WTB: used motorcycle trailer

[egetaseb]

Looking for a cheap used trailer for extra cargo on long distant trips. I do not mind a fixer upper but it has to be in or near New Jersey so I can pick up.

[Jared]

Have you thought about making one from the Harbor Freight trailer? Several people on here have done it and it seems to work just fine. I doubt you'll find one for much cheaper either.

[egetaseb]

Honestly, I have not. How technical do I have to be to build one by myself?

[Jared]

The trailer come already made and you just add a car top carrier.

http://www.gadgetjq.com/trailer.htm

[oldbikers]

You need to cut the HF trailer down it is to wide.

[poppy]

Originally Posted by oldbikers

You need to cut the HF trailer down it is to wide.

That was fairly easy, even for me! I used my miter/chop saw with a metal cutting blade. I used a cargo box smaller than the Sears X-Cargo20; I used a Thule Sidekick. I may eventually cut it even narrower.....maybe.

[billz410]

Harbour Freight also has this unit, which would be about as ready-to-go out of the box as you could get, I would think....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=66771

Nice job on that trailer, Poppy.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

Have you thought about making one from the Harbor Freight trailer? Several people on here have done it and it seems to work just fine. I doubt you'll find one for much cheaper either.

Here's mine...a Harbor Freight frame with a cargo box from Pep Boys. Towed it over 3500 miles this past summer from Phoenix to Custer and back.

[delivery58]

I have one For Sale, but I'm in Idaho... sorry. Search "piggybacker trailer", I've heard they work well. Similar to the Harbor Freight. Some have suggested making a longer tongue on the Harbor Freight models. Some say there is a "rule of thumb" (correct me if I'm wrong) ... The distance from the tip of tongue to the center point (between the wheels / axles) should be twice the distance measured between the wheels.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by delivery58

I have one For Sale, but I'm in Idaho... sorry. Search "piggybacker trailer", I've heard they work well. Similar to the Harbor Freight. Some have suggested making a longer tongue on the Harbor Freight models. Some say there is a "rule of thumb" (correct me if I'm wrong) ... The distance from the tip of tongue to the center point (between the wheels / axles) should be twice the distance measured between the wheels.

You're pretty close. The tongue length from the tip to the axle should be 1.5-2.0 times the width from hub to hub. Usually measured between the centerline of the tire tread. It doesn't have to be exact.

So if you have 36" center-to-center between the tires, the tongue should be somewhere between 54" and 72". The longer the tongue, the less sway you'll see at the trailer.

[coacha]

I didn't cut mine down at all. It tracks true and no wag.

[cactusjack]

I cut mine down about 4" so the cargo carrier fits right between the fenders. It's still wider than I'd like, but I can't cut it down any more and still use the same cargo box.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by delivery58

I have one For Sale, but I'm in Idaho... sorry. Search "piggybacker trailer", I've heard they work well. Similar to the Harbor Freight. Some have suggested making a longer tongue on the Harbor Freight models. Some say there is a "rule of thumb" (correct me if I'm wrong) ... The distance from the tip of tongue to the center point (between the wheels / axles) should be twice the distance measured between the wheels.

I'm in Utah, not too far from you. PM me you cost and some info on the trailer. I haven't considered it too much, but if the price is right, I might come up and get it.