Looking for trailer

[planedick]

My cross country trip may not be done alone, but my riding buddy rides a Suzuki GSX R1000 and isn't great for long distance rides, so the plan is to beg, borrow or steal a trailer for a few weeks and take the van with the bikes behind and then we can ride all the great roads along the way. We can cover greater distances in shorter times, especially when one drives and the other rests. I figure the time savings will save enough motel costs to cover the extra fuel needed for the van which gets nearly 20 mpg on the highway pulling a small trailer. (At least it did going to Texas and back.)

So I'm looking for a trailer I can borrow or rent for a somewhat lesser amount than it would cost for a U Haul. Anybody got any ideas?

[tcoop]

Look in the local Craigs list for something like this

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218...lpid=2&search=

Then you own it (but have the problem of storing it or selling it when you are done with your trip)

You might even traid for something that you want to get rid of anyway. Good luck in finding something.

[fredintoon]

Hi Dick,
I'm with Ty, you need a trailer anyway.
Unlike a sidecar, a trailer ain't much of a chick magnet but once you have one you get real popular with neighbors & friends who need stuff hauled to the dump.

[natemoen]

Hi Dick,
I'm with Ty, you need a trailer anyway.
Unlike a sidecar, a trailer ain't much of a chick magnet but once you have one you get real popular with neighbors & friends who need stuff hauled to the dump.

Same with a pickup.....

[motoman]

A definite +1 Fred......lol. and I thought mine was just a "borrow magnet". With the drop-ramp gate, makes it handy and worked well for goin out to CalyRally last summer. Eve havin a nice diesel truck, the trailer is handy and always seems to get used to haul something, even tho others have used it more than I and likely pulled it longer distances. Even had one person unexpectedly put new tires on it for using it last year........it's all good.....plus, having a trailer makes it a bit more convenient and keeps the miles down on these old scoots attending a rally that may be some distance.......hint,hint.....

[Jerry]

Last couple trailer I had (and sold, alas) started life as camper trailers. I bought the frames (with decks) from a local boneyard for $100.00. Add lights and a couple tie-downs and you have a serviceable trailer. On one of then I added a flip-up ramp, was convenient to load bike or snowmobile.

Check licensing requirements for your state. Wisconsin did not require plates, AZ and CO do. Licensing the trailer requires filling out a form and paying a fee for the title, plates, and state-issued VIN number. Cost me about $60 for the last one I did here in Colorado. Total cost was about $200 including title / plates. The trailers were well built (one had 13 inch car tires, surge brakes, and a tongue jack) and you can put together a rig in less than a week. They tend to be longer than those sold by Harbor Freight so fit bikes better. Last one I had was 11 ft 6 inches long and 6 foot 8 by inches wide, basically a 6 x 12.

One drawback to using an old camper is they tend to be heavier than a bike-specific trailer. Heavier frames and full decks add to this. You also need to pull the hubs and check the bearings before taking off on a trip.

Depending on your budget, add a couple wheel chocks and make securing the bikes even easier. I never did this, my trailers were used mostly for snowmobile transport, but HF has faily low-cost chocks available.