You guys with the trailers

[nightmare]

What is the optimum trailer width and tongue length for one to pull behind the Nomad? also who makes the best hitch?

[glwilson]

I don't have an answer; but rather was impressed with your map. Have you really ridden a bike in 48 states?

Congrats if you have... I am impressed and want to know how you worked that out. Please start another thread on it if you have.

Greg

[coacha]

I have read on different forums and sites that tongue length should be 1.5 to 2 times the width of the trailer but that is not a hard and fast rule. As far as width, many take a Harbor Frieght or similar trailer and cut it down a little, some keep them as they come...your preference. Tongue weight at hitch should be between 10 and 20% of overall weight.

Chuckster, a member here, makes the bestest hitch ever for the Nomad. Easy install and very nice looking.

Nice job on the 48 states ridden so far. You make me jealous.

[phenrichs]

Generally your trailer should not be wider than the widest point on your bike.

To figure tongue length: measure from the center of one tire across to the center of the other tire. Your tongue length should be double that measurement. Although many will tell you that they have less and have no problem.

[nightmare]

Originally Posted by glwilson

I don't have an answer; but rather was impressed with your map. Have you really ridden a bike in 48 states?

Congrats if you have... I am impressed and want to know how you worked that out. Please start another thread on it if you have.

Greg

Thanks Greg, yes I have ridden in all but Alaska, have also ridden in Mexico. I intend to claim Alaska after the national rally. I think I will start a thread about it as you suggested

[nightmare]

Originally Posted by CoachA

I have read on different forums and sites that tongue length should be 1.5 to 2 times the width of the trailer but that is not a hard and fast rule. As far as width, many take a Harbor Frieght or similar trailer and cut it down a little, some keep them as they come...your preference. Tongue weight at hitch should be between 10 and 20% of overall weight.

Chuckster, a member here, makes the bestest hitch ever for the Nomad. Easy install and very nice looking.

Nice job on the 48 states ridden so far. You make me jealous.

Thanks Coacha, do you have chucksters email address?

[nightmare]

Originally Posted by OP

Generally your trailer should not be wider than the widest point on your bike.

To figure tongue length: measure from the center of one tire across to the center of the other tire. Your tongue length should be double that measurement. Although many will tell you that they have less and have no problem.

That doesnt seem to be very wide around 2 feet

[misunderstood]

Originally Posted by Nightmare

That doesnt seem to be very wide around 2 feet

That would be for safety clearance, but seldom applied to trailers pulled by bikes as they would be too narrow to be useful. Chuckster makes the best hitch and is a member on here you can pm.

[misunderstood]

chuckster1_31@comcast.net

[cactusjack]

I'm not sure there are optimum dimensions. Personally, I would want the trailer width to be as close to the width of the bike as possible, for manueverability issues. There is a formula used for tongue length:

tongue_length = 1.5-2.0 x axle width (wheel center-to-center)

So if the center-to-center axle width is 40" optimum tongue length would be 60" to 80".

In my case, I narrowed my trailer as narrow as possible to still fit my cargo box between the fenders. I did move the tongue forward about 15"", which increased the distance between trailer and hitch, and it is within the ratio I described above.

I also recommend Chucksters hitch.