Trailer project (lots of pics)

[twr1776]

The trailer looks good. I would suggest some quailty straps to go with it. I have been using these for a couple years now and they are excellent IMHO. Fortunately there is a good trailer place by my place to get these. One thing the owner there mentioned that I have always remembered is that almost bikes go off the front of a trailer during a panic stop versus the back on acceleration.

I use the # 05713 Erickson 3000/1000 lb. working straps and these # 4500 lb. rated chokers from MR.

http://www.ericksonmfg.com/products/strapsTieDowns/motorCycleTieDowns.html

http://www.mrproducts.com/index.php?func=view&id=23&cookie=yes

Some very good info on straps here, working load is the rating to look for.

http://www.ericksonmfg.com/safeWorkingLoad/safeWorkingLoad.html

[GS1000G Shopper]

Update

UPDATE
I added two 3/6-16 bolts to act as hold down pins for the new ramp (really like it BTW). Also shown in this set is the trailer jack. I had a piece of 1/4" scrap stainless angle and cut it to fit under the tongue on one side. Welded the jack mount to the angle, then bolted the angle to the tongue with 4 x 3/8-16x1 bolts. Serves the purpose and folds out of the way so you don't have to crank it way high. The ramp is very stable with the bolt/pins in place. I rode the GS onto it from a slope in my yard, then off loaded onto the driveway. The ramp has enough room to put your feet down while backing up.

I'm still working on the ramp storage. My latest plan is to replace the 12" side boards with 22" boards and hang the ramp from them, then use a pair of 4.5" carriage bolts to hold the ramps to the boards. I'll use the 12" boards between the ramps to cut down on rattling and give a solid surface to bolt through. Pics of these may follow when I get that part done.

Jack:




Stowed:



Pins & ramp:






Here's a couple shots of the underside, showing the added angle (black) and some attaching & wiring detail:

[GS1000G Shopper]

Well done on the trailer.

I'd really love to get a single bike trailer for when I need to get mine to the exhaust shop and then transport it around for safety certificate inspections and registration inspections, but they're far too expensive here.

Hiring one for 6 hours is $53, buying one is an absolute minimum of $500 - $1000 from what I've seen, and I don't have ability or tools to make one unfortunately.

Of course making one would take valuable time away from working on the bike too...

Thanks! I'd give you a hand but the commute would be a killer. Maybe I could put pontoons on the GS and convert the rear tire to a paddlewheel & add a mast & sail while I'm at it.

The trailer looks good. I would suggest some quality straps to go with it. I have been using these for a couple years now and they are excellent IMHO. Fortunately there is a good trailer place by my place to get these. One thing the owner there mentioned that I have always remembered is that almost bikes go off the front of a trailer during a panic stop versus the back on acceleration.

I use the # 05713 Erickson 3000/1000 lb. working straps and these # 4500 lb. rated chokers from MR.

http://www.ericksonmfg.com/products/strapsTieDowns/motorCycleTieDowns.html

http://www.mrproducts.com/index.php?func=view&id=23&cookie=yes

Some very good info on straps here, working load is the rating to look for.

http://www.ericksonmfg.com/safeWorki...rkingLoad.html

Thanks for the info. I have a bunch of straps from my car hauling days, but will take a look at those.

[pete]

Thanks! I'd give you a hand but the commute would be a killer. Maybe I could put pontoons on the GS and convert the rear tire to a paddlewheel & add a mast & sail while I'm at it.

Now that would make your GS unique!

[GS1000G Shopper]

Here's the ramp storage mount details. Side boards are cut to 22" high and held in the pocket via a 3/8 bolt. Carriage bolts are 1/2-13" x 5" long (the rear bolt in these photos is still a 4.5" one). On the rear shot, you can see the old 12" boards I'm using as spacers between the folded ramp. I have not tested this layout with the bike in place. Worst case if the straps don't clear, the ramp could be mounted on the outside of the boards. Seems like a solid setup. Only thing remaining is the hand winch. Waiting on some steel to get here for that.

[pete]

That's looking great, but I do have one minor suggestion looking at your earlier photos with the ramps in place.

How about instead of having the "pins" embedded in the wood where someone can trip on them and hurt their toe, you instead make that a hole and bolt the pins to the ramps.

That way, the bolt can easily slot into the hole when the ramps are down.

It would also make it easy to be able to put the ramps in other locations by having a few more holes.

[GS1000G Shopper]

The bolts/pins are not embedded. I plan to keep them in the hole while traveling, and remove & replace as needed for putting the ramp in place. They are a snug enough fit to where they shouldn't vibrate out, but I can always put a nut on the bottom if this becomes a problem.

If the pins were bolted to the ramps, the ramps would not fold up properly for storage & transport.

[Skateguy50]

Not sure if it helps, but for my wood ramp I used to use for getting the motorcycle into a truck bed I would wrap the top flat section to the tailgate with a ratchet strap, that way it lay flat and held it in place.

I like this project and might also borrow the idea in the future. My dad has a small utility trailer he built on a wave runner trailer. Where I am now space is an issue so I would likely keep the folding option for winters and use drop in side panels like on a stake body truck to brace up the sides when using it.

[Ranger]

I'm afraid to find out what California is going to charge me to license it. Fingers crossed on that.

I was thinking the same, I'm guessing around $150 or so. It is CA afterall.

Would you mind posting the website which you found yours Shopper?

[mighty13d]

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/trailer-trailer-accessories.html?limit=30

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_trailers-trailer-parts+trailers

just to name a couple. their prices are about the same.

[Redman]

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Nice project.
Nice G.

Looks like maybe you did the same thing I did with the first time I had a trailer. And that was to have the load pretty much balanced over the axle.

Have you gone down the road yet, Highway speed And try steering, and the trailer wags around?
Hit the brakes and the trailer swerves and pushes the rear of vehical around?
If so, you could need more "tongue weight" by moveing the wheel chock forward a bit.

Any thought for tie down points?
I like using these
Surface Mount Round Ring Anchor, 1200 lbs
3016814

http://www.tractorsupply.com/trailers-towing/tarps-strapping/tarp-tie-down-accessories/surface-mount-round-ring-anchor-1200-lbs-3016814

.

[ukilme]

The bolts/pins are not embedded. I plan to keep them in the hole while traveling, and remove & replace as needed for putting the ramp in place. They are a snug enough fit to where they shouldn't vibrate out, but I can always put a nut on the bottom if this becomes a problem.

If the pins were bolted to the ramps, the ramps would not fold up properly for storage & transport.

You could always just the carriage bolts that you use to bolt the ramp to the post. That way you do not have to worry about them get 'lost'.

Anyways, that what I do. Great job by the way.

[GS1000G Shopper]

Sorry I missed the questions- I just saw this while looking for another post.

I have used the trailer once, to tow home my current ST1100 project (conversion to a UJM style). It pulled just fine, but I'm used to towing a 20' car hauler with 2 tons of car on it. The eye bolts I put in the side work well for the strap hooks. Here are some pics of it in use with the ST:




Here it is about 4 months later, it's been slow going:

[Redneck]

Reviving the Thread for Results over time

I am getting ready to transfer to Georgia in May, so was trying to figure out how to get the bike to my next location because I do not trust government movers with my bike. Uhaul wanted $550 for the one way trip. I said ouch. So I looked around, the usual google search, craigslist, and so forth nothing under $600. So I remember seeing some in Harbor Freight. Read the reviews and think this could be worth it. I came here to ask the opinion of my worth compadres here on the GSR. I do a quick search to see if anyone else has purchased the trailer and wham I find this wonderful thread. That being said this thread is now year old. Have you ran into any issues with the trailer? How did it handle at 70mph. I am planning on doing this after income taxes are filed and if you have had no issues I plan on almost part for part copying your design concept. Thanks ahead of time.

Paul

[Dogma]

I've done 75 carrying a well-secured and balanced-on-the-trailer GS1000 (nekkid), behind an '04 Pontiac Grand Prix with a weedy class 1 hitch. No ill manners except being bouncy over big bumps, due to a lack of shock absorbers.

Well, secured is key. Back when I was a noob, bringing my 850 home I got a bit careless with the ratchet straps. They were over-tightened and routed over a corner that was a more effective knife than I expected (1/2" plywood deck). I hit some big bumps in construction, looked in the rear view and couldn't see the bike. Sort of a "yikes" sort of moment, there. Not having a fancy wheel chock, I'd had six straps: two at the bars, two at the rear, and one around each tire. The strap at the front tire is all that kept the bike from falling off the trailer. In traffic. Very fortunately, the only damage was the right side mirror being nearly ground off by the pavement.

So anyway, nothing at all wrong with the trailer. With a 1/2" plywood deck, it will easily carry a GS and still fold when you're done. Oh, and I get rained on about 19 out of 20 times I use it. I started counting after the first 6 or so in a row.