Towing with the Marauder?

[License2Bill]

I've recently been considering a motorcycle so I have another fun vehicle besides the Marauder. I want to be able to take both on road trips; towing the bike to the destination and using it for quick jaunts around the area.

I'm currently planning a trip with a buddy of mine in August which would require taking one car with a single trailer and two bikes.

The things I'm trying to figure out are
1) Can the Marauder handle the combined weight of the trailer, two bikes (2014 Harley Street Glide @ 800 lbs+ and most likely a mid 90s Suzuki Katana @ 440 lbs) and the weight of the trailer? I ask because I think I remember reading that it's only rated for ~1400 lbs towing capacity?

2) If this is possible, would I need a trans cooler or any of that funky madness?

3) Would re-tuning the car be necessary?

4) For those of you that tow, what hitch do you use? The couple I've looked at say that drilling is required as well as relocating the exhaust hangars. I'm not trying to do either of those things.

Thanks,
Bill

[Blown3.8]

We used to tow marauders with marauders. I believe there is drilling required but I don't recall moving an exhaust hanger.

I thought it was rated for 3500lbs but i dont recall.

[fastblackmerc]

You should have an auxiliary tranny cooler anyway.

Per the owners manual "Your loaded trailer should weigh no more than 2,000 lbs (907 kg.) Do not exceed the GVWR specified on the certification label. The GCW of your vehicle and trailer should not exceed 6,000 lbs. (2,993 kg.)" Their emphasis.

GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (see Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the drivers side door or pillar)

GCW - Gross Combined Weight (add the weight of loaded vehicle and loaded trailer to get the GCW)

[License2Bill]

Thank you both for the input. I pulled the trigger on a bike yesterday. 2005 Kawisaki Ninja 500R. A little bit lighter weight and more manageable as a beginner bike. Now I just have to go through the CT bureaucracy to get my M endorsement on my license.

I did a little more research on the topic of towing and it appears as though if Class II hitches do not require drilling but can still safely handle the weight of 2 bikes and a trailer. That may be the way to go for this trip!

[Hadamustang1]

Uhaul can install a hitch and rent a motorcycle trailer,, I have used this combo many times,,

[License2Bill]

Uhaul can install a hitch and rent a motorcycle trailer,, I have used this combo many times,,

Can their motorcycle trailer fit more than 1 bike? I've read that with the small wheels, it bounces around a lot.

[rauder88]

Can their motorcycle trailer fit more than 1 bike? I've read that with the small wheels, it bounces around a lot.

The U-haul trailer is a single bike trailer. I used it one time to take my Electra Glide in for a tune. Didn't seem to bounce around much, but that bike weighs 900 pounds.

I would keep an eye on craigslist. Folding motorcycle trailers pop up all the time around me anyways.

[lifespeed]

I recommend the Curt 4,000 lb Class III hitch (https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Ford/Crown+Victoria/2004/13707.html?vehicleid=20049114) . I have a similar unit from Valley, no longer in production. Drilling is required, but exhaust hanger relocation is not. The Marauder can tow very well. Why get a weaker Class II hitch with a tiny receiver?

[Serge]

You shouldn't have any problems.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1053641/original/19825_1631779417045063_8241767 168726289607_n.jpg

[License2Bill]

How far did you travel with that? I'm looking at 6+ hours with the bikes on the trailer.

[justbob]

You shouldn't have any problems.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1053641/original/19825_1631779417045063_8241767 168726289607_n.jpg


This^^^

Before picks and SUVs became cool and the norm at every household people towed with cars that had nowhere near the refinements of the Marauder. Better 4.6 that's in light duty f150's (older ones of course) and same 4R70 and 8.8..


Builder Of Badassery

[detrailers]

I've put hitches on every Panther I've ever owned...one of my businesses is fabbing mobile auto detail/ car wash and pressure washing trailers (www.detrailers.com) so I need all my vehicles set up to tow. Couple of things. Best price I always find is on eBay and it's for the Curt hitch....the 13707 is the class 3 and there is drilling required. It is important that you position is correctly. I had a aggravating issue on the hitch I installed on the Marauder because it was off center just a tad and the trunk pan rubbed the hitch and created a squeak (see my post on here called "creaky groany") I was so glad to solve that noise that was driving me insane.

Also as far as the lights, many kits want you to run a separate power lead to the battery which I really didn't want to do. I just use the isolator that etrailer sell which protects your electronics and wires up at the rear left corner inside the trunk. What I really like about towing with the MM and my CV sport it the automatic leveling so no matter what I tow the back end doesn't sag.
When I don't have the hitch ball mount in I run an LED third brake light in the receiver that looks trick.

[Serge]

How far did you travel with that? I'm looking at 6+ hours with the bikes on the trailer.

It was a 2 hour drive. I've done before as well though.

[Marauderjack]

I pulled a 4,500# boat thousands of miles with several CV's......at the time the CV's were rated at 5,000# but eventually went to 2,000# due to lots of transmission failures......safer for warranty!!

I pulled my Cobra Replica in a 3,000# trailer (about 6,000# with everything) 800 miles with the CV once......slow acceleration but did OK!!

You won't hardly know the bikes are back there!!:beer:

[detrailers]

these wre with my CVs - you can see how the black one sagged - no auto leveling...

[CanaDan]

I also have a class III Curtis; drilling but no relocation.

I tow an enclosed 8x5 trailer with 2 sport-bikes in it. total is about 1800 pounds. Drove 1700 kms both ways to the Dragon near Robbinsville North Carolina several times. I installed another trans cooler in-line

You should be fine with the set-up you are looking at. be careful with U-Haul trailers, they are quite heavy (heavier than my enclosed trailer in fact!)

Dan