What SIZE is your tow behind trailer?

[PineyRider]

Mr Cujo, I used to have a nice big 40' X 40' cement garage to work from (in my old house) now I'm working out of a 12' X 24' wooden shed. My dilemma is that I have metal working equipment but I can't use half the stuff in a wooden building. My torch set is just sitting at a friends house until I have someplace to use it. Definately can't use the "red-wrench" in there, however I've been pressing my luck and using the cut-off saw and welders in there. I go out and check the building afterwards for a few hours to make sure there isn't a piece of slag smoldering somewhere in a corner. Originally Posted by Mr Cujo I'm envious.. No metal fab gear here at the house.. Wood ? sure! I can make anything you need/want.. metal ? nope - Cant get it done with the gear we got.. Bummer

[ripper43]

Originally Posted by PineyRider

Crok and Ripper, I've seen that particular hitch discussed elsewhere, Here's a general consensus from what guys post about it>>>>>>>>

7386.7 in reply to 7386.1 I can not believe this stupid hitch ball peace of shit is still on the market. It was posted for sale on a site awhile back. I posted on the site and had it confirmed by an Engineer and Trailer Manufacturer, these things are very dangerous as they allow side to side movement that could put your Trailer into a fishtail that you may not recover from. Federal Law states that a Trailer Tongue MUST have absolute lateral stiffness. This is not a Tongue but it can cause the same dangers. The connection from the Trailer to the Bike should have as LITTLE movement in it as possible to prevent any issues as listed above. You are playing with your life, and others, with this thing….Stay away from it.

Thanks I wondered about that. I have a swivel hitch so I have no need for that ball anyway.

[ripper43]

Originally Posted by CroK

Figured I would post a pic of the hitch while the metal cooled before welding together...



LOL! I think the hitch material may be close to weighing as much as the trailer! Likely to bend the struts before this thing does!

Plenty of beef there but I wouldn't think you would need the side plates made of anything thicker than what it is bolted to.That being said, if that is what I had that is what I would use. nice job looks like it will work just fine.

[CroK]

Originally Posted by ripper43

Plenty of beef there but I wouldn't think you would need the side plates made of anything thicker than what it is bolted to.That being said, if that is what I had that is what I would use. nice job looks like it will work just fine.

I agree with what you are saying. The material I used for the side plates, was pulled from the 'drops' at a local machine shop. A little less expensive using drops if you can find something suitable. I'd hate to price what a 10' or even a 20' piece of that plate would cost. Much more material than I would ever use anyway, especially for this one job. So far, my costs are pretty minimal considering. Other than 2 pieces of 2"x2"x10' angle, and the drop material, everything else used was leftovers from other jobs I've done in the past. I can only guess, but I believe total cost to me for this build is well under $150.

I'm thinking the weak point with my hitch will be at the top of the fender struts. I'll have to keep an eye on that area for any signs of stress. I've also thought of putting grade 8 bolts in the top of the fender struts, not sure what grade the OEM bolts are. It does seem to have stiffened the rear up a bit tho, probably due to 'moving' the stress point. That's my thought anyway.

[WillyHD]

Great thread guys!

I just bought a 48x40 (12" wheels) from Northern Tools for (item 125427) $186 . It is on sale now for $195 and I had a $20 coupon.

I'm not cutting it down or modifying it at all (no shop or tools to do so). I got the idea from this guy http://www.gadgetjq.com/trailer.htm#rg. I already had the car top carrier. So far, I am in for the hitch ($100 Kuryakyn from a forum member), a Hoppy #46255 powered converter ($40 from Amazon), and the trailer.

C

[Mr Cujo]

Thank for the link Willy ! Good article. I like his setup.

[WillyHD]

Originally Posted by Mr Cujo

Thank for the link Willy ! Good article. I like his setup.

Yeah. Nice and simple. I really like the truck box idea earlier in this thread, but I don't care about the look of this thing (yet ). I just need to be able to haul more stuff (ie beer).

I just got the Hoppy converter in the mail today. I may try and install that this weekend. Looks pretty straight forward.

C

[santajim]

Hey guys
Thanks for the great thread I have been following it because I am thinking about building one from the HF trailer. I do want to throw something in here from experience. I used to build Hot Rods, my last one was a 1932 Chevy Woodie Wagon, I bought the 40"x48" Hf trailer and put the 12" wheels on it because I wanted to make sure I could pull it at highway sppeds. I built it to match the woodie(actually came out pretty sweet) I also took 2 springs out and that little trailer went down the highway slick as s11T. My point is do yourself a favor and get the 12"wheels. I also flipped the axle.
Thanks Just thought I'd throw my $.02 in.
Santa

[Mr Cujo]

Thanks for the tip Santa

It's a big help because I don't think any of us here have actually built a motorcycle trailer before.

.

[MDodson]

CroK I used a piece of round bar from where the hoop on top of the fender bolts together to half way down the fender brace on mine .