Towing a motorcycle

I know, another towing question. I’ve done all my towing with my 1500 Ram with 5.7 hemi; 6x12 inclosed, 25” toy hauler, etc. and it pulls and handles effortlessly. Additionally, I drive long combination big rigs so I am not a stranger to towing, I am just trying to get a little insight into the nuances of towing with my Taco RO - V6, AT with OEM tow package.

I will be towing a single Harley on a 5x10 utility trailer for a 1450# total weight. From what I’ve read here, it’s the general consensus to use ECT with S4 and S5, even on the flats. I’ll be traveling from SW Washington to Vegas, about 1000 miles. Any additional advice or experiences would be appreciated.

 

That's not a heavy load at all and will be fine just use the ECT button. I towed with my f150 all the time a uhaul atrailer with my Harley in it and my BMW and had no problems. I am sure the difference would just be a lot less power so you just take it easier

and since a lot smaller truck watch the crosswinds

 

Thanks
You just use ECT and D?

mileage?

 

got a plan to protect the Hog from road debris?

 

You will probably be fine with ECT and D with that light a load. If the transmission starts hunting between 5 and 6 you can always switch to S5.

 

yeah im not messing around with shifting and all that BS ill let the electronics do all that. Just like my F150 I put it in drive and then T/H mode and let her rip. Its only a couple thousand lbs at most

 

That just depends on tie down points and if youre front tire is going into a chalk/wheel holder or not. If I have a chalk or holder on the front tire 4 is plenty. If I didn't have one I would feel kinda sketched out about it

 

Damn. Wonder if tied down well but so many factors. That sucks

 

I have a wheel chock and plenty of straps. Although I usually ride them from point A to point B; however I frequently need to trailer my Harleys if I am staying at point B for an extended period. Other than hitting the occasional pot hole or road kill, I don’t traverse rough roads when towing anything. Got plenty of straps.

Sounds silly, but I drove around this morning with ECT on. Wow, entirely different truck. Should have the ECT button embossed with a pair of testicles.

 

You will hardly know the trailer is there. I towed a pair of 4-stroke dirt bikes (600 and 350) with a bunch of gear in my bed on 33” mud terrains 400 miles and it was a breeze.

 

You got me good with that one man! Wife is giving me "the look" -- like I lost my mind. Thanks for the wheeze!

 

used to tow this with my tacoma. would use ETC in drive and it didn't hunt anymore then like it did without a trailer. you knew it was there though.. trailer is a 5X8. that trailer of yours is quite a bit heavier then mine... MPG will take a pretty good hit.

 

That is a lot of transportation packed on to one trailer!

 

when we go to the in-laws in wilmington ny we have to bring all the toys..

 

2 things.

Get some weight in the trailer if you are hauling it empty one way. Like bags of gravel from a box store, anything. Get a couple hundred pound's to settle the trailer. The empty utility trailer will absolutely bang and jump the whole time.

Second and BY FAR the most important part, lose the ramp. An empty utility trailer with a 4 ft gate is the worst to tow. I tow a ton, much of it in a utility trailer just like yours. Get a separate ramp or something, but if you keep the tailgate up, you will regret it. My truck hauls 4000 lbs. easier and far more comfortably than an empty trailer with a gate up.

I also get almost 4 MPG better without the gate vs. with it when hauling it.

 

Was going to post just this. Amazed at how much the mesh gates ruin the airflow and kill mpg's. On a long tow I would take the gate off my open trailer and use a ramp to load the trailer. Yea harder to get on/off, but drives with so much less drag. Or if the bed is open, load the bike up in there and drive. Didnt have a hit on mpg with the bike in the bed, and while the OP I'm sure could shame any of us while backing, sometimes its nice to never even have to think about it.

 

^^ What he said. If you notice that trailer behind you, it's drag from that big mesh ramp. Take it off if you can.