Trailer project (lots of pics)

[Guest]

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/traile...face-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

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.

 

[Redneck]

Thanks Dogma, looks like this project will be a go. I will start forming my list of items to put this project together.

Not only will it be cheaper than UHaul, I will also have a trailer for future use.

Paul

 

[Dogma]

Thanks Dogma, looks like this project will be a go. I will start forming my list of items to put this project together.

Not only will it be cheaper than UHaul, I will also have a trailer for future use.

Paul

Welcome.

Just think ahead about your tie-down anchors like GS1000G shopper did. There's pretty much nothing on the stock trailer.

 

[Redneck]

I am literally rereading his original post. Studying all the pictures to count carriage bolts and tie down points. Trying to make the price list as accurate as possible. Even contemplating a trailer tongue box for the front. I am just not going to splurge on the ramps yet. I have a home made one currently that will work. Eventually after the cost of the move has be taken care of spend the extra money for the aluminum ramps if I can't find some on craigslist or ebay for low cost.

Paul

 

[GS1000G Shopper]

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

No problem, I re-read the whole thing just now & see it's spread out a little bit between the construction, the jack, the ramp, and the winch. I don't have time right now to consolidate it into the first post.

EDIT
First post updated with links to the other posts.

I've used this to haul a V65 Sabre from Alabama:

And recently my blue 1000G, albeit for only 20 miles or so- I met the transport service.

I've had no issues with highway speed towing (65~70 MPH).