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MNBill
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« on: November 12, 2010, 02:42:47 PM » |
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I am assembling my Harbor freight clamshell trailer. I need advice on the tongue. For those of you that have this trailer have you lenghtened the tongue and if so how much? I figure it is easier to do now if needed but I can not test it, it is snowing here in SE MN.
BTW Thanks for all the good advice on trailers. I decided on this one because it will not get used much and it was cheap (after the 20% off coupon I read about on this site). I know the sprung axel and 8 inch tires are not the best but for the few times I will be using it they should be fine.
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MNBill
SE Minnesota
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Joe Hummer
Member
Posts: 1645
VRCC #25677 VRCC Missouri State Representative
Arnold, MO
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« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2010, 03:10:43 PM » |
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I am pulling this one...  Stock length. No issues pulling it. Joe |
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
You pay for the whole bike, why not use it Jerry Motorman Palladino
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MNBill
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« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2010, 04:10:42 PM » |
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Thanks for the answer and the photo, the photo answered another question, straight hitch makes the trailer sit level.
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MNBill
SE Minnesota
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ptgb
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« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2010, 04:11:54 PM » |
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The rule of thumb for tongue length is.... The length of the tongue, from tip to axle should be 1.5 to 2.0 times the width, tire center to tire center. Check here (#1 under "Build Tips"): http://www.valkyrieguy.com/mctrailer2.htm |
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 Lower Lakes 1000 - 07/07 & 09/10 * Bun Burner GOLD - 09/10 Lake Superior 1000 - 07/11 * Lake Michigan 1000 - 09/11 * Lake Huron 1000 - 09/11 Saddlesore 2000 - 09/11 * Ohio 1000 - 07/13 |
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Sodbuster
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« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2010, 12:11:11 PM » |
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For comparison my older Cyclemate measures out to 51" center of ball to center of axle & 31" center to center of tires (4.80" x 8") - has straight axle & leaf springs - Used it on a 3500 mile trip out to Idaho and back - Gas mileage went down 3-4 mpg less than without trailer @ 65 mph - Hitchdoc hitch - you tend to forget the darn thing is even back there.  |
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VRCC # 30938 '99 Std. - Black & Silver - "Spirit Horse" Dear God, Seriously .... Thanks for creating beer. You rock !!  |
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Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008
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« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2010, 04:16:55 PM » |
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Bill if you go to the 5.60X8 in tires they are only about an inch or so shorter than the 12 in. tires. Also don't run too much air in the tires as it makes the trailer too bouncy. I removed one spring from each side also to soften the trailer ride. Hope this helps you some.
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MNBill
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« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2010, 04:33:44 PM » |
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Thanks guys for all the advise. I think I got it together and ready to pull. Next project will be a cover for the winter, material for that is in the basement. I re-did most the wireing, I ran a true ground wire to the amber lights and put amber LED lights to cut the draw on the Valk (about $8 a side complete at Wallyworld). I noticed the front amber lights were wired in with blue wire snaps and one side had a long wire stiking out with a bare end. If you have light problems pull the 2x2 plugs and check the wires to the amber lights.
It came with the shorter 8 inch tires but an upgrade will come when tires are needed. If it bounces alot I will pop the lower springs off after I try it out.
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MNBill
SE Minnesota
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Joe Hummer
Member
Posts: 1645
VRCC #25677 VRCC Missouri State Representative
Arnold, MO
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« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2010, 04:36:21 PM » |
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Thanks guys for all the advise. I think I got it together and ready to pull. Next project will be a cover for the winter, material for that is in the basement. I re-did most the wireing, I ran a true ground wire to the amber lights and put amber LED lights to cut the draw on the Valk (about $8 a side complete at Wallyworld). I noticed the front amber lights were wired in with blue wire snaps and one side had a long wire stiking out with a bare end. If you have light problems pull the 2x2 plugs and check the wires to the amber lights.
It came with the shorter 8 inch tires but an upgrade will come when tires are needed. If it bounces alot I will pop the lower springs off after I try it out.
I went ahead and took out the extra leaf in the springs...Just make sure you put the bolt back in so your axle has something to center on...don't ask me how i know this... Joe |
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
You pay for the whole bike, why not use it Jerry Motorman Palladino
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Dougger
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« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2010, 05:43:25 PM » |
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Did anyone put a swivel on the tongue?
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ptgb
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« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2010, 07:33:05 PM » |
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Did anyone put a swivel on the tongue?
My Harbor Freight did not have a swivel. My Matrix Rover that I bought this year came with one (it was a floor model with all the available options). Quite honestly, I can't tell a difference.  |
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Lower Lakes 1000 - 07/07 & 09/10 * Bun Burner GOLD - 09/10 Lake Superior 1000 - 07/11 * Lake Michigan 1000 - 09/11 * Lake Huron 1000 - 09/11 Saddlesore 2000 - 09/11 * Ohio 1000 - 07/13 |
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Sodbuster
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« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2010, 07:58:41 PM » |
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Are there any concerns about the bearing grease in the hubs from HF or would it be a good idea to repack them with a grease you're familiar with ?? I'm thinking peace of mind here.
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VRCC # 30938 '99 Std. - Black & Silver - "Spirit Horse" Dear God, Seriously .... Thanks for creating beer. You rock !! |
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ptgb
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« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2010, 08:20:17 PM » |
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Are there any concerns about the bearing grease in the hubs from HF or would it be a good idea to repack them with a grease you're familiar with ?? I'm thinking peace of mind here. +1 on that... the Harbor Freight looked like Chinese Vaseline  was put on the wheel bearings! Maybe the newer ones have a higher quality grease on them, but I doubt it. Cheap, simple upgrade to put some quality grease on them. I went one further and got new bearings and seals (I think they were either German or American made bearings)... worth it to me though. |
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Lower Lakes 1000 - 07/07 & 09/10 * Bun Burner GOLD - 09/10 Lake Superior 1000 - 07/11 * Lake Michigan 1000 - 09/11 * Lake Huron 1000 - 09/11 Saddlesore 2000 - 09/11 * Ohio 1000 - 07/13 |
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wild6
Member
Posts: 251
(Old enough to know better)
Vernon, NJ
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« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2010, 08:21:06 AM » |
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Are there any concerns about the bearing grease in the hubs from HF or would it be a good idea to repack them with a grease you're familiar with ?? I'm thinking peace of mind here.
I read some bad things about the bearings before my Alaska trip, so I repacked the bearings in my (then) new HF trailer and it made the 10,000 miles with no problems. |
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  “Meddle not in the affairs of the Dragon, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.” |
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MNBill
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« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2010, 04:00:30 PM » |
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My trailer has grease zerks on the hubs, pumped them full with good grease. Joe, you said your trailer pulls good with one leaf out, I know the last trailer I had bounced all over, I will pull the bottom leaf.
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MNBill
SE Minnesota
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x
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« Reply #15 on: November 15, 2010, 10:16:03 PM » |
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ptgb
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« Reply #16 on: November 16, 2010, 03:21:23 AM » |
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...you said your trailer pulls good with one leaf out, I know the last trailer I had bounced all over, I will pull the bottom leaf.
You can also try just running the trailer tires about 20lbs or so under-inflated. That softens the ride up, no bounce then. I ran them like that for thousands of miles on the HF with no abnormal wear or excessive heat. *EDIT - I should add that I am talking about 12" tires... no problems. No experience with the 8" |
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« Last Edit: November 16, 2010, 04:25:30 AM by ptgb »
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Lower Lakes 1000 - 07/07 & 09/10 * Bun Burner GOLD - 09/10 Lake Superior 1000 - 07/11 * Lake Michigan 1000 - 09/11 * Lake Huron 1000 - 09/11 Saddlesore 2000 - 09/11 * Ohio 1000 - 07/13 |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #17 on: November 16, 2010, 05:59:22 AM » |
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I have a Factory built trailer with 8" wheels. I too would prefer 12", but have had no problems with these smaller ones. I did repack the bearings with good grease, but since they were put together here (not in China) the existing grease wasnt scary. My one issue was that the wheels didnt run very smoothly, at 55mph you felt a vibration through the hitch. I lucked out and found a small balance cone wheel balancer at Harbor Freight on sale for 5 bucks and the weights I got at AutoZone for a few more dollars. After balancing the wheels it runs very smooth at any speed. We ran 75mph while on the freeway (200 miles) going to Daytona and I didnt know it was back there, no vibration, the wheel hubs were cool even right after stopping so no burnt up flaming death wheel bearings like some have been told if you run the 8" wheels over 45mph. But I do recommend if you are going to run them fast, to know they have good grease and balance them  |
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« Last Edit: November 16, 2010, 06:05:33 AM by Chrisj CMA »
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MNBill
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« Reply #18 on: November 17, 2010, 07:59:04 AM » |
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One spring removed on each side and I repacked the bearings with good grease. That stuff that was in them looked more like dried up varnish than grease and cleaned out just as bad. Thanks everyone, LED lights coming to keep the voltage down and I will be ready for summer. If all goes as planned I will retire in the spring and try to put some miles on next summer.
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MNBill
SE Minnesota
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