The dangers of trailers

[Kronk]

My Bad... there was only one windshield... but still rediculous...



Hope this works, first time posting pics...

[rneal55555]

I never towed with my XS but if have down a few miles pulling a Bushtec and a HF kit Home Built behind my Venture.

For the record there are lots of companies out the still building MC trailers from small single wheels up to pop up campers.

Here's a link to a MC trailer forum http://forums.delphiforums.com/MCTrailertowing/? if you scroll down you'll see links to a dozen or more.

As has been said tongue weight needs to be at least 10-15 % of gross trailer weight to prevent sway no matter the size of the trailer.

If building a home built the distance from the axle to the ball (or other coupler) should be at least twice the width of the axle to the center of the tires.

Here is what BD specialties has to say about brakes on their Bunkhouse Campers http://www.bf-specialties.com/brakes.html


Lastly if your looking at towing or do already, I recommend spending sometime looking around at least in MCTrailertowing forum linked above most of the questions have been asked and answered there already.

[3Phase]

Failure to Warn Claim Survives- But Why?

A man was injured and his wife was killed while riding their bike and pulling a trailer but they were just dumb Harley owners so it probably doesn't count because they were not smart enough to ride and overload an XS and its tires whilst pulling a trailer:-

Steven Morris v. Harley-Davidson Motor Co., et al., No. 3:09-cv-74 (M.D. Ga.).

Plaintiff alleged that the rear tire of his motorcycle failed, resulting in a crash that killed plaintiff’s wife and left plaintiff seriously injured. Plaintiff contended that the defendants (including the tire company) failed to provide an adequate warning regarding the dangers of overloading the motorcycle. With a full tank of gas weighing 31 pounds, the plaintiff's Ultra Classic’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) allowed for an additional 420 pounds of weight capacity for the rider, any passenger, cargo, and accessories. Plaintiff, who weighed 250 pounds, was with his wife, who weighed 204 pounds, riding as a rear passenger. Plaintiff was also pulling a trailer.

The court found it significant that the weight of the trailer was not listed in the components of the GVWR, but that was because the Owner’s Manual also warned against pulling a trailer, ever: “Do not pull a trailer with a motorcycle. Pulling a trailer can cause tire overload, reduced braking efficiency and adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.” That is exactly what happened, according to plaintiff!

Plaintiff admitted he never read the Owner’s Manual. But in addition to the warnings in the Owner’s Manual, there were also warnings on the Ultra Classic. One warning was located inside the storage compartment on the back end of the Ultra Classic, over the rear wheel, and behind the passenger’s seat, and the Ultra Classic also contained an information plate on the steering head, which listed the Ultra Classic’s GVWR, recommended tire pressures, and other information. Plaintiff testified that he did not see these warnings either.

[DGXSER]

A man was injured and his wife was killed while riding their bike and pulling a trailer but they were just dumb Harley owners so it probably doesn't count because they were not smart enough to ride and overload an XS and its tires whilst pulling a trailer:-

Steven Morris v. Harley-Davidson Motor Co., et al., No. 3:09-cv-74 (M.D. Ga.).

Completely off subject here, but whats new. The sad thign about that Scott, is how true it is. There is an actual court case where a man sued Google for name infringment, because if you wrote his last name upside down and backwards it looked alot like Google. This case actually had to go through the judicial process!! Google had to spend the time and effor tot repsond to this!!

We have gotten to the point where we have made life so easy to live that it seems we have gathered a belief that no one needs to suffer from their own ignorance and inability to learn form their own mistakes. If I hit my thumb with the hammer trying to drive a nail, it is the fault of the hammer manufacturer that they did not poste a warnign on the hammer that I should keep my thumb out of the way of a misguided blow.

Yeah, my wife is an attorney and that is one of her faults I overlook! Its only fair considering how many of mine she has to look past!!

[79XS11F]

OH come on now ... everyone knows that the warnings should have been tattooed right on the buyers forehead, in reverse so they can be read in a mirror, as soon as the bike was sold to him. We all know that.... right DAAAA
Rob

[3Phase]

Completely off subject here, but whats new. The sad thign about that Scott, is how true it is. There is an actual court case where a man sued Google for name infringment, because if you wrote his last name upside down and backwards it looked alot like Google.

I think I remember reading about that one; genuine frivolous lawsuit but I don't remember how it turned out. I could Google it...

The suit against Harley, I think he's suing the tire company too but I'm not sure, is kind of understandable if it's a delaying tactic combined with a roll of the legal dice. The guy lost his wife and probably has bills out the wazoo so he filed the standard, "Sue everyone!" paperwork to get some time, maybe some money, to keep the wolf away from the door while the suit is being considered. For the sake of everyone else on the planet (I know I don't want a tattoo on my forehead!) I really hope he loses but he's in for a rough time however the lawsuit goes.

Condolences to your wife; even the best attorneys have to lose sometimes, lucky you!

OH come on now ... everyone knows that the warnings should have been tattooed right on the buyers forehead, in reverse so they can be read in a mirror, as soon as the bike was sold to him. We all know that.... right DAAAA
Rob

He'd still never read it! Even if there wasn't already a giant RTL/LTR or spider/web tattoo on his forehead, a warning tattoo would be covered up by the poser grease, mirrored shades and the doo rag under the beanie helmet with the fake DOT sticker.

[81xsproject]

Completely off subject here, but whats new. The sad thign about that Scott, is how true it is. There is an actual court case where a man sued Google for name infringment, because if you wrote his last name upside down and backwards it looked alot like Google...

Soooooo....... His name was El Booj...El Boof....?

[CatatonicBug]

Soooooo....... His name was El Booj...El Boof....?

I was thinking more like ojboob.

[DGXSER]

Soooooo....... His name was El Booj...El Boof....?

In actuality, IIRC, you had to be smoking some REALLY GOOD stuff and shootin some more to even see the resemblance. But he can still file the suit. And the court system still has spend the time to process it.