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I've owned two enclosed trailers.
My last was a 6'x20' V-nose snowmobile model with a rear and a front-side drop-down ramp doors.
I sold it shortly after selling the snowmobiles.....that was a mistake as it was a perfect trailer for hauling two bikes (or trikes) end-to-end without a need for extended truck mirrors.
Those Shock Straps are nice but I usually put 2 or 3, 2x8 pieces under my frame and tighten down the regular straps. This stops any slack from forming in the straps. This way the trailer suspension works and the bike suspension doesn't. Hope this helps...
that's the way that i learned to tie down a bike a long time ago. keeps the bikes suspension from bouncing, and makes the bike very stable. it is almost like the bike becomes 'one' with the trailer. try to wiggle the bike, and the trailer wiggles instead.
My setup when I ditch the heat of Texas in summer and head to just south of Mackinaw bridge is a Texas Bragg trailer with built in ramp. I bolted a knack box to the front to help keep stuff like the tour pak and tools secure and to keep rocks off the bike.
I have a 5x8 V nose cargo trailer. I like it because it protects the bike from debris and doubles as my garage when i get to my destination. i use the biker bar, no straps, love this thing, she does not budge any and super easy to load/unload. Behind my Ram 2500 CTD, i hardly know it's back there.
With an 8' bed PU you don,t need a trailer. Using a Big Boy II ramp, I can drive the Heritage right into the bed and roll it back off, all by myself.
My half ton Silverado will handle the bike in bed and an 21' Travel trailer no problem. I Love having my portable home, along with the bike and truck, on trips.
Here is my rig.
With an 8' bed PU you don,t need a trailer. Using a Big Boy II ramp, I can drive the Heritage right into the bed and roll it back off, all by myself.
My half ton Silverado will handle the bike in bed and an 21' Travel trailer no problem. I Love having my portable home, along with the bike and truck, on trips.
Here is my rig.
Nice set up , I just bought same ramps, very well made and sturdy. Any concerns with the tail gate ? I have a Ram 1500 6’4 ft bed had a sport bike up there but not my fatboy yet. Was little concerned about loading a 700lb bike over the tail gate
If you see my bike on a trailer... call the police, it's stolen.
If you see my bike pulling a trailer... don't follow me, I'm lost... probably on purpose.
Seriously though, I do have a 4.5' x 11' golf cart trailer with tilt deck. I use it to haul nearly everything, including the bike... if it can't/won't ride.
Has a little hand crank winch mounted on the front and hauls everything from a rented ditch witch, my lil' lady's ATV, riding lawn mowers, 3 bikes helping friends move... or I've even hauled it behind my bike to get lumber home, in a pinch. Probably the best $600 bucks I've spent.
Chief.... sounds like you have some good ideas. Just beware there may be an issue or two during your travels....just be prepared for something to happen...it always does!!! When I raced enduros and hare scrambles, I had a Coleman tent camper I pulled behind a Ford E150 van....bike in van, gear in trailer. Routine was to lube bearings each spring, crawl underneath and check wiring (had to drive down many a dirt road and two tracks, so,,,,,) and give the trailer a thorough going over. Open trailer will be much simplier! I for one would be interested in how your plan works out. I got nothing negative to say.... I too have thought if I did something similar, open trailer, what could I do to block wind/debris/stone/gravel/grit from attacking the front of the bike. Good luck to you!!!
I love a good trailer thread. Lots of ways to skin the cat...some with less injury and mess. Having used trailers (for various things) most of my adult life, I've seen and experienced plenty of good and bad. I wouldn't pretend to tell anyone how to do it, or that they're doing it wrong....unless asked. Having seen what the open road can do to the front of a towed camper, utility trailer, enclosed cargo trailer or any trailer, the only way I haul an expensive bike is inside a cargo trailer. Free from weather, debris, dirt, corrosion and prying eyes. Not everyone feels this way and I respect that. I like that I can trailer in the worst of conditions and not spend a moment thinking about the bike.
Tandem axles aren't needed, but they trailer so much nicer for me than singles....plus there's the backup tire factor in event of a flat. Less sway effect with tandems and braking is smooth. I use the Condor Wheel Chock and 4 of their straps for security. Both sides of my trailer have E-track installed for infinite tie points.
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