One major factor in preventing trailer sway or 'wagging' is to have 9-15% of the total trailer weight on the hitch. I've had the interesting experience of towing a boat on a trailer we had just purchased that had too little weight on the tongue. The thing would begin a nasty sway that waggled the rear end of my 3/4 pickup quite a bit. I was able to temporarily correct the sway by putting the spare tire from the truck, the trailer's spare and the outboard motor in the forepeak of the boat which brought up the tongue weight considerably. After that it towed well even in gusty wind conditions. When I got the rig home I moved the wheels on the boat trailer 18" rearward which permanently cured the sway. One other thing I'd watch with a hitch that's attached to the axle would be wear on the ball and socket due to the vibration that will be transmitted to the hitch. It's important to check the snugness of the trailer socket on the ball anyway.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/towing-capacity/information/tongue-weight.htm

One other minor point about owner's manuals recommending no trailer towing. All Goldwing owner's manuals say not to tow trailers. They don't give a maximum weight of a trailer to tow, which means it's not a safety problem since you could be solo and towing a trailer lighter than a passenger but it's much more likely lawyer talk and good old liability problems with US tort law.

I've considered a trailer and I do see the versatility they offer, especially for the "scamping" (scooter camping) bunch. I've often considered buying one, but I find that even without the trailer I carry too much along while travelling.

Towing a trailer is not for the novice as many have noted. A SilverWing with a trailer does not handle the same as one without. It may be subtle, but the handling does change.

There are several considerations when pulling a trailer. There's no doubt that a SW can pull a trailer of fairly large dimensions and weight. Brakes would be the first thing to think about. The SW has very good brakes that were designed to handle a vehicle of around 800lbs gross weight with a rider and passenger. Add another 25% more to that weight and brake performance and life will be reduced and stopping distances, especially emergency stops will become longer. Not only longer but more difficult to keep on a straight line due to the thrust of the trailer. The life of the CVT belt will probably be shortened somewhat though that's not a handling problem. Many tow trailers with motorcycles and scooters it's just a matter of ALWAYS keeping in mind that handling will be poorer than without the trailer and one must allow for that at all times. It's pretty much what you feel comfortable with, I don't like to tow with my Goldwing but a large proportion of GW riders do and have no problems. A friend of mine rides two up on his pulling a 500lb camp trailer and he's done it for thousands of miles. It just takes concentration and attention to what you're doing.

I would be a "scamper", I have as of yet not required a trailer. I have this year, last weekend in fact, gone two up. My wife, me, a double wall bear creek 4 person tent, sleeping bags, air matress, pump, clothes for three days, lantern, spare shoes for both lol, and some other essential crap. I noticed I can go for two weeks easily by myself and bring back gifts. If I take the car I carry more crap I dont need, want or even bother to unpack.


I would say it could be usefull, for some, however, I also am a minimalist, at least when camping. If it doesnt all fit figure out what you are bringing that you dont NEED. lol


be safe

I'm with Atlanticfun on the "need" for a trailer, at least for me personally. I know that Kim and I are most assuredly minimalist in our motorcycle travel habits. And as far as tools go - we don't carry so much as a tire patch kit. I know that many carry a plethora of tools and even tire inflators.

I just don't know where I'd pack the smelting furnace to cast my own cylinder heads - maybe that's where the trailer would help out.

Seriously I can see how some would desire a trailer, but I'm good without one. If I wanted one it would have to be a Uni-Go.

I'm not sure that the electrical system would put out enough to run an electrical furnace, and you would have too get too many permits for coal. Plus you'd need some Bridgeports, tooling,etc. Guess you better trade the Swing in on a big rig so you can pull a big enough trailer for your portable shop. Course you could just stop in at Best Western a lot cheaper.I love camping but due to needing oxygen machine and cpap at night for sleeping I don't go like I used to, gotta make sure someones there to kick-start me if I quit breathing. Just too much to lug along.
Craig

Last month when I was home I took a trip to Enid Oklahoma and picked up my new trailer. When I arived home I hooked it up to the Swing and rode for around 150 miles empty and it pulled great. The next day I went to the feed store for my daughter and hauled 250 pounds of feed in the trailer with no problems . control and stoping were not an issue. The trailer weighs 200 pounds empty and is a pleasure to pull. 70 MPH with cruse control on and the swing handled it great. I am going to pull it to HAMS and will give a report on it when I get back. Dennis the hitch works great and has stayed tight and solid and with only 150 pounds in the trailer I can hardly tell it is there. Hopefully I can drum you up some business because I am sure there will be lots of questions.

Please don't misunderstand, I think a trailer could (can) be a handy addition - just not my cup of tea. Some of the uses I've heard of and those we've seen here in this thread are quite creative.

Exactly!
A good scootering-friend of mine (with several maxis) sold his car - well, scrapped it because he never used it - and had a hitch fitted to his X9.
He uses the trailer for taking rubbish to the tip and all the things he'd used the car for.
I think he now also has a hitch on his Fuoco, too.

I meant no dis-respect, I was only making an opinion. lol.... I think for anyone who wants one go for it. I didnt ask anyones opinion about me having an s-wing so why care about mine?

I do think there is a reason or want for some of you. Please enjoy it, and put pic.s up. who knows maybe I could change my mind. lol

Ya Know....The Honda Silverwing scooter sure is a fun and versatile machine.

Ain't it great!!!

I actually am curious, I know my freind pulls a trailer with his aprilia. I helped make it. I do carbon fiber and fiber glass for "fun" once in a while. He made the frame from double wall aluminum, and I created the "box" it is actually tear drop. All together though, both of us can sit on it and he can sit in it as we copied an actual teardrop trailer only scaled down. It only weighs around 90 pounds. his can and has carried with his car 500 pounds.

The question? lol, WHAT in gods nme is tht one made of if it weighs that much? What is the MAX load?

Post some pictures of this light weight trailer when you get a chance.