beansbaxter
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posted October 21, 2002 08:47 AM
Motorcycle Trailers
I havent seen any topic on this forum dive into this topic so hopefully I can learn a lot here.
Who makes some good motorcycle trailers? What are some things to look for? What is the average price?
I am looking for a fully enclosed trailer that I can hitch to my truck, that can hold one motorcycle (my 12) and has a built in ramp to make it easy to get in and out.
Do they make any trailers with doors on each end so you can drive it in and drive it out instead of having to back it out?
Are there any things on the inside of the trailers to keep your bike from tipping over?
If anyone has any pics, please post them. I'm not looking for anything big, just enough to hold one motorcycle. Thanks.
   
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bigballer
Parking Attendant
Posts: 28
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posted October 21, 2002 09:34 AM
Here's the one I've been trying to sell.
Measures 5x10x7, inside is 5'5" tall. Purchased new May 2001, and used about 5 times. Has a total of 6 tie downs (4 floor,1 each wall). Also has a removeable wheel chock, and a coat hanger for the front. There is a side entry door, and a rear ramp door with spring assist. There are stabilizer jacks on the rear as well.
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beansbaxter
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posted October 21, 2002 09:39 AM
Hey BigBaller...that looks to be a bit bigger then what I was looking for.
But how much are you selling it for? Why are you selling it? Anything wrong with it? Where are you located at?
And how much does the trailer weigh?
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bigballer
Parking Attendant
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posted October 21, 2002 10:00 AM
Actually this is the smallest enclosed "motorcycle trailer" that wells cargo makes. I looked at many other trailers before buying this one and the only one that in my opinion that even come close was a Haulmark. I chose the Wells due to having a local dealer. I almost bought the Home Depot / Lowes special, but from what I've seen they are pretty shoddy on quality. The curb weight is 1120 lbs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the trailer. I am asking $2000.00 and selling it because it is not worth the investment to be used only a couple of times a year. However the biggest problem is that I am in Lake City, FL and it looks like you're in Washington state.
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beansbaxter
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posted October 21, 2002 10:02 AM
ooooooh....we're at opposite corners of the US....
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redelk
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posted October 21, 2002 12:29 PM
 Edited By: redelk on 21 Oct 2002 13:31
Bean, it's not as big as you'd think. I have the same trailer and I love it, BUT... it's really designed for one bike. Yeah, you could fit two in there... maybe. Still, as you can see from this pic, I can easily carry everything I might need for a serious road trip. It can easily accommodate all my riding gear, fuel (the trailer vents out any fumes during transit), race stands, spare tires (2 for the bike and one full size for the trailer), air tank, cleaning stuff and even my bottom tool box.
The two interior lights are plenty bright and I've put two driving lights above the rear door. The rear jack stands are great for loading and unloading while the trailer is NOT hitched to the tow vehicle. The rear door has a low egress of just over 12" so you'll never drag the lower fairings. The door is also spring loaded like a home garage door and is very easy to raise and lower. In other words, this trailer is SPECIFICALLY for towing bikes. PERIOD!
The side marker lights on the fenders make backing it up at night a breeze. Even for the "trailer backing impaired", like myself. I also have electric brakes on mine and the only problem I have with it is that if I don't look in the mirror... I'll forget it's back there. Wells Cargo trailer are expensive, but they are bullet proof and will last forever. You won't see a lot of used ones for sale unless they are moving up to a bigger Wells Cargo trailer.
That's not to say that there isn't other options. Scooter has a real nice trailer that will easily hold two bikes and all the gear you could imagine. He paid a pretty sweet price for it as well. Pace trailers aren't that bad, but they are nowhere close to being a well built or durable as a Wells Cargo.
After having two open utility trailers, I've learned that enclosed is the ONLY way to go. When it comes to enclosed trailers, you get what you pay for. Go "cheap" and that's what you get. Pay a little more and you got a Wells Cargo.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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flite leader
Zone Head
Posts: 651
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posted October 21, 2002 05:20 PM
MOTORCYCLE TRAILERS
check out CHARIOT TRAILERS
made for motocycles....class act
fiberglass...... high quality
NO RUST
bulit in tie downs
ramp entry
they have 1 & 2 bike trailers
they also arrange delivery
usually advertise in roadracing america mag
well known among many privateers
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or break your ass...!!
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ZHooligan
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posted October 21, 2002 05:41 PM
Bean... I own two Wells Cargo trailers and a Pace trailer. They are very similar. I would say the Wells Cargo is a tad bit better overall. I would recommend either brand. My Pace trailer probably has over a 150,000 miles on it. Still in great shape, no problems at all. We repack the wheel bearings every couple of years.
I would reccommend not going any smaller then 10 foot in length. But a 12 footer is really an ice nice for two bikes and gear. And on occasion if needed you stuff another bike in if needed. Trailers are not cheap if you are buying new. Now is a good time for shopping as the summer is opver and guys are cashing out of their hobby!
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To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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redelk
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posted October 21, 2002 08:38 PM
Z makes several excellent points.
There isn't THAT MUCH difference between a Wells Cargo and a Pace. Don't let anyone give you that "WC has better resale value" crap either. If the trailer is worth a crap to begin with and you still have a use for it, why would you sell it right? When it comes to used trailers the difference in price is not as great as it was when they were both new (which could easily be a couple of thousand dollars). In some case WC loses it's value QUICKER. That might be due to the "competitive used trailer market" or what ever the "excuse of the day" is. It's just that in the "used market", what was once a difference of thousands is now mear hundreds.
Just like with bikes, late fall and winter are when the best prices can be found on used trailers. For the very reasons Z mentioned.
Size DOES MATTER! As you can see from the pic of my trailer, most 10' versions are around 5' in width. Pleanty for one bike, but makes hauling two almost impossible. Most 12' trailers are around 6' (or more) in width. You'd think that the extra 12" wouldn't matter much... IT DOES! It makes the difference between hauling one vs. two bikes. At 6.5' in width, you'll have all the room in the world.
Don't have two bikes right now. Neither do many of the rest of us, but we have wanted to take a "road trip" with our local riding buddies and couldn't because we couldn't figure out a way to transport their bike too. It's also nice when you have someone bring your trailer to you when your riding buddy goes down. When they get there with your trailer, you won't have to follow them back home on your bike.
That might not sound like a good reason, but I can tell you that since I ride with a group that does at least 300 to 400 miles a day, waiting for me to ride the 100+ miles home to get my trailer and then drive it back to where my buddy went down... SUCKS! The wait could easily be FOUR HOURS before everything is loaded up. That's why I always have my truck & trailer ready to go on a moment's notice. All I gotta do is call my kids, or if they are not at home, a friend and my trailer will be rolling in less then 15 minutes.
The part that sucks is that if the trailer isn't coming to rescue me, being just a 5' x 10', that means I'll be following my own trailer for the possible 100+ miles back. That is after a TWO+ HOUR wait. Now, if I had a 6' x 10', I could just load my bike up too and either drive or snooze in the back seat on the way back. You'd think it wouldn't happen, but I've expericed all the variations more times then I wish to count.
The bottom like is that a 5' x 10' is the smallest you should go. Even if it's an open utility trailer. Still, enclosed is really the way you should go, if at all possible. The "floor height" between most enclosed vs. most utility-type trailers can be more the a foot. That just means that you'll need a much longer ramp to compensate for that difference.
Since this can often be the case, you don't have to stay away from an enclosed trailer that doesn't have a ramp for a rear door. Making a ramp for an enclosed trailer with double doors in back won't be nearly as hard or expensive. Hell, they might already have one that they can throw in with the deal.
Just shop around and wait for the good deal to come to you. It will in time. Hell, I waited EIGHT YEARS!
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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ZHooligan
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posted October 21, 2002 10:24 PM
Edited By: ZHooligan on 21 Oct 2002 23:29
Elk is corect. Watch for a deal and be ready. A good spot to start is talk with your salesman at the bike shop. Tell him to let you know if someone comes in looking to sell their trailer. Dealerships seldom take trailers on trade. There are also the ads etc. but I have found the salesman a pretty reliable point of information.
Most railers are worth about half the retail used. Unless of course it is my trailer!!  I have to tell you once you get one you will not regret it. And having the ability to carry your bike and other stuff secure, enclosed etc. is great. And the truth is some of the best rides occur with a friend and so being able to trailer two bikes is hard to beat! One of the best things about the trailer is when yu come home from a big event you drive into the driveway, park go to bed, go to work what ever and then when you feel like it deal with the stuff in the trailer!!
The biggest mistake people make is buying to small. That is one of the main reasons trailers get sold!! I own a 12 a 16 and a 24. The 12 is great for two street bikes. It is great for a race bike and all of the stuff you take to the races. I also advise you to get the wides version of the Wells Cargo or Pace trailer. You will not regret it! I can't tell you how many times my trailer has been chalked full of stuff, 4 bikes etc. and I crawl in between a couple of bikes and go to sleep while my race partners eat up hundreds and hundreds of miles. You need ear plugs for those naps but otherwise it is pretty damn nice!!
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To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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Scooter
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posted October 22, 2002 01:59 AM
Triton is making a sweet drive in/drive out trailer. http://www.tritontrailers.com/
I was gonna suggest Chariot also. There's another company similar but I can't remember right off hand.
Watch your actual dimensions. A standard 6 ft wide is 5'9" inside. Not quite enough for 2 bikes. I have a Featherlite. http://www.featherliteinc.com/ 6'4" inside width, perfect for 2 bikes(and you will use it for 2 once in a while) 12' long + additional 34" in the "V" front. They are pricey but you get what you pay for. Mine was $4K but I figured I'd have it for a long time. Torsion suspension, all aluminum, 1270 lb, wont rust. Here it is unhitched in the neighbors driveway.
Also has a camper style side door so we can sleep in it. At T.W.O. for the May Gap 3. Home away from home.
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swft
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posted October 22, 2002 03:08 AM
Ah yes, home away from home.  For the extended trips, my 37' fifth wheel with the 12' cargo section is awesome. Wide enough to accomodate 3 ZX12Rs side by side, and room for tools, gas, etc. And 24' of living space with all the amenities.
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ZHooligan
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posted October 22, 2002 07:49 AM
Yes swft our home away from home is pretty nice. The only thing is my partner didn't buy and install the GPS self aligning satelite system for the damn trailer. 
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To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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beansbaxter
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posted October 22, 2002 12:23 PM
Wow....this thread has a plethora of information...I really appreciate it. I feel more educated now going into this buying descision.
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MadMike
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posted October 22, 2002 03:44 PM
I have a really nice slightly den.. Used trailer that I will sell you Kawachan has nice pictures of it, 9 1/2 foot long six foot wide.. nice...
Mad Mike
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TedG
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posted October 22, 2002 03:56 PM
You should be talking to a Harley rider about trailers and transporting bikes that aren't under their own power.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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sleezyrider
Novice Class
Mean Motor Scooter
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posted October 22, 2002 05:02 PM
Edited By: sleezyrider on 22 Oct 2002 18:05
If you are looking for a trailer that is not enclosed take a look at the Baxley trailer.. A true one person bike trailer with some really cool options..
This unit is not cheap, but you get what you pay for..
Here is a link..
http://www.baxleycompanies.com/trailer.html
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ZHooligan
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posted October 22, 2002 10:02 PM
The baxley trailers are pretty damn cool. The fastening system and loading system is rad. But if you are going to own one trailer I would go with an enclosed trailer.
The other tid bit I have learned over the years about bike trailers is that decals, race numbers etc. are invitations for a break in when you are traveling and parked in a motel parking lot. Unmarked trailers seem to imply couch or washing machine enclosed. Not many people out there interested in steeling a couch!
____________
To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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