Home made trailers?

[bigdoghd]

I was looking at a few companies that sell small framed utility trailers with no top. I know Sears and Thule sell nice cargo boxes that are lockable. That would give you more than enough room for a cooler, tent, sleeping bags, folding chairs and cooking gear without loading your bike down. Plus the weight factor of the trailer is under 150lbs. Since we have a fab shop, wouldn't take much to dress it up at bit either. Alot of these 4 man tents are light weight and easy to set up, no different than setting up your motorcycle camper with a lot less cost involved and more space? Any pro's or con's?

[excotec]

I came across this site a while ago. http://www.gadgetjq.com/trailer.htm

[tourusaon2]

I was looking at a few companies that sell small framed utility trailers with no top. I know Sears and Thule sell nice cargo boxes that are lockable. That would give you more than enough room for a cooler, tent, sleeping bags, folding chairs and cooking gear without loading your bike down. Plus the weight factor of the trailer is under 150lbs. Since we have a fab shop, wouldn't take much to dress it up at bit either. Alot of these 4 man tents are light weight and easy to set up, no different than setting up your motorcycle camper with a lot less cost involved and more space? Any pro's or con's?

I bought an Aspen Classic because it is very well made and you sleep up off the ground. If you are looking for a well made cargo trailer check out the Backpacker sold by Trailmaster. It has a square tube frame and they sell it for under $700. I think they are only about 40 miles from you. www.trailmasterinc.com

[SidecarMike]

The only problem I've encountered with car top boxes, is that many of them are quite flimsy. Our first trailer was made with the Sears Xcargo boxes, and we went through three tops in one season. The tops were a stiff plastic and the bottoms were ABS, like a kayak or cheap canoe.
I see no problem with it if you go for a well made box. You might take a look at one of these as well. http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=66771&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=
http://images.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/66700-66799/66771.gif
The local store frequently puts them on sale for $299. If you sign up for their mailing list, they'll send you a 20% off coupon every so often. Great way to find out if you like towing and easy to sell on Craigslist if you don't. P^

[G wizz]

http://images.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/66700-66799/66771.gif
The local store frequently puts them on sale for $299. If you sign up for their mailing list, they'll send you a 20% off coupon every so often. Great way to find out if you like towing and easy to sell on Craigslist if you don't. P^

I've noticed quite a few magizines have Harbor Freight adds in 'em with the 20% off coupon, just clip out the coupon, and head to the Store ...

G wizz

[bigdoghd]

Yep that is exactly what I was thinking. However looking at how close Trailmaster was,I'm sure I could take a run over there and get in trouble.Slowly but surely I'm warming up to this? Now ..... the hurdle of putting a hitch on my mistress (Ultra). Now you guys are making it too easy. The cargo trailer if it doesn't destroy the ride of the Ultra, would solve a lot of issues with bringing equipment that makes camping very enjoyable.

I'd have to hide it from my son and shop guys, next thing you knonw it will have flat screen, air ride, invertor and the list goes on, kind a pimp my trailer thing!

[G wizz]

Yep that is exactly what I was thinking. However looking at how close Trailmaster was,I'm sure I could take a run over there and get in trouble.Slowly but surely I'm warming up to this? Now ..... the hurdle of putting a hitch on my mistress (Ultra). Now you guys are making it too easy. The cargo trailer if it doesn't destroy the ride of the Ultra, would solve a lot of issues with bringing equipment that makes camping very enjoyable.

I'd have to hide it from my son and shop guys, next thing you knonw it will have flat screen, air ride, invertor and the list goes on, kind a pimp my trailer thing!

The hitch is no hurdle ... Give McHitch a call ... they'll fix ya right up. P^

[Mellow]

Yep that is exactly what I was thinking. However looking at how close Trailmaster was,I'm sure I could take a run over there and get in trouble.Slowly but surely I'm warming up to this? Now ..... the hurdle of putting a hitch on my mistress (Ultra). Now you guys are making it too easy. The cargo trailer if it doesn't destroy the ride of the Ultra, would solve a lot of issues with bringing equipment that makes camping very enjoyable.

I'd have to hide it from my son and shop guys, next thing you knonw it will have flat screen, air ride, invertor and the list goes on, kind a pimp my trailer thing!

Don't let them get a hold of an Aluma MCT Trailer..

http://www.thomasamerican.com/trailers_for_sale_inventory.asp?Category=MCT&TrailerType=All

[DILLIGAF61]

don't worry about a lil ole cargo trailer
now when you join the big boys who know all about comfort and get yourself a camper then worry about your son trying to pimp it and use it all the time

[bigdoghd]

Don't let them get a hold of an Aluma MCT Trailer..

http://www.thomasamerican.com/trailers_for_sale_inventory.asp?Category=MCT&TrailerType=All

Dang that's a pretty nice little trailer, I like Mellow! Dam the trip is around corner. I'm canceling my trip to Memphis tomorrow, then have to deside about this trip. Honestly if I go solo, I'd have pretty much more than enough rim on the ultra for a three - four day trip. I went to a sporting good store yesterday and they had a few brands that would fit on my luggage rack and the sleeping bag on the back seat. I'm goning to take a ride to trailmasters maybe tomorrow, if they have something I just may come home with it then it's a no brainer and I'd talk the wife into it. I left a email for Laurie, there was one cabin left, if that's still there I'd take it and come for sure.

[Mellow]

Dang that's a pretty nice little trailer, I like Mellow! Dam the trip is around corner. I'm canceling my trip to Memphis tomorrow, then have to deside about this trip. Honestly if I go solo, I'd have pretty much more than enough rim on the ultra for a three - four day trip. I went to a sporting good store yesterday and they had a few brands that would fit on my luggage rack and the sleeping bag on the back seat. I'm goning to take a ride to trailmasters maybe tomorrow, if they have something I just may come home with it then it's a no brainer and I'd talk the wife into it. I left a email for Laurie, there was one cabin left, if that's still there I'd take it and come for sure.

Hey, it will be great if you can make it. Even if you get a cabin or need to find a nearby hotel, you'll be able to still make the event and you'll see a lot of different camping setups.. It's not easy to jump in without seeing examples of what others have done... keep us updated.

[bigdoghd]

Yes Joe that's a very good point. Plus your meeting a lot of people that have experienced it and get things first hand. We'll just have to see, like I sad it looks like a king bed cabin was still open, shich still would be close to the group.

[G wizz]

Well ... What ya waiting for ??? :well ... Rent the cabin already :ph1:

Who knows ... Maybe you can sub-let the loft ... P^

[SCoffman1]

If anyone is interested in building this trailer, let me know. This is one that I built several years ago. I have some pictures and notes on the construction in a ZIP file that I can send you. Just email me at scoffman@gmail.com

Steve

[Mellow]

If anyone is interested in building this trailer, let me know. This is one that I built several years ago. I have some pictures and notes on the construction in a ZIP file that I can send you. Just email me at scoffman@gmail.com

Steve

That's very nice... if you want an article with all the instructions and pics on the site let's do it.. great work.

[ImRubicon]

If anyone is interested in building this trailer, let me know. This is one that I built several years ago. I have some pictures and notes on the construction in a ZIP file that I can send you. Just email me at scoffman@gmail.com

Steve

That looks like a good cargo trailer and looks nice too

[welmack]

This is a trailer we used for two trips to the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. We also pulled it on many trips to wife's dad in East Texas

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/welmack1/GL1500%20and%20Homemade%20trailer/Goldwings009.jpg

It was built on a 2 inch angle iron frame and decked with expanded metal deck.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/welmack1/GL1500%20and%20Homemade%20trailer/Goldwings007.jpg

I used LED lights on it because it was originally pulled with a GL1200.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/welmack1/GL1500%20and%20Homemade%20trailer/Goldwings005.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/welmack1/GL1500%20and%20Homemade%20trailer/Goldwings004.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/welmack1/GL1500%20and%20Homemade%20trailer/Goldwings012.jpg

This was a heavy little cuss but it sure pulled good. We used the front of frame to load our tent and air mattress. This left more room inside. It was heavy enought that you couldn't lift it even empty, but we pulled it loaded over mountain passes without any problem.

[smith8833]

I looked at the Harbor Freight site, they list the spare tires as 55 MPH MAXIMUM. Anyone had any problems?

[smith8833]

Makes sence G Wizz thanks.

[bandit428]

I have both there 4x4 and 4x8 foot trailers with 12 inch tires. and have had no problem towing either at 55,65,70. I do keep max tir pressure in both (what stated on the tire it self) The small trailer towing with the bike at 65 tows fine. The large which tows the bike a gsxr1000 as well as gear and tools at app 70,75 from Pa To NC we had no problem with either.