# Motorcycle Towing is Not What You Think - 5 Things to Know Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jHCUEREdG8 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/3jHCUEREdG8 Generated: 2025-11-30T16:35:24.496+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Towing a small boat with a Honda GL1200 Goldwing motorcycle is possible but requires strict adherence to safety principles, particularly regarding weight distribution (60% front axle, 40% rear axle for trailers) and proper tongue weight (10-15% of total trailer weight) to prevent dangerous trailer sway or jackknifing, especially when navigating curves or backing up. **Key Points:** - The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) for the Honda GL1200 in the demonstration is coincidentally 1200 pounds, which is the total combined load being towed. - Proper weight distribution is crucial: 60% of the total weight must be supported by the front axle (the tow vehicle's rear axle), and 40% by the trailer's axle. - Tongue weight must be maintained between 10% and 15% of the total trailer weight; too little tongue weight risks the trailer pushing the motorcycle around, while too much risks squatting the rear suspension. - Improper tongue weight can lead to dangerous handling issues like jackknifing or the trailer pushing the rear tire, as demonstrated by a small-scale model where tail-heavy loads caused instability. - The video features a Honda GL1200 towing a small Boston Whaler boat on a Road Runner trailer, with two people in diving/spearfishing gear. - The narrator emphasizes that while towing with a motorcycle is possible, it requires extra caution, especially when backing up or turning sharply, which can cause the trailer to swing violently. - The video promotes Defender Marine as a resource for boat outfitting gear and expertise, noting they have decades of experience assisting boaters. ![Screenshot at 00:45: The presenter introduces the first key safety tip by displaying "TIP #1 GVWR" \(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating\) on screen, setting the stage for the technical discussion about managing the combined weight of the motorcycle, trailer, and boat.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/3jHCUEREdG8/00-00-45.png) **Context:** The video explores the practicalities and safety considerations of towing a small boat using a large touring motorcycle, specifically a Honda GL1200 Goldwing, an unusual setup that requires careful attention to physics and weight management. The hosts, dressed in wetsuits, demonstrate the setup near a boat launch, using both real-world examples and physics diagrams to explain the risks associated with improper loading when towing with a two-wheeled vehicle. ## Detailed Analysis The video outlines five key tips for safely towing a boat with a motorcycle, using a Honda GL1200 Goldwing towing a small Boston Whaler on a trailer as the primary example. The first tip addresses the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), noting the bike's GVWR is coincidentally 1200 pounds, matching the approximate total load. Tip #2 focuses on weight distribution, illustrating with a diagram that the load should ideally be 60% over the tow vehicle's axle (the motorcycle's rear) and 40% over the trailer's axle to maintain stability. Tip #3 covers tongue weight, which must be kept between 10% and 15% of the trailer's total weight; too little tongue weight causes the trailer to swing wildly, potentially leading to jackknifing or lifting the motorcycle's front wheel, especially during turns. A small-scale demonstration using a car model on a treadmill illustrates how tail-heavy loads lead to instability and fishtailing. Tip #4 advises using a "roll play" technique, suggesting drivers should avoid sharp turns or backing up on a hill, as sudden movements can cause the trailer to swing uncontrollably, potentially flipping the entire rig. Tip #5 stresses the importance of suiting up appropriately, as the riders wore wetsuits for their spearfishing activity, suggesting preparedness for cold or wet conditions. The video concludes by promoting Defender Marine for supplying necessary gear, highlighting their 40 years of expertise and offering free assistance for boat outfitting projects. ### Motorcycle Towing Setup - The setup involves a Honda GL1200 Goldwing towing a small Boston Whaler on a Road Runner trailer, loaded with gear including red milk crates and Milwaukee Packout boxes. ### Tip #1 & #2 (Weight/Distribution) - The GVWR of the GL1200 is 1200 lbs; correct weight distribution requires 60% of the load on the bike's rear axle and 40% on the trailer's axle. ### Tip #3 (Tongue Weight) - Maintain 10-15% tongue weight; too little (as shown by the motorcycle sinking/boat lifting) risks instability and jackknifing, while too much risks squatting the rear suspension. ### Tip #4 (Handling - Roll Play) - Avoid sharp turns or backing up on inclines, as the trailer's momentum can cause an uncontrollable swing or 'fish tail' that can flip the motorcycle. ### Tip #5 (Suit Up) - Riders wore full spearfishing wetsuits, emphasizing the need to suit up appropriately for the activity, regardless of the unusual towing method. ### Conclusion & Promotion - The hosts successfully launch the boat and discuss the fun of spearfishing for crabs, concluding by promoting Defender Marine for providing necessary gear and expertise. ![Screenshot at 00:04: The presenter, Ryan, stands in front of a sign for Gates Park Whaletown Wharf, wearing high-visibility rain gear while discussing the extreme nature of towing trailers with motorcycles.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/3jHCUEREdG8/00-00-04.png) ![Screenshot at 00:13: An old television displays a demonstration of a small camper trailer being loaded, illustrating the concept of weight distribution \(60/40 split\) being discussed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/3jHCUEREdG8/00-00-13.png) ![Screenshot at 00:47: A blackboard diagram illustrates the physics of weight distribution, showing a stable 60/40 split versus an unstable configuration where the 40% weight is shifted backward, leading to potential oscillation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/3jHCUEREdG8/00-00-47.png) ![Screenshot at 02:15: The presenter demonstrates the danger of incorrect tongue weight by dramatically leaning on the trailer tongue, causing the motorcycle's rear end to lift significantly, illustrating the risk of insufficient tongue weight.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/3jHCUEREdG8/00-02-15.png) ![Screenshot at 05:52: The motorcycle, with the diver in the driver's seat, is submerged up to the engine block while attempting to launch the boat trailer into the water.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/3jHCUEREdG8/00-05-52.png)