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Message started by BobH on 05/21/14 at 10:32:14

Title: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by BobH on 05/21/14 at 10:32:14

I'm looking to purchase a simple single motorcycle trailer. Preferably one that folds. Below is a lnk to the Ace Single Motorcycle Trailer.

http://theusatrailerstore.com/ace-single-motorcycle-trailer.html

Any suggestions or recommendations?

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by Dave on 05/21/14 at 10:46:57

That is a really cool trailer and it is neat how it folds and stores. It is pretty expensive once you consider the shipping is another $ 189.

For that same amount of money I bought a used enclosed trailer that holds the Savage just fine, and my little car can tow it. Some of the smaller trailers that don't fold can be stored vertically up against the garage wall.

What are your abilites to store a trailer?

Dave

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by BobH on 05/21/14 at 17:58:14

It is a lot of money for a single use trailer. I don't have room for an enclosed trailer like you have, but a utility trailer that folds against a wall might make more sense for the money, especially since I can use it for many other things. Also, the utility trailer has springs where the ace motorcycle trailer does not.

So I'm now leaning toward this:

http://www.redtrailers.com/ShowTrailer.asp?id=2

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by old_rider on 05/21/14 at 18:23:19

Go to harbor freight

http://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-capacity-48-inch-x-96-inch-heavy-duty-foldable-utility-trailer-with-12-inch-wheels-90154.html

Buy some plywood and one of these

http://www.harborfreight.com/self-locking-motorcycle-wheel-chock-60392.html

Go to youtube and watch this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBOn91luQOk

Less than $500 for everything (except your time), AND it folds up....

:)

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by verslagen1 on 05/21/14 at 19:26:58

while I can't really recommend this for the savage (high head angle causes it to lean in turns)...
I do have one and use it for short trips.
Real handy when dropping car/bike off for service.
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1347145111

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by BobH on 05/21/14 at 22:03:23

This will be for some long distance travel so a full trailer looks like my best option and there's a Harbor Freight right down the road, which will save me shipping cost.

That certainly looks like my best cost effective solution.

Thanks all!

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by Serowbot on 05/21/14 at 23:00:21

My buddy George, has one of those cheapy 4' x 8' , Harbor Freight, trailers....
Man,... I've used the cr@p outta' that thing...
Worth every penny he paid... ;D...

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by Dave on 05/22/14 at 07:27:39

The Harbor Freight trailer that old_rider linked work well with this type of ramp.
http://www.redtrailers.com/ShowItem.asp?id=SJ8542

You can get those ramps from several places - including ebay.

The loading ramp works great for dirt bikes - but is a bit short for the Savage, as the bottom drags on the angle point when loading unless you can get a small hill to help reduce the height at the back of the trailer.

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by verslagen1 on 05/22/14 at 07:39:50

HF sells 6' and 8' ramps.

The thing about trailers (in at least CA) you're limited to a lower speed.

Man I just can't drive 55. :'(

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by old_rider on 05/22/14 at 13:13:31

Harbor freight also has ramps....

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-steel-loading-ramps-44649.html

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by redpiranha on 05/22/14 at 16:51:17

I looked at the harbor freight trailers also but was not happy with the tires on them . I think they were only rated to 55 mph and were kind of scary looking to tow anything on the highway. I bought a 4ft by 8ft trailer from tractor supply for about $300 and added decking and a harbor freight wheel chock . It works great and I have no problem towing at 80 mph with it. I even had my Hayabusa on it with no troubles

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by old_rider on 05/22/14 at 19:53:25

Read the reviews on anything you buy....the harbor freight stuff is cheap, and you have to repack the bearings and in some cases reinforce the frame....

I imagine everything has its tweaks to make it better...

Do some research.... it always helps...

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/22/14 at 23:05:42

I built the HF "Folding TRailer.. I didnt make the cut that lets it fold. I went to Lowes & scrounged thru the plywood stacks. Found a 3/4 oak that retails for $80 bucks with a Boo Boo,, got it for 40. Slapped some 1/2 cheapo ply omn top of that, installed 6 tie downs in the floor,,built a ramp, welded a bar across the back to lay the ramps hooks on, It does swivel up in front, just un-pin the arms the hitch mount to & the front of the trailer lifts up. Ive used it a lot. It carries a little over 2 full yards of compost, no sweat,, 2 foot high walls, so, its 8X4X2=64 cubic feet,,

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by Dave on 05/23/14 at 06:18:56

485F5E4A53485B54525B3A0 wrote:

I looked at the harbor freight trailers also but was not happy with the tires on them . I think they were only rated to 55 mph and were kind of scary looking to tow anything on the highway.

Some of Harbor Freight's stuff is less than great quality - however good 8" tires and wheels are up to the job. The bad reputation comes from boat trailer axles that would be on the highway at 90 degrees....then plunged into 50 degree water. The sudden chilling would make a vacuum in the hub and pull water into the bearings.

I have used 8" wheels and tires at highway speeds without problems. I owned a small 40x48 trailer with a motorycle ramp that a fellow used to haul his Sportster back from New Hampsher on it....and it was a 20 year old trailer at the time. I hauled a Kawasaki from Atlanta to Cincinnati on 8" tires at 70 mph....no problem. You do need to keep the tires pumped up to very near the maximum pressure - running them with only partial pressure does make them run hotter.

Here is a photo of how I stored the little 40x48 open trailer. I made a little stand that held it up against the wall. This trailer was 20 years old, it was very similar to the little 40x48 trailers that Harbor Freight sells, and it had a single metal ramp. I hauled the Savage on it a couple of times and it did great. The only issue was the short ramp and I had to back up against a small hill to load so the bottom of the Savage did not drag on the ramp when loading. I think my ramp was only about 3 feet long.

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by redpiranha on 05/23/14 at 14:32:11

4F74796E7F73686E757D706F1C0 wrote:

[quote author=485F5E4A53485B54525B3A0 link=1400693534/0#10 date=1400802677]I looked at the harbor freight trailers also but was not happy with the tires on them . I think they were only rated to 55 mph and were kind of scary looking to tow anything on the highway.

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by LANCER on 05/23/14 at 16:51:54

150611100F0204060D52630 wrote:

HF sells 6' and 8' ramps.

The thing about trailers (in at least CA) you're limited to a lower speed.

Man I just can't drive 55. :'(

What ? Says who ?
I had one of the little red Harbor Freight trailers some years back (you a saw it at my old house in Little Mountain Michael) and it pulled great behind my '64 Buick Wildcat going all over the country ... 7000 miles worth ... cruising at 75mph, and it was LOADED. I had built a box of 2x4's & 1/4" ply that was 5' tall and crammed that thing absolutely full of stuff. It pulled absolutely straight the entire time without ever once making the slightest wobble.

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by Dave on 05/25/14 at 07:54:28

I found a photo of my Savage on the 40x48 tailer with the center ramp. It has the 8 inch tires.....and it was towed at 70 mph no problem. The smaller trailer needs the center ramp to be long enough to haul the bike - but it is cheaper than the folding trailer and it stores up against the wall really easy.

I do know that the Harbor Freight tires have a sticker.......I betcha that is a liability related thing........or a quality issue. Good quality 8 inch tires can go 70 all day long as long as you keep the pressure up near the rated psi......low pressure allows the sidewalls to flex and it builds up excess heat.

Title: Re: Need Trailer for Towing S40
Post by BobH on 05/25/14 at 15:26:56

Thanks for the pictures Dave.

I've been away for a couple of days and see lots of suggestions for me to consider. I should be able to get something put together in the next week or so. My trip is June 6th.

Thanks all! I appreciate it!