trailer recommendations, please

[Moybin]

Now that the kids are (mostly) moved out, I'm looking at doing more 3-4 day weekends with momma and the bike. OBSSSN needs a good, small trailer for those long hauls to interesting places.

I'm looking for Forum input on brands and features for a single bike trailer. Kendon folding looks interesting. Razor is another interesting set up.

Any benefits of a sprung axle vs. solid mounted? Is it easier to convert a small standard trailer to moto use, or a moto-specific trailer to general purpose use?

What brands do you folks use? Likes/dislikes? Recommendations?

[Guest24]

Although my trailer is a fully enclosed Haulmark, it has a rubber spring axle. The ride behind my Tundra is very nice. A friend has an open trailer with a wood floor (highly recommend) that is ideal for universal uses other than bike hauling. If you get a Baxley sport chock to run up on you're in business. The sport chock doesn't have to be anchored to the trailer. A four point tie-down and you're ready for any and all road conditions. Moto specific trailers become garage art.

[wswartzwel]

I used a Kendon when I went to NJ, and CO. It pulls very nicely, I could not tell it was back there. Folds up compact and can be rolled into a corner on the dolly wheels for storage.

[N8Kern]

Moybin, hey there, ATC trailers are great (aluminum frames). They also carry in their steel frame, Motiv trailers. Made in Indiana, there are dealers out there that carry their product.

I dont know if they make a smaller open trailer, but I thought I would plug them anyways. Bobby here at BMW MC of Atlanta sells and amazing, all aluminum custom 1/2/ or 3 bike trailer. I use the 3 bike setup, its wide and about 8 foot long, stone gurad up front, etc. Easily under 400lbs. Will try and get the exact name of the trailer.

Good luck,

N8!

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally posted by Nail24
Although my trailer is a fully enclosed Haulmark, it has a rubber spring axle. The ride behind my Tundra is very nice. A friend has an open trailer with a wood floor (highly recommend) that is ideal for universal uses other than bike hauling. If you get a Baxley sport chock to run up on you're in business. The sport chock doesn't have to be anchored to the trailer. A four point tie-down and you're ready for any and all road conditions. Moto specific trailers become garage art.

Agreed. Skip the moto-specific trailers and go with a simple flat bed. I don't secure my baxley chock to the trailer at all, and haven't had any problems.

[Guest24]

Originally posted by SCOTTinNJ
Agreed. Skip the moto-specific trailers and go with a simple flat bed. I don't secure my baxley chock to the trailer at all, and haven't had any problems.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Yours says it all--light, easy to get the bike on and simple to check under tow. Throw a bike cover on it in the lot at night and you're rolling for less than a grand including the chock. I had a friend with one of those stand it on end when not in use and that's where it spent most of its time--Garage Art.

[Moybin]

Thanks much, guys! This helps a lot!

Have good Memorial Day! (pair of F18s buzzed the local cemetary about 2 hours ago, not something you see more than once a year out here).

[Bob Hancock]

Some details for going this route:
-wood bed
-15" wheels
-split loading gate (less wind resistance)
-box frame construction (not L frame)
-sprung axle
-1 to 3 bikes
-and you can carry a sofa or a load of sand
-not garage art elegant but a very useful tool.

Works quite well for me.

[850dunstall]

i build a folding trailer with air ride suspension


the deck will fold in half, stand in the corner of the garage, axle is off a 94 vw passat, and the air ride is courtesy of Mr. Kenworth cab-over air bags...

[VetteRacer]

We've used a Harbor Freight folding trailer, with wood floor, before for my K bike when it died a few miles from home.
Sits low. Able to do very easy solo on/off with a peice of wood and loading from curb.
Havent towed the bike very far with it, but have used it for many other things. Towed behind my sable just fine, as well as my brothers little B2600 pickup, fully loaded when we moved to Vegas.
It is a Harbor Frieght item though, so not the best, top of the line, kinda item. But has done the job well for last 5 years.

I saw a really nice fold up bike trailer in a parking lot one day, couldnt find a manufacture on it though, and owners nowhere around.
Matt

[AntonLargiader]

With what will you be pulling it?

[Moybin]

Originally posted by AntonLargiader
With what will you be pulling it?

Just put a Class III hitch on my 02 Saturn Vue.

850dunstall: I'd do that, but I'm not a welder.

I'll check out the Harbor Freight route. Local store (Farm & Fleet) has a nice line of small trailers, too. Choices, choices, choices...

[signit98]

...Moybin, don't go with small wheels... seen to many of those along the side of the road (including one of mine, HF, of all things!)... if you are planning on ANY kind of distance, go 14" or 15" wheels with springs... I went small first, paid for it and now I have 14" wheels and happiness...

Just my 2 cents... as it is not a good feeling to be stranded with blown bearings after only 2 years of sporadic usage!!!

[geothepencil]

We're watching this with interest too as our trailer, a 6X12 enclosed dual axle with brakes, when pulled by our 1 ton van gets 8 mpg on a good day. I like what I have seen of the Kendon fold ups like Bill mentioned but we would probably only use it 6 or 8 times a year and would like a little more utility.

geo

[wswartzwel]

Rent a U haul... You can get a small enclosed one cheap... Screw a Pingel chock to the wood floor, and then return it when you are done with your trip. That way you don't have to store it,buy tags, or pay taxes.

[rm]

Hi Moybin,

This one is a little pricey, but to me it was worth it. All aluminum except for the torsion axle - steel and rubber. 15" wheels, built in ram, tows like butter - hardly know its back there, built in ramp, back part of the deck folds up and I can stand this up in my garage when not in use.......great where those pesky Home Owners associations dont like seeing the "white trash" trailer in the drive way . It is made by Aluma trailer, but you probably can read that on the trailer.

Good luck with your selection........many, many good choices out there.




Robert

[wswartzwel]

Here are some pics of the Kendan for comparison.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally posted by Bob Hancock

Some details for going this route:
-wood bed
-15" wheels
-split loading gate (less wind resistance)
-box frame construction (not L frame)
-sprung axle
-1 to 3 bikes
-and you can carry a sofa or a load of sand
-not garage art elegant but a very useful tool.

Works quite well for me.

That's a nice trailer. If I didn't get such a good deal on mine, I ould have gone that route. Definitely like the bigger tires. Mine have held up so far with higway use, but I am careful not to go too fast with them.

[roger albert]

Ditto on the big wheels recommendation.
The Aluma's and Kendons are both really nice.
Open get much better gas mileage than enclosed.

[Geoff Anstey]

I would recommend a standard box trailer, that has been made to 'take bikes'. The Picture that I have attached of the trailer I have is a 5*8 box trailer that will take two Boxer BMW's side by side. The front and rear tailgates are removable, the rear is re-enforced and slots into some grooves that acts as a ramp. My 2003 BCR has no problems with clearance on the belly-pan when riding it up.


If you need some additional pictures of details let me know and I'll post them



The advantage of course is when you need to move, or take a load of dirt for landscaping etc you can use your bike/standard trailer.