Motorcycle trailer

[LonestarCBR]

I'm sorta in the market for a bargain on a bike trailer if anyone knows of one.

[milesmiles]

I always knew you were the kind of guy who pulls his bike around with him, but never rides it

[U-Turn]

Bam !

[Rhino]

How bargain are you talking?

The Harbor Freight folding trailer is functional, sckego hauled his bike from TX to CA on it. You see low-deck flatbed trailers on Craigslist all the time, an appropriate sized one will work with any sort of cheap ramp to get the bike on it. Or if you find a good deal on a lawnmower trailer, that works too and tends to already have the ramp built in.

The easiest thing for just one bike is getting good ramps and putting it in the back of your truck. Assuming of course that you have a truck.

[LonestarCBR]

I always knew you were the kind of guy who pulls his bike around with him, but never rides it

It not to haul my bike...it's to pull behind my bike so I can help get the Jap bikes home when they crap out.

[LonestarCBR]

How bargain are you talking?

The Harbor Freight folding trailer is functional, sckego hauled his bike from TX to CA on it. You see low-deck flatbed trailers on Craigslist all the time, an appropriate sized one will work with any sort of cheap ramp to get the bike on it. Or if you find a good deal on a lawnmower trailer, that works too and tends to already have the ramp built in.

The easiest thing for just one bike is getting good ramps and putting it in the back of your truck. Assuming of course that you have a truck.

No El Trucko bucko. And nothing sounds easy about getting a 450# bike into the back of a pick-up.

[DarcShadow]

A good ramp and/or strategic parking and it's not that hard at all. But having a truck to start with helps. ha!
Seriously though, what price range are you looking for?
Here's one for $300
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/grd/4835285309.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Or a harbor freight folding trailer with upgrades already done for $375
http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/tls/4832246828.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[milesmiles]

I load my triumph in my truck by myself with 2' ramps and a sidewalk. Isn't the most ideal, but I've done it quite a bit

[Rhino]

No El Trucko bucko. And nothing sounds easy about getting a 450# bike into the back of a pick-up.

No truck is the hard part.

Loading solo is dead simple. Black Widow 3-part ramps. You only need 2 of the parts. One for the bike, one for you walking up next to it. You get the bike up the ramp under its own power. Done it dozens of times for track days.

For something you can pull behind a car, you want to go as small and light as possible, which means you're not saving money. Something like a Kendon Single Rail, which is $$$$.

On the cheap, your best bet is to use a U-Haul trailer when necessary. Those can be towed by a Class I hitch. When I first started track riding, I was pulling my bike behind a Ford Focus.

[LonestarCBR]

U-Haul is an option I already have on the plate. I have a 2000# tow capacity with a factory installed towing package. I've looked at the Tractor Supply trailers, online at Harbor Freight, and everything on eBay and Craig's list. So I'm considering a lot of options. I even have one to borrow, that may end up being for sale.'

[milesmiles]

Home depot

[Striple]

Since you're considering all options, here are my two cents. Cheap trailers can be had for about $300 and up, and they are functional, but far from ideal. Most units in that price range tend to be less stable and relatively impractical to load. If your expected usage of the trailer is going to be relatively low (say, just a few times a year), then this type of subideal setup may be sufficient. It will do the job--just not particularly well or comfortably. For a solid setup, you need a motorcycle-specific trailer that is either of the known brands (Kendon et al) or one that was basic but was converted accordingly. For that purpose, a good ramp and solid choke setup with strategically-placed attachment points for tie-downs is important. Of course, if you're going for a motorcycle-specific setup, then having the capacity to transport more than one bike also becomes very convenient. Any of those motorcycle trailers tend to be more expensive (usually $700 and up, with a lot of them running over $1k). If your expected usage is at least moderate, and/or if you expect to own that trailer long term, then I would strongly recommend getting a motorcycle-specific setup, as you will be much happier with it in the long run.

[milesmiles]

Unless you need to haul something odd shaped as well. Then you'll be pissed you had a motorcycle trailer

[JTChiTown]

Yup. Go with the 5x8 open with a ramp. Can't go wrong.

[milesmiles]

That's what I'm screamin. You can set it up with motorcycle chocks that have a quick release. Then put D rings on the floor for extra tie down points. Ramp is folds up in the rear. Tons of companies sell this style trailer & they weigh more than harbor freights crap, so they track fairly well. Long distances, no issues.

[LonestarCBR]

Good advice guys. So far, Tractor Supply has a 5x8 with fold down ramp/gate for $700, with 2x8 wood floor that would fit a couple of bikes and/or gear that's pm my radar. I'm very open to a lot of options, and Thomas said it all especially well. I missed a great deal on a 11 foot enclosed trailer last summer, just wasn't ready to pull the trigger. Thanks again.

[WillK675]

Here's the craigslist find of they day, if your still looking, and have the cash to spend...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/rvs/4827562605.html

[LonestarCBR]

I have a trailer now, thanks. I have a friend who has a small single-bike trailer he might be looking to sell if anyone is interested. It has a loading ramp, and side ramps for your feet. Nothing real fancy, I was going to borrow it for Cresson before I purchased. I can get picks if anyone is interested.

[WillK675]

Yeah, this just made me start looking at toy haulers. One day I'll have one. This is a pretty good find as well...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/rvs/4842973442.html

[LonestarCBR]

Here's the craigslist find of they day, if your still looking, and have the cash to spend...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/rvs/4827562605.html

Now that I look at this closer, this would make a nice addition to the club track bike. A club camper/hauler.