Topic: Motorcycle trailers

[eigenvector]

I prefer to ride my bike, but there will come a time when I have to tow it.  Yes - sad but true they do occasionally break down.

Trouble is - I don't have a trailer for bikes.  Been looking at something I can get for the Ranger to haul a bike and they all look pretty much the same to me.  I think a fold-up trailer is the ticket I'm going for, easy to store and keep out of the way since I don't plan on using it all the much.

However...
Anybody here ever used or owned a Slick Wheelie trailer?
http://www.theusatrailerstore.com/Slick-Wheelie-Motorcycle-Hauler-p/01-9601.htm

It looks REALLY interesting, but it also looks a bit like pushing your luck if you know what I mean.

The way I figure it, assuming the Slick Wheeling is a bad idea, I'm shooting for about 2 to 3 gran for a quality bike trailer - on the low side of that since I only need a single bike trailer.

[BobbyR]

That set up has been around as long as i can remember. The downside is having to remove the chain. That makes it not the the load it and go option it looks like on the surface.

[eigenvector]

I kind of wondered about that.

On the surface is seems like an excellent idea - but yeah rolling along with the transmission in neutral would be pretty hard on the bike.  I am more interested in my R1200 GS than the Honda.  The BMW is a shafty - no way that thing is going to be disengaged before towing.

[Johnie]

Plus, if you are buying a bike to part or restore I would be wondering if the bearings would make it on that thing.

[Stev-o]

I bought a utility trailer similar to this one, it was $800 new. Works great and will haul two bikes.

[calj737]

Flat trailer and add a front wheel chock. Makes loading and towing a breeze. Cost you less than a grand.

[eigenvector]

I'll poke around and see what's what.  I have never owned a trailer before, the only experience I have with them is hauling the pipe trailer on the farm and occasionally towing pesticides behind the harrow.

First thing's first of course, I need to get a hitch for the Ranger anyway.  Then we'll see.  At least I can toss the idea of the Wheelie.

[Don R]

 My brother has one like the picture above, I built two front tire chocks, one can be bolted in the center or both can be put in for two bikes. It also hauls lawn tractors.

[BIKE]

I have a $300 4x8 Harbor Freight type trailer. Good for 1,500lbs. Had it since 1993 and it still works great.
It carries two bikes.

[Bailgang]

My youngest son got one of those folding trailers from HF, there are better trailers out there but HF's price was hard to beat. He put the trailer itself together then I wired it up and put the 3/4 plywood deck on it for him, if there is anything I didn't like about it was the cheap casters that came with the kit and many of the welds were questionable. It came out nice but no sooner than my son got it registered he promptly sold it, the reason was because he didn't like the idea of using his WRX as a tow vehicle. I guess that means I'll be loaning him my truck for when he takes his cbr to a track day.

[Johnie]

This is the trailer I use. Added the wood sides just to protect the bike from stones on the highway. I have hauled 2 bikes, but only put in one wheel chock. This has the small trailer wheels and I would not mind upgrading to one with the taller tires.

[grepper]

I have a landscape trailer I bought for $600, works great.  I use it for all sorts of things.

[grcamna2]

I've owned one of those 'Slick Wheelie' type 2" rear receiver hitch M/C tow bars for 3 years now and have towed many bikes with it;you should disconnect the drive chain if you're traveling more than 10 miles.The way it rides is cool because as you go around a corner the bike actually 'leans' like it's cornering when you turn ! I've traveled thousands of miles w/ mine on Interstates and I've seen folks taking pics of the bikes I'm pulling behind me as they pass me.You don't have to register it and the auto lights work well to shine the way rearward.Backing up is an acquired skill though and you need to back up w/ a very light touch.The Tow Bar is So small and easy to stow in your trunk.I bought mine for less than $100 off ebay and it's Made in the USA down South.

[eigenvector]

Excellent, I knew one you guys had to have owned one.

I think I'll still go for the utility trailer simply because I don't think I'd trust it to tow my BMW and the shaft drive would be difficult to mess with.

It really does seem like an excellent idea though.

[MCRider]

When I was able bodied, I used the 4x8 flat bed approach, upgraded the wheels a bit, with 1 or 2 wheel chocks depending on 1 or 2 bikes. Worked fine for years. 2 x 10 plank with ramp  tips.

Now I can't function as well, and got a RampFree trailer. I've got a thread on somewhere. A bit pricey but can haul anything. Load and unload by myself.

http://www.rampfree.com/

[grcamna2]

Excellent, I knew one you guys had to have owned one.

I think I'll still go for the utility trailer simply because I don't think I'd trust it to tow my BMW and the shaft drive would be difficult to mess with.

It really does seem like an excellent idea though.

eigen,
The BMW doesn't require the engine to be running to create oil pressure to the countershaft bearings like our vintage Honda's;I believe your Beemer has hypoid fluid in the transmission and drive shaft gears so it shouldn't be a problem for you to tow it w/ the rear wheel running along behind you.
I like using my 'hitch tow bar' because I live in an apt. and I have nowhere to store a trailer but would sure like to get another one.   

[eigenvector]

I'll talk to the Stealership about it.  I don't need a trailer sitting in my driveway/yard that 99% of the time does NOTHING but take up space. 
I also don't particularly want to register/title a trailer either.  I'll just have to poke around some more.

I got what I needed anyway.  Some good advice, some better information on the prices - I was way too high, and a better overall understanding of what's out there.  What more can I ask for?


(plenty - I'm greedy. )