small & light trailer for car

gautamde · 05-26-2003, 7:00 PM

I have looking at the following trailers for towing my 954 with my car:
Trailer
Since the bottom is open, would chips from the road spoil the bike's finish. Is it possible to load it alone since there is no place to put the side stand. Also, the trailer does not come with anchors for the tie-downs. There are slots in the frame however as shown in the picture. Wondering how to install a anchor using the slots

ccwilli3 · 05-26-2003, 8:35 PM

You want tires bigger than that my man... They'll be spinning their ass off at highway speeds and thats not all that good.

Rocks and road debri are always a problem... Like them hitting your car, thats not all that much you can do about it.

RedTalon · 05-26-2003, 9:18 PM

The price is right. Spring for a heavy duty cover and the bigger wheels. Hell - I just might go that route unless someone can offer another solution.

Red Rider · 05-26-2003, 9:32 PM

Be careful with the ramp. From the looks of it you might catch your lower fairing on it...

TraumaOne · 05-26-2003, 10:11 PM

I think for a bit more you can get a more substantial utility trailer that would at least have a mesh bottom you could stand on. You could also get the kind with an attached ramp.

Critz · 05-26-2003, 10:12 PM

dunno, i'd just pinch in a few more bucks and get a utility trailer for lowes... put down some planks... then your bottom is protected.. and you can use it for other stuff when not towing the bike...

figment · 05-26-2003, 11:33 PM

Quote:

gautamde : I have looking at the following trailers for towing my 954 with my car:
Trailer
Since the bottom is open, would chips from the road spoil the bike's finish. Is it possible to load it alone since there is no place to put the side stand. Also, the trailer does not come with anchors for the tie-downs. There are slots in the frame however as shown in the picture. Wondering how to install a anchor using the slots

If storage is a concern, speed is low and distances are short this trailer should be fine. But it's fairly single-purpose. Rocks fly up from the rear wheels of the tow vehicle moslty. Regardless, you can mount some plywood to take care of that easily.

G-Force Junkie · 05-27-2003, 12:11 AM

It depends on how often your going to use it, those folded sheetmetal Tiwan trailers are really flimsey, I would trust my $10k bike to one for anything other than quick around town trips. If space is your issue, there are folding trailers of high quality, but they are not cheap. If $$$ is the issue, You can get a substantaly better trailer for $500-700 that has a full 3500lb axl with 15' wheels and trailer rated tires. And they are not that heavy, even with a 929 on it you can tow with a class 2 hitch.

Mike

SomeStrangeGuy · 05-27-2003, 1:38 AM

LOL, I have one of the aforementioned 'Long Chih' trailer co's models. I have the 3rail 12' wheel model, a few scrolls down from the one you posted.

If I could do it all over again - Id have gone to lowes/homedepot and got a 'SnowBear' utility trailer and just saved myself alot of time and effort to make this trailer into the one I wanted (of course I WANT a 7x14 enclosed, but thats another story ).

Of course if variables are not permitting you that option - Id say at least get one with a larger wheel size then 8', Id get a 12' @ minimum. Definetely chuck the ramp that comes with it and plan on getting another that is a bit longer. That one is ok for my dirtbike, but then again I have a woods skidplate

HondaGalToo · 05-27-2003, 7:09 AM

I concur with a few other comments here. Get something with bigger wheels. Those little wheels get really hot. To make your life easier if you need to load/unload by yourself, get somthing like a small landscape trailer with a solid floor and a drop down ramp, like that UHaul you rented. Those rail trailers should only be used for light dirt bikes. I used to have one...it was scary. And, it was impossible for me to safely load it myself. Do yourself a favor and spring for a 5x8 landscape trailer. Trust me, if you get a rail trailer you'll be looking to get rid of it after a season. Just my $.02

gautamde · 05-27-2003, 9:01 AM

Thanks for all the help. Basically, I am thinking of a light trailer coz I will be pulling it with my car. Cheap because couple of years down the lane I would get a truck and possibly an enclosed trailer. But thats not anywhere in near future. The trailer should definitely for long highway trips. I did most of my research on the web and did not consider Utility trailer.
*Well, based on all the recommendations above, I feel that the trailer in question would be a bad investment, specially for towing my beloved 954 on the freeways. I looked at the Trailer in a Bag buts it $1000.00 which is too much for me. I will start looking at the utility trailers at Lowe's and Home Depot. Thanks again to u all.

SomeStrangeGuy · 05-27-2003, 8:31 PM

I know port washington is about 230 miles from me, but if you're ever in the neighboorhood Ill be glad to loan you my trailer and you can see how its really not intended for streetbikes at all. The height alone would make it top-heavy and you'd prolly need a sway link or something to prevent it from going over if you attempted an off-ramp at sub-par 'trailer speed'.

I've had my 450 (dirtybike) on it and only saw it rock once and that was in a mild panic maneuver, so its ok for a

G-Force Junkie · 05-27-2003, 9:16 PM

Quote:

SomeStrangeGuy : Good luck in your search - FWIW I was @ HD here today @ lunch and they had the aforementioned Snowbear® 8000 trailer there for $599.95.

There you go, exactaly what I was thinking. Under 500 pounds yet 3/4ton capacity. With a 929 your looking at less than 1000 pounds, thats like having 3 mother in-laws in the back seat, any car can handle that

gautamde · 05-28-2003, 8:59 AM

Thanks again...I went to a HD yesturday but they have stopped selling Trailers. So I am going to try some other HDs and Lowes around my area.
I have a BMW 325Xi. I pulled a 1250 lbs U-haul trailer to JenningsGP, FL with the 400lb 954. The car is OK so far although I wouldn't do it again. The damn U-haul guys told me it was a motorcycle trailer as shown on their website but turned out to be a utility trailer.
Do u know if the Trailer comes with the Tie-down loops on the floor?

gautamde · 05-28-2003, 9:01 AM

Quote:

G-Force Junkie : Quote (SomeStrangeGuy @ May 27 2003, 5:31pm)Good luck in your search - FWIW I was @ HD here today @ lunch and they had the aforementioned Snowbear® 8000 trailer there for $599.95.

There you go, exactaly what I was thinking. *Under 500 pounds yet 3/4ton capacity. *With a 929 your looking at less than 1000 pounds, thats like having 3 mother in-laws in the back seat, any car can handle that
3 mother-in-laws...if that happens then I would ride my 954 to the end of the earth and stay there

figment · 05-28-2003, 2:03 PM

Kendon Trailer

gautamde · 05-28-2003, 4:09 PM

Quote:

figment : Kendon Trailer

I did look at it before...but at $1695.95, its too expensive for me.

gautamde · 05-28-2003, 4:11 PM

Quote:

SomeStrangeGuy : Good luck in your search - FWIW I was @ HD here today @ lunch and they had the aforementioned Snowbear® 8000 trailer there for $599.95. *Im wishing I didn't drop my $250 elsewhere and just held out for this thing :damn:. *

I was leaning more towards the 7500 or better still the 9000. They are landscape trailers and hence come with a low angle ramp.

figment · 05-28-2003, 4:13 PM

Too expensive? It probably holds its value better than a cheapie. Cost of ownership baby

You're moving to an enclosed anyway. So will you be selling or tossing what you buy now?

gautamde · 05-28-2003, 4:51 PM

Quote:

figment : Too expensive? It probably holds its value better than a cheapie. Cost of ownership baby

You're moving to an enclosed anyway. *So will you be selling or tossing what you buy now?

I agree with you on that i.e. cost of ownership. However, the snowbear 9000 is pretty sturdy. I was looking at a really cheap trailer somewhere around $400. The snowbear costs $700. So I am pretty much maxed out.

SomeStrangeGuy · 05-28-2003, 5:45 PM

Wow, snowbear is $700?? I can get them in New Hampshire for $599..thats for the 9000 dood

I do not beleive they have hooks in the floor, but did you check out the 'accessories' on their website look under 'motorcycle kit'

Im pretty jealous I dont have a vehicle that can tow worth a damn (Honda Civic). I do have a 93 ranger 4cyl which I refer to as my 'motorized trailer', and hopefully lives for the next 12 months...

By the way G: Is your car an auto or a stick? does the tranny have a tow mode, or manually selectable lower gearing (why do I ask )?
If you are considering doing this seriously - Id look into a tranny cooler (or maybe a bigger one, I think the Xi has one) as well as an oil cooler...just food fer thought.

strykerakamack · 05-28-2003, 11:03 PM

For the Trailer in your first post .Its FINE .All you really need to do is install a sheetof 3/4 plywood painted for a deck and your good to go. I have a very similiar trailer 3 rails ,was a dirt bike trailer threw the ply on top and have had no problems in the 10 years Ive owned it and Ive towed bikes from NY to Vegas with it with no problems .Just get a spare tire and save your money for the important stuff like more track time.
* *Ed
celticmcc.com

Critz · 05-29-2003, 7:51 AM

Northern Tool (.com)
(although, i cannot find it on their site... it's in a leaflet i have.....)

has a 5' x 8' Trailer with Gate/Ramp listed for $569

12' C Range tires
2x8 treated wood plank floor
2000 GVW
1500 lbs load capacity
#125901

gautamde · 05-30-2003, 12:24 PM

Quote:

strykerakamack : For the Trailer in your first post .Its FINE .All you really need to do is install a sheetof 3/4 plywood painted for a deck and your good to go. I have a very similiar trailer 3 rails ,was a dirt bike trailer threw the ply on top and have had no problems in the 10 years Ive owned it and Ive towed bikes from NY to Vegas with it with no problems .Just get a spare tire and save your money for the important stuff like more track time.
* *Ed
celticmcc.com

Did you us it for Sportbike at all. Thats what moist of the people above adviced that the trailer u mentioned are good for Dirt bike. But the ramp angle is too steap for sportbikes. Plus I will have to fit the plys, ramp, tie loops. Therefore, I was hoping to find a ready made trailer for sport bike with attached ramp and some protection from the stone by virtue of body panels on the trialer.
Although, the trailer I mentioned at the Top are very enticing at under $300.00

gautamde · 05-30-2003, 12:28 PM

Quote:

SomeStrangeGuy : Wow, snowbear is $700?? I can get them in New Hampshire for $599..thats for the 9000 dood *

By the way G: Is your car an auto or a stick? does the tranny have a tow mode, or manually selectable lower gearing (why do I ask )? *
If you are considering doing this seriously - Id look into a tranny cooler (or maybe a bigger one, I think the Xi has one) as well as an oil cooler...just food fer thought.

My bad...it actually costs $599.00 and not $700.

My car is manual shift...never thought about the tranny cooler but I would consider. I was wondering myself that the extra load could create heating issues.

BitViper · 06-08-2003, 5:57 PM

I bought one of these..http://www.sportutilitytrailers.com/LongChih/745TC-1TS70M.htm...from the same site..it works great... the ramp is a bit wimpy..ie short..but as long as your trailer head is at 20' or better youll be ok.....I hitch mine up to a lowered camaro....works great....