Towing capacity?

[Trader]

I saw a camper trailer for sale, weights 455 lbs.

 

Is that too much for my 88 VR?

 

What would the max towing weight be?

 

What about tounge weight?

[Flyinfool]

I saw a camper trailer for sale, weights 455 lbs.

That sounds like a lot.

 

Is that too much for my 88 VR?

That is close to the limit.

 

What would the max towing weight be?

There is no "official" towing weight for a motor cycle. The rule of thumb that I have always heard is 50% of the bikes weight, but you have to watch the recommended max weight of the hitch on the bike. Some hitches specify some don't.

 

What about tounge weight?

The rule of thumb for tongue weight is 10-15% of the total trailer weight but you have to watch the recommended max tongue weight of the hitch on the bike. Some hitches specify some don't.

[Condor]

I saw a camper trailer for sale, weights 455 lbs.

 

Is that too much for my 88 VR?

 

What would the max towing weight be?

 

What about tounge weight?

 

There is no 'towing weight' spec for any Venture, but 455 lbs might be pushing the comfort zone. The tongue weight of 10% of the GVW is OK, if it can be balanced out to that, but the stopping ability might be challenged. I would recommend loading the trailer with any extras. Adding another 100 lbs to the total would make stopping a big issue.

:Cody

[TheKid]

I dont know what others have towed with a 1st gen but I tow my Aspen classic camper with my 07 RSV. I have not had any problems yet. I will say it does push a little when stopping (no brakes on camper) and it will push a little with bad winds or a 18 wheeler passing you. Other than that i have pulled it from NC to FL with ease.

 

I am sure there are others that have pulled a camper longer than i have and tell more. I just got mine a year ago but have been pulling cargo trailers since 03.

[etcswjoe]

If the trailer weighs in at 455 empty, you would really be pusing it loaded.

[1rooster]

My 99 with sidecar pulled my bunkhouse exceptionally well up here in the mountains of NC.I "WILL NOT" I repeat I"WILL NOT" pull the bunkhouse with my 86 ever again.One tow with the 86 convinced me to never try that again.

[sarges46]

I pull a rolla-home wide bed. Loaded I would guess I'm running 400 pounds. I would not go more although the thing does ride along behind like a dream. Emergency stopping and too fast in sharp curves are a little unsettling.

[Marcarl]

Basically the question is; how fast and how straight do you want to stop,,, if it doesn't matter then load it up. Consider that the bike is not a semi-tractor, it's not built to tow anything,,although it can be done. A trailer that already weighs 450 lbs and then to add say another 200 lbs cargo, is for sure pushing the envelope. Pulling and running straight will most likely not be an issue, it's the stopping distance and the turning that will give you problems. Consider what happens when in a turn and the trailer wheel goes through a hole, can give you quite a rip, less at higher speeds but touchy in a parking lot. A feller may not have a problem for 4 years running and then one day find out that the distance given to stop was just a little too short, he don't want to have to be kicking himself and saying: I guess that I loaded that too heavy.

[Flyinfool]

With a trailer that heavy there is always the option of adding electric trailer brakes.

The brakes will at least get you back to the same stopping distance that you had with no trailer. You will still have the issues of all of that weight in cornering. I have read of people pulling 700+ lbs with a bike, but that is not recomended.

 

I think it is in Japan the they have Gold Wings outfitted to be tow trucks to tow cars. But the trailers are set up with electric over hydraulic brakes and the the bike is not carrying any of the weight, just pulling it.