Ronnie, I think you got into the sidecar addiction at the wrong side of the pool, and are now out of your depth.
We can all be wise with hindsight , but it's not too late to change direction even at this stage . Getting a rig built from the factory, and designed to haul a sidecar is really the only way to go. Do it right and do it once, There are no shortcuts. I doubt you would lose any money, the Chinese rigs cost just 50% of what you would have to pay for one made in India.
[img] 
[/img]
They will make them any colour you insist on
Ha Ha .. Not going there.
Sorry, was responding to the "large kidney stone post"
@mick-boon Wow.. what is that rig? Love the dog in it too. I have already spend more than $10K on this rig + labor + transportation .. so I doubt that I can swing for another just yet. I love the INT650 for riding without a sidecar... so I suppose, I could just use the INT650.. but at this point, I am going to put in a month of regular practice to figure out what to do. My dog already loves it.. so that's a great thing.
Ronnie , It's a a Chang jiang 750 M1M, otherwise known as the Yangtse river 750 M.
That one is a genuine Chinese army CJ from about 1972. It was very rough when I bought it, but was not expensive, it set me back $3000 Canadian
This new one cost $5000 USD. It is refined and sophisticated which was an eye opener to me.
[img] 
[
@thane-lewis Amen brother. I think that Ronnie took your advice, some of mine and is a happy and safer camper.
@thane-lewis Amen brother. I think that Ronnie took your advice, some of mine and is a happy and safer camper.
@mick-boon Wow.. what is that rig? Love the dog in it too. I have already spend more than $10K on this rig + labor + transportation .. so I doubt that I can swing for another just yet. I love the INT650 for riding without a sidecar... so I suppose, I could just use the INT650.. but at this point, I am going to put in a month of regular practice to figure out what to do. My dog already loves it.. so that's a great thing.
So how are you getting on?
@brstr it’s become a dream machine to some extent now. Tire pressure!!! I didn’t realize I had a leaky tire. Fixed that. Next, I loaded the sidecar with 50 lbs of sand bags (even when my kids are in it). Thanks to all the advice here. I can now even drive it inside my apartment complex with no hands. Smooth. Kevin from cozy was / is just awesome 😎 My kids and I did a 4 hour ride up and down A1A (near the beach, south Florida) for 4 hours. … Spread smiles around.. probably the best part about my sidecar. Makes people smile and gets them happy!!! 😃 love 💕 it.
QUESTION - are you guys confident about doing the twisties and steep mountain roads with the rig? I’m going to be in Colorado next year and am wondering if it would be safe to use the rig as my only ride across the mountains and passes of Colorado for the summer.
@guha-ronniegmail-com My first trip with the Royal Star/Hannigan rig was to the National Rally in Hotchkiss, CO in 2022. I went on a ride with some fairly experienced riders down the Gunnison and kept up with them pretty well and never scared myself, even with 500 ft dropoffs at the edge of the road. Admittedly that was a fairly different critter than yours, but I had been operating it regularly the months before the trip.
Do remember that long miles on 2 wheels can be 500-800 per day. On three you'll be a lot more limited. More fuel stops for one, and each stop results in conversations that don't happen when on two wheels. Add in the fact that it isn't as fast as a two wheel ride and you're looking at 25% more time required for the same number of miles (my experience).
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
@thane-lewis I like going slow, actually.. helps me see a lot more. From what you’re saying, it’s a matter of practice to be able to handle the rig on twisted mountain roads. Thank you.
I am going to stay in Boulder and Golden , CO for the summer. I guess I will go up the mountains and passes by myself first, get a lot of practice and only then take my kids for those rides.
Thank you for your inputs
My personal experience so far and it's not extensive distance wise.
Did a trip to Lake Perkolli from Shoalwater in Western Australia.
Just on 700klm and a day each way.
Longer on the way back as I got a bit lost.
No real problem.
My current rig is much harder work, particularly on twisty roads.
Working to fix that.
Of course if you are young and fit from wrestling the local alligators then no problems.
What I'm waffling towards is steering mods.
Trail reduction makes life easier by far.
Especially on mountain twisties.
Prior to September you may run across snow in the higher passes, along with cooler temps. The idea to try the passes first before taking the kids is a good one.
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
I’m in Thailand now just finishing up a week long dive trip (live aboard). We talk such technical stuff about sidecars.. meanwhile in Thailand, most folks seem to be riding these - haha 😂
I'll be in Cambodia in January.
More trailer there behind the little bikes.
But some sidecar food vendors.
