Trailer Recommendations

[-Dutch-]

I'm looking for a light duty trailer for next year and have been eyeballing the folding utility trailer from Harbor Freight. It's usually on sale for $299 and the reviews are largely positive. I thought someone here was selling one recently but I can't seem to find the thread.

Anyways, if you have a recommendation about that trailer or anything similar I'd love to hear it. My goal is to be able to tow my SV1000 behind my Jetta TDI to trackdays so I'm not looking for anything crazy. I also don't want to kick myself for dumping money on a trailer if I end up not getting much use out of it so keep the price tag in mind. I really can't see spending more than $500 to purchase and register something. I'm happy to go the Craigslist route but for the time being just want to hear what you guys have to say.

[TheIglu]

My HF one works great. Wait and buy one used. I think i paid $150 for mine.

[golden chicken]

If it were me, I'd get one of these and skip the trailer, since storing a trailer would be an issue. Amazon.com: TMS® 800 lbs Motorcycle Trailer Hitch Carrier Hauler Tow Towing Dolly Rack: Automotive

[MattR302]

I also picked up a used HF folding trailer this past spring for $150. Already built, plywood decking and tie down points already added on. Replaced the wheel bearings for $20 and I was good to go. Tow it with my Mazda 6, pulled 2 bikes to Thompson with it once this summer. Also used it to get some 4x8 sheets of plywood from Home Depot and other tasks. Remove 4 bolts and it folds up nicely for storage under my deck. I borrowed a friends 4x6 trailer before I got this one, and it was a few inches too short, had to put the bike corner to corner.

[RandyO]

If it were me, I'd get one of these and skip the trailer, since storing a trailer would be an issue. Amazon.com: TMS® 800 lbs Motorcycle Trailer Hitch Carrier Hauler Tow Towing Dolly Rack: Automotive

great if you have the vehicle capable of that tongue weight, not everyone drives a 1 ton truck, ooh, wait, I can fit the bike in the bed

[carsick]

great if you have the vehicle capable of that tongue weight, not everyone drives a 1 ton truck, ooh, wait, I can fit the bike in the bed

Did you read the link? It's a tow dolly that only holds the bike's front wheel.

[Garandman]

I built the 1,720 capacity (non folding) last month. Bought it on sale, with a 20% off coupon for $279. It lives at our camp in NH and is registered there. Been hauling snowmobiles and it's worked well.

From reading reviews, the lube on the bearings is a preservative, not grease, and must be repacked. Second, I added a ground wire to the harness as the ground is not reliable through the powder-coated frame. Third, the hitch coupling the folder comes with is 1 7/8" while most people use a 2" ball on their Class 3+ hitch, so buy another ball or a 2" coupling.

A cordless drill saves a lot of assembly time. Many put larger casters to make moving easier. The tires are rated at 80psi but come with around 30psi. The wheels on the folder are 4 lug if you are buying a spare.

[RandyO]

Did you read the link? It's a tow dolly that only holds the bike's front wheel.

Ok, I get it, you wear out your rear tire while towing it to the track, why not just ride the bike

[carsick]

Easily fixed with a car tire on the rear.

[Drewski]

Ok, I get it, you wear out your rear tire while towing it to the track, why not just ride the bike

At least you won't need to replace both the front and rear at the same time if the bike isn't AWD......

[PinHead]

I am selling a trailer if you're interested, it is this one under the sled. I bought a larger trailer and don't want or need this one anymore. Comes with a new spare tire too. BTW, it is a 5x8, $450.

[OreoGaborio]

great if you have the vehicle capable of that tongue weight, not everyone drives a 1 ton truck, ooh, wait, I can fit the bike in the bed

Randy, the fact that you shit all over his idea before you even knew what the product was doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Anyone else and I would have laughed.

[SVRACER01]

I am selling a trailer if you're interested, it is this one under the sled. I bought a larger trailer and don't want or need this one anymore. Comes with a new spare tire too. BTW, it is a 5x8, $450.

did you cut the front rail off that?
he may want that to put a bike in there.

i have a trailer that im thinking about selling to upgrade but its way out of your price range

[SVRACER01]

the HF trailers seem to be pretty popular here. i considered one when i was in the market, but i wanted something that i could put stuff like stands, wheels, tires, chairs, toolbox etc in/on since i would be hauling with a car and real estate inside would be tight. its also nice to be able to leave a lot of stuff in the trailer for next time
i ended up with a 5x10 aluminum open trailer and i built a storage box to put on the front. shipping weight of the trailer was about 400lbs. ive estimated that with 2 bikes and the storage box loaded with the usual, the tow weight is roughly 1500-1600lbs.

[Stoneman]

If it were me, I'd get one of these and skip the trailer, since storing a trailer would be an issue. Amazon.com: TMS® 800 lbs Motorcycle Trailer Hitch Carrier Hauler Tow Towing Dolly Rack: Automotive

That can't be good for the bike. I can't imagine it's healthy to have the rear tire rotating over miles & miles without the machine running. Am I wrong?

[Stoneman]

I once had the 4 x 8' HF foldable trailer. Assembly was pretty simple, but I set mine up to NOT fold. Just seemed more stable. As was pointed out, I replaced the 1-7/8" couple with a 2". It served me well for a number of years. In fact, someone here bought it from me. Maybe it's still alive?

[PinHead]

did you cut the front rail off that?
he may want that to put a bike in there.

i have a trailer that im thinking about selling to upgrade but its way out of your price range

I did cut it off, but in a way that I can bolt it back on when I want. It could always be welded back on but I like that I can take it off when I want.

[OreoGaborio]

That can't be good for the bike. I can't imagine it's healthy to have the rear tire rotating over miles & miles without the machine running. Am I wrong?

I think the consensus that I've seen is that so long as the bike is in neutral, the only wear that's occurring is limited from the front sprocket countershaft bearing back to the contact patch. No different than if you were just coasting down a hill.

[SVRACER01]

I think the consensus that I've seen is that so long as the bike is in neutral, the only wear that's occurring is limited from the front sprocket back to the contact patch. No different than if you were just coasting down a hill.

i would probably be inclined to remove the chain.

[Kurlon]

You're rotating the countershaft without the benefit of the rest of the motor running to get splash lubrication to that shaft's bearings/shift fork grooves. I'd take the chain off if it were me.

[golden chicken]

Ok, I get it, you wear out your rear tire while towing it to the track, why not just ride the bike

#1, you're not driving 5000 miles to the track.
#2, a little center tire wear means nothing if you're on the track.

[SVRACER01]

that thing still sketches me out.

[carsick]

that thing still sketches me out.

Yeah, but it's Randy so we tolerate him.

[-Dutch-]

He's a lovable old coot. A dainty flower in a bear costume.

[-Dutch-]

Can any of you guys that have the folding trailer tell me the height of the ball receiver from the ground? I'm getting ready to order the hitch for the car but I have no idea what sort of drop or rise there will be.