Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
|
posted October 07, 2008 01:40 PM
So the monkey says to the bartender... PULL ON THIS!
Since my premiere post back in February 2007 you guys (and gals - don't mean to sound chauvinistic) have given me some awesome advice, so I just wanted to start off with a hardy thanks for that! I have all my upgrades and money ready, and I am now waiting for the dealership in West Palm to call me when the green ZX14 arrives.... which might not be until December because they SUCK!
With that out of the way, I was in the Concourse14 section and I read a post about how to properly tie-down motorcycles to a trailer (unfortunately someone's handlebar snapped using a bar). That got me to thinking that I have not seen any posts on which trailer would be good to get. I found this trailer called the MS-1 that looks really good but I do not know ANYTHING about trailering bikes. Here is the link to the trailer's website: http://www.motorsporttrailers.com
The specs: I intend to trailer my 14, and my girlfriend's Honda VTX 1300 cruiser. I have a 4 cylinder Toyota Camry XLE (the website says I should be able to trailer the bikes with a 4 cylinder car... opinions?
The usage: I live in South Florida and the majority of my road trips will be on flat ground and within 1000 miles round trip once every few months, or so. On rare occasions, maybe once a year, I would like to trailer my bike to Tennessee and maybe even Connecticut.
The anxiety: My nightmare is that I will have a blow-out on the highway and the bikes will go crashing onto pavement at 60MPH, bouncing down the road, fairings flying, metal crunching, expensive mods crushed under a car's weight driven by the tailgating elderly. Or I will be on a small incline and the sheer mass of the two relatively heavy bikes will pull my "little sedan that could" backwards down the hill, brakes locked and still sliding.
The questions: Is the trailer I am looking to buy worth the money, and will it function for my needs? Look sturdy enough? Tires look dinky to me, like a donut, is that my imagination? What kind of maintenance do I need to do on a trailer?
A little long winded; sorry.
____________
2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
  
|
NINJA12
Needs a job
Posts: 3310
|
posted October 07, 2008 03:03 PM
 Edited By: NINJA12 on 7 Oct 2008 23:07
I don't like small tires either.
I have a 6X8 open trailer with 15" car tires, and tilt bed.
We have pulled it from TN to SC a few times and many many local miles.
Sometime I pull it with a v6 altima to the local tracks, No reason a 4 cyc wouldn't do the job.
I would invest in a trans cooler for insurance if you want to do long trips.
We use the trucks for long trips.
Probably can find one $500 -$600 .
If you want to stay super lite. Harbor Freight has one very simular to the one you posted.
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=94564&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=
|
MasterBlaster
Expert Class
Posts: 297
|
posted October 07, 2008 03:03 PM
The Toyota 4 is certainly strong enough, wouldnt worry about it too much. As to the trailer I would go with something with a litle bigger tire than some of the light trailers that run the 8 in and 12 inchers. If you have to go that route opt for the 12 inchers. An annual wheelbearing repack will go a long way to keep you out of trouble. I trailer extensively and want the bike to be one with the trailer when it is tied down. Careful on the Zx14 that you dont rub the front fender when you cinch it down. Also kickstand up. On bikes with a petcock turn it off. Heres the rig I use to tie down the front, and have also built one for the Concours. They work likea charm and no stress on the bars, and keep the straps well clear of the bike. It just plugs into the stem hole.
|
wrenchhead
Novice Class
Posts: 76
|
posted October 07, 2008 07:38 PM
My 2 cents worth. I have been working on, selling, servicing trailers for a little over 10 years now. I would not buy anything with smaller tires because usually when you get smaller tires you get smaller axle, smaller wheel bearings hence more heat when you do go on a trip. Just going around local they are great but if you are going to go on an sort of a trip, expecially with 2 motorcycles on that trailer get something with a 14"-15" tire. Plus another up side to the bigger tire is that almost all single axle trailers with a 15" tire use the same wheel bearing so if you do have a problem you should be able to get the bearing and seal at any napa, carquest ext......Plus less heat in the hubs over a trip and less of a chance of roadside failure. I dont know what your budget is but these trailers are nice: http://geterdumped.com/Aluminum.html .....these are all aluminum trailers that hold up great and are light weight. But if you dont want to spend in the neighbor hood of $2000 plus wheel chocks and tie downs. the price also depends on where you are in the country. You could get a angle iron trailer from TSC or something of the sort. But anything with a 2900# gvwr or higher will have all the bigger axle componets and should have larger tires on it. As long as you stick to a 6x10 or smaller your 4cyl. pick up should be just fine. If you are really concerned about it check your owners manual it should tell you what your vehicle is capable of hauling. Good luck and if there is anything else i can try to answer for you on your trailer adventure pm me and i will do what i can to help you. -wrench-
|
Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
|
posted October 08, 2008 02:36 PM
Thanks to all of you for the great advice. After reading what you guys said I am glad I did not opt for the MS-1. Wrenchhead, thanks for the links but those trailers look awful big for my 4 cylinder Camry, unless I was looking at the wrong part of the website.
I know now I should stay within 14" and 15", but there is a 13" on that same website that I sent yesterday that I was hoping you will take a look at for me and give me your opinion: http://www.motorsporttrailers.com/kendon.html. The Kendon Modular Dual Rail Transport for $2399.95 MSRP at the bottom of the page. Is it basically the same thing as the MS-1 or do you think this is closer to what I need?
I am going to continue to look for a 15" but the ones I have seen so far either look way too large, or I am confused on how I would tie it down to a plank of wood.
____________
2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
|
MasterBlaster
Expert Class
Posts: 297
|
posted October 08, 2008 03:27 PM
As I said above I tow a lot. I also have a two wheel trailer same width as the tandem. I put many tie down loops around the premeter to accomodate different bikes, and since this pic I have bought 4 drive on wheel chocks for the front wheels. If you buy a conventional trailer with 15 in wheels, you should be able to pick it up for around a grand or a little less and can customize it to handle the bikes just fine. Another thing is if you buy a bike specific trailer, its not very good for anything else. I use mine for lots of different hauling chores. The wheel chocks I got were from Harbor Freight, and cost 39 bucks each. They will hold the bike upright while you tie it down, and make it super secure while in transit.
|
kawabonzai
Zone Head
Leader of the Back.
Posts: 537
|
posted October 08, 2008 11:43 PM
Edited By: kawabonzai on 9 Oct 2008 07:45
Hi there,
I've used the Shoreland'r MC1200 many times. It tows great behind a honda 4-cyl and also my chevy 1500. It has 4.80 x 12-B tires but they scoot along just fine and stable.
I like 3-bike trailers over 2 because if I'm carrying just one bike it can go center, if 2 then I load em on each side. Either way the trailer is always balanced.
You can find these trailers all over the place for under 1,000.00.
http://www.shorelandr.com/pages/t_specs.aspx?type=&productID=353
____________
PC-III w/USB, Muzzys M14 + Carbon Oval + M10, BMC Race Filter, Flies Out, Buell Pegs, Heli Risers
www.TucsonSportRiders.com - Tucson's Premier SportRider Community
|
Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
|
posted October 09, 2008 06:30 AM
quote:
As I said above I tow a lot. I also have a two wheel trailer same width as the tandem. I put many tie down loops around the premeter to accomodate different bikes, and since this pic I have bought 4 drive on wheel chocks for the front wheels. If you buy a conventional trailer with 15 in wheels, you should be able to pick it up for around a grand or a little less and can customize it to handle the bikes just fine. Another thing is if you buy a bike specific trailer, its not very good for anything else. I use mine for lots of different hauling chores. The wheel chocks I got were from Harbor Freight, and cost 39 bucks each. They will hold the bike upright while you tie it down, and make it super secure while in transit.
Thanks Master Blaster for the great info! BTW, I am SUPER JEALOUS seeing your awesome menagerie of bikes!
____________
2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
|
|
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC