looking for a light duty single bike trailer. might also build one so if someone has one i could just check out to copy the design that would be cool too.
Harbor freight has just about everything you’ll need. I was goign to build it but then found mine for cheaper.
This:
http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/trailer-trailer-accessories/870-lb-capacity-40-inch-x-49-inch-heavy-duty-utility-trailer-with-8-inch-wheels-and-tires-42708.html
With this bolted on top of it (without the wheels obviously):
Add some heavy duty eye-bolts in each corner for easy strapping and viola… light weight motorcycle trailer. Best part is spare tires are only $20 each. You would also have to figure out something for a quick ramp. Probably a piece of heavy duty aluminum channel (3 sided) with a bolt for securing it at the top so it can’t move.
Or you can take the railer, add a full deck with some aluminum diamond plate, add this: http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/lifts-stands/motorcycle-wheel-chock-96349.html and you are good to go.
I just build mine a few months ago. If you plan on doing some highway towing, get a trailer with 12" wheels and don’t forget to get a spare wheel/tire.
I did some looking into it, and with the light weight of a bike, the 8" wheels should be fine. I would say that if you were to be putting a heavier load on it, then yes you would def. want bigger tires.
However if you are planning on going hundreds of miles at a time then yes, bigger tires will help. But for minor highway towing I think he will be fine.
I would second that if for minor highway towing. I did use the trailer with 12" to pick up my bike from Ohio. Also Not sure if 12" wheel and 8" wheel have the same speed rating.
thoughts on this kinda design?
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376536
i am going to be towing with a 4 cyl camry
I’ve never been a fan of any kind of tow dolly towing… esspecially on a bike. Since the engine isn’t on, the gears are not going to be lubricated properly and could cause pre-mature failure. The trailer I mentioned above is very light weight and would be no problem on a 4cyl. Keeping all the wheels off the ground is always the best option.
i was thinking as a safety that i would remove the chain if i used the dolly type. are you using the trailer that you posted?
pros of the dolly:
less added weight
inexpensive
don’t have to register a trailer
don’t have to have lights, so no wiring on the car
stores easily
weather these out weigh the fact that i think it looks pretty dicey i don’t know yet. another con is that the rear tire will wear.
its dicey, and you risk damaging the clutch discs in the bike. 1 because they will be spinning without proper lubrication, plus there is always a risk of the bike possibly popping into gear (rare, but shit happens).
The trailer is only adding maybe a couple hundred pounds.
I was going to go that route, but then was able to get ahold of pre-built trailer for $250 so it was a better option at the time.
If its the wiring you are afraid of, there are people on here (ahem me ahem) that can wire a plug in for you for a fair price… and the lights are already on the trailer; just recommend running a new ground throughout the trailer to eliminate grounding issues.
Registration on a trailer under 999lbs is about $10.
Case in point: Spend the extra money now, before you have to spend a lot more down the road when your bike is laying in pieces on the side of the road.
“running a new ground throughout the trailer to eliminate grounding issues.”
Yeah make sure you don’t ground it via the frame :rofl…ask me how I know…:rofl
if the chain is off the bike i don’t see the harm it could do… a tie down could just as easily pop off a bike loaded on the trailer so i think the risk there is the same. its an added pain to take the chain off but its such a cheaper option. i dunno
ive got a small utility trailer ill sell you…150 bucks its yours take it away…no lights no reggy does have a new tongue and a winch and a tongue jack…you could tear it down and rebuild it or w/e ill have pics up in a min
If you have it restrained properly then it will not “pop off” the bike. You can do as you wish, but you are taking a much bigger risk with the dolly… and taking the chain on and off everytime you transport it is going to get old quick… then you’ll be out buying a trailer anyways… lol.
well i only need to tow it once in the near future, i am not sure i understand why its an increased risk to use the dolly… and please know that i am only arguing the point to figure out what i want to do. i appreciate your input.
It’s entirely up to you in the end… its not my bike. But if you really think about it, with a dolly you are only strapping the front end down and at a very steep angle. If you were to hit a bump it doesn’t look like that little “wheel chock” will hold the bike very well. Which could turn into the bike hopping right off of it and you can say good bye to it as you drag it down the road. But even if you were to strap it down 100% tight and fully compress the front suspension and it doesn’t pop off, you have the added PITA of having to remove the chain, and the added wear and tear on the tire.
But again, its your bike so if you feel comfortable with it and want to save the money then go for it.
i hear ya, is there any where that sells just the components for trailers locally? the harbor freight trailers look pretty junky. i think i rather weld a simpler version with bigger axle for bigger highway tires
that I’m not sure of… but I would take bets that welding your own will more than likely end up costing more than the price of the HF trailer. For what it needs to do it should be plenty… unless you plan on going on a few hundred mile trip with it… lol.
i am going to NY to CA, but the trailer will be loaded 1/3 of the trip
this thing is boss
Nice but not at that price…