Advice On Buying An Enclosed Trailer?

[SarahP]

Hi, Forum experts --

After a lot of back & forth on the subject, I think I'm going to spring for an enclosed trailer to pull behind a Ford Transit cargo van. There are a lot of places I'd like to see on a bike, but riding there from the east coast of the US is problematic. So -- I'm planning to trailer the bike and ride when I get there.

My biggest question is - for US-based folks - how much wiggle room is there on the negotiations? *Are* you expected to haggle back & forth as though it were a car deal?

(Sidebar question -- do you non-US folks haggle on vehicle purchases? I'm ignorant and would like to know!)

My next question concerns the axles - one or two? I'm thinking an 8x12 size should be sufficient, and I don't know if it even comes with two axles. I like the safety aspect of the extra wheels, but how often do these trailers blow a tire?

Is there anything else I should know? What are *you* hauling your bike in, if you're trailering it?

TIA!

 

[Rocky]

I have no experience with trailers so will leave this to those who do.
Your idea is probably a good one. Riding everywhere is a great way to see the country and also having to endure the elements, but it isn't for everyone.
It's a smart person who knows their limits and what they can endure rather than just go and realize it's not that much fun and soon come to hate it.

 

[Village Idiot]

Hi, Rocky: I'm using a "Toy Carrier" enclosed one. I thought that they were out of business, but recently found out that they are still being made in Canada (at least that's what the dealer in Massachusetts told me). Very light, something like a little less than 800 pounds, and it opens like a snowmobile trailer. The only thing I wasn't "wild" about was the ramp system; mine has the old pull-out type and I had to make plywood "wings" to widen them to make the loading more secure with a wider engine like the T100's. Anyway, they do have a new ramp set-up and are worth looking at. Hopefully, you can Google them up and get some decent information on them. It's a single axle trailer and light enough that it doesn't need its own brakes. I've been using mine since 2008 and am quite satisfied with it.
Take a look at them......you mike like it: Jim

 

[Greyfell]

The number of axles on the trailer is less a factor for safety as it is for more for weight distribution, though safety is important, too. I have never bought a trailer, or looked at the engineering details; I have only pulled several trailers of both configurations. Here is a good explanation about the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Single Axle Trailers versus Tandem Axle Trailers

 

[DaveM]

I once did a trip of 3 000 kilometer = 1 864.113 576 7 mile pulling a Honda F900 on an open trailer with a Ford Cortina Big Six.

The biggest problem I had with this was remembering that I had it on the back

Just looking now at what is around you sure get some very nice equipment for this and I like this one Motorcycle Trailers : Save Big! 6x12 Custom With Motorcycle Package On Sale. | USA Cargo Trailer Sales

 

[Village Idiot]

I've been using 5X8's (or thereabouts) and they are fine for the motorcycle and luggage packed around it. Smaller, lighter and easier all-round to pull and maneuver.
Just my $.02 worth: Jim

 

[Greyfell]

One thing I learned through experience is that the length from the hitch to the axle has a big influence on how easy or difficult the trailer will be to back up; longer is better.

 

[Village Idiot]

One thing I learned through experience is that the length from the hitch to the axle has a big influence on how easy or difficult the trailer will be to back up; longer is better.

+1 on that, Greyfell, the longer the distance, the easier to maneuver. Jim

 

[Qship]

Sarah, yes you can negotiate the price of your trailer purchase.
8'X12' is going to give you a lot of room for your bike and many other things as well. a little smaller wouldn't hurt unless you plan on camping in it as well.
Tandem vs single axle can be debated all day. Tandem will be more stable(less sway) and have more carrying capacity as well a probably a stiffer ride. Also more tires and axles to maintain.
The biggest reason for trailers blowing tires is people don't maintain them. Check tire pressures before each trip and make sure your axles and bearings get greased regularly. Carry a spare and the right tools to change it. Trailers don't usually come with a spare unless you ask(for extra $ of course). A small hydraulic bottle jack and a wheel wrench will more than likely have to be purchased separately.
Having electric brakes is not a necessity, depending on local laws based on GVWR, but is sure nice in that it will decrease your stopping distances and help keep your trailer behind you(where it belongs).
Try to find one with Torx Flex axles as that will give the trailer a better ride and lower center of gravity. 2000-2500 lbs capacity will more than meet your needs for trailering a bike.
Also make sure it has proper tie down anchors in it for securing your precious cargo. A wheel chock bolted to the floor would make things easier for loading your bike.
Hope all this helps and doesn't give you data overload.
Oh yeah then you have to learn how to back up with it. Have fun with that.

 

[Greyfell]

My employer offered a towing class last fall for folks on my crew. A few of us had experience towing and backing, the rest didn't. I provided/brought from one of my sites a small fuel trailer. It has a short hitch to axle length, about 4.0 to 4.5 feet. It was so difficult to back up, responding very quickly to every mis-turn of the steering wheel. Everyone learned to back it, though. But, the other side of the coin, once we learned to back that little trailer, a regular trailer would be very easy. Just remember, when backing a trailer the driver MUST swap their sense of direction; right becomes left and left becomes right.

 

[SarahP]

Everyone, thanks for the input! Lots of good stuff here.

Maybe I *will* head for a smaller 5x8...I'm not planning on sleeping in it, its going to just be for the bike. (But wait -- what if I wanna haul TWO bikes? More choices, more decisions!)

I did haul an 8x12 enclosed trailer to Burning Man in 2014, pulling it with my soccer mom Toyota Sienna minivan. That was a round trip distance of 5400 miles/8700km from Virginia to Nevada and back. It was definitely an eye-opening experience. That trailer was both grossed out (weight) and cubed out (volume). And I *did* learn to back it up. Painful experience, LOL. I also learned quickly that when the wind picks up, it's time to pull over and call it a day if necessary. Had the bejaysus scared out of me crossing Wyoming in big thunderstorms!

I have friends who are rabid about having a tandem axle vs a single, 'for safety.' But I'm starting to think that, as y'all said, if you maintain the tires/bearings, the safety isn't really an issue. Remember how tires *used* to blow out all the time? I'm talking 60's-70s era. Now, when was the last time you had a blowout at speed on the highway? Mine was almost 20 years ago!

So thanks, everyone, I really appreciate the insights!

 

[Superstorm]

Hi from the UK
I recently bought an 8’x 6’ just right for one or two bikes
Just as important to me was 6’6” inside so I didn’t have to think about banging my head whilst loading/unloading.

Oh and we would never pay an advertised price, I would walk away sooner (finally got almost £400 off the trailer and a cafe breakfast on the seller at the cafe we met to view the trailer and do the deal)

Ps, it’s twin axle and tows like dream behind my Range Rover

 

[Qship]

It's also very important to have the right amount of tongue weight and the load distributed properly. Tongue weight should be 10-15% of your loaded trailer for proper towing. Anything lighter and you risk the chance of sway happening.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2fkOVHAC8Q

 

[Greyfell]

Sway happens less with tandem axle trailers, because of added resistance. Proper load balance is always required, though.

 

[BellaCorse]

I have a US Cargo 8 x 14 enclosed trailer. A single torsion bar axle and ramp rear door. I opted for the taller 8' interior height which is money well spent. I installed both fixed D-ring tie down points as well as 4 full length spans of logistical track and two removable Pingel wheel chocks. It hauls up to two full size Harleys.

 

[SarahP]

Hi from the UK
I recently bought an 8’x 6’ just right for one or two bikes
Just as important to me was 6’6” inside so I didn’t have to think about banging my head whilst loading/unloading.

Oh and we would never pay an advertised price, I would walk away sooner (finally got almost £400 off the trailer and a cafe breakfast on the seller at the cafe we met to view the trailer and do the deal)

Ps, it’s twin axle and tows like dream behind my Range Rover

*******************************************************************************************
Thanks, Superstorm, and congrats on the trailer! I think it's really important to be able to move comfortably inside it, so headroom is definitely important. Thanks for your input on the negotiating issues, too.

 

[SarahP]

I have a US Cargo 8 x 14 enclosed trailer. A single torsion bar axle and ramp rear door. I opted for the taller 8' interior height which is money well spent. I installed both fixed D-ring tie down points as well as 4 full length spans of logistical track and two removable Pingel wheel chocks. It hauls up to two full size Harleys.

BellaCorse, an 8x14 should do the trick for hauling just about anything. What do you use to tow it, if I may ask? That's gotta be pretty heavy, especially if you throw two Harleys in it!

 

[BellaCorse]

BellaCorse, an 8x14 should do the trick for hauling just about anything. What do you use to tow it, if I may ask? That's gotta be pretty heavy, especially if you throw two Harleys in it!

I drive a Dodge Durango. The trailer pulls smoothly and has served me well.
/M

 

[Gary]

My comments are based on my personal experience with motorcycle trailers.

In the USA a single axle 6' x 12' is the "standard" motorcycle trailer; 95%+ of the motorcycle trailers in the USA are used to haul touring bikes (Harleys mostly) and a smaller trailer just won't work with a Harley touring bike, so resale becomes difficult if smaller. A half ton pickup is OK for a 6' x 12' single axle. The essentials are a spare wheel and tire (be sure to carry a jack and lug wrench), a ramp door at the rear, at least 4 tie downs on the inside and some air venting. I strongly suggest you buy the most aerodynamic trailer possible (at least a "V" nose) as a flat nose trailer will cut the gas mileage in your tow vehicle in half or more. There are light weight aluminum trailers available at about double the price of a steel frame trailer, but it will take a lot of miles towed to recover the initial cost from gas savings, and aluminum frames are much more likely to crack or develop breaks with extensive usage. If you want to haul a trike or a side by side 4 wheeler you will need an 8' x 20' with tandem axles and electric brakes (these are heavy trailers that significantly increase braking distance). I would recommend you not try to tow an 8' wide tandem axle trailer with anything less than a 3/4 ton pickup.

Two nice options on a trailer are a rooftop air conditioner (110 volt in the USA and can be run with a small, lightweight generator) and a pull down shade on the side (these can get pricey).

Definitely negotiate. Offering prices on new 6' x 12' single axles in the USA start at about US$1,750, but the majority of dealers ask about US$2,499. So there is a lot of negotiating room. Used trailers of the right sizes are rarely a good buy as trailers hold their value well and often after you buy a used trailer, you will need new tires and a spare and its easy to find you have paid more for the used trailer than for a new one.

 

[SarahP]

My comments are based on my personal experience with motorcycle trailers.
....(snip)....Definitely negotiate.

Gary,
Those are some excellent points. One question -- getting an aircon unit in the trailer -- is that usually done at the dealer's when you make the initial purchase? Or is there a it you can buy and DIY?

TIA!