Setting up a old livestock trailer for hauling bikes
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 574
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From: Kansas City
Setting up a old livestock trailer for hauling bikes
Last fall I inherited a old livestock trailer from my grandpa. It is a 1971 according to the title and is in useable condition. So far I have just used it to move a few things and storage. I put a tarp over it to cover the open sides to keep the weather out while it sits. Anyway I have been thinking about how I could set it up to haul bikes if needed. The main concern is with tie downs. It has a wood plank floor made of what I think are 2x6's. It is 16' long. What are my options for tie downs? The other concern I have is axle maintenance. Where/ how do I find bearings and such on this old of a trailer? What kind of tires should I look for?
Although I would love a nice fancy enclosed toy hauler I can't really afford one. I have some ideas to "enclose" this livestock trailer and give it some cool paint job or something but I haven't decieded cuz u never know I may want to haul me some critter some day so I might not want to go overboard. lol Anyone else done something like this?
Although I would love a nice fancy enclosed toy hauler I can't really afford one. I have some ideas to "enclose" this livestock trailer and give it some cool paint job or something but I haven't decieded cuz u never know I may want to haul me some critter some day so I might not want to go overboard. lol Anyone else done something like this?
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,820
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From: Northern California
Last fall I inherited a old livestock trailer from my grandpa. It is a 1971 according to the title and is in useable condition. So far I have just used it to move a few things and storage. I put a tarp over it to cover the open sides to keep the weather out while it sits. Anyway I have been thinking about how I could set it up to haul bikes if needed. The main concern is with tie downs. It has a wood plank floor made of what I think are 2x6's. It is 16' long. What are my options for tie downs? The other concern I have is axle maintenance. Where/ how do I find bearings and such on this old of a trailer? What kind of tires should I look for?
Although I would love a nice fancy enclosed toy hauler I can't really afford one. I have some ideas to "enclose" this livestock trailer and give it some cool paint job or something but I haven't decieded cuz u never know I may want to haul me some critter some day so I might not want to go overboard. lol Anyone else done something like this?
Although I would love a nice fancy enclosed toy hauler I can't really afford one. I have some ideas to "enclose" this livestock trailer and give it some cool paint job or something but I haven't decieded cuz u never know I may want to haul me some critter some day so I might not want to go overboard. lol Anyone else done something like this?
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
Etrack and the associated rings from harbor freight is the easiest and cheapest way to go, couple that way a good wheel caulk and your good.
I just went with biker bars from B&W trailers, pricey but so so simple and the security they offer is amazing! No straps to worry about.
I have an old stock trailer that I've thought about doing this with for three bikes, semi enclosed but easy enough to make fully enclosed, give it a fun paint job and watch the looks!
I just went with biker bars from B&W trailers, pricey but so so simple and the security they offer is amazing! No straps to worry about.
I have an old stock trailer that I've thought about doing this with for three bikes, semi enclosed but easy enough to make fully enclosed, give it a fun paint job and watch the looks!
Haul Two Iron Horses in the 16' Harbor freight has the removable wheel chocks, hide away tie down rings and tie down straps all in one stop. You can remove all the bike chocks and haul livestock a multipurpose trailer HEE YA
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 434
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From: louisiana
I was going to buy one and do just that. semi open, room for some gear, add some cool paint. dobe deal
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Yooper North of da lift bridge
the stock trailers should work great a little heavy for the tow vehicles. the wheel bearings should be stock due to axle sizes so should not be a big problem pull the wheel and repack the bearings. also you got a dry place to bed down if ya needed too !
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 574
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From: Kansas City
Yeah, I have a F250 powerstroke to pull it with. I had the idea to put sheet metal over the open area and rear door. I would need to reseal the roof again and there is alot of rust in the sheet metal. Maybe bed liner material like linex or even resheet with new metal. For now though, new tires, serviced bearings, and tie down points will make it usefull if/when I need to move bikes.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Southern Oregon
I would pull the bearings out and inspect them, if they look good clean them up and repack them. If not it should be no problem finding replacements. Make sure to check the races to. If you want simple hold downs I have seen some heavy duty ones at Fred Myers for a really decent price. If the 2x6 flooring is solid you can drill thru it and mount your hold downs, I would be sure use a backing plate or some large fender washers on the bottom side. If possible check out Cycle Gear for wheel chocks, I have picked up a couple of heavy duty ones there for the same price as the light weight cheapies sold at Harbor Freight