Just bought a new motorbike towing gadget thingy

[Chewbadger]

I've seen those, didn't fancy hanging an Africa Twin off one though.

 

[Rubberchicken]

When its in neutral does all the gears still turn then? Could always tie the clutch lever back, or connect rods to the bikes controls and get it to push the car!

Tying the clutch lever back won't do much for the gearbox, at least not on his GS, as the clutch is between gearbox and engine. It will prevent it bumpstarting the engine if somehow it ends up in gear.

 

[East Coast]

I've seen those, didn't fancy hanging an Africa Twin off one though.

Know what you mean. They'd probably be ok for towing and from what I can see the rated nose weight far exceeds your V40 towbar, still when it comes to piece of mind there's gotta be little substitute for a proper flange towing bracket. Especially when supporting load and pulling.

My V70 has a Volvo removable bar on it which is great except for versatility

Some argue with a removable towbar removed, you're car / chassis is less likely to be written off in the event of someone stuffing in the back of you at a fair lick and they look neater from behind. Neither I could see myself loosing sleep over!

 

[East Coast]

When its in neutral does all the gears still turn then? Could always tie the clutch lever back, or connect rods to the bikes controls and get it to push the car!

Tying the clutch lever back won't do much for the gearbox, at least not on his GS, as the clutch is between gearbox and engine. It will prevent it bumpstarting the engine if somehow it ends up in gear.

I can't imagine tying back the clutch lever would do much for the springs and unless I've missed something I can't see how neutral would be an issue especially when all the drive train is supposed to turn. Perhaps the crosstourer might be an issue with the auto box but not an old fashion manual (unless perhaps it runs a dry sump)?!

 

[-XP-]

Couldn't all this be avoided by simply having another frame (like the one the front wheel sits in) on the back wheel and this frame has a trailer wheel each side? The frame gets ratcheted to the wheel in much the same way as the front but is supported by the two trailer wheels and then wouldn't rotate?

Just seems like it would be a lot easier on the bike and not much more hassle to fit and you could still fit it easily into the boot of a car.

 

[austin]

Or, wife/girlfriend drives the car down the busy congested motorway, with all the stuff in; you ride nice light pillion free motorcycle the interesting way and arrive enthusing about the journey. What could possibly go wrong

 

[Lord Vader]

Or, wife/girlfriend drives the car down the busy congested motorway, with all the stuff in; you ride nice light pillion free motorcycle the interesting way and arrive enthusing about the journey. What could possibly go wrong

Yep been doing that for a while. Just was a bit surprised when Deb arrived at Takoda 10 min before me
I always told her I never speed

 

[Philwhiskeydrinker]

Or, wife/girlfriend drives the car down the busy congested motorway, with all the stuff in; you ride nice light pillion free motorcycle the interesting way and arrive enthusing about the journey. What could possibly go wrong

Get a van - gotta be the way forward

Seriously though, interested to see how this works out.

Phil

 

[East Coast]

Couldn't all this be avoided by simply having another frame (like the one the front wheel sits in) on the back wheel and this frame has a trailer wheel each side? The frame gets ratcheted to the wheel in much the same way as the front but is supported by the two trailer wheels and then wouldn't rotate?

Just seems like it would be a lot easier on the bike and not much more hassle to fit and you could still fit it easily into the boot of a car.

You mean something like this perhaps?

 

[Richie B]

You mean something like this perhaps?

Getting into the realms of serious wedge there sadly, £600-£800. The dolly i bought cost about £170. Although the idea of a collapsible trailer is appealing i suspect it would still take up a fair boot of space.

Couldn't all this be avoided by simply having another frame (like the one the front wheel sits in) on the back wheel and this frame has a trailer wheel each side? The frame gets ratcheted to the wheel in much the same way as the front but is supported by the two trailer wheels and then wouldn't rotate?

Like bungeeing the back wheel to a skateboard

 

[-XP-]

Couldn't all this be avoided by simply having another frame (like the one the front wheel sits in) on the back wheel and this frame has a trailer wheel each side? The frame gets ratcheted to the wheel in much the same way as the front but is supported by the two trailer wheels and then wouldn't rotate?

Just seems like it would be a lot easier on the bike and not much more hassle to fit and you could still fit it easily into the boot of a car.

You mean something like this perhaps?

No...erm, hard to explain, I'll draw it in Microsoft paint.

 

[-XP-]

This is what I meant.

The bracket would be just like the front one, a rectangle that the rear wheel sits in. On the sides of the rectangle a small bar comes out with a trailer wheel.

You could have anchor point near all four corners then simply ratchet from the floor so that in one go it locks to the back wheel but lifts it from the floor so the trailer wheels take the load.

 

[outrunner]

Ooooh look, Craig is getting all technical.


Andy.

 

[Stuart D]

So basically it's an articulated trailer but in two parts, like the trailers they use for carrying felled trees to the mill

 

[East Coast]

This is what I meant.

The bracket would be just like the front one, a rectangle that the rear wheel sits in. On the sides of the rectangle a small bar comes out with a trailer wheel.

You could have anchor point near all four corners then simply ratchet from the floor so that in one go it locks to the back wheel but lifts it from the floor so the trailer wheels take the load.

Gotcha! Quite impressive solution that

It could almost be made available as an optional accessory I guess due to it being fully independent from the front wheel main bracket.

It's almost a hybrid in the sense the bikes frame becomes a the trailer chassis which in addition to being more compact, doesn't require a loading ramp!

Good call and good illustration chap

 

[-XP-]

This is what I meant.

The bracket would be just like the front one, a rectangle that the rear wheel sits in. On the sides of the rectangle a small bar comes out with a trailer wheel.

You could have anchor point near all four corners then simply ratchet from the floor so that in one go it locks to the back wheel but lifts it from the floor so the trailer wheels take the load.

Gotcha! Quite impressive solution that

It could almost be made available as an optional accessory I guess due to it being fully independent from the front wheel main bracket.

It's almost a hybrid in the sense the bikes frame becomes a the trailer chassis which in addition to being more compact, doesn't require a loading ramp!

Good call and good illustration chap

That's it, spot on.

 

[-XP-]

Ooooh look, Craig is getting all technical.


Andy.

My head hurts now!

I could have drawn it better on paper, in fact, I might do.

I thought of that within minutes of seeing the original dolly, I just thought, `Why not put one on the back wheel with small trailer wheels to take the load`... simples.

 

[-XP-]

Just thought of a flaw in my own design.

What if one of the trailer wheels were to come off, the rear wheel would hit the floor whilst in motion and try to turn with the frame attached! That would leave a messy bike!

 

[Richie B]

Just thought of a flaw in my own design.

What if one of the trailer wheels were to come off, the rear wheel would hit the floor whilst in motion and try to turn with the frame attached! That would leave a messy bike!

Don't let a minor technicality ruin a good plan! I think a rear wheeled bracket would be an excellent idea.

Anyway, just fitted this bit to the towbar. Hope it's the right way round (instructions were poor )

 

[East Coast]

Just thought of a flaw in my own design.

What if one of the trailer wheels were to come off, the rear wheel would hit the floor whilst in motion and try to turn with the frame attached! That would leave a messy bike!

Don't let a minor technicality ruin a good plan! I think a rear wheeled bracket would be an excellent idea.

Anyway, just fitted this bit to the towbar. Hope it's the right way round (instructions were poor )

Looking good and the label is the right way up

Mr XP, I guess you could say what if one of the wheels came off the car or tow vehicle. That'd create a mess too so I wouldn't say a floor in the plan by any stretch fella