Interesting trailer idea

cactusjack · 10-02-2008, 12:31 PM

I know some of you are thinking about building a trailer, so I thought I'd post this example. I found this trailer someone built and posted pictures of in the Delphi Forum Motorcycle Towing board. He started with the same basic Harbor Freight frame I did and used a Sears car top carrier. What's unique is that he re-sized the frame so that it closely matches the footprint of the carrier and then he skirted it with diamond-plate. It gives it a very clean look. It's one of those "now why didn't I think of that?" things...

phenrichs · 10-02-2008, 04:29 PM

Makes a nice base to mount lights on too.

cactusjack · 10-02-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OP

Makes a nice base to mount lights on too.

That diamond-plate aluminum is expensive stuff if you have to buy it retail. It does look nice, though.

blowndodge · 10-02-2008, 05:52 PM

Can you do yours over???

In pink..

cactusjack · 10-02-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Can you so yours over???

In pink..

Haha, nice try.

gghost · 10-02-2008, 10:27 PM

CJ, wonder what it weighs?

cactusjack · 10-02-2008, 11:41 PM

I'll try to find out the weight.

cactusjack · 10-03-2008, 09:26 AM

The builder of the trailer estimates the weight to be about 180 pounds, about 20 of which is aluminum diamond-plate.

gghost · 10-03-2008, 09:57 PM

So, sharp looking but cuts down on maximum towing capability.

Hey, wait a minute, isn't that about the weight you estimated your to be? ??? ??? ???
Don't see how that could be unless you have some heavy plywood on that bumper.

cactusjack · 10-03-2008, 11:06 PM

All I know is what the builder told me. I know a basic HF trailer weighs around 130#, and the cartop carrier is probably another 30-35#, so 180# seems about right. Towing a trailer like that with a Nomad, you could haul 220 pounds of stuff. That's a couple of pony kegs and some ice.

macmac · 10-04-2008, 04:34 PM

CJ, Can you tell if the axel was shortened? It looks like it to me...

I like the tall struts too, and the way he fitted the diamond plate under the carrier rim.. it needs a cooler holder though.. I dunno about you but i bring beers...

A really long rifle case might be good too. ;

cactusjack · 10-04-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

CJ, Can you tell if the axel was shortened? It looks like it to me...

I like the tall struts too, and the way he fitted the diamond plate under the carrier rim.. it needs a cooler holder though.. I dunno about you but i bring beers...

A really long rifle case might be good too. ;

Beers? Now that's a great idea... ::)

He had to have shortened the axle, because the Sears cartop carrier isn't that wide. I asked him about the struts and he said he made them out of 1/2" conduit. Not sure how he did it. I'd like mine to open up that high.

vv0350 · 10-12-2008, 08:31 AM

Just a thought...before anyone decides to build a trailer...we found and bought a PiggyBacker M/C trailer on the net...paid about $700.00 or so total delivered...brand new.....chrome wheels and spare...very nicely painted and made....only 177 lbs empty...pulled it from Oklahoma to California and up the cost and back last year....it pulled easy/great...and had more than enough room for everyting we wanted to take..I had been thinking about building prior to the purchase..took me only about 2 hours to put it together..just a thought..

vv0350 · 10-12-2008, 08:31 AM

Just a thought...before anyone decides to build a trailer...we found and bought a PiggyBacker M/C trailer on the net...paid about $700.00 or so total delivered...brand new.....chrome wheels and spare...very nicely painted and made....only 177 lbs empty...pulled it from Oklahoma to California and up the cost and back last year....it pulled easy/great...and had more than enough room for everyting we wanted to take..I had been thinking about building prior to the purchase..took me only about 2 hours to put it together..just a thought..

cactusjack · 10-12-2008, 09:11 AM

I'm the type that likes to tinker and engineer things - that's why I built my own. I know I could have bought a commercially built unit and it may have even cost less, but part of the fun was doing it myself. Not everyone may have the tools, the time, or the desire to build their own, so this is a great option.

10-02-2008, 12:31 PM	#1
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Interesting trailer idea I know some of you are thinking about building a trailer, so I thought I'd post this example. I found this trailer someone built and posted pictures of in the Delphi Forum Motorcycle Towing board. He started with the same basic Harbor Freight frame I did and used a Sears car top carrier. What's unique is that he re-sized the frame so that it closely matches the footprint of the carrier and then he skirted it with diamond-plate. It gives it a very clean look. It's one of those "now why didn't I think of that?" things... __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-02-2008, 04:29 PM	#2
phenrichs Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 2,498	Interesting trailer idea Makes a nice base to mount lights on too.
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10-02-2008, 05:52 PM	#4
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Interesting trailer idea Can you do yours over??? In pink.. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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10-02-2008, 10:27 PM	#6
gghost Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 626	Interesting trailer idea CJ, wonder what it weighs? __________________ gghost
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10-02-2008, 11:41 PM	#7
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Interesting trailer idea I'll try to find out the weight. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-03-2008, 09:26 AM	#8
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Interesting trailer idea The builder of the trailer estimates the weight to be about 180 pounds, about 20 of which is aluminum diamond-plate. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-03-2008, 09:57 PM	#9
gghost Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 626	Interesting trailer idea So, sharp looking but cuts down on maximum towing capability. Hey, wait a minute, isn't that about the weight you estimated your to be? ??? ??? ??? Don't see how that could be unless you have some heavy plywood on that bumper. __________________ gghost
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10-03-2008, 11:06 PM	#10
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Interesting trailer idea All I know is what the builder told me. I know a basic HF trailer weighs around 130#, and the cartop carrier is probably another 30-35#, so 180# seems about right. Towing a trailer like that with a Nomad, you could haul 220 pounds of stuff. That's a couple of pony kegs and some ice. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-04-2008, 04:34 PM	#11
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Interesting trailer idea CJ, Can you tell if the axel was shortened? It looks like it to me... I like the tall struts too, and the way he fitted the diamond plate under the carrier rim.. it needs a cooler holder though.. I dunno about you but i bring beers... A really long rifle case might be good too. ; __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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10-12-2008, 08:31 AM	#13
vv0350 Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 38	Interesting trailer idea Just a thought...before anyone decides to build a trailer...we found and bought a PiggyBacker M/C trailer on the net...paid about $700.00 or so total delivered...brand new.....chrome wheels and spare...very nicely painted and made....only 177 lbs empty...pulled it from Oklahoma to California and up the cost and back last year....it pulled easy/great...and had more than enough room for everyting we wanted to take..I had been thinking about building prior to the purchase..took me only about 2 hours to put it together..just a thought..
	0

10-12-2008, 09:11 AM	#15
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Interesting trailer idea I'm the type that likes to tinker and engineer things - that's why I built my own. I know I could have bought a commercially built unit and it may have even cost less, but part of the fun was doing it myself. Not everyone may have the tools, the time, or the desire to build their own, so this is a great option. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

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