Building a Pull-Behind Trailer

10395 Views 51 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Paranoid, Sep 30, 2005

Patch

Discussion Starter · Aug 31, 2005

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I am getting ready to build a pull-behind trailer for my GoldWing. Has anyone built their own trailers? If so and you have pictures, I would like to see them. I am trying to get some ideas and have hit a stumbling point. Also, if you run into any problems, I would like to hear of them.

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Tonys96

· #2 · Aug 31, 2005

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Go to your local "Harbor Freight" buy one of their small utility trailers (~130.00) then go to Sears and buy a 21 Cubic Foot cartop carrier, (~150.00) then to the local metal supply store for a piece of "Diamond Plate" aluminum get out the drill make some holes, apply some silicone and sure as "Bob's your uncle" there's your trailer for about $300.00.

Or you can look on line, maybe find a few parts a little cheaper, or pay someone else about $200.00 to put one together for you.

Patch

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 31, 2005

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Have already been this route. I am planning on the H.F. trailer as you get everything for a very attractive price. I have a very large car top carrier that I got for free.

(If you go to Yahoo and then click ok groups, you can find local groups for your area. There is a hand-to-hand group in Wichita. I posted that I wanted a carrier and within about 2 hours, I had one free of charge.)

I found this picture. It is a car top carrier but they have built around the lower portion with diamond plate. Very nice looking and make a nice finished look instead of a carrier sitting on a trailer.

I was just wanting to see other ideas that other members might have dreamed up. I like being a little different and would like to get some ideas.

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Ruaidh

· #4 · Aug 31, 2005

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This is exactly what I was going to do until I found the bike I bought that came with it's own matching trailer. Bike and trailer ('85 1200a) for $5k. I felt it was worth it. But the paint on bike and trailer both match and the tow package was already mounted on the bike.

Patch

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 1, 2005

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Check this trailer out!!!

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Silverfox

· #6 · Sep 1, 2005

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Hey Chris, I have PM'd you for your email address, to send photos, they came out well, and you are first in the queue, but others want the wiring, so best be quick. I will pick up any response tonight. We are away from tomorrow 'til the 10/09 so I'd like to get it posted to you or the next guy.

Pete

Patch

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 1, 2005

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I've replied twice with my email address. Did you not get it? :stumped::stumped::stumped:

I'll send it once again and also PM you with it. Please let me know if you get it this time.

Silverfox

· #8 · Sep 1, 2005

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Well Chris, I don't know where it went, but I have just got back to find that at last it has come through as an email. As soon as Helen gets back in I will be able to send the pics. She seems to have the "magic touch" where computers are concerned. I just tried to do them as an attatchment, but as per usual, I seem incapable!!

Unfortunately, we have missed the post office today, if I get a positive reply from you once you get the shots I will mail it off. We are away for the weekend, but I might be able to slip to the post office on Monday morning, before we head off to Denmark in the van.

Pete

wolvertone

· #9 · Sep 1, 2005

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Well, if you can weld (or bolt together):

Get some sturdy angle iron and weld up (drill holes and bolt up)a frame on the Harbor Freight trailer (best deal out there). Then with either rivets, sheet metal screws or small bolts and plywood, enclose your frame. Of course, you'll need a hinge and water sealing paint.

The plus is that you can build it exactly as you need.

What is the registration procedure on your trailer? Do you need to reg something that small? I'm in Louisiana and just curious.

Post a pic when you are done.

Steve

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Silicon Sam

· #10 · Sep 3, 2005

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The Harbor Freight trailer is on sale right now....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90153

I got my idea from this site:

http://www.herberts.org/wayne/valk/trailer.htm

Found the cartop carrier, slightly used for $100 through the local Craig's List. Hope to make this a late Fall project. Gonna go get the trailer this weekend while it's still on sale. I just spotted the sale price, don't know how long it's gonna run.

Raymond

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Goldwinger1984

· #11 · Sep 4, 2005

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Why not just save your money and use it to ship the things you need to bring to the places you'll be travelling?Or better yet learn how to pack lightly for the trips you take.Trailers behind motorcycles are accidents waiting to happen.

On our last group trip we had a couple of trailers in the group and I could not believe how poorly the Wings with trailers stopped and how distracting the trailers were for the drivers. They can sure take the fun out of a motorcycle ride.

The only trailer behind a bike that I can see being used safely is the single wheel, solid type hitch and even then this type will still mess upthe dynamics of the bike's handling. Because of the safety issues involved it'seasy to see why some places make it illegal to tow a trailer behind a motorcycle.

To me, towing a trailer behind a bike is almost like carrying a thrid passenger on your bike by letting the third person sit on your shoulders as you ride. It can be done, but, doesn't it defeat the original intent of the motorcycle experience?

Vic

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wolvertone

· #12 · Sep 4, 2005

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Isn't the motorcycle experience one of freedom and personal expression?

To each his own,,, let's see some pics when you are done!

Steve

Patch

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 4, 2005

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Hey wolvertone,

[align=center]:waving: :waving: WELCOME :waving: :waving:[/align]
[align=center]To the BEST GoldWing site on the net![/align]

Goldwinger1984

· #14 · Sep 5, 2005

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wolvertone wrote:

Isn't the motorcycle experience one of freedom and personal expression?

To each his own,,, let's see some pics when you are done!

Steve

You are absolutely correct wolvertone. I apologize for sharing my experience regarding serious safety issues that I have observed. In the future I shall keep my opinions to myself.

Vic

Patch

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 5, 2005

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Now Now Boys! :bash: :whip: :gunner2:

johnmac

· #16 · Sep 5, 2005

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I'm glad to hear both sides of the safety debate. I built a trailer to pull behind my '78 GL 1000 in 1981. Put several thousand miles on that trailer. One trip was 1500 miles. Never had any problems. But I also owned the bike for 6 years and put 32,000 miles on it and never had a flat tire! So, maybe I was just lucky!

wolvertone

· #17 · Sep 5, 2005

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Goldwinger1984 wrote:

wolvertone wrote:

Isn't the motorcycle experience one of freedom and personal expression?

To each his own,,, let's see some pics when you are done!

Steve

Click to expand...

You are absolutely correct wolvertone. I apologize for sharing my experience regarding serious safety issues that I have observed. In the future I shall keep my opinions to myself.

Vic

Vic, sounds like I stepped on your toes! Sorry, didn't mean to.

Your observations on safety are quite valid. I was merely stating that if that's what he wants to do, that's up to him.

No harm done?

Steve

Silicon Sam

· #18 · Sep 6, 2005

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My trailer will only be used for the occasional weekend camping trip, and the like. I can only carry so much on a bike, and shipping is not an option, especially when you are in a different park each night. I'd like to carry a little more than a sleeping bag, tent and maybe food and drinks.

I don't like the idea of a trailer as well, but I need one to make my camping trips more enjoyable.

Raymond

Goldwinger1984

· #19 · Sep 6, 2005

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wolvertone wrote:

Goldwinger1984 wrote:

wolvertone wrote:

Isn't the motorcycle experience one of freedom and personal expression?

To each his own,,, let's see some pics when you are done!

Steve

Click to expand...

You are absolutely correct wolvertone. I apologize for sharing my experience regarding serious safety issues that I have observed. In the future I shall keep my opinions to myself.

Vic

Click to expand...

Vic, sounds like I stepped on your toes! Sorry, didn't mean to.

Your observations on safety are quite valid. I was merely stating that if that's what he wants to do, that's up to him.

No harm done?

Steve

No harm done wolvertone. It waspast my nap timeand I was a wee bit touchy.

There is always two sides to every story and both sides should always be reflected otherwise it would be a boring world to live in.

Vic

RedWinger

· #20 · Sep 6, 2005

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