Topic: Trailer for a 550

[92t0rider]

Ive searched but cant find exactly what Im looking for. Im set to buy a cb 550 about 100 miles away from me, and have decided an investment in a trailer might be worth it. One main reason is that I am moving 2000 miles away in a few months and I dont plan on riding that far!! The trailer is 4 x 6 ft and rated (so the ower says) at 1980lbs.

So my questions are;
The trailer is 4x6 is roughly 7 feet diagonal, will a 550 fit this way?
Will a 550 properly tied down have trouble being transported diagonally?
Can a trailer this small make it 2000 miles driven around 65??

Im looking for some educated experience/advice here, Im not sure what to expect on a trip this long!

Thanks


Ps he wants $450usd for it; sounds Ok to me.

[ElCheapo]

$450??? Damn I think that is high man. I run one of those trailers that you buy from Menards for about $150 plus the cost of the deck. Took me one day with no help to assemble it. I now have one full season on it and it is holding up well. I have abused this trailer in many ways and it holds up just fine. They come set up for folding but I made it solid. What's more is I get a full 4X8 deck. Enough to load full dressers. And I have had my trailer on long runs into the next state at speeds over 80MPH! Tracks like an arrow.

1. You have to tighten the hinge bolts once in awhile. Otherwise she flips back up.
2. The fenders are prone to rust in the snow belt so an additional coat of paint is a good idea.

[92t0rider]

Hrmph.

I need to find a place like "Menards" out here in the West.

Im just worried about the 2000 mi trek Im going to be taking!

[ElCheapo]

looks a bit like this

the stupid expensive one

Mine which takes more abuse than most should be dragged through

[csendker]

My cousin has one of those folding trailers, and I can assure you that a 550 will definetely fit on it. 

[bill440cars]

Hrmph.

I need to find a place like "Menards" out here in the West.

Im just worried about the 2000 mi trek Im going to be taking!

          Have you got a Harbor Freight? I don't remember prices but, I do know they're not as high as
     that 4 x 6 job.  They look similar to those from "Menards".   Hope that helps.   Later on, Bill

[csendker]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90154

Around $240 including the wheels.  You just need to add the lumber.

[bill440cars]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90154

Around $240 including the wheels.  You just need to add the lumber.

           Thanks for that. Sure beats $450 by a long shot! What do you think? Even if you had to drive a little ways to get one, it'd still be cheaper and haul more too!

           I bought a Wave Runner trailer for about $150 and turned it into a 4' x 8' flatbed trailer. It'll handle 1,000 lb. Like to have a slightly larger one but, This'll do for now. Probably go Harbor Freight next time.

                                                Later on, Bill

[ElCheapo]

That is the one! Mine was supposed to be that price but I caught them while they were running a sale at $175 plus it was $30 for the 1/2 inch decking $7.00 for the paint for the decking. BTW - painting the deck is needed to keep the wood from freaking out, but if you haul alot of bike like we do it will stay pretty for awhile at least.

[dusterdude]

tom,do you think you could get 2 750`s on that trailer?

[92t0rider]

Hrmph.

I need to find a place like "Menards" out here in the West.

Im just worried about the 2000 mi trek Im going to be taking!

          Have you got a Harbor Freight? I don't remember prices but, I do know they're not as high as
     that 4 x 6 job.  They look similar to those from "Menards".   Hope that helps.   Later on, Bill

We sure do have Harbor Freight... Im embarassed I didnt think of them already. Thanks for the help guys

[ElCheapo]

tom,do you think you could get 2 750`s on that trailer?

I have done it.

[dusterdude]

groovy

[Philly550K1]

so cheapo, how do you load/unload bikes?  some of those trailers tilt, right?  i'm looking for a one-person-friendly setup (for running and -ahem- non-running bikes .   i'm also looking at the kind with the drop-down tailgate ramp, which looks like it would be the easiest to live with.  although the folding option might be good....

for the non-running bike, one-person scenario, HF also has affordable electric winches.  any recommendations in that direction?...

[bill440cars]

so cheapo, how do you load/unload bikes?  some of those trailers tilt, right?  i'm looking for a one-person-friendly setup (for running and -ahem- non-running bikes .   i'm also looking at the kind with the drop-down tailgate ramp, which looks like it would be the easiest to live with.  although the folding option might be good....

for the non-running bike, one-person scenario, HF also has affordable electric winches.  any recommendations in that direction?...

              As a matter of fact, I bought a winch from HF for that very purpose. I don't have it mounted yet but (I'm using the waverunner trailer) I'm looking at mounting the winch on the stand made for the handwinch. Two issues that I have are: hooking the power cables up and extending the control leads so that I can control the winch and be by the bike at the same time. I have an idea that I'm working on in my mind ( I know, that's scary!) and when I get it somewhat figured out, I'll let you guys in on it.    Til then, Later on.    Bill

[csendker]

No, the folding trailers do not tilt.  You will need some sort of ramp.  I used an old 2x12 I had lying around to get mine up on it.  I can confirm that it is a 1 person job, at least with a long enough 2X12.  A winch might be handy, but sometimes I find stuff like this gets more complex than necessary and just pushing the thing up is faster & easier.  How do you keep it verical, steer & operate the winch with one person?  Need some long control cables there, or a real slow setting.

One more thought - the folding trailers are cheap, but for a reason.  It looks like the trailer that started this thread is more durable than one of these.  Now I won't be using one full time, or putting several tons of weight on it, or taking it cross-country, so the cheepies will do just fine for me.  But think about your intended usage and the durability/quality of the trailer when thinking about the price.

[dusterdude]

so cheapo, how do you load/unload bikes? some of those trailers tilt, right? i'm looking for a one-person-friendly setup (for running and -ahem- non-running bikes . i'm also looking at the kind with the drop-down tailgate ramp, which looks like it would be the easiest to live with. although the folding option might be good....

for the non-running bike, one-person scenario, HF also has affordable electric winches. any recommendations in that direction?...

 As a matter of fact, I bought a winch from HF for that very purpose. I don't have it mounted yet but (I'm using the waverunner trailer) I'm looking at mounting the winch on the stand made for the handwinch. Two issues that I have are: hooking the power cables up and extending the control leads so that I can control the winch and be by the bike at the same time. I have an idea that I'm working on in my mind ( I know, that's scary!) and when I get it somewhat figured out, I'll let you guys in on it. Til then, Later on. Bill

you aint liyin thats scary

[bill440cars]

for the non-running bike, one-person scenario, HF also has affordable electric winches. any recommendations in that direction?...

 As a matter of fact, I bought a winch from HF for that very purpose. I don't have it mounted yet but (I'm using the waverunner trailer) I'm looking at mounting the winch on the stand made for the handwinch. Two issues that I have are: hooking the power cables up and extending the control leads so that I can control the winch and be by the bike at the same time. I have an idea that I'm working on in my mind ( I know, that's scary!) and when I get it somewhat figured out, I'll let you guys in on it. Til then, Later on. Bill

you aint liyin thats scary

             duster, I'll tell you something else that's scary and that is the way you seem to pop up out   
      of nowhere and Zap me. When I least expect, there you are. duster, you are definitely good!
      Gotta go for now, see you all later on, Bill