jaydmc - 9/8/2011 6:21 PM
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
I found the same thing when pulling our Kwick Kamp trailer. I was pulling from the center-line of the bike but with so many recommending pulling from the center-line of the rig I built a hitch. Took it for a test ride and found that it pulled on both acceleration and deceleration. I also noticed that on a steep uphill climb at about 65 MPH I had to steer to the left to maintain a straight line. Thinking it may be all in my head, I immediately returned home and hooked it back up to the bike hitch and took the same test route and found it worked better. No pull on the uphill climb.
I also recently had a situation where I was riding fully loaded with tent trailer on when a SUV turned left in front of me and I locked up the brakes to avoid impact. Destroyed the front tire doing so, but the whole rig stayed straight and true during the braking. Upon inspection of the tire when I got home, found tread split across the face of the tire, small chunk of rubber missing and starting to separate from the carcass. New tire installed immediately!
Just my 2 cents worth.
I think that when a lot of us say pull from the middle, we don't necessarily mean dead center. I have never found a problem with acceleration or deceleration, but I tend to ride heavy bikes. In retrospect, I also try to set it up in such a way that the left trailer tire tracks directly behind the bike's tire.
I've gotten caught too often in inclement weather and found that the outfit tracks much better when it leaves the smallest footprint behind.
