. . . and its NOT another horror story!
So, after buying a used Uni-go back in the winter of 2008 and having to sit out the entire 2009 riding season, I finally got the hitch and wiring installed and the trailer ready to go a couple of weeks ago. While I was sitting with the trailer in storage, I read about the nightmare experiences of Joe and Sue and began to wonder if I'd made a huge mistake. With their experiences in mind, I've been carefully testing the trailer with 20 - 25 mile test runs on the interstate before I strike off on any longer trips. So far, so good.
In clean air on the interstate, the trailer tows beautifully up to about 75 - 80 mph (80 - 85 mph registered). Above 75, I do begin to get some side to side "wiggle" action going. The "wiggle" is not comfortable and I wouldn't care to experience that for very long, but its not so severe as to be unnerving. Its a fairly predictable side to side action - nothing violent or scary, just a gentle reminder that I am, indeed, towing a trailer.
In dirty air, behind tractor trailers, for example, it varies. I assume it varies because of the different shapes of the tractor trailers, but sometimes the turbulence is hardly noticeable at 70 - 75 actual mph and for other rigs, the wiggling kicks in at 65 mph. In the later instances, I've found powering around the rigs the best course of action - just as I would if I wasn't towing the trailer. And as I power around the rig, the trailer behaves very predictably and generally evens out completely once I'm more or less beside the big rig.
I haven't tested the trailer for extended time above 80 mph or at speeds greater than 85 mph for any period of time because, quite frankly, I don't intend to tow the thing that fast. I bought the trailer primarily for traveling with my wife, so running in excess of 80mph for an extended period of time isn't on the agenda for those trips anyway.
As for the mountain backroads. . . it is awesome. I can't imagine a trailer being any LESS noticeable in the twisties. While I'm not planning to challenge any sportbikes while pulling this trailer through the mountains, I can certainly move along at a brisk mountain pace that makes me forget the trailer is back there.
In conclusion, if I were not aware of Joe and Sue's experiences, I'm not sure I would even report the turbulence I do feel as anything unexpected. In fairness, I've never towed a two wheel trailer with a motorcycle, so my expectations may be lower than others, but I should "know it when I see it" in regard to dangerous trailer movement, right? I'm also aware that my preferred cruising speed on the interstate may be lower than others', so if you plan to routinely travel in excess of 80 mph with a trailer, I can concur that the uni-go will give you some problems behind the ST1300. But in my case, I think it will work.
So, after buying a used Uni-go back in the winter of 2008 and having to sit out the entire 2009 riding season, I finally got the hitch and wiring installed and the trailer ready to go a couple of weeks ago. While I was sitting with the trailer in storage, I read about the nightmare experiences of Joe and Sue and began to wonder if I'd made a huge mistake. With their experiences in mind, I've been carefully testing the trailer with 20 - 25 mile test runs on the interstate before I strike off on any longer trips. So far, so good.
In clean air on the interstate, the trailer tows beautifully up to about 75 - 80 mph (80 - 85 mph registered). Above 75, I do begin to get some side to side "wiggle" action going. The "wiggle" is not comfortable and I wouldn't care to experience that for very long, but its not so severe as to be unnerving. Its a fairly predictable side to side action - nothing violent or scary, just a gentle reminder that I am, indeed, towing a trailer.
In dirty air, behind tractor trailers, for example, it varies. I assume it varies because of the different shapes of the tractor trailers, but sometimes the turbulence is hardly noticeable at 70 - 75 actual mph and for other rigs, the wiggling kicks in at 65 mph. In the later instances, I've found powering around the rigs the best course of action - just as I would if I wasn't towing the trailer. And as I power around the rig, the trailer behaves very predictably and generally evens out completely once I'm more or less beside the big rig.
I haven't tested the trailer for extended time above 80 mph or at speeds greater than 85 mph for any period of time because, quite frankly, I don't intend to tow the thing that fast. I bought the trailer primarily for traveling with my wife, so running in excess of 80mph for an extended period of time isn't on the agenda for those trips anyway.
As for the mountain backroads. . . it is awesome. I can't imagine a trailer being any LESS noticeable in the twisties. While I'm not planning to challenge any sportbikes while pulling this trailer through the mountains, I can certainly move along at a brisk mountain pace that makes me forget the trailer is back there.
In conclusion, if I were not aware of Joe and Sue's experiences, I'm not sure I would even report the turbulence I do feel as anything unexpected. In fairness, I've never towed a two wheel trailer with a motorcycle, so my expectations may be lower than others, but I should "know it when I see it" in regard to dangerous trailer movement, right? I'm also aware that my preferred cruising speed on the interstate may be lower than others', so if you plan to routinely travel in excess of 80 mph with a trailer, I can concur that the uni-go will give you some problems behind the ST1300. But in my case, I think it will work.
at least you're honest!
