trailer limit laws?

I built a hitch. may post about it.

but for now I have a question I thought yall would know.

is there a size limit set by michigan law for trailers being pulled behind a bike.

the michigan motorcycle manual doesent mention anything.

thanks yall.

 

I would think it couldn't be more than the tounge wieght...but if you built it....you dont know the limit. I would suggest no more than the size of a rider...200+ lbs?

 

Iv got one ill probably pull for a while. but as soon as i have the cash for a little metal ill be building a small one. it might even be a little too light, will only be pulling a few computer parts.

 

HI MR. GFAR; Hopefully this is not a sacrilege,but I would contact a Harley dealer in your home state and ask him that question. The reason I say this is because I mostly see
the big Harley dressers pulling the small trailers. I have also seen these bikes even pulling very small pop-up camper trailers. So if I needed that question answered ,I would be at a Harley dealer real soon. regards eddie

 

I don't know about your state but all trailers have to have a title here in ohio. They will be rated by the State Troopers with a Gross weight limit and the vehicle towing it has it's oun weight standard. I'm going off of what I know of towing trailers behind work trucks back in the day. As a cop now, I'd truthfully have no idea whether to ticket a bike with a trailer or not. Hell, I'm a sh*ty traffic cop anyway, I mainly just chase felony stuff in the hood. A trailer w/o a plate and title paperwork on the otherhand, may get you a doosy of one.

 

From what I can tell normal trailer laws apply.

so is it tongue weight vs engine size? truck class? the color of you're vehicle?

I do not know what the regulations are for truck trailers either.

 

I do a fair amount of towing a boat with my truck. This obviously won't answer your question, but maybe it will help a little??

My truck has a towing capacity of 9,200 lbs. My boat with all gear and fuel, etc. is about 4,500 lbs. This INCLUDES the weight of the trailer itself.

The maximum tongue weight per the TRUCK, which is where the trailer would attach to the the vehicle, is 500lbs. Doesn't sound like much, but weight distribution throughout the trailer makes a difference. (I once had my trailer crank break, and the boat was resting on the tongue. By myself, I was able to lift it up onto the trailer hitch because the weight is not on the tongue - and the tires act like a fulcrum).

We could talk engine size all day long, 6 versus 8, diesel versus regular, etc. But putting that aside - usually a towing capacity comes down to suspension. For example, if you were to take a Chevy 1500 versus a Chevy 2500, you can get these vehicles with identical engines and transmissions, but the main difference is the suspension set up. This same principal applies to Ford's 150 vs. their 250, Dodge's 1500 versus 2500, etc. The reason the 2500 (or Ford 250) can tow MORE than a 1500 is simply due to the suspension.

Again - don't read too much into this. I'm making a comparison based on general common sense. I'm not going to try and tow 18,000 pounds with my truck, and you're not going to try to tow 1000lbs.

My point is that as long as the power is there to tow a trailer, the issue really comes down to your suspension, and making sure all the weight of the trailer is not "2 inches" behind the rear wheel (I'm being facetious with that).

You could always try calling your Motor Vehicle Commissioner (haha) and asking them? Or as someone suggested, go to your local bike shop. They should know.

Try this if you want. I'm sure the answer is there somewhere!

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Good luck - be safe.