Love the ability to go camping and riding cross country by towing my gear safely stored inside the trailer.
Last Saturday, The Saturday before the 4th of July 2020, I conducted a test ride by pulling the LX Luminal trailer with my 2018 Indian Chief Vintage motorcycle. I rode approximately 100 miles away to Big Bear,California and back to Orange County in Southern California. I considered it a safety shakedown ride much like the U.S.Navy conducts as they takes out a new ship for a shakedown testing the ship and all its designed capabilities before embarking for a planned cruise.. Well, I loaded the trailer as if I was actually going to a destination with all of my gear. Before trekking out on any future long distance planned rides starting in September of 2020. By the way, concerning shipment...After accepting and receiving the trailer from South Carolina located cross country 3000 miles to Orange County California, I examined the shipping container, noticing The LX Lumina was perfectly packaged and easy to unpack and set up by myself alone. NOT A DEAL BREAKER; HOWEVER: (NOTE:) BEWARE of the following...: first of all, I had opted out on getting the free trailer cover and instead chose the swivel ball tow head, along with purchasing the " COMBO MOTORCYCLE SWIVEL HITCH WITH 1 7/8" COUPLER" for $149. After installing both became very apparent that having a swivel ball head and swivel hitch w/ coupler attached at the same time defeats the singular designed purpose of either product. In fact, it can be dangerous as I quickly found out when taking a slow test run down my neighborhood street. When attempting to make a u-turn the swivel ball head was cocked left and and stayed in that position as the coupler rotated left. When straightening out from the u-turn, the swivel ball head stayed cocked left while the swivel coupler attempted to return to normal straight pulling position. I could easily feel the ball locked in position as the coupler could not complete the rotation to a normal upright straight position. So I immediately stopped and pulled hard upraight to disengage the ball head from it's cocked position. Not being a deal breaker, just thought someone at the shop should have made me aware of that when choosing the swivel ball head and purchasing the rotating coupler. However, if they were not aware. Perhaps they can be cognizant of such orders and advise the buyer accordingly! Anyway, I proceeded on my 100 mile trek to Big Bear and back, and the following was noticed... When taking off from a dead stop, do not attempt to quickly drive off. Pulling the trailer, I just had to just slowly start until I could feel the hitch and coupler set in place and then ride never noticing I was evening pulling a packed trailer. One thing I was amazed and in disbelief was the fact that my gas mileage improved by approximately two miles per hour. Not sure how I can explain it other than perhaps when packing my motorcycle rack behind my seat and the weight over the tire was a bigger factor in lowering my gas mileage than when pulling a trailer without any weight packed over the rear tire! Either way, the ride up and down the winding roads leading to Big Bear and back to Orange County was smooth and allowed me to relax from the initial anxiety of pulling a trailer with unknown possible issues. Therefore, I give the LX Lumina 5 stars and recommend it for anyone intending to use it it to store their camping equipment as I do! By the way, anyone interested in buying a swivel ball hitch? I have one I'll never be using! Eric Nelson U.S. Navy Veteran 1976-1985
