| Author | Message | ||
     Mikej |
Sometimes you just need or want to carry a bike in a trailer for whatever reason, so forget about the ride vs. trailer dialogs for now. I've got a little 4'x6' trailer with stake sides, nice and light, a Buell will probably fit into it diagonally, or lengthwise if I leave the backboards/gate off the trailer. I'm thinking of modifying the front boards into a V-nose somehow so I can just wheel the bike in and still be able to leave the sides on the trailer for other stuff. I'll post a pic later sometime. In the mean time I'm looking for ideas and examples of what others use so I can get some ideas. I've got to stay light due to towing limitations of our car so I can't go with an enclosed trailer. I could just take the sides off when I want to tow the bike, but that's a hassle. Pics, comments, links, show/tell me what you've got. Thanks. | ||
| Slaughter |
We have a home-built 1-bike trailer and have pulled it behind the Saturn SC1 and Dodge Stratus. Both are relatively small cars. Bought trailer used, the idiot who orignially made it built the axle too far back - the tongue is TOO HEAVY with the bike loaded. Unfortunately, axle mounts are welded, not bolted - so there it sits. You do need a definite front weight bias but you sure don't need 200 freaking pounds of tongue weight when loaded!!! (I'm still too lazy to change it though) It is nice to be able to lift the tongue and muscle the trailer around - not an option with ours. Go for it - but if you run the weight too far forward, your back may never forgive you. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I was thinking of cobbling together a trailer hitch for my Saturn SC2. It would pull, at most, a 350 lb trailer, the 9sx, and a KLR-250. Heavy, but not that much more then the car would carry with 4 fat people and a trunk full of heavy stuff. I have an extra cam and disk brakes over your SL1, and a manual tranny, so I suspect it would work. | ||
| Jpb |
I'd stay away from changing the front end - like slaughter said - that will put the weight too far forward. I bought a chock for the front wheel and install 2 eye bolts in the front corners of the trailer so it's easy to hook up the straps. I would just run the trialer without the tailgate - unless that's what you need to unload. I have 3 2x10 planks I use for ramps and bought some 8" long 1/4" bolts and screw them into the sidewall of the trialer for on the road. Can't get any pics for you...it's currently burried under a foot of snow (plus the clean up from the snow blower). | ||
| Americanmadexb |
i found this thing one night doing random internet searches.. Bikelug Collapsible Motorcycle Trailers http://www.bikelug.net/ | ||
| 86129squids |
One of the major mags just did a review of a completely collapsible trailer- it would fit in a car trunk when disassembled. Kinda kewl. I'd still want as few moving pieces as possible...  | ||
| Americanmadexb |
One of the major mags just did a review of a completely collapsible trailer- it would fit in a car trunk when disassembled. Kinda kewl. I'd still want as few moving pieces as possible... kinda like the one i posted???/  | ||
| Mikej |
The trailer in a bag is a neat concept. Doesn't work too well for hauling trash to the dump though. | ||
| Americanmadexb |
The trailer in a bag is a neat concept. Doesn't work too well for hauling trash to the dump though. thats what your 4x6 is for!  | ||
| Cowboy |
If you live near a lake you should be able to pick up a old boat trailor very cheap (thay are very lite) just need to shorten up a bit. they are also very low to the ground. just remember trailor need to be 40% rear and 60% front. | ||
| Thumper74 |
IronPony sells wheel locators that will allow you to pull the bike forward and have a pistive stop/locator. Then incorporate some D rings for the tie downs. Or, you could just steel one from Uhaul, repaint it to MeHaul and no one would be the wiser...  | ||
| Nevrenuf |
got a gator 4x8 trailer with the fold up ramp. hauled the m2 out to california a few years ago with out problems and can get to bikes on with out any problems. would like to have an open 3 bike trailer sometime but this will work for now. just don't know whether i would trust the ultra on it. | ||
| Mikej |
I think I've got a way figured out to modify the front boards to make room for a bike and still be able to use it to haul furniture and stuff. I'm going to shop around for one of those wheel chocks that rotate when you roll the bike into it and holds the bike for solo loading, then will take the sheet and middle board off the front and space them out in front of the uprights. Monkey-rigged, but it should work for my needs. Measured the bike again and I think all I need is 4" or so to fit the S2 in there, the M2 should fit as well, got no idea about the FLT. Looks like I'll be working on the trailer some over the next few weeks.    | ||
| Iamike |
Mike, Make a cutout in your front boards so the tire goes partway through it. You can make a pocket or some sort of stop. I did that with my 4x6 and I can carry 2 bikes with it. I ran a pipe about 12" out the sides to give good support with the straps and the bikes will go almost as far to the sides that you can get them. I'd take a picture for you but the trailer is buried in snow in northern MN right now. | ||
| Mikej |
That's similar to what I've come up with as a plan. I'll have to check to see if I've got sidexside clearance for two bikes in the trailer. More snow is forecast for tomorrow and Friday. Maybe I'll pull the trailer into the garage and play with it in there. | ||
| Skarecrow |
Has anyone tried setting up a trailer from harbor freight? I am thinking about buying one to haul my bike. You can't beat the price. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem. taf?Itemnumber=90154 | ||
| Barker |
Before you buy a bikelug read this: Bikelug Trailer Fraud http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17 2959} | ||
| Dobr24 |
I use this and it works great if you have a truck or suv. Chris http://www.mototote.com/ | ||
| 99cyclone |
Has anyone tried setting up a trailer from harbor freight? I am thinking about buying one to haul my bike. You can't beat the price. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem. taf?Itemnumber=90154 A guy I work with has a trailer like that to haul his VTX and is very happy with it. Myself, I wanted something a little beefier so I picked up one of these, thinking I'd give it a shot. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem. taf?Itemnumber=94564 I am extremely happy with the trailer. It is very stiff, pulls nicely, and is affordable. |
