Cheap Trailer

[jmtracin]

We decided to build the cheapest trailer you could. Bought a set of torsion axles,tire & wheel combination, found some scrap metal, a used ball hitch, and some 3/4" plywood. Found a old cargo box for $10.00 bolted it together. It weighs less than 100lbs. We made a 250mile trip with about 100lbs in the trailer pulled by a 600cc Honda Shadow 2-up with no problems. My sons fuel mileage was 40--47mpg. speed was 60mph. Now you can't haul your house with this, but you can get groceries, and have fun watching everybody turn there heads. We also built the hitch on the bike from scrap. All less than $300.00. Soooo what do think?

[Mellow]

Looks good.. any reason why you didn't connect the axles to the center piece? I've seen a lot of cargo trailers that have them welded.

[jmtracin]

Ran out of scrap metal!!!!!

[Mr. Guy]

Looks like it will work to me, but I would check the bolts pretty often. They'll work loose in that plywood if your not careful.

Guy

[G wizz]

Geese ... I sure hope you don't have termites in Missouri. To them, it would be a rolling lunch wagon. :D :D

G wizz

[TJ Willy]

I'm with guy on the bolts/washers working loose into the plywood. Using some large light steel plates say, 3x3 or larger if there is room would help to slow down the wear.

Did y'all roll those fenders?

Great work!

[aussieultra]

JMTracin, I would be interested in a few photos of the hitch you put together for the Honda 600. I have been wanting to put a hitch on my wifes 750 Aero and am sick of being told it can't be done by all the local "know all's".

We only want to hook a light trailer behind it to carry a few of life's little luxuries.

[Mr. Guy]

When I was in High School, the local Yamaha mechanic rode a Maxim 550, 2-up with the wife, and pulled a trailer. They rode all over like that, don't let the "know alls" tell you it can't be done.

Guy

[aussieultra]

My main concern was making the hitch solid both vertically and horizontally because the Aero has so few points where I could mount the brackets. I have already decided I will have to put a bracket under the guard and there is plent of clearance for that, but my concern is where to mount the side brackets to give it the strength I want.

[G wizz]

My main concern was making the hitch solid both vertically and horizontally because the Aero has so few points where I could mount the brackets. I have already decided I will have to put a bracket under the guard and there is plent of clearance for that, but my concern is where to mount the side brackets to give it the strength I want.

You might want to take a look at a trailer hitch made for a Harley Davadson Softail, and kinda copy how they are made.
Those don't have good mountng locations either. The one I made for my wife's softail was a copy of a MCHITCH hitch.

G wizz

[aussieultra]

G wizz, thanks for the lead. I visited their web site and have asked them for some info.

[greybeard]

run your side brackets up to where the passenger pegs mount this is far enough forward so it won't stress the swing arm at the tail run an upright strap from the side bracket up to the seat base your set

[cyates72]

Nice trailer. However, I would check the bolts and add some loctite to ensure they don't go anywhere.

[Yamifj1200]

We decided to build the cheapest trailer you could. Bought a set of torsion axles,tire & wheel combination, found some scrap metal, a used ball hitch, and some 3/4" plywood. Found a old cargo box for $10.00 bolted it together. It weighs less than 100lbs. We made a 250mile trip with about 100lbs in the trailer pulled by a 600cc Honda Shadow 2-up with no problems. My sons fuel mileage was 40--47mpg. speed was 60mph. Now you can't haul your house with this, but you can get groceries, and have fun watching everybody turn there heads. We also built the hitch on the bike from scrap. All less than $300.00. Soooo what do think?



I think you did a great job. You are a true modifyer. Who says you have to spend big bucks on a motorcycle trailer. You may have some things to tweak along your way but well done. Frank you see that? You need one of these behind your FJ and by the way you got room for a few things......... LOL


Eric

[Racerman27410]

. Frank you see that? You need one of these behind your FJ and by the way you got room for a few things......... LOL


Eric


i got enough room for what i need to carry.... i am concerned a trailer would hurt the bikes handling too much in the twisty bits

Kookaloo!

Frank

[jmtracin]

Just a quick update-- trailer just took a 2,000 miles trip from Missouri to Texas and back no problems!!!!

[Ironheadziggy76]

A buddy and I were talking about trying a set of torsion springs on a trailer today, this post and pics will come in very handy! P^ Thanks for sharing them. Your trailer looks just like the size I would like to build to go behind my Road King. Great job! P^

[les1234]

Where did you get the torsion axles for your trailer? Did they come as a set with wheels and fenders?

[G wizz]

If you want a motorcycle trailer made cheap, look into the small Harbor Freight trailer kits. They come with everything, including the frame, axle, springs, and tires, and also wiring & lights. When the kits are on sale, you can pick one up for less than $140.00 complete.

With a little modification, they make a sweet little trailer, The one I made, I narrowed the frame to 36" and shortened the axle to match. I shortened the frame to 40". and used a length of 2X2X1/8 square tubing for the tongue that was 14" longer than the H.F. tongue.
I removed all the extra leaves from the spring packs and used only the main springs.
I then mounted the springs under the axle insted of on top, in order to lower the whole trailer.
For the cargo box, I found a like new Coleman cartop carrier on e-bay, cheap.
I finished it off with a set of LED tail lights.
The total cost for the whole thing was less than $225.00
Don't be miss led about having to have a torsion axle under a motorcycle trailer, if built properly, leaf springs will work just as well, and are much less expensive.
We've had people ask where we bought our little trailer, and are supprised to learn it is homemade.
The trailer really looks cool, weighs 110 pounds empty, and pulls like a dream, it pulls so easy my wife pulls it behind her Heritage Softail. She says she doesn't even notice it behind her bike.
We just got back from a 2000 mile trip with it, and I can guarantee that if there had been any problem with pulling it, she would have let me known in no uncertian terms.

G wizz

[les1234]

Yes, I think those HF trailers are on sale now. I wasn't thinking there was any magic in the torsion axles, just that it looked like a possiblly lighter trailer than the HF one, it says 130lb for just the trailer on the website. But I guess there's a few extr pounds in those extra spring leaves, as well as the savings if you narrow the frame.I'm probably going to go the same route you did, but I was also thinking about some of those torsion axles bolted directly to some kind of aluminum toolbox, if I could find one the right size.

[Offroad Mike]

Yes, I think those HF trailers are on sale now. I wasn't thinking there was any magic in the torsion axles, just that it looked like a possiblly lighter trailer than the HF one, it says 130lb for just the trailer on the website. But I guess there's a few extr pounds in those extra spring leaves, as well as the savings if you narrow the frame.I'm probably going to go the same route you did, but I was also thinking about some of those torsion axles bolted directly to some kind of aluminum toolbox, if I could find one the right size.

I know some HF trailer modders remove all but the main leaf in the springs to shave weight. I too am considering torsion to save even more weight and would like to know where the OP got them.

[CaptRon]

I too am considering torsion to save even more weight and would like to know where the OP got them.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200335740_200335740

I don't know where he got them, but Northern Tool has a nice selection of trailer assessories including tires, axles, springs, hubs, etc.

This torsion arrangement seems a little pricey. There's still a lot left to buy.

Ron

[G wizz]

I know some HF trailer modders remove all but the main leaf in the springs to shave weight. I too am considering torsion to save even more weight and would like to know where the OP got them.

Offroad Mike:
You may be suprised to learn that a set of torsion springs will actually weigh the same or more than using a single leaf spring setup.

G wizz

[bigTom]

Six Roblees. We don't have them down here, but I know they are around the Northern tier states. Great selection of trailer parts, and small trailers too, for that matter.

Oh, and Farm Supply, too. Lots of possibilities...

[Ironheadziggy76]

I scored a freebie car top carrier so now I have a winter project for sure.

G wizz if you happen to come across the plans for the hitch you built for your Glide let me know.

Then I can add you to the wife's list of people who help me spend money! :D P^

[G wizz]

I scored a freebie car top carrier so now I have a winter project for sure.

G wizz if you happen to come across the plans for the hitch you built for your Glide let me know.

Then I can add you to the wife's list of people who help me spend money! :D P^

Ziggy ...
I'll look for those plans, but I don't need a scalping from you wife. :D :D

G wizz

[Ironheadziggy76]

Zigg ...
I'll look for those plans, but I don't need a scalping from you wife. :D :D

G wizz

Her bark is worse than her bite! Everytime I talk about buying camping gear she asks, "Who have you been talking to on MotoCampers?" :D

[jmtracin]

Hey everbody, sorry I haven't replied sooner, I've been busy onmy Gl1500 MT + Rolla-a-home you know!!! We got the torzion axles from a company called Rigid good price!! But really just wanted to get away from those rattling springs!!Also to get the center of gravity down. Its down low and it doesn't drag on anything and you dont see a ugly box frame JMO

[Mr. Guy]

Pics please! I'd like to see how it looks.

Guy

[TWT Rider]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and hope you're all doing well

Now 300 bucks for a rolling trailer, that's a pretty good deal

[Ironheadziggy76]

Welcome to the site TWT Rider! Lots of great folks on here, and a wealth of information! P^

[jmtracin]

Sorry Guy's trailer is put up in rafters, & bike in the basement!!!!

[quadancer]

No offense to the O.P., but at first glance I thought it was a BBQ.

[kitesurfer]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and hope you're all doing well

Now 300 bucks for a rolling trailer, that's a pretty good deal

judging from your picture, i think you may be a FACEBOOK friend :) love the 3rd wheels:)