Trailer

Does anyone pull a trailer with their Shadow? Mine is a Shadow Spirit '06.

I have a hitch but I have not pulled a trailer yet. Years ago I pulled a Shoreline trailer with a 1981 Yamaha 920 Virago, it would get squirrely if the tongue weight was not right. I am currently building a full size steel coffin trailer for my Shadow.
Doc

I have a 2002 Aero 1100 and pull a Single wheel trailer when we go camping and vacationing on the bike. And I also have a CM2000 That I pull when we are out shopping and making runs where i need more room. Nothing like walking out of SAMS Club in leather carrying a motorcycle helmet and pushing a cart FULL to the rim with supplies. I just tell them I will tie the cart to the bike and hope I make it home. The Shadow pull with no problem you just have to make more space for stopping and longer time for passing cars.
Brett

2002 Honda Shadow Aero
Darkside
102,000 miles and still running strong

Hey btaillon, I'm 50 miles away in Exeter, didn't know anyone else was that close.
Doc

I want to see a picture of the one wheel trailer, hitch, and on the bike.

I would like to see pics also. Of both trailers and hitch on bike.

Here are pics of the trailer I built I have a CM2000 trailer also but I like pulling the single wheel.



https://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/btaillon/2005-09-08/

https://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/btaillon/Darkside/

If I;m bot on my bike this is my ride
I got this back in 1979 when I was 15 the paint is original I redid the interior and rebuilt the motor and trans. The pics of the motor were before the rebuild. 68,000 miles in 46 years I have over 100,000 on my bike is 6 years

https://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/btaillon/?mediafilter=slideshows

I am riding an '02 Shadow Spirit 1100. My owner's manual specifically states not to attach a trailer or sidecar.
I assume your 2006 may be the same.

My manual also says to only use approved mt tires, bah!
Doc

I have been pulling a trailer with My Shadow for year without any issues. Back in the 80"s I hada GL500 Silverwing and pulled a trailer with it from Missouri the California riding two up.
If you don't think your bike can handle pulling a trailer then I would not try it. But My 2002 has been great at pulling even with a heavy load. I do know a guy that has a 1100 Spirit and he has had no problems pulling with his.

Brett

If anyone is looking into a trailer Harbor Freight has their 40" x 48" with 8" wheels on sale on the internet for $179.99.
Went by the store in Jackson on Friday and they had it on sale for $169.99 in the store.
I now have a trailer.

to tow your bike or to tow behind your bike?

I bought this one to tow behind bike. Have a friend that I rode with to Arkansas last month and he has one of these. I will modify this one as he modified his.
He cut his down to 24" wide so it would not stick out past bike to catch any wind. He left it 48" long (this is bed size). He added an aluminum road sign for his bed. He has an aluminum tool box for storage and on the front of bed has a cooler mounted. It pulled great with no wobbles up to 85 mph and 1300 miles of riding.
My setup will be similar but I will probably go with a good plastic tool box like the ones Rubbermaid builds so it will weigh as little as possible.
This trailer came with 8" wheels. I have 2 other trailers with 12" wheels. With an air compressor and several jack stands so I will just swap tires and I saved about 80 bucks doing this.
I figure after my modification it should weigh around 100 lbs. Package has 131 lbs on it.

I pull this around the Sierras at 1450# and it slows on the 8000' passes but still goes over and putts down the other side. Sorry I Can't get the pic but it is a 2000 Aero with a Champion Escort side car and a Trekker trailer. If you want pics send e-mail wbenson@dslextreme.com

Hello guys,
Newbi here from the UK, picked up on your thread about towing with the 1100 shadow, I tow a trailer with my 2004 1100c Spirit, I built a trailer from scratch last year to carry all the gear I need for the rallies that I attend during the short sseason we have over here, and I must say I wouldn't be without it now, far better than loading the pillion seat on the bike.
The problem I had was on the first trip out, getting used to something so close up your arse when at junctions and doing your lifesaver check before pulling away.
Over in the UK there is a max towing weight with a motorcycle of 150kgs gross, weight of my trailer is 45kgs UW, giving a payload of 105kgs wich is a lot of weight really, also if you carry a pillion, that will afect the gross weght as well, I don't carry one so everythings ok.
Attached is a picture of one very similar to the one I built.



As you can see it is just a roof box bolted to a home made chassis, perfect, waterproof and it locks as well, ready painted.
As to the performance of the bike whilst towing, It tows really good and is stable, no swaying, I carry a spare wheel in case of puncture, Trailer kits are available on ebay complete, two wheels and stubs, mudgaurds, tow hitch, wired up light board, etc, roof box from ebay also, bit of mechanical know how and welding skill and bobs your uncle.
The only thing I had trouble sourcing was the tow hitch which I had to get from Australia because nobody in the US would ship to the UK.

Any way to answer your question, the 1100 will handle the trailer no problems.

I thought I didn't have a picture of my trailer, but I found one on my bike.


Cheers guys, Colin.

Thanks Colin for the write up! Welcome sir!



.........................bobby

Thanks for repling. Ready to get mine put together and take a trip.

Well i've pulled my trailer on 2 trips and its great! The extra space is nice to have. Checked gas milage and depending on speed got anywhere from 34 to 43.8 to a gallon. Can hardly tell its behind me while riding. Thanks to all for the input. Have 9000 miles on the General Altimax HP 185/65/15.

Well i've pulled my trailer 2500 miles on 2 trips and its great! The extra space is nice to have. Checked gas milage and depending on speed got anywhere from 34 to 43.8 to a gallon. Can hardly tell its behind me while riding. Thanks to all for the input. Have 9000 miles on the General Altimax HP 185/65/15.

Btallion: That is the lightest monowheel wagon I've seen yet! I'm thinking about building one myself, using a Contico hard plastic toolbox I am retiring. I've seen them with one sided swingarms, shocks and a lot of ideas I like, like putting the wheel in the center of the box so you can load more weight and not overload the tongue. I hear that 25 lbs. is the max you should have. Ought to be a fun project if I find time.

I put 150 pounds in mine and was no problem at higher speeds but slow speeds it can tip you more. Mine trailer handles best around 60 to 70 pounds max. My tongue weight is no problem. it's a lot less then a loaded T-bag and the trailer weigh is as low as the axles on the bike. If I built another trailer I would mess with making my *track* bars longer and mounting the springs in the middle of the trailer. check out the motorcycle trailer towing forum on the Delphi site. there are different types of single wheel trailers on there and you can find a lot of info. The problem with putting the wheel under the trailer is it raises the center of gravity and to me it looks a little goofy.

I meant it was suggested 25 lbs. max tongue weight. I'm all over the MotoCampers.com site now checking these out.
One guy put the wheel in the center of the wagon, and had a cutaway nacelle sealed and riveted to the bottom of the box
for the wheel to go in, so it sat low. That's what I'm thinking of doing.
Seems to me that with 150 or so in the wagon, the tongue weight would be half of that. I think it's a handling issue,
inasmuch as the bike is pulling and carrying while cornering. But I see your point too: I've even over gross weight when I'm
camping with the wife. Handles beautifully.