Best way to rent trailer to tow 2 bikes

[north-aurora]

My brother-in-law and I are planning a trip out to the Badlands starting in Wisconsin (Greenbay area). Given that we don't have more than 5 days to ride we thought it might be better to take the cage and tow the bikes to maximize our time to ride at the destination. I've never had to tow my bike (since it's a Valkyrie!), so I don't own a motorcycle trailer. I was looking at options to rent one, such as U-Haul, but would love to hear if there is a better place out there to rent from or if anyone has ever rented one and can share their experience? The trailer should be able to tow two rather sizable bikes (a Honda VTX 1800 and my standard Valkyrie), and should not be so expensive to break the bank.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

[GiG]

Chris:

Not trying to be a smartass, but WI to Badlands is 1 day trip.
I guarantee you will spend Much more than 1 day dicking with a trailer.
When you dedicate - at least - 2 out of your 5 days trailering, ... well, I'm no mathmajician....

Ride. Enjoy. Repeat.  
You will maximize your riding, by actually riding.

[Davemn]

It's 800 miles. Too far for me in 1 day.
I faced your dilemma last year with a similar trip. I searched and came up empty. Ended up not going.

[Moonshot_1]

Have to concur with Motor here though I wouldn't do the trip out in a day on a bike but it is possible.

I'd say Green Bay to Sioux Falls area the first day and then Sioux Falls to the Badlands the next day.
You'd be there in plenty time for the sunset in the Badlands which is awesome. That's the best time to experience it. Or the sunrise.

Next day ride through the Badlands again, head up to Wall, SD. Could even make a run to Rushmore. It would be less than 1 1/2 hours away. Begin heading back east after that.

Next day start the trip back. Overnight somewhere past Sioux Falls. Albert Lea would be a good distance from Rapid City if you went to Rushmore. About 7 hours + road time. Then next day a reasonable distance home.
5 days.

Love riding in the Badlands. Stark beauty and great roads. 1/2 day gets you through it on the bike and that is taking your time. With a lot of stops and hiking or exploring you can take a lot of time to get through.

But unless you've got a pressing issue that is driving the desire to tow the bikes out, I'd say ride'em.
Lots of gas and hotels along the interstate. Alternate routes, (Hwy 44 in SD) less gas and hotels on this route.

Hope you have a great trip either way.

[Moonshot_1]

Found this on a Triumph site. Thought it might be of interest if you still are looking to tow the bikes out.
There are u-haul places in Green Bay and the 5x9 with the ramp looks like a winner winner chicken dinner. The cost would set you back about 150 bucks if I figured right. Just go to the U-Haul site.

Anyway, here is the post I found....


Rent a u-haul trailer. Not the motorcycle trailer. I've been a U-Haul dealer a while. Been a bike dealer a while. Have a little experience with both. If ya can, rent an RT trailer. That would be a 5' X 9' open trailer with a fold down ramp. I have never found the need for a chock, and I haul everything imaginable. I have hauled two Cruisers in this model trailer. That trailer can rent one-way. The 5' X 8' enclosed u-haul trailer has tie down rings in the front corners on the floor. It does not have a ramp, and a bit of an issue if you don't have ramps. I happen to have a set. And, you can rent the trailer one way. The motorcycle trailer has small tires and bounces like hell. No fun to tow. If the bike is worth towing, I wouldn't tow it in the motorcycle trailer. I hate putting bikes in a pickup bed. Always a risk of dumping it. Damaging the bike is bad. Messing yourself up is worse. 1 1/8" or 2" ball and a four pin light hook up, and yer good to go. If ya don't trailer a lot, it is cheaper to rent one. No tag, insurance or maintainance issues. No storage problems.

[Bighead]

Ride them far as you can if you don't make all you planned destinations do it again next year til you get it right. Don't do as Dave and back out. Those bikes had tires put on them for a reason

[Dave Ritsema]

FOund this place while I was looking for a pull behind trailer for my F6B. Appears to be in NW chicago burbs.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/5142145492.html

[Oss]

The fact is that gig is right if you can handle a 12-14 hr day

Maybe you should just leave at dawn minus 30 and ride 150 miles gas-bathroom-drink repeat 4 times and then see how you feel.  No big meals,  Speed limit is 80 on I90 so you will be doing good time if you
keep your break time to 10 minutes or so.  I can do it alone. harder with a friend

If you only get to Wall SD no big deal, its fun to walk around and cheap food

If you get to Keystone its better as right next to Rushmore Memorial

By riding only 700 to 800 miles you will have low temps for a run thru the badlands and then hit Needles highway from the south   Its always cooler 1st thing in the morning anyways

Try to make a run to Devils Tower and walk around it, awesome place

Main thing is stay hydrated and no carbs to stay sharp and aware of critters and cagers IMHO

have fun

[north-aurora]

Appreciate the thoughts. I think going 150 miles and just doing short breaks might be doable, especially if speed limit is 80. On the other side I am not a huge fan of riding for long periods on the highways, I'd rather ride on smaller and less traveled roads.

FOund this place while I was looking for a pull behind trailer for my F6B. Appears to be in NW chicago burbs.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/5142145492.html

This looks interesting, thanks for posting it here. I'll give him a call to see what his prices look like.

[Rams]

All I'm going to say is we all have our own personal limitations, do what's best for you and don't let anyone talk you into doing what you know isn't the right thing for you to do.   I've made two or three Iron Butt rides, didn't do it  because I was try'n to prove anything, did it  because I had a long ways to go and a short time to get there.  

While I do love riding my Valkyrie, trailering isn't all bad.   You arrive at your destination fresher after riding in a controlled and comfortable climate (A/C) and you are able to talk with your passenger during the ride there.    You also get to share the driving duties and relax in the climate controlled passenger seat.   You get there, unload the bikes and ride till your heart is content.    May not be for everyone but, definitely worth consideration for many.  

I don't trailer often but, will do so if it meets my needs depending on the situation.   Some will say you're a poser if you trailer, who gives a crap.

[old2soon]

When my alt took a dump tryin to get back home from my brothers place he rented a U-Haul M/C trailer. Very solid and well put together trailer. He believes you might get 2 Valkyries on it-ME-I'll go with MIGHT!  And the rental including insurance on a day rental was $1.00 an hour. Look em up and see what else is available from them. Not to far from his house they have a stand alone U-Haul facility-not in a gas station or a multi service rental facility. Brothers pickup is already set up for towing and the best price he could find for his hitch was U-Haul-installed and guaranteed for less than some other hitches for JUST the hitch. RIDE SAFE.

[Dave Ritsema]

I rented a U-Haul motorcycle trailer once, it was well put together and tracked well, despite the do not exceed 45 MPH stickers it seemed pretty happy at 85 MPH. 
But that was for sure a ONE motorcycle trailer, no way you would get two on it.

When my alt took a dump tryin to get back home from my brothers place he rented a U-Haul M/C trailer. Very solid and well put together trailer. He believes you might get 2 Valkyries on it-ME-I'll go with MIGHT!  And the rental including insurance on a day rental was $1.00 an hour. Look em up and see what else is available from them. Not to far from his house they have a stand alone U-Haul facility-not in a gas station or a multi service rental facility. Brothers pickup is already set up for towing and the best price he could find for his hitch was U-Haul-installed and guaranteed for less than some other hitches for JUST the hitch. RIDE SAFE.

[Rams]

OK, here's an option.    You swing down through Kentucky and pick one of four different trailers you want to borrow, just bring it back when you're done.    All will hold at least two bikes, one will hold about ten.   Two will require you to have a gooseneck hitch though.    Did you want enclosed or open trailers?   

Either way, you still gotta bring the one you borrow back.