Recommendations for towing a Super Tenere

[RCinNC]

My significant other loves to ride with me, but after two cross country trips to the southwest, she isn't too keen on crossing the whole country again just so we can ride out in the southwest. The obvious solution is to trailer the Super Tenere to a central location, and ride from there. Therein lies my question.

I have a 2007 Toyota Camry V6, with a tow rating of 1000 pounds and a max tongue weight of 100 lbs. For good or bad, this is the only vehicle I have to tow with; buying another isn't an option, and I don't want a truck or SUV anyway. The S10 weighs in at 575 pounds, plus add another 60-70 pounds in accessories like skid plate, crash bars, racks, etc. Call it a total load of 650 pounds. As you can see, that leaves about 350 pounds for a trailer, and that brings me to the max tow rating.

I have a tow hitch on the car, as I've towed with the Camry before; in fact, I towed one of those godawful heavy U-haul motorcycle trailers when I transported my old Harley from PA to NC. However, that was way more trailer than I want or need, and I'm concerned that it places too much stress on my car's transmission. What I'm looking for are some recommendations for a good minimalist trailer that will keep me in range of the max towing weight of my car. The Kendons are out of my price range. I have limited space to store a trailer (municipal rules prohibit storing a trailer on my property), so it would either need a small footprint or else I'm going to have to partially disassemble the trailer during the year when I'm not using it and stack it against the wall of my garage. Something low to the ground would be preferable, to make it easier to load and unload the bike.

The Trailer In A Bag trailer is no longer in production, and even if it was, it was recommended to have a 150 pound tongue weight, which exceeded the rating for my Camry.

If any of you have some personal experience with the sort of trailer and trailering situation I'm describing, I'd appreciate the feedback.

 

[trikepilot]

The S10 weighs in at 575 pounds, plus add another 60-70 pounds in accessories like skid plate, crash bars, racks, etc. Call it a total load of 650 pounds.

Methinks you are being a bit "optimistic" on the weight of a fully dressed out Tenere, but no matter ... as the question is still the same.

I found this with the search function looking for an old thread that I posted in but could not find it.

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=12078.msg196165#msg196165

I too was at one point looking for the lightest trailer I could find so as not to eat into the max tow capacity of my car. It is a Subaru Outback with a 2200lb capacity so not quite the same as your Camry.

However... the lightest trailer that I could find on the market was one of the wire bottomed 5x8 utility trailers that typically are sold at Lowes or Tractor Supply under the Carry-On brand name. I have had one for 2+ years and hauled the Tenere all over the place with it. I have also hauled the WRR next to the Tenere several times. I bought it for around $500.

here it is - http://www.carry-ontrailer.com/utility-trailers/5x8g/

and... http://www.lowes.com/pd_100369-15476-5X8G_0__?productId=3005264 (cost seems to have gone up?!)

I took a sawzall and cut off the rear gate as it is VERY heavy and is a huge wind-brake on the highway. I made a removable ramp out of a piece of 2x10 lumber that works fine. I have not weighed the gate but it has got to be close to 50lbs. So I would guess that the trailer now weighs around 300-325lbs. I did add a 2ft wide strip of 1/2" ply wood to stand the bike on so that might have added a bit of weight.

here it is loaded with both bikes

And were is the weight ticket from my local Southern States store with both bikes

The red value is the trailer alone with two bikes. The middle number adds in the Outback and the yellow number is the tongue weight of the trailer with two bikes.

Bottom line is that you are gonna be pushing the limits of the Camry as you are going to be adding 2 adults and all their stuff to the car as well. Good luck with your hunt for a solution. Maybe ship the bike out and fly out would be cheaper than buying a trailer, gas/food/lodging out west, time to drive out west, and wear and tear on the car.

 

[RCinNC]

Thanks for the info, Trikepilot. I'm not certain of the actual weight of my particular bike; I know Yamaha says 575 pounds wet, but I don't know the total weight of the Altrider bars, HT racks, and the skid plate.

My exact same Camry in Europe has a tow rating of 1100 pounds unbraked, and 2640 pounds braked. I'd like to stay within the US rating, but I know there is wiggle room.

I looked at those trailers at Tractor Supply, and they did look pretty good for the price, especially the 5'x7". I think I recall them being around 350-400 pounds. I contemplated getting one and cutting off the side rails, but before I did something like that, I wanted to do more research. I've found a few of those single rail trailers like The One (sold by the USA Trailer Store), but it got a pretty scathing review on Youtube, and the video with the review showed some really shoddy construction.

I know I might be chasing unicorns here, but someone out there smarter than I am may have a good idea.

 

[Expflier]

They make a few single type trailers that may work even thou I think you will be over weight with most of them. Google aluminum motorcycle trailer and that should get you in the ballpark. Heres one http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200466701_200466701?utm_source=CSE&utm_medium=Google&utm_campaign=Trailers%20%2B%20Towing%20%3E%20Trailers&utm_content=14717&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14717&gclid=CN7Yxf--uMUCFQuFaQod5ggAVQ

 

[RCinNC]

I've looked at that one from Northern Tool (the Ultra Tow), and although it looks good, I've read some pretty bad reviews of the construction. With a 700 pound load limit, a farkled S10 might be pushing the envelope a bit.

 

[78YZ]

I own this trailer and it is fine for towing the S10.

They make a few single type trailers that may work even thou I think you will be over weight with most of them. Google aluminum motorcycle trailer and that should get you in the ballpark. Heres one http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200466701_200466701?utm_source=CSE&utm_medium=Google&utm_campaign=Trailers%20%2B%20Towing%20%3E%20Trailers&utm_content=14717&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14717&gclid=CN7Yxf--uMUCFQuFaQod5ggAVQ

 

[sail2xxs]

I haven't tried one, but what about a motorcycle tow dolly? I've seen a couple out on the highway. The front wheel goes in a chock that slides into the receiver hitch.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/vehicle-towing/motorcycle-atv/motorcycle-towing-trailers3.htm

Guessing that this would put some extra wear on your rear tire, and might make backing up difficult.

Good luck,

Chris

 

[BravoBravo]

I have considered purchasing one of these Stinger trailers. They look pretty slick. http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Stinger-Folding-Collapsible-Single-Motorcycle-Cruiser-Sport-Bike-Trailer-/251647890393

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[RCinNC]

I've looked at those Stingers too, and so far, it's probably about the closest thing to what I'm looking for. The weird thing about them is the way it hooks to the trailer hitch on the car; you have to remove the ball from the hitch, and put a bolt through the trailer tongue and then through the hole (where the ball used to be) in the hitch. It seems like there'd be a lot of strain at that point if the car went over some uneven ground before the trailer did.

 

[RCinNC]

I haven't tried one, but what about a motorcycle tow dolly? I've seen a couple out on the highway. The front wheel goes in a chock that slides into the receiver hitch.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/vehicle-towing/motorcycle-atv/motorcycle-towing-trailers3.htm

Guessing that this would put some extra wear on your rear tire, and might make backing up difficult.

Good luck,

Chris

These always seemed like a bad idea to me. Lots of wear on the rear tire and maybe the steering head bearings. I wonder if you'd have to disconnect the shaft drive to use one?

 

[timothy.davis]

I purchased the H & H 5 X 8 Aluminum Golf cart trailer a few years ago. It is a bit more costly that the Sam's Club super-duper 5 X 8 steel trailer I quickly got rid of. This is a very nice trailer and does nicely with all my motor cycles and heavy lawn mowers. The lights are all built in LED's witch are a god's send. I have replaced enough external lights on my other trailer to pay for the H & H. The H & H is light enough to pick the tongue up with one hand and move it around. The two piece tail gate folds down for a loading ramp but does not act as a huge wind break. I added a 3/8 inch plywood floor so when I load my 550 pound smoker with 20 inch steel wheels it distributes the weight. This has been the best trailer for all around use I could hope for. I tow it behind a Honda element that has a 1500 pound tow limit. When empty you cannot tell you are towing it. The negative side for you would be the storability. If you can work around the storability I think you would be very satisfied with this trailer.

 

[RCinNC]

I purchased the H & H 5 X 8 Aluminum Golf cart trailer a few years ago. It is a bit more costly that the Sam's Club super-duper 5 X 8 steel trailer I quickly got rid of. This is a very nice trailer and does nicely with all my motor cycles and heavy lawn mowers. The lights are all built in LED's witch are a god's send. I have replaced enough external lights on my other trailer to pay for the H & H. The H & H is light enough to pick the tongue up with one hand and move it around. The two piece tail gate folds down for a loading ramp but does not act as a huge wind break. I added a 3/8 inch plywood floor so when I load my 550 pound smoker with 20 inch steel wheels it distributes the weight. This has been the best trailer for all around use I could hope for. I tow it behind a Honda element that has a 1500 pound tow limit. When empty you cannot tell you are towing it. The negative side for you would be the storability. If you can work around the storability I think you would be very satisfied with this trailer.

Coincidentally, I had just looked at their website last night. The trailers are nice, but I saw that the lightest one they had was 590 lbs. Not a heavy trailer by any means, but maybe more than I'd want with a 650-700 pound motorcycle and a 1000 pound tow limit on my Camry. And you're right, storage of that one would be a problem, even if I removed the axle and leaf springs when it wasn't in use. The stated tow limit on my car is definitely the limiting factor in finding a trailer, and I might be unrealistic thinking I can find the right one, but I appreciate the heads up.

 

[NickBrewer3]

Might take a look at this one, would be pretty close:

http://www.kendonusa.com/single_ride_up_trailer.html

 

[RCinNC]

Might take a look at this one, would be pretty close:

http://www.kendonusa.com/single_ride_up_trailer.html

They are awesome, to be sure....but that $3000.00 price tag, it's just.....ouch!

 

[Checkswrecks]

Not expensive at $300
Can carry the Tenere, weight-wise.
Combined is light enough for your 1,000 pound Camry limit,
and folds for your lack of storage space requirement.


http://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-capacity-48-inch-x-96-inch-heavy-duty-foldable-utility-trailer-with-12-inch-wheels-90154.html

 

[timothy.davis]

http://www.trailershopper.com/page-44602.html

I just checked with H & H and they have discontinued the Golf Cart trailer but they are still available from other sources on line.

 

[RCinNC]

Not expensive at $300
Can carry the Tenere, weight-wise.
Combined is light enough for your 1,000 pound Camry limit,
and folds for your lack of storage space requirement.


http://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-capacity-48-inch-x-96-inch-heavy-duty-foldable-utility-trailer-with-12-inch-wheels-90154.html

The more I delve into it, Checkswrecks, the more I figure that something like that will be the only viable solution. I've had the HF trailer in the past, and it was pretty robust, and also pretty inexpensive (I hate putting 3 grand into something I might only use once a year). I think I'd lean more towards the Red Trailer version though, since it seems like it might be better made. I'd love to find a single rail trailer, but all the best designs for them that I've seen have only been available in the UK. I sure wish there was still a US distributor for the BikeLug.

 

[trasbeck]

I found a nice Kendon for $1300 locally. Often see them on ADV Flea Market. I would think they are much more solidly constructed than a HF trailer. Mine is rock solid for trips up and down rt.81 from Upstate NY to the Smokies.

 

[RCinNC]

I keep checking on line to see if a used Kendon comes up in my area, but so far nothing. $1300 is a good deal; I'd have been all over that like hair on a gorilla.