Rider Education Division Trailering Seminar

The Trailering Seminar should provide:• Education and Information• A better understanding of potential problems• A reduction in risk associated with trailers• An increase in riding safety

We will cover the following topics associated with trailering:

• Types of Trailers, Suspensions and Hitches• Set-up of the Bike and Trailer• Weights and Packing• Braking Practice • Backing Up• Curves, Turns and Obstacle Avoidance• On The Road

Types of Trailers

• Cargo or Camper• New or Used• Factory or Homemade• Shape• Cooler Rack• Spare Tire

Different Suspensions• Leaf or Coil Springs• Shock Absorbers/Torsion Bar/Air• Wheels – Small or Large Diameter

Tire Width and Height

Smaller wheels turn at higher RPM• Bearings – Bearing Buddies vs Dexter Axle

Bushtec Cycle-Mate

Hitches

• Pin, Ball and Heim Joint• Swivel Connection• Ball – 47 Degree lean• Swivel – 360 Degrees

Standard Ball with Swivel

Bushtec Heim Joint

Setting up the Bike and Trailer

• A straight line should pass through center of front & rear axles, center of ball and center of mass of loaded trailer

Setting up the Bike and Trailer

• If the ball is too high:Decreased rear wheel traction when brakingRear wheel skid/High-side

• If the ball is too low:Decreased front wheel traction when brakingFront wheel skid

Safety Chains

• Required by Law

Most states require two• Strong enough to hold the trailer if the hitch fails• Long enough to reach in a tight turn• Short enough to prevent separation if pin comes

out

Tire Pressure

• Manufacturer SpecificationAt what load?

• Needs to be adjusted for your load• Put white shoe polish on the tread, go for a ride,

check wear pattern and adjust pressure

Maintenance

• Ball lubricationGrease, Vaseline, waxpaper

• Wheel bearings• Clamp shoe• Tires• Lights

Tongue Weight• Recommendations vary

7-12% or 10-15% is most common• 20 to 70 Lbs. is the usual range• What feels right and keeps trailer stable• The rider needs to determine this• Use fish scale or bathroom scale with coupler at

towing height

Packing• What is empty weight of the trailer?• What is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating?• GVWR minus Trailer Wt.= Load Capacity• Heavy stuff on the bottom over axle• Even weight side to side• Heavier load = longer stopping distance, more

push in corners, increased risk of rear wheel slide-out

Braking Practice

• 200’ long - 10 to 15 MPH• Bike and trailer in a straight line• Handlebars square to the bike• Compare distance with & without trailer• Weight transfer should be the same if

mounted and loaded properly

Backing Up• To back into a parking space:

Pull beyond the spot, turn away from the spot and straighten out before backing

Start moving with a sharp turn of the handlebars pushing forward on the side that you want the trailer to turn toward

As trailer begins to move, begin moving handlebars back toward center gently following the change in the trailer angle with the angle of the bars. Leave the bars turned too long and trailer turns too sharp – “jackknife”

YEAH, RIGHT!

Backing Up

• The trailer can be steered by directing the “BACK” of the front wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go

This didn’t work for me either!

Backing Up

• The more people watching, the worse you will do

• When alone – you’ll look like an expert• Practice, practice, practice

Curves and Turns• Low speed – Trailer tracks inside• High speed – Trailer tracks outside• Driving, braking and side forces are

different with a trailer• The trailer creates a side force trying to

push the rear tire to the outside• Slow, Look, Press, Roll - GENTLY

Curves and Turns

• Trailer pushes in

the direction of

the arrow

Obstacle Avoidance• Quick swerves place great side loads on

the bike• Trailers create additional side forces• Swerves with a trailer should only be

practiced with a trained professional• NEVER MIX BRAKING AND

SWERVING IN THE SAME ACTION

Hills

• The effect the trailer has on the bike is greater than on flat surfaces

• Up hill – Less weight on front wheel• Down hill – Less weight on rear wheel

Up hill

• Trailer pulls• Less weight on the front wheel

Down hill

• Trailer pushes• Braking distance increases• Less weight on rear wheel

On The Road• Remember the added length & width

At gas stations & toll booths• More space needed

Pulling out in traffic and passingSlower acceleration

• Team RidingTrailer should be at front of groupLonger stopping distance

During the Seminar we have discussed the following topics associated with pulling a trailer with a motorcycle:

• Types and styles of trailers• How to set up the bike and trailer• Loading and weights• Handling: braking, backing up• Turning and Obstacle Avoidance

The rider is ultimately responsible for the bike and trailer.

Pulling a trailer can be done safely by taking the proper precautions.

Above all, be safe, take your time and have fun!

AmazingDart

Honky Escapade

Grimreaper

Cyclops

? Questions ?