Kendon trailer, anyone use it ?
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
I have a two rail Kendon, and my dad has a single rail Kendon. I really like them a lot. I would suggest having another person help you load the bike, though. Both the two rail and the single rail pull really well. Can't even tell it's behind me. Mine stands up in my garage and doesn't take up much room at all. My dad does the same thing. Another nice thing about them is once you get the bike to the front of the rail, you can let go of the bike and it will stand on its own. That's a nice feature when you're tryin' to hook up the tie downs.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
I have a two rail Kendon, and my dad has a single rail Kendon. I really like them a lot. I would suggest having another person help you load the bike, though. Both the two rail and the single rail pull really well. Can't even tell it's behind me. Mine stands up in my garage and doesn't take up much room at all. My dad does the same thing. Another nice thing about them is once you get the bike to the front of the rail, you can let go of the bike and it will stand on its own. That's a nice feature when you're tryin' to hook up the tie downs.
On the other hand, loading and unloading is not easy with the Kendon when you're alone, unlike other trailers like Aluma and Rocket who have a much wider ramp which allows you to ride the bike onto the trailer and plant your feet if necessary.
The Kendon is nice but I think there are better folding trailers than Kendon and they're not more expensive when you compare apples to apples.
Look at the Aluma MC1F as an example and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 672
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola Florida
I have Kendon and have used it several times...prefer to ride..yes it rust. I threw away the ramp after one use. Purchased 2 alum ramps that I clip together and they are much wider/safer. Just strap them down with bungee cords in the middle after I load the bikes. Bought the type with sort of hump at the top because my FXDL would not load with straight ramp...would hang up at top of ramp....no problem with Road King. Even with the two ramps together it gets dicey loading and unloading. (Comment from the factory says 12 inch height so easy to push bike up...well maybe a dirt bike...Road King is not easy push even on flat area) I need to change out the wheel chocks.
I pull the trailer with 2002 Cambry 4 cylinder and no problem. have only pulled with one bike loaded so don't no about 2 bikes.
One problem I do have is that the hitch height is too low so makes the front of trailer sit at low angle. Have to struggle with unloading because you are working uphill going backwards. Usually solve with small jack or finding terrain to raise the front end.
I pull the trailer with 2002 Cambry 4 cylinder and no problem. have only pulled with one bike loaded so don't no about 2 bikes.
One problem I do have is that the hitch height is too low so makes the front of trailer sit at low angle. Have to struggle with unloading because you are working uphill going backwards. Usually solve with small jack or finding terrain to raise the front end.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
I don't work for either company. I've used several time Kendon and Aluma open trailers (borrowed from friends) and there are big differences between the 2. Not that I had a bad experience with Kendon but a couple of things could be much improved, IMO, starting with a much wider and sturdier ramp.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
I have the older style (2002) single rail Kendon and I do ride my Ultra right up onto the trailer. I step off, tie it down and go. Unloading is a little tougher, I like to have someone there to help guide me back down the ramp.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 395
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
I've had my Kendon dual rail trailer for 6 trouble free years. It is great. I will admit the ramp takes some getting used to. I walk my bike up in first gear. Having someone to help from behind is useful but not required. I first bought a new enclosed trailer but once I got it home and saw how much space it took up I returned it and bought the Kendon. I store the Kendon in my garage with no problem at all. It is a well engineered and good quality trailer. I especially like the way it pulls whether you are hauling two bikes or one, it is the best pulling trailer I've ever used.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 764
Likes: 42
From: Pensacola, FL
I have a single rail Kendon that I've only used a few times. I like everything about it except for the narrow ramp. The last time I used it I didn't have enough speed to get all the way up and no where to plant my feet when it began to go down. Needless to say I went down with it.
My brother just visited and trailered his bike. He bought a 5x8 short sided trailer, installed a chock and 3/4 plywood on the deck. His ramp was a wide as the trailer and made getting up and down very easy.
Now I'm thinking about selling my Kendon and making one like his. The only drawback is storing it. But on the other hand it can used for other hauling that the Kendon cannot.
My brother just visited and trailered his bike. He bought a 5x8 short sided trailer, installed a chock and 3/4 plywood on the deck. His ramp was a wide as the trailer and made getting up and down very easy.
Now I'm thinking about selling my Kendon and making one like his. The only drawback is storing it. But on the other hand it can used for other hauling that the Kendon cannot.