Trailer (non-enclosed)
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: South Texas
Started with a 16' open flatbed trailer and got tired of crap being kicked up from truck onto bike. may be bit different for small trucks pulling trailers,,,Enclosed trailer is the way to go if your going to haul, IMO as there are times when debris, rocks or whatever gets kicked up from hauling or kicked up from oncoming traffic. Also you have an indoor parking spot at night for your bike out of sight too / less inviting for thieves. double ratchet straps for all tie downs. checking straps to confirm still tight after first 25 miles then about every 100 miles. a 3 minute stop and check could save alot. invest in a good quality wheel chock also. i am on my second enclosed trailer, first got hammered by golf ball sized hail. both of them got special order built from south Georgia cargo sales.
Darryl
Darryl
Last edited by Gaston434; Dec 19, 2015 at 07:33 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 168
Likes: 7
From: New Lenox Illinois
My personal preference would also be an enclosed trailer but owning one is out of the question, i simply don't have the space to keep one.I live about 40 miles s/w of Chicago and have found two camper and trailer sales locations that rent trailers and the past two winters we have taken our bikes to Florida in Feb,last year we rented a enclosed tandem 8.5 x20 completely set-up for 4 bikes including wheel chocks and straps for about $300 per week, we normally ride everywhere we go so renting a trailer a couple times per year works best for us.Being from St.Louis mo. I'm sure you can find the same in your area.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 340
Likes: 21
From: NashVegas
Just be sure to strap down the lower portion of the frame. Never strap down using the handle bars. You'll be fine.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 656
Likes: 115
From: Florida
Take a look at an Aluma MC210. I have the single version, MC10 and it's a great trailer. Being purpose built for bikes, it is light, low and very strong. Notice I didn't say cheap. The slide out ramp and low deck make loading a breeze. It also has a built in rock guard. I looked at a lot of trailers before getting this one. As many trips as you are talking, I wouldn't skimp. Stay away from the leaf sprung, metal lawn equipment trailers. I've also had good luck with the deluxe Harbor Freight wheel chock. This and retractable tie downs speed the load/unload process quite a bit.
This is EXACTLY what my thinking was. I am towing my Ultra between our 2 homes (Florida/Illinois) twice a year. I wanted something light, without leaf springs, that would last. My new MC10 cost me right at $1,800 but for a true all aluminum it has been worth every penny! I also mounted the Harbor-F chock and for under $50.00 it is well worth the money.
Several years ago I had a 7x14 enclosed trailer. I used it once for taking my bike to Texas. The only reason I would have went with an enclosed trailer this time around would have been if I needed it while at my destination for use as a mini "Harley garage" to keep my bike in. I have garages now at my residences so I didn't want to tow a trailer that weighed as much or more as my bike, it just didn't make sense to me. I have never gotten road damage on my bike towing on the open Aluma trailer. I guess you have to ask yourself how much damage does you truck get traveling across country.
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I bought and used a Kendon 2 bike trailer. I called Kendon and got a good deal on a demo model. When it arrived it was like a brand new trailer. I bought the optional front guard and a SKNZ travel cocoon cover. Last summer I hauled my Road Glide from South Texas (RGV) to Virginia with no problems at all. Had tons of rain along the way and the bike was fine under the travel cocoon. This is kind of an expensive option, but it's nice to be able to store the trailer standing up and out of the way until its next use. I haven't had a chance to haul the wife's '09 Softail Deluxe yet, but there is plenty of room for two full dressed touring model bikes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 226
From: W PA
I've been towing bikes on open trailers for over 35 years and I've never had an issue. I feel bad for the guy that worries about their bike taking a nick here and there .......... WTF!
Picture is a 12x6.5 (3500# single axle, no brake) trailer with 2 dressers staggered. Both are in chocks, fronts tied down and rear tires between blocks. Spend some time on tongue weight calculation for the stagger and then give it hell to your destination!
BTW ......... I've had buddies that opened their enclosed trailer after a haul and find cycles scattered ............... at least with an open you can see whats going on back there!
Picture is a 12x6.5 (3500# single axle, no brake) trailer with 2 dressers staggered. Both are in chocks, fronts tied down and rear tires between blocks. Spend some time on tongue weight calculation for the stagger and then give it hell to your destination!
BTW ......... I've had buddies that opened their enclosed trailer after a haul and find cycles scattered ............... at least with an open you can see whats going on back there!
Last edited by Beaux; Dec 19, 2015 at 09:28 AM.