Best place to find a used motorcycle trailer

[Chris@UGA]

I was wondering if anyone had any tips for finding a solid used motorcycle trailer or small trailer that I could use to tow a bike?

Thanks!
Chris

[smokinjoe]

Harbor Freight has a bunch of trailers to choose from. They're easy to build (I've built several) and they're affordable. Here's their link:

Edit; Click on the little screamin guy!! He's got sumthin fer ya!!!

[cbmwgs]

There are usually mc and utility trailers listed on Craigs list.

[decodent]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe

Harbor Freight has a bunch of trailers to choose from. They're easy to build (I've built several) and they're affordable. Here's their link:

Edit; Click on the little screamin guy!! He's got sumthin fer ya!!!

Hey Smokin' Joe ... that's an amazing price. What's the catch? I could see bolting my JoeHauler Rack down to the top of this thing and using that to stabilize the bike (kind of like "double dipping"?).

I find this one interesting:



HEAVY DUTY 1175 LB. CAPACITY 48" x 96" FOLDABLE UTILITY TRAILER WITH 12" WHEELS
LARGER PAYLOAD CAPACITY - $239.99

Stow this folding trailer just about anywhere--it only takes up 2 ft. x 5 ft. 3'' of floorspace! Steel frame has built-in slots for stake siding (stake sides and trailer contents not included). Add your own plywood decking for a 4 ft. x 8 ft. bed. Bed tilts all the way to the ground for easy loading. Easy assembly.

• DOT certified tail light, fenders and safety wiring harness
• Heavy duty steel construction with baked enamel finish
• Includes coupler assembly with safety chains and 1-7/8'' ball hitch receiver
• Three leaf spring suspension
• 4.80-12 tires

Max. load capacity: 1175 lbs; Axle thickness: 5mmOverall dimensions: 140''L x 61-1/2''W x 19-1/4''H; Weight: 287 lbs.

[mtlee]

Originally Posted by decodent

I find this one interesting[/url]:



HEAVY DUTY 1175 LB. CAPACITY 48" x 96" FOLDABLE UTILITY TRAILER WITH 12" WHEELS
LARGER PAYLOAD CAPACITY - $239.99

Stow this folding trailer just about anywhere--it only takes up 2 ft. x 5 ft. 3'' of floorspace! Steel frame has built-in slots for stake siding (stake sides and trailer contents not included). Add your own plywood decking for a 4 ft. x 8 ft. bed. Bed tilts all the way to the ground for easy loading. Easy assembly.

• DOT certified tail light, fenders and safety wiring harness
• Heavy duty steel construction with baked enamel finish
• Includes coupler assembly with safety chains and 1-7/8'' ball hitch receiver
• Three leaf spring suspension
• 4.80-12 tires

Max. load capacity: 1175 lbs; Axle thickness: 5mmOverall dimensions: 140''L x 61-1/2''W x 19-1/4''H; Weight: 287 lbs.

I have one of these that I put together years ago for general utility work (hauling mulch, lumber, etc.). I used 3/4" pressure-treated plywood as the decking.

I thought about using it for hauling the two dirt bikes (both small ~250cc), got the chocks mounted and the bikes on in the driveway, and while towing it around to the backyard found that the trailer frame was too flexible. The tie-downs were going slack over every bump. I was also a little concerned about the little wheels/tires for an extended freeway trip. You'd need to add a fair amount of reinforcement to make this trailer stiff enough IMHO.

So I went out and bought a 5x10 utility trailer with side rails and 2x6 decking, about $800 at Menards. It's been very stable, it has a big gate which doubles as a ramp, and it has full-size wheels/tires.

Northern has a new motorcycle-dedicated trailer for $700.

While I did see a fair number of used trailers on Craigslist (most not a bargain by my standards), what I really should have done was just ride my motorcycle through the neighborhoods of the suburbs/rural area near where I live. A couple of weeks after I bought the new trailer, I must have passed three different trailers for sale, one that was even motorcycle-specific.

[a.hoglen]

also, if you go the harbor freight route, be sure to sign up for their mailing list. they maill out a flyer when you first sign up and every few months with a 15% off any single item cupon on the back.

-alan

[decodent]

Just came across this thing. Looks VERY interesting. I find it appealing because I mainly want to haul my bike from location to location, then be able to stow the trailer in a small place. They show them loading some big bikes on this thing, and reviews (such as ePinions) rate them very high.

Curious if anybody else has experience with it.

Trailer in a Bag



The single motorcycle trailer is strong enough to carryanyproduction motorcycle built today and it can handle up to a 71" wheelbase! Extensions are available for choppers and even the Boss Hoss and wider rear tracks are available to accommodate up to a 300 tire.

Its main construction is 2 1/2" and 2" structural steel (1/2" and 3/16" thick wall steel, that's material they build buildings out of), with a 3500 lb. 2" coupler, 1000 lb. spindle on each side, D rated 8-ply tires and bearings rated at 7500 rpm!! A 12"-14" ball height puts this motorcycle trailer at a perfect height for towing. With a 60" distance between wheels, it is extremely stable!


The single motorcycle Trailer In A Bag was designed to have a tongue weight of 120 lbs - 160 lbs depending on which bike is on it. That's good for ANY class hitch you may have. No awkward adjustments to get the right tongue weight. Just load the bike onto the trailer and the desired tongue weight is there.

As strong as it is, because of the structural steel, it only weighs 140 lbs with the heaviest individual piece weighing only 33 lbs and the longest piece being only 42 inches.

One unique feature of the Single TIAB is that it can be converted into our Dual motorcycle trailer at any time with the addition of a simple conversion kit. Then you'll have the flexiblity to use your Trailer in a Bag bas a Single or as a Dual.

[murgatroid42]

I have the Harbor Freight folding trailer. It does fit in the garage nicely, which is why I bought it. Other ADVRiders also use this trailer. Inte trailered 3 (or 4?) bikes in it from California to Colorado and back. There are several threads on this trailer, look them up.

[HaChayalBoded]

My buddy has a small HF type trailer with pressure treated wood as a floor. however after adding the floowing, chock, tie down points, rails and a ramp you just prety much doubled the price of the trailer.

I just picked up a 3 rail trailer for a lot less. I can't haul 3 full sized bikes on it but 3 dirt bikes or two full sized bikes is fine.

Check craigslist and eBay for good deals.