gives me the two to one advantage. You never know it is back there. I am not to concerned about weight since I primarily put camping gear in it. While I am sure it can be done I can't imagine putting over 350 pounds of traveling stuff in it.