What quirks, tips, tricks to towing 2,500 lbs total (two touring bikes) cross country.

[AmishMike]

When you stop to check tires, hitch etc. check bearing temps. Although, I don't agree with @Riverdog about 'Bearing Buddies' they only put fresh grease in the outer bearing. I have seen inners fail because this was not accounted for. With a new trailer, that should all be good.
Do a walk around EVERY time you stop, weird things happen and people do bad things at rest stops/gas stations.

I personally have noticed a big difference when using premium fuel (91-93 octane) I find that it jumps the sweet spot about 8-10 mph when towing and also give back about 1.5 mpg. Try it and see if you have the same luck I do. The mpg difference pays for itself but the little extra range per tank is priceless.

Safe travels and enjoy the trip!!

Sponsored

 

[bd100]

Run the tires at a higher PSI than you expect. Feel the tires every now and then and add more air until the rear tires are about as cool as the fronts.

We tow a 2000lb popup camping trailer and I had to run the LT-E tires around 50PSI in summer at highway speeds.

 

[rharr]

Pack 2 spare tires. Trailer tires love to do weird things.

If the trailer you get has leaf spring suspension, get a spare leaf spring pack that you bolt to the trailer. I have had a trailer leaf spring leaf break on me on my way to CO in the middle of no where, which pushed the tire into the fender and caused quite the smoke show. Ended up finding a log on the side of the road and cut a chunk of it to use as a spacer to get me into civilization, only to find most places didn't have a replacement spring. This way you have a spring if it fails and you can fix it or find someone to fix it.

You can never have to many tie down straps. Also don't use straps that have hook ends.

Cut off the hooks and use a carabiner clip that has a true load rating. Hook ends will pop off connections points if they don't have a spring retainer when the bike suspension is compressed on a bump.

Bring a basic tool kit, go to home depot and buy a standard size socket/wrench set.

 

[Stan H]

’24 Gladiator Sport S with Trailer Tow and Aux switch group option, but not the MAX tow package. 8 speed auto transmission. No mods to the Jeep.

I’m planning a spring ride out of central NC with my 900 pound bike on a two bike Kendon trailer to Jackson, Mississippi to pick up my buddy, load his 900 lb bike, and head to the four corners area of the southwest.

I have not ordered the trailer yet. Trailer is 500lbs, and the bikes are 1800 lbs total. It is not an enclosed trailer. I was going to do this with an F150 4x4 5.0 last year but it just didn’t happen, and have since traded the truck. Going to try again this spring. I’ve read a bunch of threads on the topic here but none seem specific to the load I’ll be towing, and the package I’ll be towing it with.

Any tips or advice welcome.

The bikes must be firmly planted and checked after first 25-50 miles you do not want them tipping over of falling over this can shift the trailer. Make sure it has the front wheel brace . Trailer would not necessarily need brakes with only 2200 pounds in tow. Just make sure it has an a solid hookup. If it has electric brakes you will need a brake controller. I tow a very large pop up 12ft one. It weighs at least that much has no brakes and tows just fine.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Here in Germany the Gladiator is allowed to pull up to 1500 lbs trailers without brakes.

Above 1500 you must have brakes on the trailer.

I am usually not really fond of our excessive regulations but in this case I consider them as reasonable.

I would not pull a 2500 lbs trailer without brakes.

 

[Mr._Bill]

The regulations here vary from state to state. Most of them require brakes on anything 3000 pounds or more. There are a few that require them at 1500 or more.

 

[bd100]

You are turning 5000lb into 7000lb. Think about the times you've barely stopped in time in the past...

 

[sarguy1941]

Adding brakes to a trailer isn't a hard task. Now you can get kits for under $2000. When I built our CTC it came in at 1100# empty. I still added brakes for the piece of mind. If you can change a bearing on a trailer you can add brakes.

 

[asrricklin]

You said you have never pulled a trailer before. My advice would be to hook up the trailer when you get it but don't load it up. Practice driving around with it unloaded to get a feel for having a trailer behind you.

Sponsored