New Job Takes Me To The West

[GSXR7ED]

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Good Luck on the trip Ed! I have "visited" ABQ many times, hope you like it. Drive safely!

Thanks Lila. I found a real nice apartment lease too. I'm looking forward to Alamogordo, New Mexico.

The first thing that crossed my mind when reading this and seeing the trailer was the tires. Keep a good eye on them!
Safe journey Ed.

I bought the 12" wheel trailer that has a max 1175lbs. The tires are marked at MAX Speed 55. I'll keep it close to that speed.

Thanks again for the well-wishes.

Here's my loaded trailer...ready for tomorrow morning:

Ed

 

[dorkburger]

Ed, how is that Pilot for towing? We have a slightly newer one.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Towing

Towing

Ed, how is that Pilot for towing? We have a slightly newer one.

I'll let you know in 4.5 days.


Ed

 

[tkent02]

What weight are the tires rated at? 13" trailer tires should be rated over 1000 lbs each I would think.
I wouldn't even consider doing 55, you will be no where near the tire's weight limit. No point in getting rear ended or causing accidents behind you. Just keep plenty of pressure in them and they won't even get warm. Trailer tires usually go to 80 psi or so?

Just checked, my 12" trailer tires are rated at 1050 lbs ea. at 80 psi, with no speed warning and they have been fine at 80mph with over 1000 lbs of bikes on the trailer.

Unless HF stuck some inferior cheap ass junk tires on there... In which case...

Good quality trailer tires are very inexpensive.

 

[850 Combat]

I always like to stop and feel my hubs on a trailer trip, just to make sure that they are not overheating. Along with the 55 mph tires, HF also said to clean all the grease out of the bearings, and re grease them. I never did. That is still a great trailer for the money. In 2011, I decided to put a new axle, springs, hubs and wheels on my sailboat trailer and tow it from Oregon to Maine. (bad maintenance, and too many dunks in the ocean) Found a place that sells components to trailer manufacturers, and got the stuff at a fraction of what I could find on line.

 

[AX2007]

Packing out the truck today...I plan on leaving at 0-dark-thirty tomorrow (0400) so got plenty to do. I've got some side covers to mail out to AX2007 and then it's back to prepping my SUV.

Ed

Thanks again!!! Good luck on the drive. I have a place to visit out in Scottsdale, if I ever get out there and have time to do a SW US trip I'll let you know.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Assist

Assist

Thanks again!!! Good luck on the drive. I have a place to visit out in Scottsdale, if I ever get out there and have time to do a SW US trip I'll let you know.

Anytime my fellow "T" brother! I'm doing updates on my FB for some reason. Anyway, I went from Dover to Nashville and now on my way to OKC. The last leg of this trip is tomorrow. I've got another 4hrs yet...getting some lunch ATM.


Ed

 

[GSXR7ED]

Leaving OKC but first, breakfast and plenty of coffee!

Trailer is holding up well. I've pushed it to 70+mph and it handles it like a champ!

First stop on this trip was Nashville, TN. That was a hectic drive getting out of the belt loop in D.C.

Yesterday was my drive from Nash to my current location. Shorter ride and alot more lorries (big rig trucks) on the road.

Today is a 600+ ride to Alamogordo, NM. Here I go!


Ed

 

[GSXR7ED]

Leaving OKC but first, breakfast and plenty of coffee!

Trailer is holding up well. I've pushed it to 70+mph and it handles it like a champ!

First stop on this trip was Nashville, TN. That was a hectic drive getting out of the belt loop in D.C.

Yesterday was my drive from Nash to my current location. Shorter ride and alot more lorries (big rig trucks) on the road.

Today is a 600+ ride to Alamogordo, NM. Here I go!


Ed

 

[Charlie G]

Nice of you to update your journey.

cg

 

[GSXR7ED]

Thanks Charlie. I'm sorta terrible with updating this trip but I just wanna get to my destination.

Got about 4 hrs left...eating lunch in Clovis, NM, tanking up one last time then arrive!


Ed

 

[chuck hahn]

I had one of those for many many years and it towed awesome, tracked perfectly nad you could hardly tell it was behind you.

I added eyebolts in the corners and used 3/4 marine plywood for the deck. swabbed the side that was to face the road with some roofing tar to sort of water seal the underside.

If it doesnt have bearing buddies..get some. Every 2,000 miles I would hit the bearings with 5 or 6 pumps from the grease gun and never spun a bearing

 

[GSXR7ED]

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Ed, how is that Pilot for towing? We have a slightly newer one.

DB,

My 2003 Pilot handled the towing with ease! Here's what I guess-timate on weights:

Trailer: 211 lbs
4X8 3/4" Plywood: 40 lbs
Front Wheel Bike Stand: 40 lbs
2 Ramps: 30 lbs
2 Rail System tie downs: 10 lbs
And of course my "T": 500 lbs

So roughly about 831 lbs. This doesn't include my 2 toolboxes and other things I packed inside the cab. The Pilot has 240 HP and it had no problems on those steep uphill roads where acceleration is a must at 70+ mph.

Now when I got into NM, the mountainside curves (both uphill & downhill) I took it slowly. Other than that...I'm happy with the performance.

What weight are the tires rated at? 13" trailer tires should be rated over 1000 lbs each I would think.
I wouldn't even consider doing 55, you will be no where near the tire's weight limit. No point in getting rear ended or causing accidents behind you. Just keep plenty of pressure in them and they won't even get warm. Trailer tires usually go to 80 psi or so?

Just checked, my 12" trailer tires are rated at 1050 lbs ea. at 80 psi, with no speed warning and they have been fine at 80mph with over 1000 lbs of bikes on the trailer.

Unless HF stuck some inferior cheap ass junk tires on there... In which case...

Good quality trailer tires are very inexpensive.

My tires were recommended to inflate at 60 PSI. The MAX weight for the trailer is 1175 according to the placard where the VIN is located.

I always like to stop and feel my hubs on a trailer trip, just to make sure that they are not overheating. Along with the 55 mph tires, HF also said to clean all the grease out of the bearings, and re grease them. I never did. That is still a great trailer for the money. In 2011, I decided to put a new axle, springs, hubs and wheels on my sailboat trailer and tow it from Oregon to Maine. (bad maintenance, and too many dunks in the ocean) Found a place that sells components to trailer manufacturers, and got the stuff at a fraction of what I could find on line.

I checked em' every stop. They were warm but not alarmingly HOT. I have bearings and they were well greased...no probs.

I had one of those for many many years and it towed awesome, tracked perfectly nad you could hardly tell it was behind you.

I added eyebolts in the corners and used 3/4 marine plywood for the deck. swabbed the side that was to face the road with some roofing tar to sort of water seal the underside.

If it doesnt have bearing buddies..get some. Every 2,000 miles I would hit the bearings with 5 or 6 pumps from the grease gun and never spun a bearing

My front wheel stand has 2 eyelets and I used the rail system to hold the ramps down as well as brace the bike. The bearings installed were well-greased. I will pump them before my trip back to Delaware.

Thanks again for the comments fellas.

Ed

 

[dorkburger]

I assume that you've arrived, and ok. Glad to hear it..

 

[tkent02]

Great, now unload that T and take it for a ride!

 

[chuck hahn]

On the way back to Delaware, try to work it so your in OKC again on a Saturday AM or so. I am just 20 miles South literally right off I35. You can swing in, get fresh coffee and a stretch, some home cooked breakfast and some GSR fellowship with myself and Stahlgrau333 ( Matt ). Heck even got a pretty comfy couch if you wanna crash a night.

 

[GSXR7ED]

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I assume that you've arrived, and ok. Glad to hear it..

Yes, I arrived yesterday around 7pm. Not a bad trip...just over 2000 miles in 3 days. I'm staying in TLF (Temp Lodging Facility) on Holloman AFB until I can get into an Apt Lease.

Great, now unload that T and take it for a ride!

I'm gonna hold off for the moment. I saw a lot of riders yesterday and I'm excited.

On the way back to Delaware, try to work it so your in OKC again on a Saturday AM or so. I am just 20 miles South literally right off I35. You can swing in, get fresh coffee and a stretch, some home cooked breakfast and some GSR fellowship with myself and Stahlgrau333 ( Matt ). Heck even got a pretty comfy couch if you wanna crash a night.

That would be cool Chuck. It won't be until Mar/Apr 2014 and trust me...I will consider it! Thanks!


Ed

 

[dorkburger]

Ill think about you when its cold on the North East Coast...

 

[GSXR7ED]

Winter Blues

Winter Blues

Ill think about you when its cold on the North East Coast...

Hahaha!

It's in the upper 50s here...which I can bundle for so my riding can continue. Plus, I enjoy cold-weather riding.


Ed

 

[chuck hahn]

Fresh coffee. Eggs any way you want them. Sausage patties and hash browns. Toast with strawberry preserves. Ice cold OJ.

Crap!!! Now I gotta go make MY breakfast now!!!

Seriously though..pencil it in...tattoo a reminder on your forehead...whatever it takes bro.