Want some advice on a trailer.

[GAWildKat]

My dear FIL decided during Vogel that we need a trailer to tow the bikes and a vehicle to do so. The original idea what to convert one of his trailers for them and give us his conversion van he bought new in 89. Part of that plan is still on the table, the van. However after doing a thorough inspection of his trailer he made the decision to scrap it due to age, rust, and his thoughts about being able to rebuild the trailer given his health and level of physical activity. He found this trailer at lowe's and is thinking it will work. Pros? Cons? Keep in mind we have a 1st gen and a suzuki volusia. He would be adding wheel chocks to the trailer before we get it. From my standpoint, it's a lot of money to spend, but he never does anything low quality, he's picked out the wheel chocks already. If anyone has other suggestions for trailers, let me know. He refuses to buy from harbor freight, not had any good luck with things bought there. Thank you for listening.

[painterman67]

just my opinion . But I dont think both will fit on that. MEasure up your 1st gen alone. Mine will not fit on my 4x8 ft trailer without quite a bit hanging off the back. As I remember the venture is a little over 8 feet from front on front tire to back of trunk. its also as I remember a little over 3 and a half feet wide............take that along iwth the valousa and I just dont think they will both fit .........at least not at the same time. But I have been wrong before

 

David

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Just my 2 cents:

 

That ramp will catch a fair amount of wind, impacting mileage, and it MIGHT be too steep to negotiate with a bike that will drag hard parts as your bikes 'break' over the top. This can be modified or corrected, but just keep this possibility in mind.

 

There are dedicated dual-motorcycle trailers available, but most will be about double the price of this one.

 

 

 

 

 

[Squidley]

Both bikes would be a tough fit on that, a 6' X 10' would be much better. I would also go with a different ramp as Brian mentioned, that one will catch a lot of air. I think you should look around a bit more, for a little more money, you could get a lot better fit....

[Condor]

just my opinion . But I dont think both will fit on that. MEasure up your 1st gen alone. Mine will not fit on my 4x8 ft trailer without quite a bit hanging off the back. As I remember the venture is a little over 8 feet from front on front tire to back of trunk. its also as I remember a little over 3 and a half feet wide............take that along iwth the valousa and I just dont think they will both fit .........at least not at the same time. But I have been wrong before

 

David

 

:sign yeah that:I agree. I've pulled my '83VR, or my '07 in my 5'6"x10' utility trailer and each fill it up fairly well. For 2 bikes I'd look around for a tandem enclosed 7x14 with a ramp gate on eBay or craigslist. I don't think they make a 7x12, but if they do go for it. The enclosed will also make a great bike storage during the winter months and free up the garage.

Here's one local to me that would be great.... There's gotta be a few similar, local to you

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/4116043292.html

[Carbon_One]

A 6x12 with steel mesh ramp will haul both of your bike easily. You will have to stagger them for best fit. As far as that type of ramp I see very little wind resistance with it. After all its a mesh with plenty of holes for wind to go thru. Now if you had a solid ramp ya I'd agree with folks about wind resistance.

Also you might want to check local trailer sale places. When I bought my last trailer they were much cheaper than Lowes were.

Larry

[Mike G in SC]

My 5x10 trailer (a bit heavier duty than the Lowes type) had a tall open metal gate like that. It dropped my gas mileage by 10 mpg, even pulling empty. That open mesh really does almost as bad as a flat gate. (follow a car pulling a similar trailer, on your bike,,, you get a LOT of wind disturbance, like a car hauler)

 

I had mine cut in half, put a hinge/lock and it folds down to half size while being towed.

It folds back out to full size to load the bike. Now, can hardly fee it when I tow.

 

It would be a real squeeze to load two full sized bikes. You should consider 6' wide.

Also, with two bikes you are already at the 1500 lb limit.

 

Mike G

[GAWildKat]

:sign yeah that:I agree. I've pulled my '83VR, or my '07 in my 5'6"x10' utility trailer and each fill it up fairly well. For 2 bikes I'd look around for a tandem enclosed 7x14 with a ramp gate on eBay or craigslist. I don't think they make a 7x12, but if they do go for it. The enclosed will also make a great bike storage during the winter months and free up the garage.

Here's one local to me that would be great.... There's gotta be a few similar, local to you

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/4116043292.html

 

Mike rides all yr, only time he hates riding is rain and high wind. The bikes (for now) are his work transportation. We are tossing around the idea of putting a voyager kit on the Volusia for me to ride, but that will be sometime next yr. Where we live currently, storage of a trailer is a concern too. I'm very much leaning towards letting my FIL store the van and trailer semi perm until we have our own home, where we aren't intruding in the space of a roommate. I agree that a 6x12 would be a better option. And if I do have to disassemble the voyager kit to load the bike, sobeit. When we can afford to buy a trailer that meets our needs and expectations and we're paying for it I can have a lot more input. But this is something my FIL wants to do and can't push him too much, it's very much a "time" issue as well as a budget issue. Mike and I are by no means motorcycle experts, and my FIL even less so. I'm thankful everyone here is awesome with input and guidance.

[Godlover]

I was looking at a 5x10 from one of our farm supply stores but was patient and kept searching for an Aluma trailer. For the same price, $1000, I scored a 3 place Aluma trailer with clocks and ramps that store under the bed, new LED lights, and two spares. It weighs less, won't rust, has chrome wheels, and pulls well with our MKX. I would suggest looking for a used Aluma trailer for about the price of the other.

[Flyinfool]

You can get an idea of how much room you will need for your 2 bikes.

 

Park them side by side in the driveway and draw a chalk line around the outer most points on both of them. this will give you an idea on what you need in your specific case.

 

OR

 

Draw a 5 x 10 rectangle and see if you can figure a way to get both bikes COMPLETELY within that rectangle. I am thinking that to get both bikes in there, you will have to have them both on an angle.

 

The expanded metal ramps do have a lot of wind resistance. In some cases they can have even more wind resistance than a solid ramp would.

BUT, since this will be getting pulled by a full size van. there should not be all that much air going thru the ramp. Same with having the bikes angled, the van will block most of the wind which will help both of the the MPGs.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Draw a 5 x 10 rectangle and see if you can figure a way to get both bikes COMPLETELY within that rectangle.

 

 

I'm figuring horizontal, lay one down, stack the other on top.

 

[Flyinfool]

I'm figuring horizontal, lay one down, stack the other on top.

 

 

That was my first thought to........

 

But then for some odd reason I behaved myself for a change......

[Guest tx2sturgis]

That was my first thought to........

 

But then for some odd reason I behaved myself for a change......

 

 

Why?

 

 

 

[Yammer Dan]

I've been looking for a 5x10 mesh floor tilt bed. Can't find them with prices for some reason. Would tilt bed not need ramp? I've looked at them and it shouldn't be problem loading with the ramp. Jack the jack up and its a easy drive on. Tilt bed might be easier and get rid of ramp?

I got a 2nd Gen. I'm looking at trailers!!

[Flyinfool]

 

Why?

 

 

 

 

I don't know, Maybe old age is sneaking up on me?

 

BUT NO!!!!! Or I will have to buy a 2nd gen like that other guy did.......

 

.

 

.

 

Better?

[Yammer Dan]

I don't know, Maybe old age is sneaking up on me?

 

BUT NO!!!!! Or I will have to buy a 2nd gen like that other guy did.......

 

 

 

 

.

 

.

 

Better?

 

Why do you think I'm looking at trailers??

[Yammer Dan]

Here is what I want with mesh bed and I don't think I want the gate.

 

 

 

http://www.lowes.com/pd_185886-15476-5X10LGW2K_0__

[JohnT]

Here is what I want with mesh bed and I don't think I want the gate.

 

 

 

http://www.lowes.com/pd_185886-15476-5X10LGW2K_0__

 

That is a much better trailer than the Lowe's 5 x8 with the mesh floor. For the same kind of money the trailers sold by TSC are better built. My Lowe's trailer with the mesh floor REQUIRED a plywood floor and it still flexes a bunch.

[Jayceesfolly]

I agree with TX2STURGIS about the "breakover" when the front wheel goes over the top of the ramp. I had the same problem with my ramp on the trailer. I had to modify the bed and end of the ramp to get my 1st Gen to go on my trailer. The exhaust pipes would scrape on the end of the ramp. I would look for a trailer with a lower floor height.

 

Also, you may want to look at a winch to pull bikes up the ramp on a trailer that sits that high. Have you ever tried to push a 1st Gen up a ramp with two flat tires??!!!

Jim

[Yammer Dan]

I agree with TX2STURGIS about the "breakover" when the front wheel goes over the top of the ramp. I had the same problem with my ramp on the trailer. I had to modify the bed and end of the ramp to get my 1st Gen to go on my trailer. The exhaust pipes would scrape on the end of the ramp. I would look for a trailer with a lower floor height.

 

Also, you may want to look at a winch to pull bikes up the ramp on a trailer that sits that high. Have you ever tried to push a 1st Gen up a ramp with two flat tires??!!!

Jim

 

 

This one if you crank the jack up and drop ramp there is no breakover. And a winch could be mounted very easy.