Trailer Towing
(Safety First)
compliments of:
.
Fred Burger "Trailers" (Big Bike ~ Small Car)
www.mctrailers.com ~~ www.timeouttrailer.com
845-339-3390 / 888-458-3390 / 845-338-8945 fax
.
1~) Check all lights and tire pressure before
trip and every few hundred miles...Do a walk
around at every gas stop...
.
2~) Check lug nuts periodically. Grease bearings
once a year or every 2~3 thousand miles...
Bearing buddies work nice...
.
3~) Maintain 15 to 20 pounds of tongue weight at
ball... Use bathroom scale placed on solid
surface, same height as ball... Pack trailer
to achieve proper 15 to 20 pounds... Don't
load up cooler before leaving on trip, load
up at destination... But, if you do counter- balance heavier items in trailer to the back.
.
4~) Don't overload trailer...Don't put heavy
items on roof rack, like animals... Would you
like to breath exhaust fumes? Also can make
trailer top heavy...
.
5~) Your bike is now twice as long...Be sure you
have enough room when passing to pull back
in... Always signal...Hand signals work well,
but finger signals don't... Respect others...
.
6~) Allow more time to stop...Down shift to slow
down...Remember, both brakes for fast stop...
.
7~) Cargo trailers should have 20 pounds of air
pressure... Campers 25 to 30... Tires will
not get hot and gives a softer ride...
.
8~) Remember, trailer may be an inch or two wider
than handlebars... Watch curb at toll booths
and when parking... Watch pot-holes in road..
.
9~) Don't ride down center of your lane, that's
where the oil is... Half way between center
of your lane and the center line, or, center
of your lane and pavement edge is proper area
to ride... Trailers are 38"~44" average width
same as touring bikes handlebars width across
to each outer edge...
.
10~) On very windy days I find that a trailer may
help to stabilize the bike... don't get over-
confident, could change instantly...
.
11~) It's very easy to forget trailer is behind
you... Ride safe and be aware...
.
12~) Use safety chains, most states require them..
Proper chain length should be, if trailer
becomes disconnected from ball,it should rest
on crossed chains and not touch ground...
.
13~) Always lock or bolt coupler on trailer ball..
Also, if you have a receiver hitch, be sure
pin is in and lock that also...
.
14~) If possible, remove some weight from saddle
bags and trunk,that's what trailer is for...
.
15~) Home made trailer info: Too short a tongue,
also not enough tongue weight can cause
trailer to wig-wag at about 50 mph... Rule of
thumb: Ball to center of axle should be twice
the distance as center to center on tire...
Example: 3' tire to tire center needs 6'from
axle to ball coupler...Longer dose'nt effect
it but shorter sure will...
.
16~) Swivels for trailers is a nice option,but not
a necessity...A coupler has a 28 degree move-
ment in every direction and will not bind...
But if your bike should tip over a swival is
then appreciated... Can be added any time...
.
17~) Do not overload manufacturers recommended
weight capacity...My rule of thumb is: 13 lbs
for each cubic foot of cargo space... So a
trailer with 18 cubic feet of cargo space X
the 13 pounds per cubic foot, equals 234 lbs.
.
18~) Never leave home without a can of instant
tire flat and a tire plug repair kit...Rubber
bungie cords are handy also in various sizes.
.
19~) Drinking or drugs while driving is stupid...
While on a motorcycle will probably be fatal.
Read perscription drugs for side effects...
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20~) High on important list is a good flash-light and first aid kit... Imagine on a dark moonless night, you or your passenger could bleed to death if you had neither... Paper and pen are also good items to write down all information if involved in a traffic accident...
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21~) Proceed over railroad tracks at ninty degree angle...
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22~) Last, for 2 up riders... You're tired, been
riding all day, you're getting gas, your love
one went to get directions but you know your
not lost...Don't take off without her or him,
Will not make for a good day when she/he
catches up with you...Enjoy each others
company, when you stop for the night leave TV
off... Talk or read maybe take a little walk.
.
~~~~~May be copied...Keep one in your trailer for
reference...Make copies for your friends or
club members...If I can help with a answer to
your question, call me, if I don't know it,
we will try and get it for you...
.

~~~~~I have been pulling trailers since 1983 with
both my Honda 83 Goldwing and my 87 Harley
FLHTC... Have many thousand miles pulling
trailers including a 12' row boat...I have
campers-cargo-carry by; Timeout,Cycle Mate,
Easy Hauler Backwoods Bungaloo & Kendon.
Please call first we ride also..Thank You...
.
Fred Burger "Trailers"
www.mctrailers.com or .net
845-339-3390~~~~~888-458-3390
fax~845-338-8945
.
Visit our historic Hudson valley & majestic
Catskill Mts. both with beautiful picture
taking views...Enjoy a river boat cruise or
tour any of 4 museums. More with-in 1/2 hour
ride...Reasonable price motels, camping,fine
dining and fantastic touring area...
.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~RIDE SAFE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~