Topic: My New Bike Hauler

[heffay]

they are 4 lug

[RSchaefer]

I got the smaller version from HF with the metal removable sides, front & back and mounted the motorcycle wheel chock more forward on the tongue to get just right weight distribution for my CB750.  I pull it with my '05 Goldwing.  Looks cool going down the road - Goldwing pulling a vintage CB750.

BUT as others have said I rebuilt the bearings the day after I purchased it and there were metal shavings in the grease in the bearings from the Chinese factory.  I soaked the bearings in gasoline and then repacked with the HF bearing re-packer tool.

[scottly]

hey thanks for the write up guys ! I'll be towing mine from Houston to Charlotte loaded with exercise equipment, weights and stuff so it will probably be pretty close to the 1195 max cap., for my stepson and then bringing my K8 back to Houston. Will do a write up when I get back 1

Hey George, make sure the load weight is biased towards the front of the trailer. Too little of weight on the tongue will make the trailer "whip" back and forth. I once came up on an SUV, towing a HF trailer at 70 MPH on I-40: it was whipping back and forth so much I was afraid to pass!! I've seen cases where whipping trailers have caused the tow vehicle to flip onto their sides.

Heff, is the four-bolt pattern on a 4 1/2" bolt circle? If so, Ford used that pattern for 13" and 14" passenger car rims for at least 30 years.

[Stev-o]

How much are those?

I recently bought a 5x8' utility trailer for $700 new.  Hauls 2 bikes no prob and the wheels are 15".

[heffay]

4x4"

I think these cars have same pattern

4 on 4 (101.6 mm) Austin-Healey Sprite Crosley - all
 '39-'52 MG Midget Jensen Healey
 Opel Manta, Kadette, GT
GM L-body Buick Skyhawk
 '75-'81 Chevrolet Vega, Monza
 '71-'81 Pontiac Sunbird, Astre
 '76-'81 Oldsmobile Starfire '75-'81

[NobleHops]

I had one of those and as you say it took a good 2-3 days to build it, deck it, paint it with sand paint, and get it road-ready. They are by any objective measure pieces of crap but like a Ural, there is a perverse satisfaction one gets out of using one, repairing its deficiencies, etc. it does fold up and store pretty compactly, and it can be customized and braced to shore up its weak points.

I ran mine up and back to Vermont with two dirt bikes on it dozens of times, then built stake sides for it and hauled all manner of brush and firewood and debris with it. Moved a few friends. Drug it around my lawn and woods behind my lawn tractor full of hay and children.

Finally gave it away after 6 years or so for a case of beer and it lived on hauling a bike around for another 4-5 years last I knew and by then it didn't owe anybody anything.

So if you're a little short on dough, don't mind fiddling a bit, and resourceful then I'd declare them a solid value.

[heffay]

How much are those?

I recently bought a 5x8' utility trailer for $700 new.  Hauls 2 bikes no prob and the wheels are 15".

Stev-o... http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=4x8+folding+trailer ... I used a 20 or 25% off coupon and got it for about $250.  The more expensive one is the one that I have.  It seems to be the same exact trailer except for wheel/tire size.

[Stev-o]

That's pretty cheap.

[xluckx]

Hey guys,
the trailers are definitely worth the money , especially with the coupon. But go online and figure out the bugs while putting them together. Tons of help out there. It took me two days to build it.
The main thing is cleaning out the wheel bearings and using a high end synthetic grease. That is a must. Also, grounding each light is helpful. Make sure the tires are up to pressure and buy a spare as finding one on the road is difficult.
 I towed it unloaded for four hundred miles and was rear ended twice because some douch bag bro in his big truck didnt see it in traffic. So i stopped at Lowes and taped on those three foot tall reflecters. No problems hauling my BSA back from storage at 70 mile per hour +
Let me know if you have questions!

[raymond10078]

I bought a similar, if not identical trailer back in 1986 - and I still have it.  I have since given up on the folding parts, added 1-1/2" angle iron under the frame, and replaced the axle (I overloaded the trailer one time (building a deck) and bent the axle).  Only one flat on the road so far.  Have traveled across Nebraska/Colorado at 75-80 MPH too many times to count.  If you don't want to own a truck - these little trailers sure come in handy!