I've got this crazy idea: Build a little tear drop camping trailer and tow it with my K100.

Anybody ever tried this?

If so, what weights (towing) are we looking at and what modifications to the bike will be required?

If anyone has done this; some pictures perhaps?

Someone in Australia makes trailers and also makes tow bars for the K100, google on line even. Some of us over here are looking for one but the cost of shipping is much too high.

I imagine there are weight limits and speed limits, but you need to watch the weight on your draw bar and also the electrical connections. Its a very neat idea though.

There's a guy on the K11OG forum that has a Uni-Go trailer for his K1100LT.  He does triple digits and says it's no problem.

Check this motorcycle trailer site. Some really nice applications.
(no affiliation)

If Schoorn is going to a Trumpy maybe he needs one of these.



Oh the indignity for any self respecting red dog.

Uni-Go

More creations;
*Click*

And, what is little?

BMW don't recommend towing trailers with any of their motorcycles, now that out of the way.
I tow a camper trailer that I made myself with a view to marketing them but due to health etc it didn't happen
Here is a pic of it folded out

It's 1180mm across and 1340mm on the box plus 900mm on the drawbar comes in at 170kg plus load but that includes the double mattress and all the camper components.
I have towed it to 160kph without problems.
I can't speak for SA rules but in Queensland the loaded trailer must not exceed the unloaded weight of the bike and width is restricted to 1.25 metres and length to 2.4 metres.  Most countries have restrictions on tow ball upper and lower limits and some of the single wheel trailers in the link would not pass here because the tow hitch articulation point is far to high to be safe in an emergency braking situation and would lift the rear wheel.

GS, I was perusing the www the other day and was entertained by many varied rigs throughout the globe including SA. 
rules and specs seem somewhat invalid for most. 
this is probably not my idea of a safe trip. I'd be inclined to put a gooseneck in the drawbar ,and lower the trailer deck as much as possible to keep the centre of gravity low as possible. this would hopefully remove the effect of tail wagging.


I am however glad that my recent purchase, landed me a lightweight alloy box trailer - 55kg, I haven't measured the weight at the ball as yet.
the box size is approx 140mm x 850 x 400, plenty of storage space, for the coldies of course.
I would probably estimate mine to be about the same as Ricks when I'm loaded. so not a lot of strain on the K when travelling. hardly know it's there.
and you get to enjoy the twisties along the way. nice camper btw  Rick. similiar to my plans.

I know there is a difference in bikes but this bloke http://planetkeith.com uses a teardrop behind his bike, he has also indicated he is thinking of building a single bed version. I haven't spoken to him but thought the single bed version would work if the roof hinged from the front and allowing canvas to be used in the walls, thus allowing him access from both sides or cross flow for air. His wing is 1100mm wide at its widest so the 1200 for a double bed did work for him, our panniers are 850mm and the mirrors a little wider than that, so a single might work.

Thanks a lot for all the replies and information.

I like the little teardrop that this guy: planetkeith.com built for his bike. I like camping; but at my age, the idea of sleeping on the ground no longer appeals. And, with the amount of stuff I want to haul on a camping trip, there is no ways I'm going to lash it all to my bike. So, either way; a trailer is needed. May as well be a self contained one.

I am a sole traveller, so a 3/4 matress size will do. Making it a fold up; but retaining the teardrop shape, seems to be the best solution. I plan to buy a light second hand utility trailer with papers, and then go from there.

Also, I have a project Goldwing; also a 1000cc bike, that I may as well modify to serve as a tug for this project. (I had another look at my K. It's gonna be sooo ugly with a hitch!)

Long term, but at least I have a starting point.

Again, thanks ....

takes about 1/2 an hour to remove the hitch, no probs.
the K is enjoyable with the trailer in tow.

Next question: Anybody got pictures/details/specifications for a K tow hitch? How it looks, where it mounts on the frame etc? Also, what modifications to the wiring loom?

GroverK's post that is removable is good news. I was under the impression that this would be a permanent fixture; hence my reluctance to 'modify' the K.

GroverK had plenty of pics when he did his, don't remember where they were posted though, possibly electrical section, but my towbar mounted to the gearbox frame mount on the left side, and to the rear foot peg on the right, two flat bar pieces came down from under the rear frame pannier mount to bolt to the towbar to keep it at a certain height pretty much at a distance that ensured the trailer mount to the ball be level with the centre line of the axle of the bikes back wheel, they are unobtrusive, most people don't notice them.

this is the towbar wiring session .
thanks to the help of others here ,I managed to get the harness up and going.
apart from footplate and rear fender  removal, there is not much to removing the towbar .
 you will need to carry out this task when replacing tyres so it is good that it is a quick job.
Keith do you still have your tow bar handy for comparison. we need to put together a towbar session for the tech thread.

Yep got it hanging in the shed beside all the body parts I have gotten ready for the topcoat, Mind you, you can thank me for this weather as I said to Michelle I will go order some paint this week, and that was the week it started raining about a fortnight ago, so I will go get the paint soon, not stating a time as I don't want a flood here. Hey any excuse to run away from the handbrake for awhile will be fine with me

thought I'd update this thread with the inclusion of a new Trailer Section by Bert . 
Certainly helps to compare fitments and tech info for those interested in adding a trailer to their K .

Ed thanks a lot for that.

I have a towbar for the K1100LT somewhere in transit to BAE at the moment. As it stands it needs a shot blast and recoating which I don't mind. It included the wiring loom and a regular for here 7 pin electrical plug. I am keen to alter this to a push connector block simply to remove the weight of the socket and plug.

Next step is the trailer and one has been sourced...!

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:
I have a towbar for the K1100LT somewhere in transit to BAE at the moment...  It included the wiring loom ...

It was delivered to me yesterday and is safely locked up in the garage...needs some TLC and "wiring loom" is something of an exaggeration (socket and about 30cm of wire to the point where it was chopped off). Now need to work out how and when to get it to you...

good work guys. the 100 and 1100 are great as tugs. 
Getting back to load limits , as a novice to towing with a bike , I found a comfortable weight restriction was :

Trailer mass + cargo mass ( not more than 100kg)  + Maximum 20kg on the ball ( 10- 15kg prefered).
This does not mean you cannot go with higher scales of measurement , this was just what I felt suited me .
Remember , heavier weights take more braking power. I have not yet utilised electric brakes .

EU trailer limits:

Max length 2400mm from centre of rear axle to end of trailer.
Max weight 2/3 of bike weight, but max trailer weight 150kg.
Max width 1.00m [motorcycle max width is 1m].
Minimum bike capacity 125cc as far as I remember.

I would not go for electric brakes, or any brakes on trailer. If it grabs in a turn it could be unpleasant.

Override brakes with a stiff spring will work well but as for electric brakes the manufacturers, Dexter, does not recommend it at all and nor do I. If you touch the brake in a tight slow turn they WILL pull you over.

Rick , Do you remember the little Enfield 350 or 500 at Karuah in 2014. He had his "heavy' trailer fitted with electric brakes . 
As did a guy who I saw at Grey Gums riding a VFR800 with a camper just like yours ( or similar to Elite). 
Whereas Rendrag on the forum , was an adventurer riding his VFR800 fully loaded with a 200+kg Classic trailer. Braking was an issue at times for him .

Olaf , its not uncommon to see small scooters with advertising being towed behind them . All legal here  in Oz.

Of course, if you believe everything you read (trusty K75/K100 Haynes manual)...