pulling a trailer

[brillo1542]

I'm interested in the Harbor Freight small trailer to pull behind my Valk.  It's the one on sale for $400.  Does anyone have any experience pulling this type/size trailer (with 8" wheels).  Is it a trailer NOT to buy?  Is it not possible to get the tongue level with the back of the Valk to help prevent the trailer swaying back and forth when pulling it at speed?

[R J]

I would go with the 12" wheels if I got one.

On the tongue, some people go nuts.
Tuesday night I met OSS at the Motel and parked over in the Holiday Inn parking lot was a HD with a 48" tongue.  That is measuring from the ball to the front edge of the trailer.   Right beside it was another HD with a aluminum trailer.  
The distance from ball to trailer front was 12 1/2".

I always run a 26" tongue on all the trailers I either built or bought and modified the tongue.      Only time I had trouble with swaying was on a trailer that had the tilt wheels.    Less air and the top of the tire stuck out of the fender.   Lots of air bottom stuck out (or visa versa, my fur getter done fur getted which way it was now).  Ideal per the manufacturer was wheel straight up and down.    No matter where the wheel was, it swayed at anything above 60.

All I'd say is buy another tongue, then either add onto the original or remove from the  original till it suits you.   Then make the extra tongue that length, and put it on the trailer.

[jmann]

I bought the same exact trailer 2 years ago and have had zero problems with it and have been very happy with it considering the low price. I've probably put 10k on it. Look for coupons in the various cycling mags and get one of their 10-15% off coupons to save a little money. I still run the 8 inch tires and have not had an issue even in the AZ summer heat. I do replace the tires annually though just to be safe. I like the 8's cause you can buy them anywhere if need be. I have some coworkers that spent BIG money on their trailers mainly cause they are prettier but for the price I think it's a good buy. Never had any sway issues either. I read somewhere the axle to ball geometry and I think it's spot on. I think it went axle to ball should be 1 1/2 times the axle width for stability. Good luck and you will really enjoy the extra carrying capacity.

[CASABROKER]

I have a hf trailer the framed type I put a car topper on it. +1 on the 12 in wheels.  Mine tows like a dream has never wobbled.  The key here when you assemble it there are pre fabbed holes that you can actually move the tongue forward, you'll will see them.  Attach the tongue there i think it's about 12 inches forward.  As I said I 've had the little guy over 85 and never felt do anything weird.  I you get it and need help let me know .  In fact next Sat leaving on a road trip over 3k miles last yr was about the same.  Check the one with 12" tires  that's what is on mine.  Run a max of 25 psi.  Good luck.

[ptgb]

I would go with the 12" tires. They will run at a lower RPM than the 8".

Lot's of info on my personal website about my HF trailer build and some other tips and tricks.


http://www.valkyrieguy.com/mctrailer.htm

http://www.valkyrieguy.com/mctrailer2.htm

[Bob E.]

Lots of people have used the HF trailer so I would bet it is ok, though I have no personal experience towing one.  From what I've read, the springs can be a bit stiff, but that can be improved by removing a couple of the leafs.

I have a trailer (not HF) with 8" wheels and have never had any problems.  The trailer isn't ever really heavily loaded (a couple hundred pounds max), so I don't think the tires or the bearings are really under very much stress compared to their capacity.  So I wouldn't rule out a trailer with 8" wheels.  Now, if it were a heavy trailer like one of the pop-up camper types, then yeah, I might give preference to 12" wheels.  Also, a trailer with 8" wheels is more likely to tow level behind a motorcycle, where a trailer with 12" wheels will be taller.

As for the tongue length, I have read that a good rule of thumb is that the distance from the ball to the axle should be about 1.5 to 2 times the axle width.  Also, loading the trailer such that you have about 10% to 15% of the total trailer weight on the tongue will help minimize sway.  I know this helps because my trailer always tows better when I have the laoded cooler on the tongue rather than inside the box.

[sandy]

The wheel size issue is more about weight than diameter or RPMs of the wheel. Neither 8 or 12" wheels are anywhere near the load capacity on an MC trailer. I agree about tongue length possibly being too short from HF and needing to extend it a bit. I added 15" to my Roll-A-Home tent trailer to stop sway.

This trailer weighs over 400lbs loaded and I don't pull it with the Valk anymore. Not enough brakes in damp conditions. My '05 Wing works well though.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

If you gonna pull it with the valkyrie are you gonna keep it four by eight or cut it down. I've pulled my 4X8 before and didn't carry for it. If your gonna cut it down they have a small trailer for 2.19 right now with 12 wheels and rated for 1090 lbs. I have this trailer narrowed and I removed one leaf spring to make it ride better and run 25 psi in the tires.

[tank_post142]

this is the only non boat trailer on sale for $400 right now:

http://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-capacity-78-inch-tag-along-trailer-66771.html

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

  This is the one I was talking about. I thought he was building a trailer. http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/trailer-accessories/1090-lb-capacity-40-1-2-half-inch-x-48-inch-mini-utility-trailer-with-12-inch-four-lug-wheels-and-tires-90153.html

[santa]

How about change in gas milage and tire ware?
Santa

[mikeb]

 OK here is go's  my wife pulls our trailer behind her 99 IS do not run the tires too low we are using the 8" tires  travel at 80 mph most the time,, plan on replacing the tires each year,, never had any issues. we carry extra parts u joints hoses and an alt and rear end seals and bearings plus tools plus ant thing she buys on our trips  look for the 20% off coupon if your going after an hf trailer .. ours is not an hf trailer

[Gideon]

When using the 8 inch 4.80 tires, do you use 4 ply or 6 ply ?
I am planning a 2000 mile trip. My tires are a few years old and need replacing.

[mikeb]

i am using the 4 ply tires rated at 570 lbs each. i change my tires every year they are very soft rubber and are down to the wear bars after about 4000 hi speed hi-way miles.. we load the trailer down pretty good..  some times we have to take tires back when they are new do to too much run out and exchange them for round ones please check them at install time and at cruising speed . ya don't want to have it hopping around. allow longer stopping times . as far as fuel mileage the IS stops with in one mile of my standard switching to reserve about 138 to 150 miles to an tank we are getting ready to do .. www.pd13.com/   so its sitting ready as we type

[Gideon]

Thanks for your reply. I will go with the 4 ply.
Have a safe trip.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

you can get the 8in in a little wider and taller size. I think they're 5.6 X 8 and they're only about 2 in shorter than the 4.80 X 12 tires.

[Mildew]

I've been running the standard 8" tires for years.    100° 80+ all day long. Never any issues. Just came back from northern TN yesterday. My friends run the 8" also.

[gordorad]

Just having returned from an almost 8000 mile trip with the HF Tagalong, I can report no problems!!

I had the tow bar extended, and had a cooler rack added.  It pulled fine!!

I did obtain a swivel ball...which keeps the trailer upright when leaning.......I think it really helps with the towing.

I have the 8" wheels and it towed just fine.

As to mileage, it will drop, but not that much.  Riding easy, the best I got with the trailer was about 34mpg.  At 80, uphill, into a strong wind, about 20 mpg.  And of course, your mileage will vary.  The trailer, for the money, can't be beat!  Tons of storage!!