Easy lifter hydra trail(again)! (1 Viewer)

[injebreck99]

We are currently touring in Holland at the moment with the Easylifter Hydratrail trailer and Yamaha YBR125, my perceived problem is that when towing forwards, the bike and trailer tilts towards the Motorhome by about 15 degrees making the bike look a bit ready to fall off, although it cannot due to the upright adjustable seat clamp and straps at all four corners, also the footrest end is up against the central pillar as well.
The only time that it is upright is when I have reversed and then the bed and bike are level, is it me, or am I missing something??.
The photo shows the trailer after reversing onto our pitch.

 

[MikeD]

I don't remember mine doing that. But in all honesty I can't say I looked.

 

[tacr2man]

It must have to do with your tow bracket as the way it is designed
the parallel links keep the trailer post parallel to the towing vehicle post the trailer vertical is fixed at 90 degree to load bed .

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[Rob e Lee]

When I tow mine it leans as you describe and never had a problem. I've covered about 5000 towing miles.

 

[Rob e Lee]

Just another thought, nothing to do with angle of towing but do you use supplied jack to lower bike?

 

[injebreck99]

Just another thought, nothing to do with angle of towing but do you use supplied jack to lower bike?

No, I use a homemade wooden ramp.

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[Rob e Lee]

Same here - too long winded and a bit of a faff to use

 

[tacr2man]

Have you tried seeing if the tow post (fixed to tow bar) is vertical using spirit level ?

 

[injebreck99]

Have you tried seeing if the tow post (fixed to tow bar) is vertical using spirit level ?

Can’t say I have, looks ok to me though.

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[tacr2man]

Can’t say I have, looks ok to me though.

Well thats OK then

 

[tonyidle]

Assuming everything is firmly attached to the van & towbar the only thing that will cause the effect you describe is the angle of the steering pivots. On flat ground they must be leaning away from the van to cause that effect. You need to check that with both van and trailer on level ground the trailer bed is parallel to the ground. Which will ensure that the steering pivots are at right angles to the ground.

 

[injebreck99]

That’s the trouble, the only time that the trailer bed is parallel is after reversing, that brings it level, when towing forward, the bed is tilted towards the van.

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[tonyidle]

That’s the trouble, the only time that the trailer bed is parallel is after reversing, that brings it level, when towing forward, the bed is tilted towards the van.

The answer is still the same. The only difference between forward and reverse is the position of the trailer wheels. If the steering pivot isn't vertical the effect will be as you describe. For all l know the steering pivots aren't intended to be vertical so the effect could be normal.

 

[MikeD]

You can get "long reach" towballs if you are worried that it might hit the van.

They should push the "upright" out a little to give more clearance.

 

[Vic]

I find if it leans too far out or in, then it is my fault when initially tied down. I tend to give it a mile or two, pull over and check the angle. A couple of times I had to wiggle it and re - adjust the tie downs to straighten the scooter.

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[injebreck99]

I always load the bike when the bed is upright, ie, vertical, but it still leans over towards the van when towing forwards.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

When I had the Hydratrail I found that there was a difference between forward and reverse due to the wheels castoring and in effect moving the centre of gravity forward in front of the scooter causing it to tilt backwards. It is all the play in the linkages and clearances in the box sections that allow this.

 

[musson]

My friend had this on a new one and it was the towing bracket attachmnet had bent

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[injebreck99]

My friend had this on a new one and it was the towing bracket attachmnet had bent

I have studied mine in detail, and cannot see anything out of line, it just seems that the parallel arms are at the wrong angle, but what do I know!

 

[musson]

Best ring easy lifter to be safe 01509 268400 just incase you dont have number

 

[Jaws]

When I bought one I was told by as near an expert in tow bars as you can get, that it would twist the tow bar, and in less that a mile it had.
Check the bar is vertical and it has not twisted

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[injebreck99]

Turns out that the horizontal bar that the tow ball attaches to was slightly loose allowing the upright post to move a fraction, I have levelled it and retorqued the bolts, should be OK now.

 

[Paul and Jeannette]

What is the verdict on the Hydra Trail as I have asked a few owners on site and the opinion is a bit like Marmite.
A few said they liked the reversing but would never buy another.
Speaking to the supplier if you have a problem also seems a bit of a problem according to a few.
I have the easy lifter on my tow bar but keep thinking I would love to try the Hydra but it is expensive although all second hand ones seem to sell around the £800 mark.

 

[Silver-Fox]

@Paul and Jeannette ive got one but only used it once.
Found it great for towing and reversing, but I don’t think I could faff around lowering and lifting it back up.
I made a ramp to load up, much easier.

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[MotorhomersRus]

How have you all made a ramp instead of using the jack ? Have you locked it somehow to the trailer bed ? When loading
@Silver-Fox @injebreck99 @Rob e Lee

 

[injebreck99]

I just made up a wooden ramp, lashed it to the trailer when towing.

 

[tacr2man]

What is the verdict on the Hydra Trail as I have asked a few owners on site and the opinion is a bit like Marmite.
A few said they liked the reversing but would never buy another.
Speaking to the supplier if you have a problem also seems a bit of a problem according to a few.
I have the easy lifter on my tow bar but keep thinking I would love to try the Hydra but it is expensive although all second hand ones seem to sell around the £800 mark.

If you have the lifter , why would you want to try the trail , just curious , as I have lifter ? @Paul and Jeannette

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[Silver-Fox]

Made mine from a couple of pieces of angle and some trailer bed ply.
It’s then stored on the ladder for the roof so stops anyone climbing on the roof