Looking for Trailer and Hitch suggestions/experiences

[GJS]

My wife and I are considering pulling a trailer this summer.

Over the years we have seen some interesting wagons on the road.
I'm really interested in what folks here think of what they have, or have seen.

My initial thoughts are to go with a cargo trailer, but I'm really interested to hear about anyone's sleeper experiences.

As well, I don't have a hitch yet and I'm curious as to what is best for a 99 Valk IS.

Best regards,

Glenn

[Black Dog]

Tons of different trailers available, and you will get some great feedback here...

As for the hitch, check out Daryl at XF6 Customs...  He is a Valk owner and a VRCC sponsor (good dude too  ).

http://www.xf6-custom.com/partpages/8tripletree.html

Black Dog

[Chrome]

Hi Glen  I got a ton of info from MC TrailerTowing on Delphi forums http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/nav/start.asp?webtag=MCTrailertowing
I have a homemade hitch on my I/S now and have two hitches from Denray out of Quebec for my other Valks.
Happy Trails Adrian (Chrome)V Canadian Rep VRCC

[sandy]

The Valk can handle a lot of trailer but heavy ones affect your MPGs. I towed my Roll-A-Home 8,000 miles and got around 25 MPG at 65 MPH. Faster and it gets worse. Trailer weighs about 425 loaded.

[Garry 2r's]

One for sale near me not sure if that is a good price.

http://muskegon.craigslist.org/mcy/2358705274.html

[Chrisj CMA]

As far as the hitch........you cant beat the HitchDoc.  Solid, all welded, some of the best chrome you will find, and sturdy.  They make a receiver type and a straight ball.......I have the non-receiver type.

I recently put a swivel on the tongue of my trailer, it made a good puller into a fantastic puller.  Now the combination of a good hitch and a well made trailer really I cannot tell the trailer is there.

[Wolfgang1952]

I started looking for a trailer and hitch back in 2005.    I did a lot of looking when I built my hitch and trailer.    First I looked at the nice shinny chrome external mounted hitch from Hitch DR and other places.    Not what I wanted nor what I wanted to pay, plus I didn’t want to cover my paint.    I wanted something different.    I built mine to be hidden under the finder, so all you see is the ball.   
I looked at the carrier or covered type trailers to, again not what I needed.    I wanted something more versatile.    Then again all the prefab trailers out there wear out of my price range.     So what I settled on was a kit trailer from Northern Tool Co in 2006    It was a standard 48”x48”.   Narrowed it up a little, took 6” out of the width.    So the box is 32”x48”.    The tires track just outside of my highway pegs.    It is the most versatile trailer I could have bought.    The only problem I have with it is having to replace the wood every time I turn around.    I have used it as an everything trailer.    If it will fit in or on the trailer I will take the bike.    I hate using the truck.    I have had as much as 800 hundred in it that was fun.    Had to pick up 8 cinder blocks and 4 concrete pads (24”x24”x4”).    Now I am looking at building a boat trailer for a 14ft. canoe to go behind the Valk, like I said I hate to use the truck.
This pictures wear taken in 2008.    The bike had 99675.1 miles on it now there is over 171,354 miles now.     So when we decide to go camping I carry all the gear.   I’m on my bike and the old lady is on hers.

[Chrisj CMA]

Very nice job Wolfgang.  I remember looking for a completely hidden rig too.  I couldnt find it but when I saw the hitchdoc I liked it.  You have skills 

[Wolfgang1952]

Thanks Chrisj CMA for the comments.   Ya it helps to be a jack of all triads.   Living on a farm you learn to do a little bit of everything.    I spent roughly 30 dollars on material to build my hitch with.   The only problem with doing a hidden hitch you don’t just get to bolt it on.    There is a lot of work that has to be done to the underside of the fenders so it will bolt up.   For the side plates to bolt up you have to take a ¼ inch off the mounting nuts of the front fender section and remove the rear fender nuts and brackets.     I used a piece of ¼ “x2” flat bar for the sides and a piece of ½“ plate for the bottom cross plate.   The ball came from the junk pile.    In about 4 hours I had it built, and another couple of hours doing the work on the wear fender.    The trailer kit cost 200 bucks.    I’ve got around 800 bucks tied up in my trailer.    But I have what I want.

[Farther]

Very nice setup Wolfgang.  The only issue I have is with your brand of beer.

[Wolfgang1952]

Hey Farther thanks for the comments.    I do like my Red Label.    I usably have a case in the cooler at all times

[fudgie]

Sweet looking bike wolfgang. 

[GJS]

That's Awesome!
Love the pictures and the links. Thanks guys.
Chrome, that page of links is just what I needed.

I have my eye on the Hitch Doc for the Interstate.
The real question for us comes down to whether we want Cargo or a Cargo/Sleeper combo.
I kinda like the instant campsite idea. I hate getting up off the ground in a tent.

Thanks again.

Glenn

[alph]

Glen,

i have a ball hitch, and would like to trade it for a reciever type, why? because i would like a single wheel trailer, and with a reciever style hitch you can have the best of both worlds, if you want a ball, just insert a ball, if you want a single wheel trailer, then all you have to do is slide it into the reciever hitch.

someone had a single wheel trailer at the last inzane, i wish i would have bought it!!  with a single wheel trailer, it doesn't effect your milage as much. 

junior has been making his own, i look forward in seeing it someday, i plan on making my own also, but i'm a bit of a lazy slob (so my wife and mother tell me).  here's a video of 'em, and one that someone else's valkyrie with one.  i don't know who's cycle and trailer this belongs to, i just like the set up. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUCsT4xHB6g&feature=player_embedded

[Sodbuster]

Hitch Doc Receiver Type -'99 Std - Very happy with mine - Remove the ball mount and it pretty much disappears - Don't even know the trailer is back there till you gas up then notice a drop in MPG - I use a cargo trailer

[alph]

i'm sure someone will object, but here's the website for HitchDoc.  the model i would probably get would be the 15350 for $310.  looks like a nice hitch.
http://hitchdoc.com/motorcyclehitches.php

[GJS]

Thanks, Alph, Sodbuster,

I likely will go with the HitchDoc. I like how it disappears.
That video goes a long way in convincing me a single wheel haul handles well.
I'd be a little concerned with the size of that rear wheel though.
Can you imagine how fast that f'er is spinning at 80mph? It would be spinning at 4-5 times the speed of the front or rear of the Valk. Hate to have a bearing go at warp 9! (at least it's behind you)

Thanks again all, I've been able to do all kinds reading now.
I like Daryl's hitch as well, but it seems a bit pricey. Although I have his 6 degree Rake Kit and it's a good product.

Cheers,

Glenn