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[Jim Kennedy]

I will also apologize for never having posted before.
You see - in almost all situations any questions I had had already been asked / addressed by someone else here so I was able to find the answers without ever asking the questions.
Besides - my most recent career position was that of a Service Manager at a harley Davidson Dealership and while I was working for a Dealer I did not feel particularly comfortable jumping in with my 2cents worth due to potential conflict of interest.
And yes - a few of you on this site know me personally......

[WFP]

First of all - Thank You folks for your responses.
 I had NO idea there were so many choices when it came to trailers manufacturers and styles. Thought about "googling" - but trusted the folks here on this site to provide information that was more objective and also more specific to the CVO Ultra's.
 Actually a little disappointed with the results - I had hoped there were only a couple of makes and models so the choice would be easier. Now it appears I have A LOT of research to do.
 I have never pulled a trailer. Never thought I wanted to. Always concerned about the weight pushing the rear of the bike during a panic / emergency braking situation.
 However - Wife and I just got back from a 5 day trip from Vancouver Island to CoosBay Oregon and back. We were loaded up pretty good and with brisk cross-winds coming in off the Pacific there were times that it was difficult to hold the bike steady and upright when sitting at a stoplight in some of the Coastal Communities. Too much weight packed too high. Yes - I know - Not a great idea and I know better.
 After this short trip I started thinking more and more about the benefits of a trailer.
 I am OK when travelling solo. After all - "I" can pack light enough for a month on the road with no overlaoding - but when the Mrs. is with me it is another story.

I had to make a panic stop during my recent trip.  I have an 08 Ultra with ABS and was towing the Bushtech loaded to maybe a GVW of 250 lbs.  The cars in front of me came to a sudden stop and the one directly in front did not have brake lights so I was late to respond as we were just lazily cruising down 17 in SC.  I would have rear ended the car in front of me if I had not moved to the shoulder during the braking.  With ABS, the wheels never locked up BUT, the shoulder was small and I was soon on the grass and with the brakes fully depressed, the bike kept rolling forward on the slippery grass.  Could I have stopped better if I stayed on the pavement, Yes, but would I still have rear ended the car, I don't know but in the end the decision worked out for me.

Through all this, the trailer did not appear to affect my stopping ability one bit and tracked true right behind me the whole time.

I think the bigger lesson was the fact that slippery grass and ABS means that you will not be stopping anytime soon!

/Bill

[DICKW]

I had to make a panic stop during my recent trip.  I have an 08 Ultra with ABS and was towing the Bushtech loaded to maybe a GVW of 250 lbs.  The cars in front of me came to a sudden stop and the one directly in front did not have brake lights so I was late to respond as we were just lazily cruising down 17 in SC.  I would have rear ended the car in front of me if I had not moved to the shoulder during the braking.  With ABS, the wheels never locked up BUT, the shoulder was small and I was soon on the grass and with the brakes fully depressed, the bike kept rolling forward on the slippery grass.  Could I have stopped better if I stayed on the pavement, Yes, but would I still have rear ended the car, I don't know but in the end the decision worked out for me.

Through all this, the trailer did not appear to affect my stopping ability one bit and tracked true right behind me the whole time.

I think the bigger lesson was the fact that slippery grass and ABS means that you will not be stopping anytime soon!

/Bill

You are correct a trailer will not effect ability to stop, but braking distance is increased. Nature of the beast.

You could say nature of physics....

[MIKEYTEE]

No matter which trailer you buy, you will wonder why you waited so long to make the leap. I thought I would only use mine for long extended trips. I find it is easier to tow the trailer than to load up the bike. Everything is easy to get to without having to dig thru the saddle bags and tour pack. I even use mine grocery shopping. ( Get a lot of strange looks.)
Mike
 

[DICKW]

No matter which trailer you buy, you will wonder why you waited so long to make the leap. I thought I would only use mine for long extended trips. I find it is easier to tow the trailer than to load up the bike. Everything is easy to get to without having to dig thru the saddle bags and tour pack. I even use mine grocery shopping. ( Get a lot of strange looks.)
Mike
 

Good for beer runs too I bet Mikey 

[grandpadoc]

We take ours shopping too and again its nice to have everthing out of sight and secure while wandering around malls and flee markets. Here is Terry Christmas shopping right after I loaded a new Craftsman 12" miter saw and box...still plenty of room.  Doc

[Grizzly]

Maybe I missed it, but with such a big list provided by Trapperdog, my personal favorite is missing...

http://www.american-legend.com/


Since my wife started riding an Ultra there was little need for a trailer, so it was sold with the '97 back in 2005.

This trailer always served us well and I like the styling to match the saddlebags of the Harley.

[Jim Kennedy]

Anyone out there have any personal experience with the RoadDog Trailers?
 I see a CVO or two in the gallery of customer photos.
I spoke with the owner of the business last week and was fairly impressed with what he had to say. They appear to be a good trailer, priced well [at least in comparison with some of the other trailers out there] and seem to have a lot of good features.
Doesn't hurt that I also think they LOOK real cool!

[Sioux City Bob]

I too have an 08 SE Ultra and I tow my Aluma behind it.  It is great having a trailer because you can put everything in trailer and keep weight off of the bike.  It also keeps the saddlebags and trunk open for cameras and rain gear and stuff like that.  This is the second bike I have towed this trailer with and have had it all over the country.  I had the hitch put on by the dealer at the time I bought the bike and I do not remember what brand hitch it is.

Other than making sure you allow for a little more braking distance if your trailer is loaded, you probably will forget it is back there once you get on the road.

I carry a chain and heavy lock and when we get to a motel we will be at for two nights or more I chain the trailer to a tree or sign post and tour without it.


Bob Harris
 

[Trapperdog]

Maybe I missed it, but with such a big list provided by Trapperdog, my personal favorite is missing...

http://www.american-legend.com/


Since my wife started riding an Ultra there was little need for a trailer, so it was sold with the '97 back in 2005.

This trailer always served us well and I like the styling to match the saddlebags of the Harley.

I can't seem to edit my post that far down, maybe Gary (firedOOd) will add on the list as more manufacturers come up  
I also forgot our trailer and personal favorite for our dogs.

Wags trailers              http://www.wagstrailers.com/

[MIKEYTEE]

Maybe I missed it, but with such a big list provided by Trapperdog, my personal favorite is missing...

http://www.american-legend.com/


Since my wife started riding an Ultra there was little need for a trailer, so it was sold with the '97 back in 2005.

This trailer always served us well and I like the styling to match the saddlebags of the Harley.

Grizzly,
Mine too is an American Legend. I have the Bandit in black ( Black goes with everything. )  I would recommend American
Legend to anyone. Tows great, plenty of space inside, good people to deal with, and reasonable price. As with most trailers you can get them painted to match your bike. I just liked the black. After you have one you will wonder how you got along without one. The only problem I have with mine is it's a PITA to back up as with allot of them. Just have to plan when you park. I usually just unhook mine and re-hook if suitable parking is not to be found. Not a problem!
Mike
 

[tinbender]

I have pulled a uni-go from California to the eastern seaboard. It is as it is not back there. Our average trip is 3 weeks and we can easily pack plenty. Like some of the others they are pricey. I can't say enough good about how they handle. From pulling into a parking lot to 90 miles per hour you will forget it is there. IMHO.

Tin

[NVTHIS]

I know this is not what you had in mind, but on the Toy for Tots run today this rig was in front of me for the entire ride. I'm not sure why someone would bring these dogs because they were f&%# mean. I guess the dogs were thinking someone was going to steal that quality trailer. 

[Rooster]

They just want to ride and no one is going to take that away from them. I wonder if those are the dog's goggles. Their owner was kind enough to put the carpet on the front rail for them.

[moscooter]

 

I think the originator of this post asked for comments both positive and negative.  Perusing down thru the comments,  all I saw were enthusiastic positive replys.

Let me say that first of all,  I have (no) personal experience with bike trailers......but I must pass on a scene I happened upon in '03 on the interstate coming back from the HD 100th annniversary celebration in Milwaukee.  An Ultra was upside down on the shoulder of the road,  the rider was face down in the middle of the interstate and was damn lucky following traffic didn't run over him before getting stopped.  The riders bike trailer (still attached to the bike), was upside down too and the wheels still spinning when I got stopped.

Anyway,  he came to and survived and couldn't figure what had happened, but the car driver running right behind him told me that the trailer started fishtailing and it just threw the bike out of control and the rider was flipped off in an instant.

Having seen boat trailers and cargo trailers fishtail before,  it's usually the result of insufficient weight on the tongue of the trailer.....(should be 10% or so as I recall).   Anyway,  I figure he had the trailer loaded incorrectly or overloaded and/or the hitch came loose.   I don't remember if the trailer was still attached by the hitch (upside down) or hanging by safety chains..........In any case,  the whole scene kinda soured my desire for a travel trailer behind my bike.