Trailers ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
That's why I'm looking at trailers, being retired and not riding for months is depressing. Need something to get out of the salt belt. Would be nice to take a month long road trip, have tools, clothes, a trail bike and a spare bike at the "base camp". Hundreds of miles of corn fields to get to the real interesting places isn't that much fun on a bike, either. Not much fun on anything. I can't even get a cough out of my Harleys when it's this cold (all carbs), only my Ural will start below zero.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,794
Likes: 29,730
From: PNW
That's why I'm looking at trailers, being retired and not riding for months is depressing. Need something to get out of the salt belt. Would be nice to take a month long road trip, have tools, clothes, a trail bike and a spare bike at the "base camp". Hundreds of miles of corn fields to get to the real interesting places isn't that much fun on a bike, either. Not much fun on anything. I can't even get a cough out of my Harleys when it's this cold (all carbs), only my Ural will start below zero.
I bought a 12x6 MCI. While far from high end, it's a nice looking trailer with decent features for under $3k. While I would have preferred a 14x7 dually, the 12x6 is right at the limit of what my Tacoma likes to pull. And I don't foresee the need to haul 2 bikes in the near future.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 698
From: nowhere
Yes they are expensive and whether or not they are worth the cost is certainly up to debate.
I was hauling my bike on my open trailer one summer when I ran through a hail storm.
Fortunately the stones never got very big and I had no damage, but I decided right then I would never "open trailer" again.
When I got back from the trip I started looking around for a trailer.
I had some time before my next over the road trip so I wasn't in too much of a hurry.
I was considering a standard "box" trailer for around $2500 when I came across my 2000 Excalibur..
The seller was in the process of moving out of state in a hurry so I had a little bargaining room.
It being a kind of "one use" type trailer I hesitated on buying it but then the Wife ask "why do we want an enclosed trailer" and my answer was to protect the bike, so she said "then why not buy a trailer designed to haul a bike"?
I bought it that afternoon and due to the seller's urgency I snagged it for $2250.
The modular trailers are lightweight (mine weighs around $700) and pull very well. Also when closed I can put it in my garage when I need too.
I lose about 2 mpg with the Heritage loaded and cruising at 75 mph.
Used modular trailers like mine pop up for sale from time to time.
But they are not on the market long so you have to be prepared to snag it.
Here's a link to one I just found for sale in Pennsylvania.
I don't know what the cost of shipping would be but perhaps it's something to consider.
https://poconos.craigslist.org/mpo/5407443911.html
I was hauling my bike on my open trailer one summer when I ran through a hail storm.
Fortunately the stones never got very big and I had no damage, but I decided right then I would never "open trailer" again.
When I got back from the trip I started looking around for a trailer.
I had some time before my next over the road trip so I wasn't in too much of a hurry.
I was considering a standard "box" trailer for around $2500 when I came across my 2000 Excalibur..
The seller was in the process of moving out of state in a hurry so I had a little bargaining room.
It being a kind of "one use" type trailer I hesitated on buying it but then the Wife ask "why do we want an enclosed trailer" and my answer was to protect the bike, so she said "then why not buy a trailer designed to haul a bike"?
I bought it that afternoon and due to the seller's urgency I snagged it for $2250.
The modular trailers are lightweight (mine weighs around $700) and pull very well. Also when closed I can put it in my garage when I need too.
I lose about 2 mpg with the Heritage loaded and cruising at 75 mph.
Used modular trailers like mine pop up for sale from time to time.
But they are not on the market long so you have to be prepared to snag it.
Here's a link to one I just found for sale in Pennsylvania.
I don't know what the cost of shipping would be but perhaps it's something to consider.
https://poconos.craigslist.org/mpo/5407443911.html
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 900
From: Omaha
Not really, I'm happy with the deal I got.
Glad to see somebody get a deal.
Score!!!!
Where's the pic?
Last edited by Bluraven; Jan 18, 2016 at 04:31 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 900
From: Columbus, Ohio
That being said - it's 6 degrees outside right now. The only way my bike can go anywhere is on a trailer. LMAO!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 789
Likes: 225
From: Sheboygan, WI
I have a 6x10 (plus the V nose) Bravo enclosed with a ramp door. It has torsion bar suspension, rear jack stands and Condor chock. Works very well for one bike only. I pull it with a Ford Ranger 4x4. It is tight for my Triglide but is doable, and my truck can still handle it.
The torsion bars give a nice ride. The jack stands allow loading or unloading with out being hooked up to the truck. The only down side to the stands is a bit less ground clearance at the rear.
Good luck in your search.
The torsion bars give a nice ride. The jack stands allow loading or unloading with out being hooked up to the truck. The only down side to the stands is a bit less ground clearance at the rear.
Good luck in your search.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,794
Likes: 29,730
From: PNW
Are the jack stands part of the trailer or separate? Mine doesn't have them, so I just toss a set in the back that I had laying around. Not ideal, but works very well.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
I've got an older Bunkhouse camper, and also a homemade Harbor Freight axle with a car top carrier.
I was really surprised to see my gas mileage drop with the Harbor Freight was about the same as when pulling the Bunkhouse. It seems it's not the weight, but the air resistance.
Pictures attached.
I was really surprised to see my gas mileage drop with the Harbor Freight was about the same as when pulling the Bunkhouse. It seems it's not the weight, but the air resistance.
Pictures attached.