More Trailer Questions...

1752 Views 22 Replies 18 Participants Last post by plskthompson, Aug 6, 2009

us385south

Discussion Starter · Jul 29, 2009

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I have a 96 1500 Aspy...

Okay... I've shown due diligence, I've done the internet research and the math... obviously it is FAR cheaper for me to buy components and assemble a cargo trailer than it is to buy one. This means these purchases:

1. The hitch assembly
2. A Harbor Freight type trailer: see attached.
3. The wiring harness
4. A car-top carrier off of Craig's List or similar.

My questions are:

1. I worry about the length of that trailer tongue... do I need to lengthen it?
2. If I outfit the trailer with after market LED lighting... can I get away without replacing my stock alternator with a Compu-Fire model?

I'm trying to keep this whole project within reason. Planning on hitting the mountains of New Mexico next summer...

Can anyone help?

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1 - 20 of 23 Posts

derekhendry

· #2 · Jul 29, 2009

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not sure on dimensions, in the UK trailer for solo needs to be no more than 1metre 39inches wides and 2.5metres 97inchs long, if you centre the box over the wheels this should give you the correct towing stance, the bike is normally capable of the additional electrical loads even with normal bulbs fitted

dan filipi

· #3 · Jul 30, 2009

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I would lengthen the tongue because with my stock length HF trailer someone following said it was moving side to side, I couldnt feel a thing though and I dont know if this was actually bounce but after the mod the follower said it was running straighter, it seemed to handle better too.
This is an empty frame still, I dont know how it will handle with a box on it but I think it will be good.

Broke Winger

· #4 · Jul 30, 2009

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I just built myself a trialer on the Harbor Frieght frame. There are three pieces of the frame that bolt on crosswise. one in front one in the rear and one in the middle. The tongu bolts onto the one in the midle and the one in the front. When i assembled mine I moved the middle brace forward about a foot using the pre-drilled holes. I then had to drill the tongue to match up with the front brace. My trailer tracks really well with with weight in it. no side to side movement at all. When empty it does tend to bounce quite a bit. I just today reduced the air pressure int he trailer tires to ten psi. Haven't taken it out yet to see if that reduces the bouncing or not yet.

But I highly recomend extending the tongue, when empty and bouncing I can really feel it exerting some side to side force on the bike.

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The Lake

· #5 · Jul 30, 2009

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Mine has about 12" added to the tongue. Trails beautifully. Replaced trailer lights, and bike running and brake lights with led's, no problem.

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Wolfman

· #6 · Jul 30, 2009

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I am running the set up you are planning.

Likewise I have a 96, the only difference ismine is anSE and I am running off the stock alternator. It puts a bit of extra load, you can tell at idle, when you hit the brakes allthe lights dim a bit, but I haven't had any problems. Think about it, you don't spend that much time at idle with your brakes applied.

I am using an isolator relay harness. It isn't required on the 1500, but it will save your bike's wiring system if the trailer wiring ever develops a short.

I have made several small trips and one really long trip (13 hours one way, and 13 hours back) with this set up.

I did not need to extend the toungue. Mine tracks perfectly well as it came out of the box.

I see no reason to extend the toungue unless you have problems. I did lots of local riding pulling the trailer to get used to it and make sure that it didn't have any problems. Then I did a few short trips, and still no problems. Finally I made the long trip and still no problems. I certainly don't intend to downplay the problems others may have experienced, and this might be an absolute must for some, but I just didn't need it. So I am only saying that if extending the toungue is a challenge for you, then you might try it first before you get into a big job. My trailer tracks great, even when empty.

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Silicon Sam

· #7 · Jul 30, 2009

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Also, remove all the little leaf springs from the suspension, just leave the one long one. You aren't going to be carrying 800 pounds of weight.

A longer tongue means it's easier to back up, and gives you room to add a cooler.

garyft

· #8 · Aug 3, 2009

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When it comes to trailer tongues, there is a little math involved. Ideally the distance from the axle to the hitch should 1.5 - 2 times the width of the axle. In other words, if the axle is 3 feet from tire center to tire center then you want the distance from the axle centerline to the hitch to be at least 4.5 to 6 feet.

Tinman

· #9 · Aug 3, 2009

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i have pulled mine several thousand miles...harbor freight trailor with sears cargo carrier attached...NO modifications to the trailer, other that paint, LED lighting and off you go!

jimsjinx

· #10 · Aug 4, 2009

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I threw away the supplied tongue, and used a lenth of 2"x4" frame square stock.This made my trailer extremely ridgid and gave me ample room for the 20 cubic foot carrier from Sears and a cooler frame. The longer tongue really smooths things out, and the little extra weight is actually a benifit.The trailer doesn't bounce at all.jimsjinx

us385south

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 4, 2009

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I'm hearing ya! I like the idea of lengthening that tongue with something a bit 'meatier.' The extra length and weight will surely help with the behavior of that trailer... be sides... i want to add a cooler rack and the extra length will help keep things balanced properly.

A little welding here and there... a consistent coat of paint...

Thanks all!

ding dong

· #12 · Aug 4, 2009

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Have you seen the new complete trailer from Harbor Freight?

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=66771&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

kyboy67

· #13 · Aug 4, 2009

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Did not see a price??

plskthompson

· #14 · Aug 4, 2009

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Same here. No price.

Bschofield

· #15 · Aug 4, 2009

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i went into HF a couple weeks ago, i think it was around $370.. way to pricey for what i want to do.. and then my luck changed.. last week i found the 4 foot HF trailer for sale for $100. needless to say it is in my garage waiting for my car-topper fit, as well as led conversion.
I think the HF price is a great price if you are not a builder/hacker/modder - whatever you want to call yourself.

barry

cubix

· #16 · Aug 4, 2009

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See the following link:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66771

It's $399.99 now...still not terribly high priced...

Silicon Sam

· #17 · Aug 4, 2009

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Don't forget, go to your local magazine rack, the last issue of Popular Science had a HF ad, with a 20% off coupon....

erwjww

· #18 · Aug 4, 2009

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Do you guys use a swivel hitch or just a straight hitch? Didn't khow if it made a difference. THANKS

Bagmaster

· #19 · Aug 4, 2009

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Straight hitch.

us385south

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 4, 2009

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dingdong wrote:

Have you seen the new complete trailer from Harbor Freight?

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=66771&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

Man-O-Man... that is just too easy! Tasty!

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