Does anyone pull a camper on a bike with a sidecar?

[Gene McCall]

I realize that sound like a strange question but here is why I am asking. On the 25th of Oct. I suffered a massive heart attack, took out the top of my heart and apparently then some! I now have about 30% function. My cardo Doc thinks he can boost me back up to 40/45%. I am in a 3 month waiting period before he can attempt that.

As many of you know I was planning a trip to Ak. next summer. Obviously there are too many "ifs" to say I will go. However, my wife and I have talked over my love of motorcycling and if the doc can come through with any increase I am not going to stop riding. It is obvious what I am going to do. I have an email out to one of the better side hack mfgs who it turns out if just up in Murry, Ky. Since the ST cranks out 100 hp it should have the grunt to take the hack and pull the camper.

What do you say guys? Am I crazy or just too stupid to know when to quit!

Gene:bike1:

[motomac]

Gene, glad you are able to post. Many Wingers pull trailers with their side cars and trikes. The Wings aren't that much bigger than the ST's, so it shouldn't be a problem. I will say that a side car rig is much more technical as far as riding than a trike. I personally have never ridden a hack, but have several friends who do have them. You'll have to completely relearn how to ride once you hang that third wheel on. But the fact that you are even thinking about it is super. Alaska will be worth it and you may have a better time with the hack than two wheels. Definately will be more stable in the construction areas and gravel roads.

[Tombstone]

I ran into a lady who had both a hack and camp trailer on her GL 1500. Her daughter rode in the large hack and had lots of toys, books, etc to keep her busy. As mentioned the hack was a large one, I would be nervous having a unit that wide, but she seemed to handle it fine. Another thing that would concern me especially in Alaska (dirt roads) would be getting stuck. I would definatly take along a small winch and long rope!

Good luck on your recovery and trip!

[Mellow]

Gene, VERY sorry to hear about your heart attack.. I was wondering where you were...

You have a lot of things to think about. I think I'd go with a trike rather than a sidecar.

Please concentrate on getting well, THAT is the first thing you need to do. Also, were yo planning on doing this trip alone? I would suggest having someone with you. I used to like riding alone but after thinking things over, I now feel that having at least one friend along will come in handy in case myself or my friend gets into trouble. Especially if you are heading to Alaska and especially given your recent health concerns.

Get well friend.

[Trailace]

Gene, Sorry to here about your heart attack hope you can get to your goal of 50% or higher.


I will have to agree with the others a Trike should be a better way to go. But either way you decide we will all be here for ya.

[mongo]

Hope all works out good with your recovery. Can't answer about the hack or trailer, never used either. I also have the need to see Alaska on a bike.

[Gene McCall]

Gene, glad you are able to post. Many Wingers pull trailers with their side cars and trikes. The Wings aren't that much bigger than the ST's, so it shouldn't be a problem. I will say that a side car rig is much more technical as far as riding than a trike. I personally have never ridden a hack, but have several friends who do have them. You'll have to completely relearn how to ride once you hang that third wheel on. But the fact that you are even thinking about it is super. Alaska will be worth it and you may have a better time with the hack than two wheels. Definately will be more stable in the construction areas and gravel roads.

Thanks for the prompt reply and good wishes! I am now becoming aware of all things Coumadin. This is used in heart treatment and if you are not careful you can bleed to death from this stuff! I say this to let all know that this is going to be slow porcess. Maybe in about 3 months the cardo doc can do a roto-rooter on the secondary arteries and get me a little more capacity.

[Gene McCall]

I ran into a lady who had both a hack and camp trailer on her GL 1500. Her daughter rode in the large hack and had lots of toys, books, etc to keep her busy. As mentioned the hack was a large one, I would be nervous having a unit that wide, but she seemed to handle it fine. Another thing that would concern me especially in Alaska (dirt roads) would be getting stuck. I would definatly take along a small winch and long rope!

Good luck on your recovery and trip!

Thanks for your good wishes and maybe I will run into you in the 49th State. That is a good idea on the winch and if I go it will be in the trailer!

[Gene McCall]

Gene, Sorry to here about your heart attack hope you can get to your goal of 50% or higher.


I will have to agree with the others a Trike should be a better way to go. But either way you decide we will all be here for ya.

Rick, I will have to disagree (certainly not with your good wishes, thanks) but in many years past I have ridden an old BMW hack and a 3 wheel delivery trike. Now before everyone jumps, I realize there is no comparsion between the old technolog and the ultra sleek stuff that is on the road today. What I do remember is a basic feeling of riding a motorcycle (with the hack) and something different with the trike. The other point is strictly personal, I simply like the appearence of the hack set up.

[Gene McCall]

Hope all works out good with your recovery. Can't answer about the hack or trailer, never used either. I also have the need to see Alaska on a bike.


Mongo, I too hope all works out with my recovery and with the good wishes of the folks on this board and a couple of others I should do fine! I have had this "need to see Alaska" for quite a few years, here I think most folks understand that need.

[motomac]

Gene, I know about that desire for the 49th state. Back in the day "North to Alaska" was a song that I remember as a teen ager and I had this desire to ride my motorcycle up there. Well, I finally realized that dream in 1999. And again in '05. Rick and I have both been there on bikes and I think I can speak for him as well as myself, it is the trip of a life time. If there is anything I can do to make your dream come true, I'll do it.

[Gene McCall]

Mac, thanks so much for your kind offer and I know you mean it! I will post more later, my head nurse (read wife) says I have spent entirely enough time on the computer.
Gene

[Mellow]

Sounds like Mac is ready for another trip to Alaska... LOL

[motomac]

Sounds like Mac is ready for another trip to Alaska... LOL
That is a good possibility. I really would like to do it on a new 800 GS, but I don't think that BMW would be willing to loan me one for the trip. It would be nice to go up there without the Bunkhouse one time.

[Tx White Knight]

I really would like to do it on a new 800 GS,

That is a sweet looking ride but I would hate for the frame to break like Trailace's

the 800 does like like a nice mix for a bike to haul camping grear on :D

[Gene McCall]

The pic below shows a Hannigan Super Sport sidecar on (probably an 03 ST1300). What my ST1100 will look like is a different color and thats about it. If all goes well it will be built after the first of the year, Jan/Feb time period. If possible I hope to have an aux gas tank installed.:bike1:

[motomac]

Gene, as much as I likes the looks of a Hannigan side car, there are much smaller ones that will serve your purpose and be easier to handle.

[Gene McCall]

Mac, you may be right about smaller but I don't know about better. From what I have seen Hannigan is top of the line. They have one other advantage for me, they are in Murry, Ky, about 150 miles from me here in middle Tennessee.:bike1:

[motomac]

Gene, I won't argue the quality and looks of Hannigan. I just went to their website and looked at the different hacks they have available and wasn't aware of all the different styles they have. I guess one of those little guys would serve you well. They actually have more room in the trunk than my Unigo had. Since they are so close to the home-20 I guess that is the best way to go. They can hook you up with easy steer and install the thing where you won't have any worries on the road. If you go that route, make sure they know where you are headed and I'm sure they will be extra careful in torquing everything extra good. Not that they don't do that already, or they wouldn't be so popular with the Wing and Beemer crowd. Got a pair of couples in my GW chapter that have Hannigan hacks. One is on an old 1100 and one is on a new 1800.

[Gene McCall]

Mac, I guess you know how it is to argue with a hard-headed old man! The destination has already been discussed with Dave Hannigan and he has been in the same places with one of his rigs and also across Europe. Dave is going to become an American citizen this Friday. He is Canadian by birth and of course will retain his Canadian citizenship! These are the kind of folks I like to see come across our borders! I am planning to drive up to his plant in December to discuss the sidecar. I am shooting to get it built during his slow months of Jan. & Feb. One of the things we are discussing is the aux tank. Normally, he does not do that because it is next to impossible to keep the gas smell out the the sc. He solves the problem for himself by taking an extra gas can or two. Then the smell is temporary and normal riding you leave them out. I hate to have to say this but I am not certain I will be able to pick up a 5 gal. can of gas! Maybe by December I will know more from my rehab. Take care, have a wonderful Turkey Day!:bike1: :bike1:

[motomac]

When I went up there with the GL 1500, I carried 2-2 1/2 gal cans for the run up the Dempster. Much easier to handle than a 5 gal can. I see you have invested a lot more thought/planning into this than I had realised. I salute you, Sir. Keep us posted on your progress and the hack progress.

[swampfox]

Hi Gene .. firstly, real sorry to hear you've been hobbled somewhat, seems you have to make a choice real soon ... whatever your choice, be happy with it . I wish you all the best mate.
In answer to your question ... I recently did a 15.5 thousand Kilometer trip across Australia with 13 other riders, we all but one towed trailers .. some of which were campers. Amongst us was a Harley-hack-camper combo. He had his wife on board as well. Several problems arose with his ride ... they all related to the overall weight. Fuel consumption was real bad and cruising speed was much reduced. The excess weight also caused way too much stress on the drive system and resulted in a broken drive-belt. I realize the ST has a shaft but I would think twice about hauling all that weight on a frame not really designed for it. I have the ST1300 and my towbar ( classic industries )is attached to the cast alloy sub-frame which supports the mufflers .. not the strongest in my mind ... I will be designing and building another one pretty soon.
Anyway, as others have posted, I reckon you should entertain the idea of a trike, not a conversion but a car-arse .. that way, all will be stronger.

My 2 bobs worth

Take care mate


STay upright

[Gene McCall]

Swampfox, thanks for the good thoughts. I respect your experience for such a long distance ride in Oz, wish I could have been with you. With all due respect I plan on sticking with the sidecar combo. The Harley would have had trouble on that long of a trip without the extra load. Even my 2000 ST is a much stronger bike in every respect, your 1300 even better. I expect my gas mileage to drop to around 35 maybe a little +. I can live with that. I guess it comes down to I am a bike rider, not a trike rider, its just what I like. Lets hope I don't have to eat my words on some lonely highway somewhere on the road! BTW I start rehab on December 3rd, with a goal of being ready by mid June.
Gene:bike1:

[Gene McCall]

Swampfox, I forgot to mention I have installed the uni-go hitch. It attaches at the muffler and on the frame behind the saddle bag attachment. This gave me a 3 point per side attachment, with the 2 parts of the hitch frame joining together at the rear fender. This does create a mounting problem for the saddle bags but I found a work around. Entire hitch seems very strong.
Gene:bike1: