Towing - recommend a trailer?

[dragonflyTN]

The Supa Ten is wider/heavier than my KLR, and doesn't really fit well on my cheap-ass utility trailer, especially for longer distances and/or if there are two bikes along. Anyone recommend a trailer for hauling a couple of bikes several hundred miles? Ideally would be light enough to load two 600lb bikes and some gear and still be under 3,500 lbs.

 

[Big Blu]

I had a Kendon two rail that I used for track day events. A bit spendy but a quality rig. My trailer had to be kept in the garage so the "stand up" seemed to be the only quality solution to meet my needs. I bought it used locally and sold it a few later at a profit!! ::008::
Take a look here:
http://www.new-era-motorcycle-us.com/newera2014_002.htm
Paul

 

[fredz43]

+1 on the Kendon Standup. I presently have a 3 rail Combo to haul my dirt bikes, but it would also haul a couple of street bikes if needed. As Paul said, they pull great and with the stand up feature, don't take much room in the garage.

 

[trikepilot]

Dragonfly - I just hauled the Tenere and WR 9 hours roundtrip on a 5x8 trailer.

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=1851.msg191102#msg191102

Shoot me an email at trikepilot at gmail if I can help with any questions.

 

[oldbear]

Aluma , preferably a TK-1 (trike trailer). Use 3 chocks, staggered in a diamond pattern, and you can carry one, two, or three bikes (or a trike, or a side by side).. Great set up, like, and very heavy duty.

 

[navynuke]

I use a converted single jet ski trailer. Works pretty well, two bikes is a bit tight but very possible. Although two Super Tenere's may be a stretch unless you use a block to stagger the front ends a bit.





deck is a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood for reference.

 

[timothy.davis]

I have been using an H & H Aluminum GCA Golf Cart trailer for the past few years. So far it has been maintenance free and tows like a dream. It is very easy for one person to move and amazingly have yet to damage the LED lights.
http://www.hhtrailer.com/Trailers/gcaGolf/index.html

 

[hojo in sc]

I would like to know what people experience in their mpg drop when pulling the trailer; no trailer vs one moto and two moto.

I have an enclosed trailer that I purchased to save $$$ from moving my children and it has paid for itself, but the mgp drops like a rock from 18 mpg to 9 mpg with 3 motos in it.

 

[TNWalker]

Hey dragonfly, I have an enclosed 12' trailer that I am getting ready for sale. Send a message or email if you think you might be interested. I can probably make you a great deal on it.


Steve ::022:: ::26::

 

[oldbear]

Towing my Aluma TK1 with a Goldwing trike on it behind a Tundra with the 5.7 engine I lose about 3 mpg over non towing..

 

[Motowalt]

I started out with a Kendon stand up trailer and it was a quality-built rig. After several years of ownership, sold it for about what I paid for it.

Now I have a Wells Cargo 5 x 8 enclosed with V front that adds about 2 additional feet of interior space.
Rear ramp door and side entry door and spare tire/wheel mounted inside up front in the V.

When loaded with only one bike, I can sleep inside alongside the bike comfortably for long distance travel or track days.
It also has sidewall vents for flow-through ventilation and inside lighting which comes in handy.

It's nice to have the bikes and gear out of the weather and securely away from prying eyes along the way.

I bought it partly because it fits inside a 7' high garage door so I could always keep it out of the sun/weather.
Use 2 Baxley sport chocks mounted to the floor with several different configurations for single or double bikes.

Have not had two Teneres inside, but have had two naked GoldWing 1000's inside at the same time. One facing forward and the other facing backward, both in chocks. Same setup with DL1000 and RC51. It's close but it works.

It tows easily and handles great behind my Silverado.

They are highest quality made in the USA and a good long-term investment (except for the Goodyear tires, which are made in China! ::025:

 

[martinbrown389]

I am looking for a trailer for my bikes i running a towing company Rite Way Towing NYC we are looking for a trailer which has the capability to take 3 motorcycles at a time, and also trailer must be durable and reliable anybody has a recommendation for me? we have to use that for Manhattan 24 Hour Towing.

 

[steve68steve]

I have a 4 x 8 utility trailer that I bought at Home Depot about 15 years ago. It weighs about 500 lb and will hold 1500, IIRC. Besides moving twice and hauling all manner of construction material, yard waste, and firewood, this trailer also hauls my bike as needed.
t's ridiculous how convenient it is to own a little trailer if you have a place to store it.

This trailer has hauled my bikes thousands and thousands of miles. It's been from PA to FL, FL to WV and back twice, FL to TN and back, FL to north GA and back twice, FL to CO and back, and with a second bike squeezed on it for the return trip.

I lost a wheel bearing on the trip to CO, but I'm still running the original tires.

 

[Highlander]

I have a 4 x 8 utility trailer that I bought at Home Depot about 15 years ............
I lost a wheel bearing on the trip to CO, but I'm still running the original tires.

You’re a brave man running 15 year old tires, are they the maypop brand? Tires are like helmets you know, they do need replaced from time to time !

 

[dannyv]

I have a 6 x 12 V-nosed enclosed trailer, have not tried, but I am sure I could fit two S10 (maybe staggered). Gives me a place to store the bikes over Winter (other option is a car port). My Tacoma goes from 17 down to 14, is my best guess. Sort of wish I had an F150 instead.

The enclosed trailer is also nice to haul extra lawn chairs, tool boxes, gas can, what have you. Lots of room.

OE tires only lasted for one long trip, the new ones do not even show wear yet. It did not like to be loaded with all the weight (one bike) on one side. My bad. But meets your weight requirements, I have now put many thousands on it. And as mentioned, they are great for moving day!

 

[EricV]

When I had to move cross country, St George, UT to Tupelo, MS, I hunted around for trailers and got lucky to find a late '70's factory built three rail moto trailer. Solid, but light weight. Wood bed over steel construction and not just an open bed between the rails. Great for one big HD in the middle, but did very well for two large ADV bikes. Easy to load the first one, a bit of a pain to load the second one by myself. Since I don't normally need a trailer, I sold it for what I paid for it after getting done with the move. Cost me $425 with fresh wiring and lights, tires and wheel bearings and a coat of paint. Sold it for $450 and only had to pay about $45 to register it here in MS and get a current title for it. (everything with wheels here needs a title and a plate. Taxes, I suppose.)

Towing with my F150 with a 4.6L V8 and tall gearing went from 16-20 w/o trailer to 8-9 with the two bikes loaded on the back and a freezer in the bed upright.

In my limited experience, mpg is about torque when it comes to towing. My Dad's 454 suburban would get the same 12 mpg empty or towing a 30' travel trailer.

 

[steve68steve]

You’re a brave man running 15 year old tires, are they the maypop brand? Tires are like helmets you know, they do need replaced from time to time !

About that: I ALWAYS make sure my trailer tires are fully inflated before I haul. I sometimes even feel them for heat when stopped for gas. The trailer is stored under cover, out of the sun.

I always mean to get new tires or at least pick up a spare, but I just haven't. Now it's kind of a "thing" to see how long they'll go.

I see trailers on my commute nearly every day severely overloaded, or with visibly under-inflated tires. I also see a lot of rigs pulled over with a shredded trailer tire.

I won't argue that old rubber lasts forever, or that running old tires is without risk - but I really think my experience is a testament to maintenance and common sense.

The only job my little tires have is to roll. They're not powered, they don't have brakes, they don't steer, they aren't connected thru a differential. The only thing that will wear them out is UV exposure and flex from over-loading or under-inflation.

 

[wjfawb0]

I've been using my harbor freight folding 4x8 for years. Works great with something like a pingle front wheel chock and good straps.

 

[GearheadGrrrl]

If you're in the midwest Farm and Fleet and Fleet Farm carry a basic 4'x8' trailer with no floor for around $500. Add a sheet of plywood for a floor, tie downs and maybe a ramp and wheel chock and you're in business.

 

[scott123007]

martinbrown389 wants to be able to carry THREE bikes at a time. Don't you guys ever read before you post? Geez...