Trailer question

[Valkahuna]

Ok, so I've finally come to the realization that my wife's knees are not going to allow her to ride long distances, and yet she still enjoys sharing the wind with me. A trailer is therefore in order, and I've towed enough of them in the past to realize that a big enclosed box trailer is not what we want. While we will be towing with a full sized pickup, I still am leaning toward an open full aluminum trailer with either a stowable ramp that slides under the floor, or one that pivots up and locks into place.

Questions:

1) Any suggestions as to type, make, and where to buy?
2) Does anyone have something they want to sell?

Thanks in advance!

[OnaWingandaPrayer]

I pull a 6X10 open trailer at work . It has a fold up ramp/tailgate made of expanded metal . I would not have one personally . It is like dragging an open parachute behind you .

 The trailer I use to haul my Goldwing to NC is and old tandem axle travel trailer frame .I think it's 6X14.  It's open ,with a rail around the sides and front. I have built a ramp that slides under the floor. It pulls much easier than the work trailer with the fold up ramp/tailgate.

 

[Hook#3287]

Hey Pete
 
I see you don't list CT as a summer place any more, did you sell?

As for trailers, I've got four, A box 7x12 double axle, a open 6x8 single axle, a open 7x14 dual axle and a 7x14 dump.

I've used all except the dump to move my bikes.

The box is great for keeping the road grime off, but it's heavy. A converted bobcat trailer.

The open dual axle is great for two or three bikes.  It's a equipment mover and has two fold up ramps.

The small 6x8 open is great, and I bought it from a buddy for work, but if I had to do it over, I'd get a 6x10 or 7x10.

The best about it is the ramp is hinged on the bottom and goes the complete distance of the back.  Makes loading and unloading a bike easy and safe for one person.  No spotters needed and easy to open and close.

What onewingandaprayer said may about the parachute may be true, but I don't feel it with my 1 ton truck.

Id check ebay and Craigslist, lots of good deals.

Good luck,

Bill

[FloridaValkRyder]

Hey Pete,
Eddie just bought a real nice all aluminum trailer for the two F6B's. They are pricey but aluminum is nice and light.  Hopefully he will chime in on this with some pictures.

[Flrider]

I pull a 6X10 open trailer at work . It has a fold up ramp/tailgate made of expanded metal . I would not have one personally . It is like dragging an open parachute behind you .

 The trailer I use to haul my Goldwing to NC is and old tandem axle travel trailer frame .I think it's 6X14.  It's open ,with a rail around the sides and front. I have built a ramp that slides under the floor. It pulls much easier than the work trailer with the fold up ramp/tailgate.

 

+1

Get a slide under ramp, will help with the mileage  and wind drag

[John Schmidt]

I bought an open Chariot maybe 15 yrs. ago, approx. 9' and from the side it looks like a chariot. Sides are fiberglass only, the bottom is reinforced fiberglass on a regular steel frame. Weighs less than 500 lbs., carries a single bike down the road 70 mph easily. The ramp is the width of the trailer and slides under the floor. We used it for the '92 Wing we had before Rita reached the point she can no longer ride. Now I use it to haul the Valk and can load it by myself if necessary. It has four tie-down points on each side, and a huge security ring near the front wheel that goes through the floor and is welded to the frame. I run a nearly impregnable tie down for that, have to use a torch to cut it if you want to steal the bike. A spare wheel hangs on the right front side. A couple years ago I went to larger tires and it now tows even better. The torsion bar suspension really rides nice, the floor also has a built in wheel chock in front. When load the bike, I just drive it into the chock and let the clutch out just enough to kill the engine so I know it's in there tight. The tie-downs are such that they pull the bike forward so it stays in place. The factory is on the SE side of Tampa. The link below shows you a later model of what I have, mine isn't as pretty anymore. Not sure about the new ones, but mine must be hooked to the car before loading. Check it out, I think you'll be impressed.

http://chariotmanufacturing.com/?page_id=184

[FloridaValkRyder]

I bought an open Chariot maybe 15 yrs. ago, approx. 9' and from the side it looks like a chariot. Sides are fiberglass only, the bottom is reinforced fiberglass on a regular steel frame. Weighs less than 500 lbs., carries a single bike down the road 70 mph easily. The ramp is the width of the trailer and slides under the floor. We used it for the '92 Wing we had before Rita reached the point she can no longer ride. Now I use it to haul the Valk and can load it by myself if necessary. It has four tie-down points on each side, and a huge security ring near the front wheel that goes through the floor and is welded to the frame. I run a nearly impregnable tie down for that, have to use a torch to cut it if you want to steal the bike. A spare wheel hangs on the right front side. A couple years ago I went to larger tires and it now tows even better. The torsion bar suspension really rides nice, the floor also has a built in wheel chock in front. When load the bike, I just drive it into the chock and let the clutch out just enough to kill the engine so I know it's in there tight. The tie-downs are such that they pull the bike forward so it stays in place. The factory is on the SE side of Tampa. The link below shows you a later model of what I have, mine isn't as pretty anymore. Not sure about the new ones, but mine must be hooked to the car before loading. Check it out, I think you'll be impressed.

http://chariotmanufacturing.com/?page_id=184

I can personally vouch for John's trailer as I have used it before. Probably the easiest loading trailer I have ever used. 

[Valkahuna]

Thanks for all the replies. I've been looking today and am heavily leaning toward open all aluminum. The bike version has a V shaped, 24 inch tall stone guard to break the wind and slide under ramp. Also thinking of all aluminum, 5.3 x 10.2 with a ramp that is heavy duty horizontal slats that folds in half for less "parachute" effect. It's flat front with 24 inch high stone guard. I love that it has stake pockets to allow me to add slatted sides and get a utility trailer to boot.

Thoughts?

[DD]

Alan & Robin have one for sale, they are in Deland.  he posted on here awhile ago, might want to look for it.  Good Luck

[John Schmidt]

Pete, did you look at the design of the Chariot? It has the same set up as the aluminum you're describing and is lighter. Mine is a '94 model and has much the same stuff as the new one. You probably won't get it for nearly as little as I paid; $800. The former owner was behind on his alimony and needed that much to keep out of trouble. I was happy to give it to him, for a $2200 trailer that was  two years old and used once. All the while I was hooking it up to my car I could hear him inside yelling at her on the phone. I took my bill of sale, receipt for $800 and hauled butt. I got about 50 miles down the road when my buddy asked if I noticed whether there was a tag on it. Uh oh! Pulled over on I-75 and looked;  nothing there. Uh oh again...only louder. And wouldn't you know it, before I could get back in and start rolling, a trooper pulled up behind us....wanting to know if we had trouble. As he walked up, he stopped short and looked down....then at me. "This your trailer?" Yup! I then told him my tale of woe and the trouble the guy was in that sold it to me. Showed him the bill of sale and admitted it had just dawned on me to check for a tag. The guy laughed and said he knew the jerk that sold it to me and added "I'm glad you got it for $800 because that guy screws more people in his line of business." Then he offered to make a radio call, came back to us and told us to keep the speed down but we're on our own once we hit Orlando. Said he couldn't help us with Orlando PD. I got home with no more issues. I had to go to Cape Corral to get it, held my breath all the way back home. 

I have dozens of trips and thousands of miles on mine. All I've ever done is grease the bearings and ramp slide, change tires, and once on a whim actually washed it. 

[Tropic traveler]

I bought this one last year for our trip to NC with Rick & Kristy. Kim cannot ride distances like she used to between her knees & the "heat". 

It is made by a company in Leesburg called Alumne. I got a super deal on it $2600. It was a floor model.
I had to add my own chocks as the ones that it came with were for dirt bikes. The salesman said it would fit two "full dress Harleys" easily but I told him we had two full size motorcycles. He looked at me funny until I told him they were GoldWings. 




Anyways, bottom line is it pulls like a dream, weighs only 650 lbs., LED lighting, has a torsion bar suspension & nice aluminum 14" wheels. The ramp stores away underneath. The only down side was not enough tiedown points but I can add more. It BARELY fits both the F6Bs after a slight stagger but I didn't want to get too much trailer. It would be a fairly easy conversion to some utility use.

[Valkahuna]

Pete, did you look at the design of the Chariot? It has the same set up as the aluminum you're describing and is lighter. Mine is a '94 model and has much the same stuff as the new one. You probably won't get it for nearly as little as I paid; $800. The former owner was behind on his alimony and needed that much to keep out of trouble. I was happy to give it to him, for a $2200 trailer that was  two years old and used once. All the while I was hooking it up to my car I could hear him inside yelling at her on the phone. I took my bill of sale, receipt for $800 and hauled butt. I got about 50 miles down the road when my buddy asked if I noticed whether there was a tag on it. Uh oh! Pulled over on I-75 and looked;  nothing there. Uh oh again...only louder. And wouldn't you know it, before I could get back in and start rolling, a trooper pulled up behind us....wanting to know if we had trouble. As he walked up, he stopped short and looked down....then at me. "This your trailer?" Yup! I then told him my tale of woe and the trouble the guy was in that sold it to me. Showed him the bill of sale and admitted it had just dawned on me to check for a tag. The guy laughed and said he knew the jerk that sold it to me and added "I'm glad you got it for $800 because that guy screws more people in his line of business." Then he offered to make a radio call, came back to us and told us to keep the speed down but we're on our own once we hit Orlando. Said he couldn't help us with Orlando PD. I got home with no more issues. I had to go to Cape Corral to get it, held my breath all the way back home. 

I have dozens of trips and thousands of miles on mine. All I've ever done is grease the bearings and ramp slide, change tires, and once on a whim actually washed it. 

Sounds like a nice trailer John. I've decided on an all Aluminum from Aluma. It's a model TK1 and has all the features I am looking for. A bit pricey, but should last as long or longer than me. It's actually made to haul a trike, but I like the fact it is heavier duty with larger wheels than their single bike trailer. There is a dealer in Holly Hill that is easy to deal with.

http://alumaklm.com/recreational/motorcycle/tk1-trike-trailer

[Valkahuna]

Hey Pete
 
I see you don't list CT as a summer place any more, did you sell?

As for trailers, I've got four, A box 7x12 double axle, a open 6x8 single axle, a open 7x14 dual axle and a 7x14 dump.

I've used all except the dump to move my bikes.

The box is great for keeping the road grime off, but it's heavy. A converted bobcat trailer.

The open dual axle is great for two or three bikes.  It's a equipment mover and has two fold up ramps.

The small 6x8 open is great, and I bought it from a buddy for work, but if I had to do it over, I'd get a 6x10 or 7x10.

The best about it is the ramp is hinged on the bottom and goes the complete distance of the back.  Makes loading and unloading a bike easy and safe for one person.  No spotters needed and easy to open and close.

What onewingandaprayer said may about the parachute may be true, but I don't feel it with my 1 ton truck.

Id check ebay and Craigslist, lots of good deals.

Good luck,

Bill

Thanks Bill. Yup, sold everything including the business in Ct and live in DeLand Florida full time. If you find yourself coming down here, let me know. You can PM me for more info.

[Valkahuna]

I bought this one last year for our trip to NC with Rick & Kristy. Kim cannot ride distances like she used to between her knees & the "heat". 

It is made by a company in Leesburg called Alumne. I got a super deal on it $2600. It was a floor model.
I had to add my own chocks as the ones that it came with were for dirt bikes. The salesman said it would fit two "full dress Harleys" easily but I told him we had two full size motorcycles. He looked at me funny until I told him they were GoldWings. 




Anyways, bottom line is it pulls like a dream, weighs only 650 lbs., LED lighting, has a torsion bar suspension & nice aluminum 14" wheels. The ramp stores away underneath. The only down side was not enough tiedown points but I can add more. It BARELY fits both the F6Bs after a slight stagger but I didn't want to get too much trailer. It would be a fairly easy conversion to some utility use.

Thanks for the info Eddie. Looks like a nice trailer, and a lot like the Aluma (see my post above). I plan on checking out your guys for comparison. Thanks again. I understand about Kim's knees-it's the same issue that Viv has. I've always said, "if you see my bike on a trailer, call the cops, because it must have been stolen", but life sometimes causes us to eat our own words.

[Valkahuna]

I pull a 6X10 open trailer at work . It has a fold up ramp/tailgate made of expanded metal . I would not have one personally . It is like dragging an open parachute behind you .

 The trailer I use to haul my Goldwing to NC is and old tandem axle travel trailer frame .I think it's 6X14.  It's open ,with a rail around the sides and front. I have built a ramp that slides under the floor. It pulls much easier than the work trailer with the fold up ramp/tailgate.

 

+1

Get a slide under ramp, will help with the mileage  and wind drag

Thanks Jack! Taking your (and others) advice. See above post with URL for Auma Trailers.