HF Utility Trailer For My "T" GS750TZ

[posplayr]

Just looking at this from an engineering stand point, having the engine forward of the axle pretty much guarantees that you will have down force on the tounge. Use a bathroom scale to measure the force before making any more adjustments.

 

[chuck hahn]

There will be PLENTY of tongue weight with a bike loaded..trust me on that. Mount the spare tire and a small tool box on the tongue and thats even more.

Honestly, its being way over thought here. Load the bike and just try to lift the tongue up off the ball and youll see that its heavy as can be.

 

[storm 64]

^^Haha,

Yeah, Gramma P and her eyesight. I started watching "Black Is The New Orange" and so now I have a complex.

Anyway, thanks for the Steve seal of approval!

What's sad is, I'm gonna leave my "T" here at home. I'm just not ready to proceed with all she needs. Back to jax today.


Ed

So all this trailer talk and your not using it to take your motorcycle with you?? Spring time in Florida with no motorcycle?? Whatever...

 

[GSXR7ED]

Not A Fan

Not A Fan

So all this trailer talk and your not using it to take your motorcycle with you?? Spring time in Florida with no motorcycle?? Whatever...

Dude,

I'm not fond of Florida. (No offense to anyone)

Lived in many different places around the world and I can't say it's where I'd want to live. There's a reason I'm there and it's not for pleasure.

Plus, I've ridden in a more scenic place...city riding is fine but nothing beats the countryside. (I know there might be those who disagree but that's fine)


Ed

 

[GSXR7ED]

Part 1 Travel Day

Part 1 Travel Day

There will be PLENTY of tongue weight with a bike loaded..trust me on that. Mount the spare tire and a small tool box on the tongue and thats even more.

Honestly, its being way over thought here. Load the bike and just try to lift the tongue up off the ball and youll see that its heavy as can be.

Just being thorough Chuck...I like the concern though.

Yes, I just put the bike on the trailer and went...all the way from Dover, DE to Alamogordo, NM--nearly 2K miles!!!

I had no issues but since I did start this thread and open discussion is what Forums are for...well, you know how this works.


Alright, I'm outta here...400 miles south to North Carolina...


Ed

 

[Dogma]

There will be PLENTY of tongue weight with a bike loaded..trust me on that. Mount the spare tire and a small tool box on the tongue and thats even more.

Honestly, its being way over thought here. Load the bike and just try to lift the tongue up off the ball and youll see that its heavy as can be.

That's why I didn't mount my wheel chock all the way forward. I parked the bike on the trailer in a variety of positions until I found a spot where I was happy with the balance (just enough weight on the tongue to keep it from bouncing up and down on most roads, pretty much as Steve recommended at 15% of load). This position also helps keep the tow vehicle's suspension in its happy place. An F150 would happily carry a bike's weight on a hitch, but a smaller vehicle might run into stability problems. Loaded this way, my Grand Prix (RIP) happily hauled a bike at "highway speeds" from Cincinnati to the Chicago area for the MotoWorks track day. It didn't even overheat maneuvering through Chicago's traffic and limitless toll plazas.

I ran 70 and 75 MPH all the time with mine and it never gave me any tire problems nor tracking problems.

The speed rating on the trailer is at full load. With one bike on a 1400 lb rated trailer, the tires will easily tolerate speeds exceeding the rated limit. How much they will tolerate is unknown until you destroy them though. Low pressure will effectively reduce the speed rating, so keep an eye on that, of course. It has mainly to do with heat generated by sidewall flexing.

I got to watch this in action on a ride a couple seasons ago. Somebody had a backhoe tractor loaded onto double-axle utility trailer better suited to a couple mowers and some trimmers. The weight of the tractor had the whole rig swaying as it went down the road, and one of the tires looked to be a little more squashed than the others. Probably low on air. Well, not long after I came up behind this thing I started to smell hot rubber. In less than a minute there was a lot of smoke coming off the squishy tire. By then I was backed off far enough that I couldn't see exactly when the tire went completely flat. I think he would have made it to wherever if he had kept it to 35 instead of doing 55.

Of course, overinflating doesn't increase the speed rating. Well, not enough to warrant risking a blowout.

 

[chuck hahn]

Low pressure is why you see all the retreads comming off semi tires too. Makes intolerable heat build up and they simply delaminate or explode.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Fwd Weight

Fwd Weight

That's why I didn't mount my wheel chock all the way forward. I parked the bike on the trailer in a variety of positions until I found a spot where I was happy with the balance (just enough weight on the tongue to keep it from bouncing up and down on most roads, pretty much as Steve recommended at 15% of load). This position also helps keep the tow vehicle's suspension in its happy place. An F150 would happily carry a bike's weight on a hitch, but a smaller vehicle might run into stability problems. Loaded this way, my Grand Prix (RIP) happily hauled a bike at "highway speeds" from Cincinnati to the Chicago area for the MotoWorks track day. It didn't even overheat maneuvering through Chicago's traffic and limitless toll plazas.

I forgot to add the weight of the spare tire (located fwd of the bike stop) to the total weight of my trailer:

Trailer(250)+Chock(40)+Plywood(50)+Spare(30)=370+500 (GS750TZ)=870 for my truck to pull.

The trailer did not have a noticeable bounce at the rear as discussed. Like was mentioned by posplayr, engineering wise...the weight of the bike is mostly forward of the axle. Here's a good pic that shows fwd weight. (My Honda Pilot weighs over 4K lbs)

The speed rating on the trailer is at full load. With one bike on a 1400 lb rated trailer, the tires will easily tolerate speeds exceeding the rated limit. How much they will tolerate is unknown until you destroy them though. Low pressure will effectively reduce the speed rating, so keep an eye on that, of course. It has mainly to do with heat generated by sidewall flexing.

Forgot to take pics of the tires...but they are inflated to suggested psi and the seal/contact around the rim is solid.

I got to watch this in action on a ride a couple seasons ago. Somebody had a backhoe tractor loaded onto double-axle utility trailer better suited to a couple mowers and some trimmers. The weight of the tractor had the whole rig swaying as it went down the road, and one of the tires looked to be a little more squashed than the others. Probably low on air. Well, not long after I came up behind this thing I started to smell hot rubber. In less than a minute there was a lot of smoke coming off the squishy tire. By then I was backed off far enough that I couldn't see exactly when the tire went completely flat. I think he would have made it to wherever if he had kept it to 35 instead of doing 55.

Of course, overinflating doesn't increase the speed rating. Well, not enough to warrant risking a blowout.

The importance of proper inflating.


Ed

 

[chuck hahn]

Youve got nothing to worry about or modify. Its a rock solid little trailer from my many years of experience using mine. Keeping the tires at proper pressure and a few pumps of grease into the bearing buddies every 1,000 miles and she will roll forever.

I did replace the axle caps that came with it for some better quality bearing buddies..the buddies that came with the kit looked pretty chincey to me.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Solid Little Trailer

Solid Little Trailer

^^Now, I got the Chuck seal of approval. I'm happy!

Edit: and with more ideas to improve the buddies covers.

 

[chuck hahn]

I got the good heavy duty styled constructed ones at the boat marina back home. Heavier gauge metal and the grease fitting seemed to be anchored into better threads. What got my attention was I went to grease them and one of the fittings was actually gone....fell right out. Thus the upgrade.

 

[chuck hahn]

You dont need my or anyone elses seal of approval. Youve ran it 2,000 miles and know shes a reliable and stable rig!!!

 

[GSJim]

I'm a bit late to the party but I also bought a folding trailer this summer. I haven't moved the bike with it yet, but I did carry a couple of large pieces of furniture from Sherbrooke to Toronto with no issues at all.



The wooden stakes and the front and back rails were made with found lumber. The 2x4s were in the shed and the 1x6 pieces were found on the beach. I will do better next year. I installed eight recessed anchors with one bolt through the trailer frame and the other bolt through the plywood deck with a fender washer and locknut under the deck.

I did not install the two rails with the casters. I bought some large wingnuts so I can attach the caster rails only when I want to fold the trailer. The only minor complaint is that I had to remove the deck from one half of the trailer to fold the trailer. When folded, the trailer is a bit tall for my garage door so I also had to remove the angled pieces that support the tongue. I think I might be able to push the trailer into the garage and fold it so the angled pieces stick up between the rafters.

Jim

 

[GSXR7ED]

Got It!

Got It!

You dont need my or anyone elses seal of approval. Youve ran it 2,000 miles and know shes a reliable and stable rig!!!

I kinda figured that, Chuck...I just wanted to add some conversation and get you guys involved. It worked on you and Steve and Dogma started responding first. Then of course, everyone else joined.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Ed

 

[chuck hahn]

Just wish it was like an 8 X 10 bed and a heavy axle to haul 2 bikes. I am currently looking for an old 16 ft aluminum boat trailer to modify for a 2 place trailer. Guy a few miles away from me has one with the boat sitting on it. Was thinking hit him and see what he wants..then scrap the boat for some recoupment.

I dont want the boat and Im pretty sure hes not gonna just sell the trailer.

 

[spyug]

Well Chuck, it is a tight fit but it will haul two bikes no problem, as friend Gatekeeper will tell you. His 2 FZ750s came home, at speed on the highway, with no issues. I have hauled everything from mini bikes to a V-Star 1300 with it and not one hiccup.

I have had mine for 5 years now and while looking pretty beat up and overdue for a re-paint, she has provided sterling service. I would not hesitate to recommend these little beauties for bike hauling.

I must admit that while I liked the idea of having a folder to put away when not in use, I have never used that feature. I still think the concept is good but the trailer gets so much usage from myself, son, neighbours and buddies that we just park her in the driveway, ready to go. In fact there she is peaking out of the corner in my avatar.

You can't go wrong with this cheap and cheerful little hauler.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Thank You

Thank You

I appreciate all the feedback on this thread. Again, Charles (eil) had asked me for information to include pics and suggested starting a thread...maybe I threw that out there as an option. In any case, Charles can take pics as he assembles his trailer when he buys it!


Ed

 

[eil]

Thanks again for the info, Ed!

I'll certainly follow up when I get around to buying mine.

 

[Guest]

I have the same trailer, Ed has seen it, I went with 6 ply tires, switch the axle to the top of the springs dropping the trailer lower (yes, I had to remount the fenders, drill a couple new holes and yer done) and welded all the pivot points. Installed a heavier hitch, braced the A arm, added rails along the side and front, a tool box, spare tire holder and installed new wheel bearings and races. Lowering the trailer made it easier for a single person to load a bike now. Oh yeah and built this monster of a loading ramp. It won't bend, we tested it with 1,000 lbs on it lol.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Lowrider

Lowrider

^^Hey Bill,

I remember you mentioning about lowering the height of the base of the trailer. It requires 2 people to load my bike and definitely 2 to unload. I tried unloading on my own and that was a mistake.

There's another project that would make life easier that I'm putting on back-burner. For now, my trailer will stay as is.

Bill, let me know the best time to call you. We need to catch up!


Ed