trailer concerns
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 173
Likes: 12
From: South Hadley MA
trailer concerns
I am wondering if I could or should use my well built snowmobile trailer to tow my bike to Florida? It has smallish wheel and tires so they must spin faster than a normal wheel size. So do you think the bearings would overheat and burn the grease out? I have bearing buddies so I could give them a couple of shots at gas stops. It is the clamshell type so the bike would stay dry, and it tilts so it might be easy to load and unload, I'm just worried about the bearings , I have 2 spares and brand new wheel and tire sets. What do ya think?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
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Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
If you don't get near the rated load of the tires you should be fine, but you are correct in your concerns
Small tires suck, I don't know what roads you are planning to go but I avoid NYC and 95 like a case of the clap... the roads just s*ck and towing a trailer of any size through there bites.
I tend to go the inland route 84/81/77/26 back to 95,
the other issue with the small tires is once you get south of the Mason Dixon, speed limits tend to go up, and 70 mph with small tires can be fun, especially when you get a 53 foot trailer on your side...
The AutoTrain out of Lorton VA ends at Sanford Fla, they take bikes, or vehicles with trailers, I don't know the costs for trailers, but the bike is 125 on way plus passenger fare which can vary depending on if you book early or last minute.. the low is about 100 bucks, the high is big bucks.
Got a friend near DC that would let you park your car and trailer?
I have done the train a bunch of times, with a bike in the bed of the truck... no problem
Small tires suck, I don't know what roads you are planning to go but I avoid NYC and 95 like a case of the clap... the roads just s*ck and towing a trailer of any size through there bites.
I tend to go the inland route 84/81/77/26 back to 95,
the other issue with the small tires is once you get south of the Mason Dixon, speed limits tend to go up, and 70 mph with small tires can be fun, especially when you get a 53 foot trailer on your side...
The AutoTrain out of Lorton VA ends at Sanford Fla, they take bikes, or vehicles with trailers, I don't know the costs for trailers, but the bike is 125 on way plus passenger fare which can vary depending on if you book early or last minute.. the low is about 100 bucks, the high is big bucks.
Got a friend near DC that would let you park your car and trailer?
I have done the train a bunch of times, with a bike in the bed of the truck... no problem
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 379
Likes: 38
From: Nebraska
Hauled a lot of sleds to the mountains in snowmobile trailers at speeds of 75 and sometimes faster. Never a problem with bearings or tires but made sure all was good before the trips. One thing I would check is the floor thickness and condition. Snowmobiles spread the weight out considerably between the tracks and skis. The bike will be very concentrated weight zones at the wheels. Might need another thin sheet added for safety sake.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 1,128
From:
If you want more exact information a trailer shop could evaluate the bearing number, spindles & axle rating.
The floor or motorcycle load placement might be different and a trailer shop could make recommendations.
The tires will be marked for load rating and ply rating.
Smallish wheels is difficult to understand..
For example i use something called a Trailer in Bag and it comes with D-rated 8 inch tires...very few are D-rated.
The bearings are rated for much higher speeds than i could drive legally and the two tires add up to more than double my load requirements.
The thing can zoom along at highway speeds + for numerous hours (12-16 hour trips) on the super slab and the tires and spindles are no hotter than the car tires and the spindles do not get warm (i have done hand touch and infrared thermometer tests).
The floor or motorcycle load placement might be different and a trailer shop could make recommendations.
The tires will be marked for load rating and ply rating.
Smallish wheels is difficult to understand..
For example i use something called a Trailer in Bag and it comes with D-rated 8 inch tires...very few are D-rated.
The bearings are rated for much higher speeds than i could drive legally and the two tires add up to more than double my load requirements.
The thing can zoom along at highway speeds + for numerous hours (12-16 hour trips) on the super slab and the tires and spindles are no hotter than the car tires and the spindles do not get warm (i have done hand touch and infrared thermometer tests).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Hauled a lot of sleds to the mountains in snowmobile trailers at speeds of 75 and sometimes faster. Never a problem with bearings or tires but made sure all was good before the trips. One thing I would check is the floor thickness and condition. Snowmobiles spread the weight out considerably between the tracks and skis. The bike will be very concentrated weight zones at the wheels. Might need another thin sheet added for safety sake.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 173
Likes: 12
From: South Hadley MA
dam right!!!! The floor is not gonna be an issue as there I an aluminum beam or plate 6" wide front to back right down the middle. The trailer is a RANCE RENEGADE 10' really well built trailer,all aluminum full length beams underneath , 3 beam A frame tongue etc.... my only concern is the wheel bearings ( well my main concern) Thanks everyone for the input!!!!!!!!
