Trailer hitch motorcycle carrier?

[LeaderDuece]

Did the straps go to the car, or the trailer? I guess my point is that most people wouldn't have hook points for straps under their car. So whatever you're hooking it to isn't designed for that. And therefore it may flex, break, rub, wear etc.

But I am interested -did you hook the straps to the trailer or the car? Because if you hooked it to the car then my concerns sound like they're not an issue.

[yamaweezle]

Originally Posted by LeaderDuece

BTW -what are the ratchet straps hooking to? The bumper? That's just plastic. The frame under the bumper? that would wear the bottom of the bumper. If one of those straps fails, your bike is a goner.

It has a ratchet strap that goes around the front wheel to the wheel chock itself. I think the straps to the bumper are more for stability. Still, I don't like the idea of towing a vehicle long distances on its drive wheel. You can pick up a brand new 8'x5' utility trailer for around $500...A nice used one for half of that.

The only way I see this type of rig making sense, is if a repair shop needed to tow a bike in for repairs locally.

[Churchkey]

Our transfer case would be ok as it has its own oil pump however the transmission will be turning. Without the engine running = no oil to the trans gears/shafts. The only way to use that system without mechanical damage to the bike is to remove the drive belt.

If you flat tow your rear wheel drive cage more than 20 miles remove the drive shaft or risk frying the trans output shaft & bearings. If front wheel drive don't flat tow it. Some front drives will flat tow without damage if an electric oil pump is installed in the trans cooler lines.

I am continually amazed at bull crap products on the market that designers make & sell without regard, knowledge or care of the subsequent damage that can be associated with the products use.

Quick example: A fellow at Bike Week was displaying and taking orders for a bike trailer he designed. The sales pitch: "You do not need tie down straps or wheel chocks with this trailer". His hold down system was a metal bar with tabs bolted to the trailer frame & bolted to the front rotor of the bike. He was obviously clueless that brake rotors are not designed to withstand lateral loading & must rotate true within .004 of an inch.

[Cruzader66]

The photo is actually from an eBay auction:
Motorcycle Trailer Carrier Tow Dolly Hauler Rack Hitch Sport Bike | eBay

I see these type of setups go for anywhere from $75 to $300. Most of these manufacturers say there's no problem with the transmission, unless you have a shaft drive. Oddly enough, I only see ads for them, I've never seen one in use on the road.

[rquest]

Originally Posted by yamaweezle

You can pick up a brand new 8'x5' utility trailer for around $500...A nice used one for half of that.

.

Not defending anything but I was looking a few weeks ago and couldn't find anything close to twice that price. And like I said, what if you don't have room to store a trailer, and you wouldn't have to register it. You could take the belt off of the rear wheel if you're going a long distance.

[LeaderDuece]

You can get them at Home Depot for that price. And in some states like mine you don't have to register small trailers.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[yamaweezle]

Originally Posted by rquest

Not defending anything but I was looking a few weeks ago and couldn't find anything close to twice that price. And like I said, what if you don't have room to store a trailer, and you wouldn't have to register it. You could take the belt off of the rear wheel if you're going a long distance.

Here's a folding 4'x8' for under $300 new...just add a sheet of 3/4" plywood, and a cheap wheel chock. I'd rather pay the registration, than pull the belt. I got my 5'x8' utility, steel floor, gate ramp, steel railings, and 12" wheels for around $500 at a local farm supply store. They're out there. Like I said, if you find a used one, they go for cheap.

***Clicky*** 950 Lb. Capacity Foldable 4 Ft. x 8 Ft. Utility Trailer with 8" Wheels and Tires

[DFW_Warrior]

Harbor Freight for the win! I have several friends who have pulled their bikes all over this country with Harbor Freight trailers and they have had no issues. If you want to make them bomb proof, once you bolt them all together and make sure they are square, you just weld them up. You then have a very good folding trailer for not much money at all.

[p-wii]

There is also a company called trailer in a bag who has a very nice product. The trailer when disassembled in about 5 minutes with no tools fits in the trunk of a standard sedan. It does cost a pretty penny but has several advantages over standard trailers...... Storage, registration, total towing weight, can be towed with a car and save on gas which allows more trips!

[Luv2LafMcc]

I just bought a Trailer in a bag on crags list for $400. Its great. I tow it with a nissan maxima. Gives me lots of options. Fits easily under my front porch storage area. It really does assemble as easily as they advertise. 100% comfortable putting my warrior on it.

FYI - there is a company that makes a TOWING cover: Geza Gear Stretch Fit Towable Motorcycle Covers Use


In my search, I found a similar front wheel only product that i decided against, and after reading Church's post, Im glad i didn't get it : Tow-ster







here's a great video of the trailer in a bag:

Trailer in a Bag - YouTube

Trailer in a Bag - YouTube