Anyone here know about trailers?

[beaner]

I need a trailer. Used to have a pickup but totalled it and got a wrangler. I don't know how people can own a home and not have a pickup. Anyway, decided to get a trailer instead of getting rid of my jeep.

I know jack about trailers.

Want to get one that can carry general purpose crap from home depot, the occasional piece of furniture, etc. But I also want to be able to cart my motorcycle to Daytona. Most of them have these little teeny tires on them. That'll probably work for home depot, but I don't think I wanna put my scooter on those for a 1200 mile trip. I've also noticed some have leaf springs and others have a "torsion" axle. Some are triangular where they connect to the bumper, some are a single arm with a coupler, etc etc etc.

Any advice appreciated.
Thanks
dave

[Brad]

Re: Anyone here know about trailers?

Hey Dave~ I don't know what part of Texas you're in but Big Tex has a pretty good selection. They are about an hour away from me so that's who I thought of first.

http://www.bigtextrailers.com/class/Single_Axle.html

Hope this helps get you in the right direction.

[SEEGERMANY]

Re: Anyone here know about trailers?

First, you don't want a trailer with tires smaller than normal automobile tires, especially if you're going to be travelling at speeds over 50 mph. Second, you need to decide if you want a trailer with a drop down tailgate or a trailer that has "tilt" capabilities.

Last year, I happened to stop by the local Yamaha dealership and noticed they had some old trailers out back. To make a long story short, I scored a 1999 6' x 10' tilt trailer, gross hauling weight of 4800 lbs., for $400. It required two new tires, two spot welds, a good wire brushing, and a quart of Rustoleum paint. Total investment, about $575. I've been offered $1000 on two occasions. Problem is that I'd never find another trailer this good for the money.

Keep your eyes open and check the bike dealerships. One other thing I recommend is to make sure the trailer floor is welded steel grating/mesh. If by chance you do need to haul something and are worried about road moisture, buy a couple of 3/4" plywood sheets and cut to size. Makes a great temporary floor.

Good luck!

[Chuckracer]

Re: Anyone here know about trailers?

Five years ago the shop I was riding for was headed from Arizona to Buttonwillow, California to a race. The shop truck (a new Chevy 2500 Silverado) was hauling an 18 ft. Pace American fully enclosed tandem axle trailer with four racebikes, about 20 tires, a tire machine, air compresser,two big tooloxes, awnings, chairs, bins full of parts, and all sorts of other crap.

I wasn't riding that weekend as the race before I had a pretty big crash and was in no shape to race again so soon. The team left on Friday afternoon, and I was coming out with another racer on Saturday morning just to crew for a couple friends.

Going over the Grapevine on I-5, the trailer went into a slapper and passed the truck. Both the truck and the trailer slammed into the guardrail at 70 mph and the trailer basically exploded, sending motorcycles, tires, tools, and everything else all over the highway. One of the bikes was run over by an 18 wheeler.

Needless to say, the truck, trailer, and everything in it was destroyed.

I hate trailers. get a pickup or a van.

[beaner]

Re: Anyone here know about trailers?

Thanks for the advice guys.

Chuck, hell, with that sort of story I could give up motorcycles too ya know? I know they're not the best solution. You wouldn't give up 2 wheelin' cause someone told you four wheels are safer.

I do appreciate the thought, really. And I probably will get a new truck next year when my wifes suv needs replacing (which is about now but can't convince her of that). The trailer is an interim solution, and the way things are going, it'll be a miracle if the bike sees the trailer at all before next year (popped a wrist pin and gotta fix the damage - ouch). More than likely this will be a neighborhood hauler. I'm just looking for advice on what is complete crap to stay away from, like the one I saw today with 8 inch rims!! [img]/images/graemlins/what.gif[/img]