Trailer help
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
One thing I learned while I'm borrowing a friends trailer is...if the floor of the trailer (his is also 5x8) is expanded metal, the weight of the bike will cause the rear wheel to sit in a dip making it a cramp in the **** to strap the bike down as close to the front of the trailer as possible. 8' long doesn't leave you a whole lot of room for play, at least not with my WG. With the WG as far forward as possible, there is less than 6" between the brake light and the fold-up ramp. Maybe bikes with slightly less rake will have a bit more room to play with.
What I have done is strap the bike down in a temporary position wherever it lies, then get another strap, attaching one end high on the front wheel and the other to either the vehicle or the tongue so I can ratchet the bike up as far as possible against the front rail. Once I have it in place, I'll tighten down the important straps. The bike doesn't move one inch. It takes me a little while (+/- 1hr) to git r done because I'm working alone.
If the floor of the trailer is more solid, you should have no issues. If I had access to a welder and some angle iron...I'd pop a few supports around where the rear wheel causes a valley.
What I have done is strap the bike down in a temporary position wherever it lies, then get another strap, attaching one end high on the front wheel and the other to either the vehicle or the tongue so I can ratchet the bike up as far as possible against the front rail. Once I have it in place, I'll tighten down the important straps. The bike doesn't move one inch. It takes me a little while (+/- 1hr) to git r done because I'm working alone.
If the floor of the trailer is more solid, you should have no issues. If I had access to a welder and some angle iron...I'd pop a few supports around where the rear wheel causes a valley.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 2
From: Southwest OHIO
+1 on plywood or other wood to make the floor solid! also... after a 20-30 miles or so.. pull over and check your straps for tightness. then check them every hour or two as needed. also get you some nice new heavy duty straps to use... also get a few extra incase one breaks while on the road!
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Central New Jersey
Thanks for all he help here. We are going to upstate NY from NJ, about 500 miles and hope a trip to Sturgis is in the future. We bought the trailer for my 150cc Crossfire Go-Cart and all I had was an Aztec to pull it with. Last week I got a suburban and was thinking that it could be best to sell the trailer and get a 6x10. Money is tight but I would hate to take a chance of screwing up my bikes. The larger trailer would be harder to store and move around. If I could make this thing work it would be best.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 2
From:
I have one of those 5 x 8 lawn trailers sold at that tractor place. The trailer is rated at 2000 pounds with 13 inch wheels, and the sticker on the side says not to load more than 1625 pound. Here is my queston for you good people, I would like to trailer two Dynas and would like to know if any body has done this?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JimGnitecki
General Topics/Tech Tips
82
Jan 4, 2018 10:58 PM
hapbob
Tri Glide, RG3 & Freewheeler Models
59
Mar 19, 2014 06:59 PM
