Found out the hard way I don't like towing trailers.

akrvbob · Jun 9, 2015

Did you notice that the OP didn't mention having any problem with the actual towing, apparently that wasn't an issue?

Any other comments on what he did mention?
Bob

akrvbob · Jun 9, 2015

While I agree with everything the OP said, having been in a cargo trailer for a long time I think there is another reason to dislike towing that he hasn't learned yet:

It's too tempting to fill all that extra space!!!!!

The amount of crap I own exploded after I bought my 6x10 cargo trailer!
Bob

Optimistic Paranoid · Jun 9, 2015

akrvbob said:
Did you notice that the OP didn't mention having any problem with the actual towing, apparently that wasn't an issue?

Any other comments on what he did mention?
Bob

The OP was trying to pull a 6x12 trailer with a Honda. I'm not really familiar with that model, the Rebel, but I assumed it was a negative experience for him because his tow vehicle wasn't really big enough and powerful enough.

He did mention something about taking a long time to get going from a stop, as I recall. He also complained about how much of a hit his gas mileage took.

To my mind, the first rule of towing should be "Use Enough Truck".

Regards
John

Almost There · Jun 9, 2015

Optimistic Paranoid said:
The OP was trying to pull a 6x12 trailer with a Honda. I'm not really familiar with that model, the Rebel, but I assumed it was a negative experience for him because his tow vehicle wasn't really big enough and powerful enough.

He did mention something about taking a long time to get going from a stop, as I recall. He also complained about how much of a hit his gas mileage took.

To my mind, the first rule of towing should be "Use Enough Truck".

Regards
John

Oh, the OP had enough truck, the Rebel was the bike he borrowed. He was towing with a Dodge van with a high top.

The van with a 12' trailer would have put total length somewhere around 35' to 37' (best guesstimate) which for someone towing for the first time can be daunting.

It does take some getting used to - wide cornering, slow to start off a stop, extra braking distance. And for most it takes a lot of practice to back up and turn a trailer around. It's not instinctive - I was lucky I had a transport driver teach me to back up the trailer. And some trailers because of the tongue length will never be good at backing up.

Heck even after years of hauling a trailer I got myself into a tight spot one time and had to disconnect the trailer and pick it up from a different angle to get myself out of a spot (wheel dolly guys :heart: ) Yes, I only did it once, I was being stupid!!

Hauling a trailer is a choice - for some there are more negatives than positives.