Towing a Harley / Questions

C33JAY

C33JAY

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Adria Twin
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2 x years Travelling in Europe in our VW T6
Hi all

Ive done a search on the forum for threads about towing but none appear to cover my questions about towing a heavy Harley, I have Never towed with a trailer before the only towing ive done is towing a broken down car/s.

Our New Motorhome is 3.500kg and has had a Tow Bar fitted from the factory.

Q: What spec or what do I need to know when purchasing a trailer probably New.
Q: What limit is there to my vehicle towing said Harley, or what do I need to consider

Thanks in anticipation

CJ
 
If you dont get a decent reply by the time it falls off the front page try reposting it in the motorcycle section, there is bound to be specific knowledge in there though less frequent visitors
 
Thanks will do
 
With your Swift, you should be ok on train weight, but a 3500kg you may be marginal on payload to start with so be careful
i assume are just 2 of you ? Or on your own?
A trailer of course allows you to shift some “stuff” on to the trailer within allowed weights
 
the first thing you need to check is what weight you can legally tow?
On the vehicle weight plate the second line down should show MTW , maximum train weight , which shows the weight you can tow after taking off your 3500kgs maximum authorised mass

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Should be 2000 kg on a Swift 694, if that is what you have per profile
 
My old Moho was 3500 and I towed my heritage softail to the bottom of Austria and back with no problems, trailer was 650kg gross, and towed beautifully. I made the choice to get new tyres that was way over what I needed weight wise on 12” wheels. The nose weight was around 70kgs
7F716B60-4757-4CD7-A0A5-52E5BD3C191F.jpeg
613AA6E3-2B3B-44FF-9A87-F1C40DB16CCC.jpeg
 
Firstly, you need to know the weight of the bike then from that you can work out the trailer you can use.
The weight of a trailer is shown as the gross weight..... The total weight of trailer AND any load imposed.
As an example and to simplify, a 1000kg GVW trailer may carry a load of 750kg and weigh 250kg Unladen.... 750 + 250 = 1000kg
 
Hi,
As people have mentioned, first find out your train weight.
Get the gross weight of your bike.
Locate a trailer that has the carrying capacity for the Hog. It will need to be a braked trailer for the weight of the Harley (anything over 750kgs Gross, ie trailer and bike, will have to be braked) I would think an Ifor Williams 1500kg or there abouts would be what you would probably be looking at (or other makes).
I used to tow a Pan Euro 13 and am sure that was the rough weights guide.
Dont know your age or when you got your licence, younger peops have to take a trailer test now as you propably know.
With the weight of the Harley definately get a bike/trike trailer as they have a better lower centre of gravity stability than a converted trailer.
If any of that is any good to you.
Cheers. G

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The towing dolly style above are the job aswell
 
PJ theres NO Harley above 500kg so if it was me I’d try and keep the trailer and bike under 750kg for lots of legal reasons especially licencewise and foreign travel wise (I’m sure there’s some rules about towing above 750kg) also if above 750kg I think there’s the issue of having a braked trailer, not that there’s owt wrong with that, it’s just summat else to think about.
 
C33JAY said:
Ive done a search on the forum for threads about towing but none appear to cover my questions about towing a heavy Harley,
Click to expand...

We tow two HD Sportsters on a trailer behind our PVC. Harleys are 275kg each, trailer is plated at 1300kg. Well within towing capacity of PVC. pm me if you want more info.

Mick
 
Euro330 said:
Hi,
As people have mentioned, first find out your train weight.
Get the gross weight of your bike.
Locate a trailer that has the carrying capacity for the Hog. It will need to be a braked trailer for the weight of the Harley (anything over 750kgs Gross, ie trailer and bike, will have to be braked) I would think an Ifor Williams 1500kg or there abouts would be what you would probably be looking at (or other makes).
I used to tow a Pan Euro 13 and am sure that was the rough weights guide.
Dont know your age or when you got your licence, younger peops have to take a trailer test now as you propably know.
With the weight of the Harley definately get a bike/trike trailer as they have a better lower centre of gravity stability than a converted trailer.
If any of that is any good to you.
Cheers. G
Click to expand...
Braked trailer not really necessary for towing a Harley, the heaviest Electraglide is only around 450kg. I think a 1500kg trailer is overkill for ONE bike. Also I think younger peeps can tow 750kg without taking a test (but I’ll stand to be corrected on that one)

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The heavier the weight of bike/bikes the lower you want the load , and also a longer trailer is easier for reversing , and also the more stable when fast .
An Aussie mate had a Phoenix trailer for his harley , and was very happy with it . He sold when he went back to OZ , sold very quick .
 
Stealaway said:
These are popular and look the business but check the weights especially as its an Harley

Click to expand...


The trouble with these kinds of trailer are they are very difficult to reverse because of the short distance between the hitch and the axle, that's why some like the hydratrail and yo remorques have wheels that swivel.

You may find a drop bed trailer easier to load a Harley and easier to reverse.

www.cmftrailers.co.uk

EASYLOAD MOTORCYCLE TRAILER

This Trailer is designed to carry larger motorcycles and has a unique system that lowers the load platform to ground level to make it easier to load the bike. There is no ramp needed and you just...
www.cmftrailers.co.uk
 
These are worth a look; come in different size and weight capacities. Fold down when not in use and so don’t block up Aires. Quite light and reverse well.
 

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Had a guy park up next to us last year with one of these trailers,or very similar. I didn't know what was inside until the next morning when he fired up his Honda Goldwing beside us.
It looked very expensive, which considering his whole rig, would not surprise me.
LES
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Thanks everyone for taking the time & effort to reply to my Questions and offer to assist further, its very much appreciated (y), Thanks again :rock:

PS To answer some queries: Yes Two travelling and im 60 so License isnt an issue :giggle:

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I've towed all types of m/bikes around Europe for 20+ years. I and most of my chums use trailers by Dave Cooper.
www.davecooper.co.uk

Dave Cooper Bike Racks

Leading Kent based supplier of cycle, scooter, quad, bike racks and motorbike trailers to UK and Europe.
www.davecooper.co.uk www.davecooper.co.uk

When you get your tie-down ratchet straps be sure to get ones with test/strength tabs stitched to them. They are like a clothing washing label. Many sold at country shows, boot sales and on eBay are without tabs and (probably untested) cheap copies.
Rat shit straps.jpg


Rather than the straps with just plain/open hooks try to get the ones with security hooks. They are like safety pins. Otherwise, even though you have pulled the straps down tight they can come adrift when the bike's suspension compresses going over a bump (don't ask how I know). You can also use carabiner clips.
I always chain/padlock the bike to the trailer and the trailer to the m/h. They won't resist an angle grinder but are better than nothing.
Having a cover over the bike (well secured with bungee straps) also helps to deter crims as not only can they not see what type of bike but the cover is a faff to remove if they intend to steal just the bike without the trailer.
 
Last edited:
Spriddler said:
I've towed all types of m/bikes around Europe for 20+ years. I and most of my chums use trailers by Dave Cooper.
www.davecooper.co.uk

Dave Cooper Bike Racks

Leading Kent based supplier of cycle, scooter, quad, bike racks and motorbike trailers to UK and Europe.
www.davecooper.co.uk www.davecooper.co.uk

When you get your tie-down ratchet straps be sure to get ones with test/strength tabs stitched to them. They are like a clothing washing label. Many sold at country shows, boot sales and on eBay are without tabs and (probably untested) cheap copies.
View attachment 364788

Rather than the straps with just plain/open hooks try to get the ones with security hooks. They are like safety pins. Otherwise, even though you have pulled the straps down tight they can come adrift when the bike's suspension compresses going over a bump (don't ask how I know). You can also use carabiner clips.
I always chain/padlock the bike to the trailer and the trailer to the m/h. They won't resist an angle grinder but are better than nothing.
Having a cover over the bike (well secured with bungee straps) also helps to deter crims as not only can they not see what type of bike but the cover is a faff to remove if they intend to steal just the bike without the trailer.
Click to expand...
Or just blag some Harley Davidson straps that come with the skid that the bikes are on when they’re delivered to dealers, that’s what I use, two round the front legs where the fenders are fastened to legs, (no worries about the suspension moving up and down) and two at back (where is dependant on which model ya got) job done!!?
 
hilldweller said:
Or consider towing something well under half the weight which will save you a lot of sweating getting it on/off a trailer and is probably more appropriate for holiday duties.
Click to expand...

How boring! it's great fun riding around on the Harleys, no matter where you are! :giggle:

Mick

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One of the issues I had, was getting the Beemer, OFF the trailer without dropping it!. (short Legs). If you drop them it does the heads a power of No Good!.
 
Be careful with security especially when the bike is on the trailer as it is very easy to hook up an unprotected trailer to any car. Often better to take bike off the trailer at night
 
I used to tow my Harley V rod to southern France on a bike trailer with our Transit based PVC on a Phoenix trailer, brilliant trailers. it had a long ramp so easy to ride the bike up the ramp onto the trailer after attaching it to the camper. If you have never towed before I suggest you look at a trailer towing course
 
SteveJulesMontycame2 said:
These are worth a look; come in different size and weight capacities. Fold down when not in use and so don’t block up Aires. Quite light and reverse well.
Click to expand...
I tow my BMW 1200gs on a motolug trailer, the bike weighs around 250 kgs, I cannot safely load it on my own, and definitely wouldn’t relish the prospect of loading/ unloading a Harley that weighs a fair bit more.
The best bit as you mention is that they break down into smaller parts so I can store it in the garage, but if I was to tow a Harley I would look for one of those trailers that have a ramp that lowers to the floor when loading.

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