Hauling bikes on small utility trailors
Started by Wandell, Nov 26 2009 12:14 PM
71 replies to this topic
Posted 11 December 2009 - 04:00 PM
I have had this really old Harbor Freight foldaway for about 5 years now and just put a new 1200# axle / 12" wheels & spare / decking / wiring / tounge jack / white paint ( for dark campsites and cool to touch in desert heat ) / tounge gussets / tiedown outriggers ( a very wise buddy made his swivel down to keep from shin slamming ) and wheel chocks. I anchored all the stakes and notched the side rails for the pegs to fit through. I also added two stake receivers on the tail end, and mounted them upside down to receive "legs". This lets me sit on the unattached trailer's tail end without it teeter-totting. It's really light to tow with my 6cyl Tacoma, and.... inexpensive.
Posted 12 December 2009 - 12:45 PM
LRPct said:
Thanks for your concern but I'm a very safe and consciousness driver and always drive within my capabilities and within reason for my enviroment.. I've had flats on cars, trucks, and trailers before and can handle it well...I'm not a 16yo kid that just got his liciense. I've been teaching performance driving for over 10 years for the biggest racing school in the world, and on the street I probally drive more cautious than 99% of the general public. Of course, I'm not doin 80 + through winding mountain roads. Anything I do beyond the scope of the laws of the road is done on a closed course. thanks again though...
back to talking of hauling bikes with utility trailers....
back to talking of hauling bikes with utility trailers....
I'm curious....where is it not "beyond the scope of the laws of the road" to travel "85 MPH cross country." or
Only 80 mph speed limits I'm aware of in the US are in W TX and Central UT.
You may teach performance driving, but how much experience do you have with trailer tire failure at speed with a small car? That trailer can easily "wag the dog" at speed if a tire lets loose. Even more so when you take into consideration that the trailers center of gravity is quite high with bikes on it.
Posted 12 December 2009 - 06:41 PM
chickenhauler said:
I'm curious....where is it not "beyond the scope of the laws of the road" to travel "85 MPH cross country." or
Only 80 mph speed limits I'm aware of in the US are in W TX and Central UT.
You may teach performance driving, but how much experience do you have with trailer tire failure at speed with a small car? That trailer can easily "wag the dog" at speed if a tire lets loose. Even more so when you take into consideration that the trailers center of gravity is quite high with bikes on it.
Only 80 mph speed limits I'm aware of in the US are in W TX and Central UT.
You may teach performance driving, but how much experience do you have with trailer tire failure at speed with a small car? That trailer can easily "wag the dog" at speed if a tire lets loose. Even more so when you take into consideration that the trailers center of gravity is quite high with bikes on it.
Like I already said in the earlier post....I have had experiences with trailer flats before.. Both with a truck with bigger trailers and also with "small" 3,100 cars pulling bike trailers. Really if someone can't handle something like that at 60-75 MPH, they shouldn't be driving that speed anywhere and probally shouldn't even have a driver's liciense at all. Even with that taller center of gravity 600-800lbs of bike trailer reallly doesn't seem to do that much to a 3,000 lb car. Sorry if it's not all that dramtic as you think it should be.
And yes nanny hauler, you caught me.. I HAVE traveled 2-5 MPH over the limit in TX and UT and EVEN maybe 4-9, or EVEN 10MPH over the limit in places like AZ, NV, or WO while pulling that huge 700 lbs. of trailer and bike in almost nonexistent traffic, barley seeing a car every 5 miles or so. And actually, I usually slow down to, or even less than the speed limit when passing someone, even in the middle of no where. I must be a rebel without a cause... I've had a flat on a stock car at Talledega at 160 MPH, and still stayed in the car, I've had a flat on Viper at Laguna Seca at over 100MPH and stayed in the car. I must have a death wish.... can you hear the sarcasm yet???
And like I said before, I'm not a 16 yo that just got his liciense. Because of my job, I actually do drive alot more "cautious", "slower" than 99% of the population, ESPECIALLY around others. If I chose to drive 5- 10 MPH more than the limit in the middle of no where or in the dessert, while completely focused on the task at hand, you'll just have to trust my judgement on that nanny hauler. Just like you have to every day, with that women next to you, driving faster than that, all while doing her make up, or the busy dad, doing the same speed while turned completely around disciplining his children.
Not trying to be a total J.O. her Hauler, but could we maybe keep our stones and our judgement to ourselves about a couple of MPH's so the OP can get answers to his questions without having his thread jacked allover the place for such nonsense?
Good day.. back to utilty trailers... :cheers:
Posted 13 December 2009 - 05:34 AM
LRPct said:
Like I already said in the earlier post....I have had experiences with trailer flats before.. Both with a truck with bigger trailers and also with "small" 3,100 cars pulling bike trailers. Really if someone can't handle something like that at 60-75 MPH, they shouldn't be driving that speed anywhere and probally shouldn't even have a driver's liciense at all. Even with that taller center of gravity 600-800lbs of bike trailer reallly doesn't seem to do that much to a 3,000 lb car. Sorry if it's not all that dramtic as you think it should be.
And yes nanny hauler, you caught me.. I HAVE traveled 2-5 MPH over the limit in TX and UT and EVEN maybe 4-9, or EVEN 10MPH over the limit in places like AZ, NV, or WO while pulling that huge 700 lbs. of trailer and bike in almost nonexistent traffic, barley seeing a car every 5 miles or so. And actually, I usually slow down to, or even less than the speed limit when passing someone, even in the middle of no where. I must be a rebel without a cause... I've had a flat on a stock car at Talledega at 160 MPH, and still stayed in the car, I've had a flat on Viper at Laguna Seca at over 100MPH and stayed in the car. I must have a death wish.... can you hear the sarcasm yet???
And like I said before, I'm not a 16 yo that just got his liciense. Because of my job, I actually do drive alot more "cautious", "slower" than 99% of the population, ESPECIALLY around others. If I chose to drive 5- 10 MPH more than the limit in the middle of no where or in the dessert, while completely focused on the task at hand, you'll just have to trust my judgement on that nanny hauler. Just like you have to every day, with that women next to you, driving faster than that, all while doing her make up, or the busy dad, doing the same speed while turned completely around disciplining his children.
Not trying to be a total J.O. her Hauler, but could we maybe keep our stones and our judgement to ourselves about a couple of MPH's so the OP can get answers to his questions without having his thread jacked allover the place for such nonsense?
Good day.. back to utilty trailers... :cheers:
And yes nanny hauler, you caught me.. I HAVE traveled 2-5 MPH over the limit in TX and UT and EVEN maybe 4-9, or EVEN 10MPH over the limit in places like AZ, NV, or WO while pulling that huge 700 lbs. of trailer and bike in almost nonexistent traffic, barley seeing a car every 5 miles or so. And actually, I usually slow down to, or even less than the speed limit when passing someone, even in the middle of no where. I must be a rebel without a cause... I've had a flat on a stock car at Talledega at 160 MPH, and still stayed in the car, I've had a flat on Viper at Laguna Seca at over 100MPH and stayed in the car. I must have a death wish.... can you hear the sarcasm yet???
And like I said before, I'm not a 16 yo that just got his liciense. Because of my job, I actually do drive alot more "cautious", "slower" than 99% of the population, ESPECIALLY around others. If I chose to drive 5- 10 MPH more than the limit in the middle of no where or in the dessert, while completely focused on the task at hand, you'll just have to trust my judgement on that nanny hauler. Just like you have to every day, with that women next to you, driving faster than that, all while doing her make up, or the busy dad, doing the same speed while turned completely around disciplining his children.
Not trying to be a total J.O. her Hauler, but could we maybe keep our stones and our judgement to ourselves about a couple of MPH's so the OP can get answers to his questions without having his thread jacked allover the place for such nonsense?
Good day.. back to utilty trailers... :cheers:
I think mine and other comments are related to hauling utility trailers and were worth mentioning in this particular forum. People that are not "expert drivers" may get the idea that it is perfectly safe to throw caution to the wind and haul trailers at excessive speeds. I am by no means an "expert" but without getting into detail I have seen first hand the results of speed and trailers. They do not mix! You may get away with it for awhile but sooner than later luck will run out.
Posted 13 December 2009 - 05:46 AM
LRPct said:
Like I already said in the earlier post....I have had experiences with trailer flats before.. Both with a truck with bigger trailers and also with "small" 3,100 cars pulling bike trailers. Really if someone can't handle something like that at 60-75 MPH, they shouldn't be driving that speed anywhere and probally shouldn't even have a driver's liciense at all. Even with that taller center of gravity 600-800lbs of bike trailer reallly doesn't seem to do that much to a 3,000 lb car. Sorry if it's not all that dramtic as you think it should be.
And yes nanny hauler, you caught me.. I HAVE traveled 2-5 MPH over the limit in TX and UT and EVEN maybe 4-9, or EVEN 10MPH over the limit in places like AZ, NV, or WO while pulling that huge 700 lbs. of trailer and bike in almost nonexistent traffic, barley seeing a car every 5 miles or so. And actually, I usually slow down to, or even less than the speed limit when passing someone, even in the middle of no where. I must be a rebel without a cause... I've had a flat on a stock car at Talledega at 160 MPH, and still stayed in the car, I've had a flat on Viper at Laguna Seca at over 100MPH and stayed in the car. I must have a death wish.... can you hear the sarcasm yet???
And like I said before, I'm not a 16 yo that just got his liciense. Because of my job, I actually do drive alot more "cautious", "slower" than 99% of the population, ESPECIALLY around others. If I chose to drive 5- 10 MPH more than the limit in the middle of no where or in the dessert, while completely focused on the task at hand, you'll just have to trust my judgement on that nanny hauler. Just like you have to every day, with that women next to you, driving faster than that, all while doing her make up, or the busy dad, doing the same speed while turned completely around disciplining his children.
Not trying to be a total J.O. her Hauler, but could we maybe keep our stones and our judgement to ourselves about a couple of MPH's so the OP can get answers to his questions without having his thread jacked allover the place for such nonsense?
Good day.. back to utilty trailers... :cheers:
And yes nanny hauler, you caught me.. I HAVE traveled 2-5 MPH over the limit in TX and UT and EVEN maybe 4-9, or EVEN 10MPH over the limit in places like AZ, NV, or WO while pulling that huge 700 lbs. of trailer and bike in almost nonexistent traffic, barley seeing a car every 5 miles or so. And actually, I usually slow down to, or even less than the speed limit when passing someone, even in the middle of no where. I must be a rebel without a cause... I've had a flat on a stock car at Talledega at 160 MPH, and still stayed in the car, I've had a flat on Viper at Laguna Seca at over 100MPH and stayed in the car. I must have a death wish.... can you hear the sarcasm yet???
And like I said before, I'm not a 16 yo that just got his liciense. Because of my job, I actually do drive alot more "cautious", "slower" than 99% of the population, ESPECIALLY around others. If I chose to drive 5- 10 MPH more than the limit in the middle of no where or in the dessert, while completely focused on the task at hand, you'll just have to trust my judgement on that nanny hauler. Just like you have to every day, with that women next to you, driving faster than that, all while doing her make up, or the busy dad, doing the same speed while turned completely around disciplining his children.
Not trying to be a total J.O. her Hauler, but could we maybe keep our stones and our judgement to ourselves about a couple of MPH's so the OP can get answers to his questions without having his thread jacked allover the place for such nonsense?
Good day.. back to utilty trailers... :cheers:
Just saying....don't pretend to be all law abiding when you admit to going over 100mph with a trailer in tow.
No need for the name calling.
Posted 13 December 2009 - 09:38 AM
chickenhauler said:
Just saying....don't pretend to be all law abiding when you admit to going over 100mph with a trailer in tow.
No need for the name calling.
No need for the name calling.
Actually, while we're knit picking I said "up to" 100 MPH, not "over". And maybe I should have filled out the complete disclaimer like you and Willie would like me to for everyone and inform that that was actually while I was living and working in Europe and ONLY in places where that is perfectly legal and acceptable under the proper circumstances. Yes, I shipped everything over there while I worked for a few months, car, bikes, trailers. Pretty much everything not electronic. I don't need to explain every single one of my moves or the few perks to my job.
And Willie, while I see your point I also don't feel the need to be everyone elses concious and judgement. Even in the overlitigious and nanny state of the U.S. People have to have common sense. Just beacuse one person says, "I cleared that triple no problem" I sure hope people, especially those here, have the common sense to realize that not EVERYONE can or should.
OBVIOUSLY everyone needs to know the limitations of their equipment and themselves for ANYTHING. Their riding skills, their bike, their driving experience and ability and their tow rig / trailer, and YES, EVEN their own balancing abilities and the coificient of grip their bath mat has when they step out of the shower. :thumbsup:
Sorry for the name calling Hauler, but as I explained I really don't appreciate someone jumping to conclusions and putting their 2cents in about whatever my judgement may be if on a occasion I happen to exceed a speed limit by 5 or even 10 MPH. I firm believer in "those that have not SINNED themselves cast the first stone" and otherwise keep my opinions and concerns to myself.
If it seemed like I was condoning or promoting someone to be tearing a@@ allover the place with dangerous trailers flailing behind them, with no concerns for safety I'm very sorry, but I don't think I did. Can everyone please all use their OWN common sense and keep the second guessing and judgements to themselves please..?..
To the OP, I hope you find a uselful utility trailer for your towing and use it in your best judgement and enjoy it not just for your bikes but for your other stuff.. Sorry bout your thread being jacked. Be safe, be happy, ride on..:ride:
Posted 13 December 2009 - 08:53 PM
Once I hit a big dip driving a 4 door accord towing a very light pop up at about 70 MPH. Almost lost it. It pays to keep it down when you've got a trailer. Things can turn bad quickly. That said I'll go up to 75 on a freeway with my Astro and 5 X 8. But it's not good to push it when you're pulling.
Posted 14 December 2009 - 08:32 AM
LRPct said:
Like I already said in the earlier post....I have had experiences with trailer flats before.. Both with a truck with bigger trailers and also with "small" 3,100 cars pulling bike trailers. Really if someone can't handle something like that at 60-75 MPH, they shouldn't be driving that speed anywhere and probally shouldn't even have a driver's liciense at all. Even with that taller center of gravity 600-800lbs of bike trailer reallly doesn't seem to do that much to a 3,000 lb car. Sorry if it's not all that dramtic as you think it should be.
I didn't have tools to fix it, so it made for a very, very long ride home.
Posted 14 December 2009 - 11:11 AM
Smacaroni said:
Had a leaf spring come undone on our 4X8 - probably on dirt roads at 15-30 mph, at 50 mph on pavement it was definitely wagging the dog. Car empty was 2800lbs, four occupants, plenty of gear, probably 3,500lbs with a 1,000lb trailer.
I didn't have tools to fix it, so it made for a very, very long ride home.
I didn't have tools to fix it, so it made for a very, very long ride home.
Wow.. not fun.. How far did you have to go like that??.. Dirt roads were always a concern for me especially with the smaller trailer. Kinda like the way our thumpers like to shake themselves and shed hardware..I'm usually so anal about going over my trailers when at fuel stops. It's usually lightbulbs I'm replacing all too often though, really need to put some LED lights on there sometime.
Posted 14 December 2009 - 07:53 PM
I've been looking around. I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and buy a new one. Seems every decent looking used trailor I see is only about $50 to $100 less than a new one. I think I'm just gonna look for a good deal on a 5x8 or 5x10. If anyone has anymore pics of their utility trailor setups that would be great.
Posted 15 December 2009 - 10:55 PM
I picked up one of these. Really sets up nice for 2-3 dirt bikes across the back half and a quad or UTV across front. Not the cheapest though. I find that whenever I cheap out I end up spending more in the end. For xmas I am going to Moto Cinch tie downs with e track across the back. really quick and secure no more straps.
CARRY-ON 6X12GWRS
CARRY-ON 6X12GWRS
Posted 16 December 2009 - 10:04 AM
That's nice. I think a 6x12 is gonna be out of my price range. Heck, a new 5x8 is a little outta my price range at this time.
Posted 17 December 2009 - 08:56 AM
The key to doing this stuff on the cheap is patience and having the cash on hand.
I picked up a trailer (forgive me for repeating myself) that was a pop-up for $125. It still had the sides on it, but nothing else.
Ripped the rest of the crap off, welded on a front rail ($60?) from 2X2 angle. Replaced the lights ($10), wiring (was crap $11) and added some eye hooks ($8?). So for $160, I had a functional 6X7.5 trailer. I did use some of it's old parts to do this and sold the scrap metal for $6 (woo hoo! two beers!).
Again, using some parts I decided to keep from the pop-up, I made a slide-out ramp for another $40 worth of 2X2 angle.
The one thing that "didn't pay", so to speak, was the time involved to do this. But everything has a price, pick two of the three: cheap, fast or good. If you want good quality at a low price, it's gonna take time.
It was on the way home if that's a consolation, what would normally be a three hour trip was well over five.
Bought LED lights last week, requires some customization because they're the LEDs semi trailers use, 2.25X6" oval, the trailer is made from 2.5" tall steel, that makes for a very, very tight fit and the grommet would hang over making it look dumb. I'm going to bend up some brackets to make them fit cleanly.
The LEDs are $16 each, brackets will be scrap I have on hand, ordinary sheet metal.
I picked up a trailer (forgive me for repeating myself) that was a pop-up for $125. It still had the sides on it, but nothing else.
Ripped the rest of the crap off, welded on a front rail ($60?) from 2X2 angle. Replaced the lights ($10), wiring (was crap $11) and added some eye hooks ($8?). So for $160, I had a functional 6X7.5 trailer. I did use some of it's old parts to do this and sold the scrap metal for $6 (woo hoo! two beers!).
Again, using some parts I decided to keep from the pop-up, I made a slide-out ramp for another $40 worth of 2X2 angle.
The one thing that "didn't pay", so to speak, was the time involved to do this. But everything has a price, pick two of the three: cheap, fast or good. If you want good quality at a low price, it's gonna take time.
LRPct said:
Wow.. not fun.. How far did you have to go like that??.. Dirt roads were always a concern for me especially with the smaller trailer. Kinda like the way our thumpers like to shake themselves and shed hardware..I'm usually so anal about going over my trailers when at fuel stops. It's usually lightbulbs I'm replacing all too often though, really need to put some LED lights on there sometime.
Bought LED lights last week, requires some customization because they're the LEDs semi trailers use, 2.25X6" oval, the trailer is made from 2.5" tall steel, that makes for a very, very tight fit and the grommet would hang over making it look dumb. I'm going to bend up some brackets to make them fit cleanly.
The LEDs are $16 each, brackets will be scrap I have on hand, ordinary sheet metal.
Posted 24 December 2009 - 11:19 AM
Thanks for the tips guys. Yesterday I purchased a new 6x10 trailor. It has the top rail formed from square tubing and has 15 inch wheels. I found a local welding shop that sold these and the guy gave me a good price one. It seems to be much heavier duty than the the other trailors I've looked at. I think the first mod will be to get some heavy duty eye bolts and mount them along the front rail for tie down attatchment.
Posted 24 December 2009 - 12:08 PM
Wandell said:
Thanks for the tips guys. Yesterday I purchased a new 6x10 trailor. It has the top rail formed from square tubing and has 15 inch wheels. I found a local welding shop that sold these and the guy gave me a good price one. It seems to be much heavier duty than the the other trailors I've looked at. I think the first mod will be to get some heavy duty eye bolts and mount them along the front rail for tie down attatchment.
Sweet. good for you man. being from a "local" I bet IF you do have any problems with it, he'll take good care of you. Also if you come up with some "mods' you want done to it that involve welding, if you don't do that stuff yourself that could be helpful as well.
Hope it treats you well. happy hauling. :thumbsup:
Posted 24 December 2009 - 08:21 PM
Wandell said:
Thanks for the tips guys. Yesterday I purchased a new 6x10 trailor. It has the top rail formed from square tubing and has 15 inch wheels. I found a local welding shop that sold these and the guy gave me a good price one. It seems to be much heavier duty than the the other trailors I've looked at. I think the first mod will be to get some heavy duty eye bolts and mount them along the front rail for tie down attatchment.
Why bother with eyebolts? Most likely you can hook the straps to the outside edge of the trailer.
Posted 25 December 2009 - 02:53 PM
Well, it's a square tubing. I'm wrapping the tiedowns around the top rail and attacthing them to themselves. It works but they tend to slip off while attatching to the bikes. I purchased some with carbiners on the ends rather than hooks and I think they will be pretty slick with some eyebolts to hook onto.
Posted 25 December 2009 - 09:59 PM
ForceTen said:
Why bother with eyebolts? Most likely you can hook the straps to the outside edge of the trailer.
That works in many cases, you just have to make sure that the webbing of your straps aren't rubbing on anything, or their life span will be less than satisfactory.
Posted 26 December 2009 - 05:58 AM
chickenhauler said:
That works in many cases, you just have to make sure that the webbing of your straps aren't rubbing on anything, or their life span will be less than satisfactory.
I hook onto the frame rail and the webbing doesn't touch anything except for a section of the wood railing. But, it doesn't rub or move so I'm not worried about it wearing out. I also inspect the straps after each use so if I need to replace, I can before I need them again. :thumbsup: If you look at this post, you'll see how I tie things down and what I'm referring to.
I'm just of the mindset where I'd rather not mount additional stuff if I don't need it. I looked at putting eyebolts on my trailer when setting it up, but it didn't make any sense once I figured out to to strap the bikes correctly on the trailer.
