Hitch for a Goldwing - tube or bike mounted?

We custom build most anything for bikes and sidecars and build far more trailer hitches then sidecars, We are way out of the way up in the Seattle area but could do it for you.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793

Well I'm not sure there is anyplace "way out of the way." LOL I know you build hitches as I just got one from you for my 1200 GS which was really nice and easy install. I still need to know which is better for pulling a bunkhouse camping trailer. Bike mounted or mounted on the sidecar frame?

Don't know if one way is "better" than the other, but I tow an Aspen Classic (very similar to a Bunkhouse) behind the bike on my GL1800/Hannigan rig. Sometimes I think I should carry a "Caution, Wide Load" sign as the outfit is pretty wide towing the camper behind the bike. I think it's more of a personal preference, but behind the bike works for me.

I just talked to Jay at Dauntless and he also mentioned the wide aspect of towing it behind the bike. Because of that, I may go with the hitch mounted to the sidecar frame. Be nice to find someone that makes them on the way back to Texas from the Tahoe area but if not, I'll probably swing up to WA.

Oldtimer - 8/22/2011 8:27 AM

.... I can take any route back ... as time is not a factor....

Maybe someday I too can take this approach to life. 🙂

I have a ,99 GL1500 Gold Wing witha Hannigan Astro GT sidecar and wish to add a Shur-Kamp tent trailer to the mix. If I hook it to the hitch on the bike, my total width for the rig is over 8' 2" wide!

Would I better off to offset the trailer hitch on the bike or centre mount between the two? The only place I can fasten the center hitch is to the 2 main struts. I then have an over-hang of 28" to where the ball would be. I think this is too great a distance. Looking for advice on both.

Thanks guys.

:O

i have a 99 gl1500 with a Hannigan super sport and tow a Kamperoo. the sidecar has a brake. i tow with a hich between the bike and the sidecar. i felt the sidecar was a little light for the wing.
i built the hitch from 1x2" steel bar. it weighs 51lbs. i beleive in functional ballast. the rig handles the interstates and the back mountain roads of West by God without problems.
fly

Thanks for the quick reply - FLY

Did you tie the flat bar to the 2 main struts from the side car only, or did you connect to the bike frame at the rear as well?

Would you happen to have photos? could you email them to me?
I would appreciate it if you could.

Thanks again

Silverider (Ted)

i mounted it to themain struts. i used 2 u-bolts front and back. 1 1/8" if i remember correctly. i mounted the front below and rear on top to give me the ball height i wanted.
computors and i are not good friends. i can try to get some pics and snil mail them if you want..........fly

Hi FLY

Thanks for the info. You told me everything I need to know. I was thinking of doing the same thing except tying it at the back to a bracket I have welded on the side of my bike trailer hitch. It already has a hole in it for a bolt. I don't like the idea of all that overhang from the rear strut to the ball without some support in the middle.

Thanks for the help.

Silverider (Ted)

Considering I'm going to need to do the same thing when I pick up my Hannigan mounted 03 Wing next week, doesn't sound like mounting a bar of suitable strength to the sidecar brackets is rocket science. Maybe I'll look it over and attempt it myself and save some money.

Hi Oldtimer ( from one to another)

I have been searching and asking and everyone seems to agree that pulling from the center of the rig is the way to go. No one (including me) likes the idea of using an offset hitch from the bike.

My welding buddy disagrees and says that an offset hitch would work. I think I'll fabricate a center hitch and try it first. After all what can a 6' piece of steel cost?

Have a great day! 🙂

silverider - 9/8/2011 9:38 AM

Hi Oldtimer ( from one to another)

I have been searching and asking and everyone seems to agree that pulling from the center of the rig is the way to go. No one (including me) likes the idea of using an offset hitch from the bike.

My welding buddy disagrees and says that an offset hitch would work. I think I'll fabricate a center hitch and try it first. After all what can a 6' piece of steel cost?

Have a great day! 🙂

It will be about a month before I can get to it as it will be two weeks after picking up the newly acquired Wing in Casa Grande, AZ on Tuesday before I make it home then I'm leaving right away on a Ural for a two week trip. So I'd appreciate it if you would post your results when you have it figured out. Thanks.

I do not like pulling from the center of the rig, it causes the sidecar to push and pull more while speeding up and slowing down. I prefer to set the ball up so that the left side of the trailer is even with the left side of the bike. I prefer the way it tows when doing this by off setting the hitch from the center of the bike however more often then not it is easier to build a strong hitch coming off of the sidecar frame and angled back to the bike side, net result is the same.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793