Looking at buying bike trailer, need advice

[jmdaniel]

Before you buy a Kendon, read my horror story:

Clicky

Bottom line, buy a used one if you want one, their warranty is nothing but smoke and mirrors, IMO.

 

[petey]

The wife has kind of talked me into looking at motorcycle trailers so that we may trailer to far away locations towing the bikes so she is able to come along and ride. She is not willing/able to ride long distances and really doesn't want to ride on the back long distance either so I am looking at trailers but not sure where to start. I will be towing with a 2002 Honda CRV with towing capacity of 1500lbs. I was thinking of an open trailer, like a kendon, but they seem a bit pricey so I am open to the wisdom of the forum to lead me in the proper direction. The bikes to be towed are a 06 fjr and an 09 fz6r. Thanks

Hi rockmurf, I was in the same boat with my 13 year old Son Seth; he is good for up to 350 miles in a day as a pillion, but one mile over that and he is one ticked off teenager! This trailer from https://www.lowes.com has worked absolutely great for us. On June 6, 2010 it was on sale here in Chandler, Arizona at my local Lowe's store for $538, plus AZ tax of $47.34: $585.34. It is made by https://www.carry-ontrailer.com and is the 5' x 8' 2000 lb. Trailer #100369; pulls easily behind my Jeep Liberty Diesel SUV; 1,650 lb. Payload Capacity.

Hey beemerdons, I understand the circumstances under which you're choosing to trailer your bike, BUT, there is just something very wrong with this picture....a Beemer on a trailer?....Please don't advertise that by taking too many pics...

 

[beemerdons]

The wife has kind of talked me into looking at motorcycle trailers so that we may trailer to far away locations towing the bikes so she is able to come along and ride. She is not willing/able to ride long distances and really doesn't want to ride on the back long distance either so I am looking at trailers but not sure where to start. I will be towing with a 2002 Honda CRV with towing capacity of 1500lbs. I was thinking of an open trailer, like a kendon, but they seem a bit pricey so I am open to the wisdom of the forum to lead me in the proper direction. The bikes to be towed are a 06 fjr and an 09 fz6r. Thanks

Hi rockmurf, I was in the same boat with my 13 year old Son Seth; he is good for up to 350 miles in a day as a pillion, but one mile over that and he is one ticked off teenager! This trailer from https://www.lowes.com has worked absolutely great for us. On June 6, 2010 it was on sale here in Chandler, Arizona at my local Lowe's store for $538, plus AZ tax of $47.34: $585.34. It is made by https://www.carry-ontrailer.com and is the 5' x 8' 2000 lb. Trailer #100369; pulls easily behind my Jeep Liberty Diesel SUV; 1,650 lb. Payload Capacity.

Hey beemerdons, I understand the circumstances under which you're choosing to trailer your bike, BUT, there is just something very wrong with this picture....a Beemer on a trailer?....Please don't advertise that by taking too many pics...

Hi Petey, I was blackmailed by ShinyPartsUp in front of his house in Roseburg, Oregon. I was hung over when Shiny clicked the shutter and no amount of Bushmill's Irish Whiskey or Guinness Stout would get him to erase these photographs. I know, I have received threats from Dieter und Hans in Berlin BMW Headquarters to break my kneecaps, Mach Schnell!!!

 

[Leskid]

Leskid, the photo of my Beautiful BMW Fraulein "Ingrid" was taken by ShinyPartsUp in front of the McNamara home in Roseburg, Oregon; Mike - SPU and his wife Katherine, and their two children, graciously allowed Seth and I to stay at their home as our "base camp" while we attended the BMW MOA Rally held in Redmond, OR and while we explored the Oregon Coastline on our BMW. We then also went to Eureka, California on our fat German girl "Ingrid", our 2005 silver BMW R1150RT.

Hey Beemerdons

just kidding of course. I couldn't pass up the chance, given that we both have the best-ever year. In all seriousness, I rented a R1200RT for a weekend a few years back and put it through it's paces in Parc de la Mauricie all day. I was blown away - gorgeous bike with fantastic, neutral handling, even if it doesn't have the midrange grunt of the FJR

ride safe

Andre in Montreal

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

...motorcycle trailers so that we may trailer to far away locations towing the bikes ...I am looking at trailers but not sure where to start. I will be towing with a 2002 Honda CRV with towing capacity of 1500lbs. I was thinking of an open trailer... I am open to the wisdom of the forum to lead me in the proper direction. The bikes to be towed are a 06 fjr and an 09 fz6r. Thanks

Enclosed trailers are very nice and quite available -- but, would (probably?) require a bigger tow-vehicle? The wind-drag of an enclosed, cargo-type, trailer can be a killer on small engined vehicles.

Open trailers mean your bikes are out in the weather all the time (which may only be an issue for those in bad climates?) -- but, still, bad weather and road grime (rock chips) can all be reality.

The lower the trailer the better -- both for fuel consumption of the tow-vehicle and ease of loading/unloading. Front tire/wheel chocks are almost a necessity as well as wide (outside the box) tie-down points (for hauling 2 bikes). A longer loading ramp is better than a shorter one (body parts tend to hang-up on the 'break-over' point). A tilting trailer is sometimes nice.

Although tire size is often talked about, I haven't had any issues with small trailer tires (given a well-maitained/lubed tires/wheel bearings).

If you're planning on doing long-distance towing of 2 bikes with a total 1K weight?, you may want to look seriously at your Honda tow-vehicle? -- ask around to those who know, will it stand the gaff...? Towing is often attempted with vehicles that are just too wimpy (both engine and transmission).

Good luck

You're welcome

 

[rockmurf]

Thanks guys. I am worried about using the honda but the thought is if we start doing alot of this trailering we would invest in a larger more suitable tow vehicle and if we don't we are not out that much, sell the trailer, out a couple hundred on the hitch. But thanks all for the great info.

 

[BigOgre]

Just to add to the considerations:

Encloseds also "seem" bigger when trying to manually move around or store, especially on property other than your own.
Aside from the weather and road hazards, including the broken-strap/bike laying over possibility, encloseds do give added security should it end up in a parking lot overnight, both for the bike and any other personal gear you may want to pack in there.
Smaller wheels over long distances = increased maintenance.
Canyon Dancer has its appeal but potential for damage to some bar controls if not careful. May not be worth the ease of use.

 

[Patriot]

been looking for a decent pic of my rig...in 1/2 hour it can go from one bike (rail in center) to a two bike trailer (two rails on the outside)

below is Isabella on her way to the shop for the broken engine swap to new/used

 

[fjrchooser]

Aren't H-D bike covers mandantory when towing FJR's ?

 

[FastSpy]

Found a deal I could not pass up on a slightly used Aluma MC10 (looks like the photo below) yesterday and will be picking it up tomorrow. It will cost me 1/2 the price of a new one ($850) but has anodized wheels instead of the nice aluminum wheels and is a good 650 mile drive each way.

Edit.... Got the trailer home and it should haul two enduros or my FJR with ease. I easily loaded on the FJR and then backed it off the trailer while stradling it. The trailer bed is close to the ground and with the ramp there is no clearance problems. Still will have to mount my Condor rack to haul the FJR and will use the Aluma guide rack for hauling my enduro motorcycles. The trailer has large diameter 13" tires and a torsion axle which should offer a smooth ride.

 

[scubatech]

I am on my 2nd enclosed trailer. I had an open one for a long time. We were always worrying about our bikes on trips like Moab where they would sit out all night on the trailer. At least it's out of sight out of mind with the enclosed trailer. But as mentioned they are heavier to tow.

 

[FastSpy]

Old thread but I finally got my Aluma trailer set up for my FJR. Bolted down the Condor after some measuring to ensure the trailer tongue weight was adequate and purchased some new Powertye tie downs. These rachet tie downs have safety retainers on each end to eliminate any un-hooking and also include genuine sheepskin wraps to protect the paint. Following Condors suggested tie down methods only requires a rachet strap on each side near the rear of the bike and securing it forward at approximately 45 degree angle. I will also secure the front tire to the Condor stand for added security.

This trailer will serve mulit duty for me allowing transportation of both my motorcycles and a ATV. After a few test runs I'm happy with my towing purchase. 375 pound torsion axle aluminum trailer that rides low and tows excellent plus I can fit both of my motorcycles on it at one time.