FJR gas mileage pulling a trailer

[Powerman]

What FJRob1300 said, enjoy! It's cool to open the top of the trailer and throw stuff in.

Start with the essentials, then when it looks full I stop.

Afraid to measure the mileage, can't do anything about it.

 

[fz1don]

What kind of trailer do I have? Well it started life as a Harbor Freight trailer kit. It has been narrowed to be the width as the saddle bags. The frame has been slightly lifted to ride at the same height as the hitch. The axle was relocated for better balance. Covered the surface with expanded so it wouldn't want to lift at speed. Bolted a mid sized car top luggage carrier on to be water tight. All together it weighs around 100 lbs empty.

 

[fjrob1300]

What FJRob1300 said, enjoy! It's cool to open the top of the trailer and throw stuff in.

Start with the essentials, then when it looks full I stop.

Afraid to measure the mileage, can't do anything about it.

Amen Mike!

 

[RossKean]

Zombie thread resurrection:

First time pulling a trailer with a "new-to-me" FJR. 1500 miles in the last couple of days. Mileage has been disappointing. 2011 FJR, fairly low profile trailer. Mileage has been in the low 30's. I have only ridden the bike with the trailer so I can't say how abnormal it is. Highway at 65 mph. Very strong cross winds for most of the past two days. Absolutely no handling issues other than the expected accelerating and braking lack of crispness.

Does this seem out of line given the conditions? (Especially the wind) Guessing trailer and contents at maybe 350 lb. Without wind, I would expect (on my old FJR) to get low to mid 40's.

 

[Panman]

When I'm riding with others I'm the first to get gas when pulling my BushTec. My 07 gas millage went south once I got the PCIII and I don't much care, it's what I got and I enjoy it.

 

[Fred W]

Dont forget, our boy Ross is paying by the liter and Canadian gas prices. Gas mileage matters more when you are paying close to $6 a US gallon.

Whats that on the top of the trailer, Ross? My intuition says that putting that stuff inside will make the trailer drag a lot less.

 

[RossKean]

The thing lashed to the top is a steel frame that plugs into a receiver at the back of the trailer. It allows the trailer to be tipped onto its end to reduce storage space requirements. Don't know if it would add enough to wind resistance to make a very large difference in fuel economy. Can't fit it in the box.

Edit - the other stuff on the top in the picture is just my jacket and other riding gear I tossed there after I got off the bike. Temperatures were in the 80's that day.

 

[RossKean]

Parked it for a couple days in Winnipeg. Manitoba to Marquette MI today. Much better with warmer temperatures and light winds. Closer to 42 mpg as I would hope for. Trailer makes a noticeable difference in the rate of rear tire wear! Hope I make it home...

 

[FJRPittsburgh]

Parked it for a couple days in Winnipeg. Manitoba to Marquette MI today. Much better with warmer temperatures and light winds. Closer to 42 mpg as I would hope for. Trailer makes a noticeable difference in the rate of rear tire wear! Hope I make it home...

You'll make it home just fine.

 

[RossKean]

Parked it for a couple days in Winnipeg. Manitoba to Marquette MI today. Much better with warmer temperatures and light winds. Closer to 42 mpg as I would hope for. Trailer makes a noticeable difference in the rate of rear tire wear! Hope I make it home...

You'll make it home just fine.

There's little doubt that I will make it home - just a question as to whether it will be with the current tire! 3400 miles for the ride and tire wasn't new to start with.

 

[RossKean]

Made it home with no rubber to spare on the rear tire (cords showing). In addition to killing gas mileage, the crosswind-plus-trailer combination totally consumed the rear tire. The way I see it is the trailer catches the wind and constantly pushes laterally on the rear of the bike. This causes a small but constant side slip which abrades the tire. I am guessing I left the equivalent of a 1500 km rubber skid mark across the Canadian prairie! (I should probably have a close look at the trailer tires but they probably did not suffer since they aren't driving wheels.) The front tire is remarkably un-worn by comparison.

 

[FJRPittsburgh]

Glad you made it home safely Ross. After a rear tire replacement, you'll be golden again. That's only if you were golden to begin with.

 

[Brodie]

Nice looking rig

Be sure when you get the opportunity, to verify integrity of the hitch, as well as the trailer electrical interface on the bike. Make sure its up to your own high standards!

Think dark side when pulling, much higher tire life.

Brodie

 

[RossKean]

Nice looking rig
Be sure when you get the opportunity, to verify integrity of the hitch, as well as the trailer electrical interface on the bike. Make sure its up to your own high standards!

Think dark side when pulling, much higher tire life.

Brodie

Apparently, the interface was some sort of Kisan product - haven't looked into it. What sort of electrical interference might I expect? (I was noticing some minor idle instability but didn't know if that might be electrical or mechanical.) Haven't even had a chance to ride the bike without the trailer attached.

Hitch integrity seems to be very good. It was home built and seems extremely solid. Anything I should look for specifically?

I did the darkside a couple of times and was generally unhappy - total of maybe 50,000 miles. Don't know if I would consider it again unless I had a long trip with trailer in tow. No idea whether I will use the trailer much or not...

thanks

 

[Brodie]

The Kisan trailer interface is a good product. As with any previously owned and farkled bike, what you need to check for, is it a typical owner butchered installation, or does it meet your high standards for wire and connector integrity. You may not pull much at all, however, the electrical systems on the bike still need to be sound and absolutely dependable. Abominations like ScotchLock connectors, and the like, need to be ferrited out and the damage they do to your bikes wire harnesses need to be corrected before they get a chance to cause grief.

Enjoy your new ride.

Brodie