| Trailer Tongue Info |
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01-11-07 several posts (rants maybe)
about the need (for me) to lengthen the toung of the trailer,
worked for me - as usual - YMMV Take care - John b '83 GL1100A - '06 Aspen Camper |
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Post 1 august 18 06 Hi, Ain't the camper GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now for the wobble thing.. I an NOT an engineer type, but life experiences enter in... I drive a '83 GL1100a, it is full faring, big windshield, etc. I think that the airflow from the bike is effecting the trailer. Possibly the air from the front of the bike that is going over the TOP of the bike and pushing DOWN on the BACK of the trailer. As the speed increases, so does the down pressure on the back of the trailer increases so the tounge weight GETS LESS as speed increases = wobble increases... backyard engineering.... So by increasing the tounge length (20 inches for me), we are moving the trailer BACK and the wind pressure is moving FORWARD toward the axel - hence less pressure to lift the tounge....... this is working for me YMMV... Like I said before - legnthing the tongue the 20" make my trailer like "a rock on a string" - steady is an understatement.... give it a wack and let me know what happens... Take care, John b - Wisconsin Cheesehead = '83 GL1100a - '06 Aspin Classic ps - just ran across this - "Just remember the tongue length from the tip (coupling) to the axle should be at least 2 1/2 time the length of the axle width. example: if the axle is 2 feet from inside wheel to inside wheel, the tongue length from axle to tip of the coupling should be 5 feet." I remembered this (tough at times) and the way I used to do it was between tyre center width times TWO was the MINIMUM length from the AXEL to coupling...... damn nice to see others think alike too..<BGR> jb |
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whoops - did not reply to all.... I went to AAronin steel (local place to get iron things) and got a 2x2 cut to legnth, redrilled as needed, painted,,,, ==You mentioned a new tongue. How does that work? YES = Are you saying you unbolt the old one and add a new one? I added 20" more = = Can you be specific on how much longer the new one is or maybe it's overall length? Cut and splice the wiring- added 30" more wire for
some slack (wire wrap at auto store) ===After making a longer
tongue how do you lengthen the trailer wiring?
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*************************** Kenny, I'm going to agree with John about
learning to ride all over again. A lot of folks think they can
just strap on another 500 lbs on the bike and ride as usual.
Ain't going to work. Unlike John I haven't noticed any
loss of power on my Wing (84 1200), but I am aware that the
trailer is back there and ride accordingly. In many
instances this means NOT taking certain roads because trailers,
or maybe it's just me, and U-turns don't go together. That said,
I have ridden some rather winding roads in |
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I would have to agree with what has been said. If you load
the trailer properly heaviest over the axle the rest distributed
evenly. If tongue weight is too light then the trailer will start
you pushing side to side. If a curve says 50 MPH then do that
or less. Be precise in your turn think ahead all the time. Mine
loaded weighs in at 500. Rethink your riding techs when towing
and you'll be fine. Been towing trailers for 35 years never had a
problem . Tire inflation important. I got 60000 miles out of my
last set and they were still good but I didn't want to chance it
they get dry rot. Get 6 or 8 ply they hold up the best. Towing
is fun and rewarding when done properly. Momma gets to take all
her $hit and when she's happy everybody's happy. One more thing I
personally would not use trailer brakes, adjust your riding habits
instead. |