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Message started by Pine on 06/21/12 at 11:53:10

Title: Some day
Post by Pine on 06/21/12 at 11:53:10

Some day.. I expect the bike will not run..and no amount effort on my part will fix it. Fearing that.. I want to procure one of those tow hitches ( unless I hear horror stories from here). There are several on the web, so I am just hoping to hear from the brain-trust what works.

Example.. http://www.fatzusa.com/tow-hitch.htm

Title: Re: Some day
Post by teabowl13 on 06/21/12 at 12:36:22

Never used one of those, and it looks a little scary to me.
I have to say, for the rare times that I need to tow a bike, I find it's pretty easy and cheap just to rent a small trailer from U-haul...

Sure you want to spend the money for something you "might" need somewhere some day?

Title: Re: Some day
Post by Dave on 06/21/12 at 12:40:17

You don't need that thing......You just need to find a friend with a truck and/or trailer. Somebody has to answer the phone when you call for help......so it has to be someone else cause you are stuck out on the road with your broken bike!

Title: Re: Some day
Post by teabowl13 on 06/21/12 at 12:45:06

If you really do want a trailer, I have a friend who has a pretty sweet little one bike trailer that folds up and takes up nearly zero space in his garage. I have no idea who made it or where he got it, but it lifts BOTH wheels off the ground. I would look for something like that. I wouldn't want to be dragging half of my bike behind me like that unless it was just for very short distances, and then again, what's the point?

Also; there's AAA, and the AMA has roadside assistance service that's MC specific.....

Title: Re: Some day
Post by Bubba on 06/21/12 at 13:11:25

i'd rather use this...it's rated to 400lbs which our bikes are...I'd buy the anti wobble accessory tho'

http://www.wmastore.com/400lb-Capacity-Motorcycle-Dirt-Bike-Carrier-Hauler-Rack-w-Ramp-AM400.htm

Title: Re: Some day
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 06/21/12 at 14:27:50

I would not tow this bike with the rear wheel on the ground with out removing the belt & tieing it out of the way. I do believe with the engine not running the output shaft bearings could be damaged from lack of lubricant. :(

Back in '79 I towed an XS650 back to Tennessee with a holder like that first one. I took the chain off before towing it & had no problems on a 1000 mile trip. Never used it again. ;D

Title: Re: Some day
Post by rfw2003 on 06/21/12 at 14:30:46

for the $650 they are selling it for, you could buy a real trailer for the same price or less. The trailer could then also be used for other things and not just your Savage or other MC's

R.F.

Title: Re: Some day
Post by teabowl13 on 06/21/12 at 14:37:54

True That!

I helped a friend of mine move from Ohio here to Maine several years ago. Bought an awesome trailer for $500 from Craig's list. Hauled his bike and half his life in it, used it myself for two more years, then sold it for $500. ;D

Title: Re: Some day
Post by Pine on 06/21/12 at 14:44:48

Thanks all.

I would not be getting that one... they can be had $150. The purpose is just to tow it in-town to the shop if/when needed. I really have no more room for a trailer. I could do the U-haul thing when needed.

Title: Re: Some day
Post by rfw2003 on 06/21/12 at 14:50:49

Don't know around you but for those instances it might be cheaper to rent a trailer for the min time from from a Rent-all type place where you would rent a tractor or some such equipment for a few days. My local rental place only charges $10 for 24 hours and $5 if I can have it back within 4 hours.

R.F.

Title: Re: Some day
Post by clearush on 06/21/12 at 15:07:18

Yeah just like above the hitch mount 400lb rated motorcycle carrier would be way cheaper way to go.

http://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-receiver-mount-motorcycle-carrier-99721.html

$110 at harbourfrieght right now.

Title: Re: Some day
Post by rfw2003 on 06/21/12 at 15:13:51

Speaking of Harbor Freight, They used to and probably still do sell a foldable trailer that doesn't take up much room at all when your not using it. IIRC it was around $300 or so for a 4' x 8' one and the capacity was more then enough for most motorcycles and also riding mowers and such.

R.F.

Title: Re: Some day
Post by 360k+ on 06/21/12 at 18:13:33

46524306040407340 wrote:

Yep, I think I remember that one. As I recall it stood up against the wall when not in use.

Title: Re: Some day
Post by teabowl13 on 06/21/12 at 19:14:10

3335262D6D6167666D540 wrote:

[quote author=46524306040407340 link=1340304790/0#11 date=1340316831]Speaking of Harbor Freight, They used to and probably still do sell a foldable trailer that doesn't take up much room at all when your not using it. IIRC it was around $300 or so for a 4' x 8' one and the capacity was more then enough for most motorcycles and also riding mowers and such.

R.F.

Yep, I think I remember that one. As I recall it stood up against the wall when not in use.[/quote]

Sounds just like the one my friend has. He loves his! (then again, he's got a half dozen vintage bikes, and spends his Summers racing, so his gets used a LOT!)

Title: Re: Some day
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 06/21/12 at 19:40:01

H-F still sells the folding trailer & several others.

A year & a half after hauling the XS 650 to Tennesse we moved back to Port Aransas. On the trip back I hauled a Norton Commando using a carrier made from an RV rear bumper made of square tubing that originally stored the sewer hose. Mounted it to the trailer hitch & cut 'slots' in the top for the tires to fit in. Found out quickly it wasn't very stable until I added turnbuckles at each end that hooked into holes drilled in the bumper. I had a '64 GMC panel truck at the time, & built a matching trailer from a wrecked '62 Chevy panel. Total cost = $0 because I sold the front half (engine, trans, doors, etc.) to a salvage yard. For the trip back I mounted the carrier on the trailers bumper & put our refrigerator on the tongue to balance the load. Worked perfectly & gave us a place to store things after we found a house to live in.

All that because I thought the price U-Haul wanted to rent a trailer for the trip was ridiculous. Also didn't have to rent a storage unit the day we got here so we could turn the trailer in. 8-)