Trailer Preference

mrtelefoneman1 · 05-02-2011, 11:19 PM

For those of you who pull trailers, I am going to Harbor Freight and putting together a trailer this weekend. The wifey and I like to go a-camping. What tire size do you prefer.....8" or 12". I have heard that the 12" handles better. Any help is appreciated.

The Fone Man

cactusjack · 05-02-2011, 11:25 PM

The 8" sits lower and is easier to match up with a motorcycle hitch, which is quite low. I towed one with 8" wheels from Phoenix to Custer and back and it handled fine.

The biggest thing regardless of wheel size, is to clean out the Vaseline-like grease the Harbor Freight bearings come packed with and pack with a quality, high-temp wheel bearing grease before using it.

mrtelefoneman1 · 05-02-2011, 11:36 PM

Thanks CJ. I also heard about repacking the bearings. Hope you're enjoying that new Wilie G.-mobile.

blowndodge · 05-02-2011, 11:48 PM

I'm sure he is !!!!

peterdarby · 05-03-2011, 06:13 AM

I use the standard tires on the harbor freight trailer without a problem. I just came back from two 7 hour rides (out and back) with no heat buildup or any problems.

cactusjack · 05-03-2011, 09:42 AM

I will also add that I felt the hubs, checking for heat at most stops. Never felt hot, even after a 150 mile run down I-15 at 80-85 MPH.

Here's a photo of my trailer:

blowndodge · 05-03-2011, 12:41 PM

:-[ :'(

lonewolf · 05-03-2011, 01:10 PM

you may want to replace the tongue on the harbor freight with a longer one. rule of thumb is tongue length 1 1/2 longer than the width of the axle. cuts down on trailer wobble, especially if your adding a cooler rack to the front.
i have the 8 inch wheels, multiple 500 mile runs to sturgis, loaded heavy and never a problem, also removed the helper spring for a smoother ride. run my tires at 25 psi.

mrtelefoneman1 · 05-04-2011, 10:20 PM

OK. All that having been said, both trailers are the same price this week. So which would you choose?

Bull Durham · 05-04-2011, 11:06 PM

I just bought the HF two months ago? It's just stock, did nothing with the tongue length, etc. Was just running it down the highway today between 80 - 85 mph, no problems. Couldn't even tell it was being pulled, had to keep looking in my mirror just to verify it was still there.

cactusjack · 05-04-2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bull Durham

I just bought the HF two months ago? It's just stock, did nothing with the tongue length, etc. Was just running it down the highway today between 80 - 85 mph, no problems. Couldn't even tell it was being pulled, had to keep looking in my mirror just to verify it was still there.

Empty? The tongue length formula exists for a reason. A longer tongue will pull straighter. Loaded trailers with a short tongue can end up "wagging", like a dog's tail. That's something you don't want on a bike.

Bull Durham · 05-05-2011, 03:24 PM

I didn't have a lot in it, but it definately wasn't loaded down. CJ, I do like the looks of your car topper on your trailer. Did you buy the HF trailer without the top, then put your own top on it? Looks nice.

cactusjack · 05-05-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bull Durham

I didn't have a lot in it, but it definately wasn't loaded down. CJ, I do like the looks of your car topper on your trailer. Did you buy the HF trailer without the top, then put your own top on it? Looks nice.

Thanks! Yeah it's the HF trailer with a cartop carrier I got from Pep Boys. It's thicker than the Sears boxes. I cut down the width of the trailer so the box just fits between the fenders.

That was my big project 3 years ago. I don't know if I'll ever use it with the new bike. I towed it to Custer and back and that's the last time it was hooked up. I have figured out how to carry enough gear without it. If I traveled 2-up I would probably use it.

Bull Durham · 05-05-2011, 03:36 PM

I like the hubcaps you have on there. Wasn't that you the other day that posted a link for hubcaps from a golf cart website? Is that where you got yours?

cactusjack · 05-05-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bull Durham

I like the hubcaps you have on there. Wasn't that you the other day that posted a link for hubcaps from a golf cart website? Is that where you got yours?

Yeah I posted that link. I bought my hubcaps from a Goldwing accessories vendor. They no longer carry them.

05-02-2011, 11:19 PM	#1
mrtelefoneman1 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 315	Trailer Preference For those of you who pull trailers, I am going to Harbor Freight and putting together a trailer this weekend. The wifey and I like to go a-camping. What tire size do you prefer.....8" or 12". I have heard that the 12" handles better. Any help is appreciated. The Fone Man Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-02-2011, 11:25 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Trailer Preference The 8" sits lower and is easier to match up with a motorcycle hitch, which is quite low. I towed one with 8" wheels from Phoenix to Custer and back and it handled fine. The biggest thing regardless of wheel size, is to clean out the Vaseline-like grease the Harbor Freight bearings come packed with and pack with a quality, high-temp wheel bearing grease before using it. __________________ 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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05-02-2011, 11:36 PM	#3
mrtelefoneman1 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 315	Trailer Preference Thanks CJ. I also heard about repacking the bearings. Hope you're enjoying that new Wilie G.-mobile.
	0

05-02-2011, 11:48 PM	#4
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Trailer Preference I'm sure he is !!!! __________________ 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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05-03-2011, 06:13 AM	#5
peterdarby Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Manassas Va. Posts: 286	Trailer Preference I use the standard tires on the harbor freight trailer without a problem. I just came back from two 7 hour rides (out and back) with no heat buildup or any problems. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-03-2011, 09:42 AM	#6
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Trailer Preference I will also add that I felt the hubs, checking for heat at most stops. Never felt hot, even after a 150 mile run down I-15 at 80-85 MPH. Here's a photo of my trailer: __________________ 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

05-03-2011, 12:41 PM	#7
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Trailer Preference :-[ :'( __________________ 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
	0

05-03-2011, 01:10 PM	#8
lonewolf Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: central mn. Posts: 545	Trailer Preference you may want to replace the tongue on the harbor freight with a longer one. rule of thumb is tongue length 1 1/2 longer than the width of the axle. cuts down on trailer wobble, especially if your adding a cooler rack to the front. i have the 8 inch wheels, multiple 500 mile runs to sturgis, loaded heavy and never a problem, also removed the helper spring for a smoother ride. run my tires at 25 psi. __________________ Kawanow # 370 2007 red and titanium nomad Darksider
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05-04-2011, 10:20 PM	#9
mrtelefoneman1 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 315	Trailer Preference OK. All that having been said, both trailers are the same price this week. So which would you choose?
	0

05-04-2011, 11:06 PM	#10
Bull Durham Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA area Posts: 785	Trailer Preference I just bought the HF two months ago? It's just stock, did nothing with the tongue length, etc. Was just running it down the highway today between 80 - 85 mph, no problems. Couldn't even tell it was being pulled, had to keep looking in my mirror just to verify it was still there. __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad VBA #1608 KZR #25622
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05-05-2011, 03:24 PM	#12
Bull Durham Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA area Posts: 785	Trailer Preference I didn't have a lot in it, but it definately wasn't loaded down. CJ, I do like the looks of your car topper on your trailer. Did you buy the HF trailer without the top, then put your own top on it? Looks nice. __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad VBA #1608 KZR #25622
	0

05-05-2011, 03:36 PM	#14
Bull Durham Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA area Posts: 785	Trailer Preference I like the hubcaps you have on there. Wasn't that you the other day that posted a link for hubcaps from a golf cart website? Is that where you got yours? __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad VBA #1608 KZR #25622
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