Honda Motorcycles Honda Powersports: riding, maintenance, gear, and safety.

trailer woes.. 2 bikes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 9, 2009 | 11:33 PM
  #1  
modulo_s's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: anchorage, ak
Default trailer woes.. 2 bikes

hey guys hoping i could gather some advice for a trailer i'm taking on a 6hr road trip. it's the first time i'm trailering and would like to bring both bikes. the yellow one is primarily to beat up on at the track. the red one is sort of a back up but i don't want to jinx myself. anyway it does look like a tight fit. but the side walls come off to expose a couple more tie down points at the front. my plan for the wheel chocks are to take some 2x4s and place them 3 high up to surround the front wheel, up to the brake rotor, and secure each plank consecutively with screws. i'm also going to drill holes onto the front left and right corners of the trailer and use hooks as anchorage for the handle bars. the middle portion of the trailer is metal but i think an appropriate drill bit should allow me some more tie down points in between the two bikes.

can someone tell me if this is a bad idea with 2 bikes? i'm thinking that if it's too risky i'll just take the mustard. thnx
Attached Images    
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 03:48 AM
  #2  
ragnaroek's Avatar
cthulward
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 0
From: people's republic of CA
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

remove the sides of the trailer and add some outrigger sorta things for tie-down points and you should be golden. easier said than done, of course...
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 04:29 AM
  #3  
MSchu's Avatar
My Name is Nobody
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,438
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas, NV
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

Its hard to tell from afar... what do the axles and rim/tires look like? are there tied down spots?
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 08:54 AM
  #4  
modulo_s's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: anchorage, ak
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

i may just end up renting a more ideal trailer from Uhaul today. since i'm so pressed for time to leave by 3pm. but i do appreciate the input
Attached Images     
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 09:18 AM
  #5  
MSchu's Avatar
My Name is Nobody
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,438
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas, NV
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

Solid axle leaf spring with 800lbs up high? well... there's always a chance you'll make it.

Tough call without being there to see it in person. those trailers can get the shimmies/tank slappers sometimes if they get an undulation going.

i don't feel comfortable recommending it or discounting it... sorry man. One things for certain... I have seen worse.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 11:09 AM
  #6  
Jasper_db1's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 1
From: Aliso Viejo, Ca, USA
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

How do those bearings look? I'd start there. It does look a bit narrow for two abreast though.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 01:27 PM
  #7  
ITR_GOD's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: ca, usa
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

I tow 2 sport bikes on my solid axle 4x8 HF trailer all the time I just added about 1ft extensions out the sides with uni-strut as tie down points
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 01:36 PM
  #8  
ragnaroek's Avatar
cthulward
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 0
From: people's republic of CA
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

Originally Posted by ITR_GOD
I tow 2 sport bikes on my solid axle 4x8 HF trailer all the time I just added about 1ft extensions out the sides with uni-strut as tie down points
this is a very common sight at the events i've been to... doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 02:07 PM
  #9  
Jasper_db1's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 1
From: Aliso Viejo, Ca, USA
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

I wouldn't mind getting a 4x8 to tow with.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 04:13 PM
  #10  
ITR_GOD's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: ca, usa
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

It's only 300lbs..so it tows like its barely even there

Still get 20mpg. I added diamond plate, 2 chocks, 4 exterior tie downs and 4 down the middle
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 08:26 PM
  #11  
marmaladedad's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,817
Likes: 0
From: San Gabriel, CA
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

TBH, you don't need to bring two bikes. It's not even about "jinxing" yourself, but more that you want to spend time at the track becoming more familiar with the layout, not readjusting yourself to each bike's ergos and handling capabilities.

Do the trailer wheels have any wobble to them?
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2009 | 06:03 AM
  #12  
MSchu's Avatar
My Name is Nobody
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,438
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas, NV
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

Originally Posted by ITR_GOD
I tow 2 sport bikes on my solid axle 4x8 HF trailer all the time I just added about 1ft extensions out the sides with uni-strut as tie down points
I dont think the size of the trailer is the issue, it's condition. I hope he made it.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 06:44 AM
  #13  
Zekers's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

I converted a boat trailer to do this sort of thing. I used two "Rails" to keep the bikes in place and then installed eyehooks in front of the bikes so that I could use Canyon dancers to keep the bikes locked down. Here are some pics:

http://www.coryandkaty.com/zenphoto/...35.JPG.jpg.php
http://www.coryandkaty.com/zenphoto/...74.JPG.jpg.php
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 11:52 AM
  #14  
modulo_s's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: anchorage, ak
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

thnx for all the input and sorry for the delay. with time running short that day i ended up renting a single motorcycle uhaul trailer. actually wasn't bad for $60 insured for a total of 3 days. track day was immense fun and now i want to invest in my own trailer.

so it was my first time towing a trailer with a motorcycle and it was terrifying. left home at 7pm and arrived at the track at 530am next day lol. the return trip was normal though after i got used to it.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 12:57 PM
  #15  
Jasper_db1's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 1
From: Aliso Viejo, Ca, USA
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

Originally Posted by Zekers
I converted a boat trailer to do this sort of thing.
I see a skwid in the second pic!
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 12:58 PM
  #16  
Jasper_db1's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 1
From: Aliso Viejo, Ca, USA
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

Originally Posted by modulo_s
so it was my first time towing a trailer with a motorcycle
you towed a motorcycle with a motorcycle? You rock! That's hardcore!
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 01:01 PM
  #17  
MSchu's Avatar
My Name is Nobody
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,438
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas, NV
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

I think your trailer with some work would probably be good for two bikes... add a couple chocks and make sure the trailer isn't flexing from all the weight.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 01:10 PM
  #18  
modulo_s's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: anchorage, ak
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

Originally Posted by Jasper_db1
you towed a motorcycle with a motorcycle? You rock! That's hardcore!
i'm laughing at myself

still recovering from mild dehydration
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 01:13 PM
  #19  
MSchu's Avatar
My Name is Nobody
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,438
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas, NV
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

salt tabs...
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 01:18 PM
  #20  
modulo_s's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: anchorage, ak
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

i think my trailer would make a good one for two bikes with some work. a nearly 14hr round trip drive in a v6 is expensive though. i'm thinking of picking up a collapsible trailer and hauling it with my rsx. i could use the hatch to toss in my junk to camp and race at the track. how different would it be towing a 200lb trailer and 400lb bike with a small displacement car?
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 02:52 PM
  #21  
Jasper_db1's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 1
From: Aliso Viejo, Ca, USA
Default Re: trailer woes.. 2 bikes

I think the car would be working much harder to tow the trailer. When I rent pickup trucks in the past, the MPG was not really affected by the bike in the bed FWIW.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jasper_db1
Honda Motorcycles
8
May 18, 2009 05:06 PM
ZexyAccord
Honda Motorcycles
5
May 11, 2007 05:13 AM
professorman
Honda Motorcycles
16
Feb 2, 2006 07:46 PM
hondaxlr125
Honda Motorcycles
12
Nov 9, 2005 06:49 PM
StageOne
Honda Motorcycles
7
May 14, 2003 12:16 PM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:33 PM.