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Getting ready to tow your Ironhorse
GETTING READY TO TOW YOUR IRONHORSE
HITCH
Already have a hitch on your vehicle? You’ll need a draw bar with a 2” ball and the correct drop or rise to get the top of the ball to 16” above the ground for the most level towing. A locking hitch pin is a great idea.
No hitch? You’ll need to have one installed, and then get the draw bar with the correct rise or drop and a 2” ball.
ELECTRICAL
No electrical plug on your vehicle? You’ll need to have that installed too. For Ironhorse Trailers with electric brakes, you need a round 7 vehicle end plug, as well as a brake actuator in your vehicle. For Ironhorse Trailers with no brakes, a flat 4 vehicle end plug is required. If you have a round 7 plug and are getting an Ironhorse with no brakes, a 7 to 4 adapter is readily available.
Already have an electric plug? That’s great, but check your vehicle owner’s manual to be sure the proper fuses are in place and operational.
Factory tow package – read the attached Tow Ready Factory Tow Package article for details to make sure your vehicle will actually be tow ready when you receive your Ironhorse.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?
Ratchet straps – we suggest good, strong 2” straps for each side of the back. Always use ratchet straps rather than cam buckles which slip and cause problems. Look for straps that are as short as possible to prevent having to wrap up miles of strap. For the front of the bike, 1” ratchet straps are fine…ratchet straps on the front are for insurance!
A security coupler lock – we suggest a good, strong lock that fits in the coupler when you’re not hooked to a tow vehicle.
A lug wrench with a 13/16” thin wall socket. The wheels we use can’t be changed with a standard automotive lug wrench.
Wheel blocks for the exterior wheels. You’ll find many times that you want to block the wheels to keep your Ironhorse from moving, and exterior wheel blocks are critical if you plan to load or unload when you’re not hooked to your vehicle.
We carry all of the above accessories…we don’t push them, but if you’re interested, let us know!
FINALLY
The big moment comes and your Ironhorse arrives. So, how do you tie the bikes down? We suggest that before you try, go to You Tube, type in Ironhorse Trailers, then watch the “Motorcycle Tie Down System by Ironhorsetrailers.com” video.
First, make sure your stabilizers are in the travel position—nothing is more disgusting than getting all hitched up and then discovering that your stabilizers are still down and digging into the ground/pavement.
Next, make sure your coupler is jacked up enough to clear the ball with room to spare and that the coupler handle is in the vertical position. After doing this too many times to remember, we think the best approach is to back your vehicle up until your ball is a few inches off to the right from, and a little further back than, the ideal position under the coupler. Then push on the tongue to roll the tongue to the right until the coupler is directly over the ball.
After that, it’s a piece of cake. Move the coupler handle from the vertical to the horizontal position—make sure it’s fully horizontal. Use the rolling jack to test the connection—if it’s not secure it will easily lift off the ball. Then use the handle to fully retract the jack and swivel it, with the wheel forward, to return it to its horizontal travel position.
Attach the safety chains to your tow vehicle—we recommend crossing them so that turning makes them looser not tighter. We also recommend attaching them with the open part of the J hook to the rear (facing the trailer) rather than the front. Then make sure your vehicle ignition is off before plugging your trailer connector into your tow vehicle connector—failure to do so will sometimes blow a fuse. And finally, if your trailer is equipped with a breakaway box, attach the breakaway cable to your tow vehicle.
Some final checks
Make sure your tailgate is fully latched regardless of whether it is locked or not. Then start your car and test your trailer lights—troubleshooting non-burning lights is another story. If your trailer is equipped with electric brakes, check to make sure the trailer controller is working, and that your tow vehicle is charging the breakaway battery—look for a yellow light. If either or both are not working and this is the first time you’ve hitched to your trailer with this tow vehicle, refer to the article titled “Tow Ready Factory Tow Package”.
