Dog Trailer

Assuming I continue to get better (and I should), I want the ability to take my service dog, Baldur with me on rides. I have the BMW with sidecar sure, but to be frank, I really enjoy riding my Swing more. I've been looking at this trailer:

http://www.bushtec.com/Articles.asp?ID=164

Anybody have any thoughts on this or other trailer suggestions?

How big and what breed is your dog?

I seem to remember someone modifying their topcase by putting a hole in the top for the dog, padding the edges and making drainage holes on the side for peepee.

I think someone else put a hole in the passenger seat.

Dan

dspevack wrote:

How big and what breed is your dog?

Not sure of the breed ... but big dog.

www.silverwing600.com/t3847-riding-partner#35192

Somerled wrote:

I want the ability to take my service dog, Baldur with me on rides. I have the BMW with sidecar sure, but to be frank, I really enjoy riding my Swing more. I've been looking at this trailer:

http://www.bushtec.com/Articles.asp?ID=164

This could be a great solution for Baldur.

Yep, Baldur's a bit too big for a top box.

He's an average sized male White German Shepherd. 28" at the shoulder and about 100 llbs. So, far of all the trailers I've looked at the Tow-Tow seems best. Just wondering if anybody else out there with a big dog or knows somebody with a big dog has seen anything else worth checking out.

(Took me awhile to get the name - it's like Toto, the dog in "The Wizard of OZ")

There is also this brand:
http://www.wagstrailers.com/pet_trailer.asp

Yeah I saw that one but really your dog is pretty much cargo in it. I want something he can look out of like he does in the sidecar so he can see me and I can see him in my mirrors while I'm riding and look around at him when I'm stopped. Thanks for looking for me though.

Somerled wrote:

So, far of all the trailers I've looked at the Tow-Tow seems best.

I like that you can use the trailer for Baldur or put the top and on the trailer and use as a regular trailer ... that is very smart.

honda_silver wrote:

Somerled wrote:

So, far of all the trailers I've looked at the Tow-Tow seems best.

I like that you can use the trailer for Baldur or put the top and on the trailer and use as a regular trailer ... that is very smart.

Definitely a big point in its favor.

This list is comprehensive:

http://www.aerobourne.com/motorcycletrailerindex9.htm

I know it's the 'wrong' side of the Pond but this company makes trailers fit for dogs:

http://www.tourmaster.nl/index2.asp

Since 1993---always taken dog with, but never in trailer. I see two problems with trailer #1 it is trailer amd could overload SilverWing drive train. #2 for dog's stand point breathing exhaust all the time.

I am on 3rd dog, mine have ridden in my Givi box===for 2 Jack Russells, hole for head had to be small so their shoulders could not pass thru, for Moose, Yorkshire for past 11 years, not impulsive and need not be restrained.

Trailer or sidecar only option with 100 lb dog.

Moose, on scooter can also ride in "tank Bag" in well, maybe more comfrotable for him, but hassle for me, making getting on bike more difficult with hips that are starting to be very stiff.

I have about 75,000 mile bike trailer experience----often end up with tail wagging the dog. Not safest operation in the world. I owned first Sidecar outfit in 1959--BMW in the days when they came from factory strong enough for chair/gearing options available/trail options. Even had one new HD factory sidecar out fit---real pleasure to ride, engine being weakest point. Altogether 40 years of driving outfits---MZ 2 strokes were fun and cheaps and worked well. Wish you could still have/get a new one....but they are gone.

I'd stick with sidecar for dog

Tom, I'd think the trailer would be a good option for your big dog and with the windshield, while moving, exhaust would blow past, I think, and not be harmful.

I'm with you, Ted. I'm sure the windshield should move whatever exhaust there is at that distance (trailer tongue is quite long) well out of his way.

So... I bought the Bushtec Tow-Tow.

You have the option of paying for it all at once or in two equal payments which is what I opted for. As Baldur is too heavy for me to want to lift if I can possibly avoid it I bought the model where the back folds down so he can just step inside. I paid a little extra for some things I think it needs and some things I just liked. Paid for it to be painted Honda red to match my Swing and got the powdercoated silver wheels, bra to protect from stones, chrome tongue and tongue stand, cover, and charcoal all weather interior carpet (to match the silvery gray trim on the Swing). I bought a hitch from Dennis, and the Freedom pivot ball for it as well. Looking very much forward to taking my boy on some much longer rides than we do in the BMW and sidecar.

Somerled wrote:

So... I bought the Bushtec Tow-Tow.

Do you have it now or when is the estimated delivery?

I did the two payments option, Bill. So they have half now and I pay the other half on completion. No idea yet when it will be delivered as I just made the order. They asked how soon I would like it when I placed the order and I said by March. I got an email from them today telling me I had two options for delivery as I had asked that it be shipped to me so I expect it'll be along fairly soon. I bet this time of year they have less orders pending.

Just got word today, Bill, that my Tow-Tow ships to me February 20th. Bushtec uses Old Dominion to ship by truck. Hopefully won't take that long to get to El Paso from Tennessee. I'm itching to take Baldur for a ride!

Somerled wrote:

Just got word today, Bill, that my Tow-Tow ships to me February 20th. Bushtec uses Old Dominion to ship by truck. Hopefully won't take that long to get to El Paso from Tennessee. I'm itching to take Baldur for a ride!

Great news!

Please take pictures.

Well, after much delay the trailer arrived today! Still some small assembly needed so it'll be a bit before I post pics of me and Baldur ready to ride. Dennis' hitch is on the Swing though so that much of the battle is done.

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you folks on this. Whole lot of other stuff came up including buying a house in Albuquerque. Jury's still out as to when my retirement will come through. Hopefully not much longer. Anyway, here's the pics of the Bushtec Tow-Tow and my service dog, Baldur.


This is the trailer with the optional cover on. You can get them in several colors.




Trailer with cap on so it can be used as a normal trailer.




Trailer opened and showing optional rear ramp so dog can walk in. Don't even hesitate if you have a large dog like I do.




Baldur all decked out in ATGATT and ready to ride. The windshield is attached by a few thumbscrews. If you buy one of these, here's the trick to getting it on. Remove the last thumbscrew completely and then tighten down all the remaining ones and then replace the last one. That's the only way you'll ever get it in using all the thumbscrews.




"Why aren't we rolling yet, Dad?"




"Come ON, Dad! It's getting HOT!"




Ok, time to head out. Yes, I need a new seat.

Oh, I should've mentioned that there's absolutely no problem using this trailer and my Silverwing. The trailer weighs 125 lbs empty and Baldur weighs about 90 lbs which, of course, equals 215 lbs behind me. Well within the 300 lb max weight suggested for the Silverwing 600. You do have to give yourself a bit more time to brake but that's the same with any trailer really. I hope to have a video of us as we ride for you to see soon.

Cool, thank you for the pictures. Sure looks like you have one happy dog there. (ops don't tell him I called him a dog)

NICE

nice setup , i need one of those trailers , but not for the dog ...

Baldur looks like one well trained and happy hound.

I'd be wary of taking my dog , Moose , in a trailer.

The other week, I had him ride of the back of my Dodge Ram cab and he

decided to eat the shoulder belts while I was inside Tractor Supply buying

his dog food. ( Yes John G , there are those of us who ride bikes and also

drive pick up trucks )

Also I'm sure Moose would insist on his own leather jacket since he's
"bad to the bone"