Motorbike trailer

[CraigLeather]

Hey all... I'm after building my own Motorbike trailer for my xt600 but I'm unsure what length it needs to be? Iv seen a 2m motorbike rail track on eBay but I wouldn't know if it would fit or not... Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks Craig

[steveloomis]

As long as both wheels fit you should be fine. The critical part is getting the balance correct. You need weight on the hitch for a stable pull, not too much. Probably 100 to 150 lbs. Before fastening the rail, hook to your tow vehicle, put bike on and adjust the front to back position so you arrive at your desired hitch weight. Others will probably chime in with suggestions too.

Hitch weight also depends on your tow vehicle hitch and carrying capacity.

[mollydog]

Not sure who makes the below trailer. Big Al rode his DR650 across the USA, about 3000 miles, to Seattle, WA, towing the trailer. No problems at all. This one was very inexpensive, IIRC, around $400 or less. Al said he hardly noticed the trailer being there ... even on twisty roads and off road. Very clean, simple design.


The one below is a Trailtail ... a small US company. These are expensive and designed for going off road. Both trailers shown are very easy to put ON and take OFF the bike. A cotter pin. See pics.


Trailtail | A trailer for your motorcycle

[steveloomis]

Wow, never heard of that kind of bike trailer, I thought he was making a trailer to haul his bike....

[mollydog]

Whoops! yea, you're probably right ... that post is a bit vague though.


For hauling an XT you can use a very minimalist, light weight, singe rail trailer. Or ... you can buy one of those rear bumper rigs (I don't trust them but are very handy if they hold) You need a big SUV or Pick-Up for them.

I towed bikes all over before I got a Van. The most important thing is the tow hitch on your car. It must be well done and STRONG. No amateur welders here.

I towed with my Honda Accord (hatchback car). Carried my old Honda XL600R from California to Florida ... and back, and my two stroke race bikes all over California to numerous Enduro events. Finally got a Van for Desert camping.

I had the best Moto trailer ever made: Holesclaw. No longer in business. Super light weight, elegant design with both coil Springs and shocks ... and an Anti-Sway bar that really worked. I could go flat out on a twisty road, never felt the trailer.

My Holesclaw had three rails. I removed two of them. Best trailer I've ever seen. Really designed for dirt and dual sport bikes but was strong enough to carry my street bikes too.

These days you see huge, hunky monster trailers ... way heavy and over built, IMO. The guys are towing with a 400 HP V-8 pick-up truck getting 8 MPG ... all for towing a 220 lbs. Honda CRF250F. Absurd.
Trailer makers here really haven't a clue. I could Pick up and carry my Holesclaw, then stand it on its end for storage.

[backofbeyond]

If it is a trailer to haul the XT behind a car, below is a pic of a couple of my bikes on a commercial two bike trailer. You might be able to get some idea of how long it needs to be from that. The front wheels go into some kind of locating loop and the channel ends there. I dont have an XT but I do have two other 600 singles and size wise they's be about half way between the two bikes in the picture.

The only thing I would say about building a trailer is to over build it. You'll be grateful you did when it's loaded up, you're driving on our potholed roads and it's banging and crashing behind you. The one in the pic came from our local hire centre and is rock solid. When I was towing it back through France on that trip we saw three high end Harleys on a flimsy looking trailer in some services. We saw them again an hour later upside down in a ditch at the side of the autoroute with a trailer wheel snapped off.

[steveloomis]

Yep, over build as far as the axle and wheels go. NO small diameter wheels, they spin so fast at road speed that they can overheat and burn out the bearings. Also, check the bearings from time to time while traveling. Feel the hub for any heat. If any more than barely warm to touch, look into the reason. Most trailer wheels use a common type bearing that is available about anywhere.

Steve

[mollydog]

Nice looking trailer ... does not look too heavy or over built to me. Just right for the bikes it carrying. For a 370 lbs. XT you may do OK with a slightly lighter weight one? Dunno.

I love the Spare tire. I never had one, but I only went cross country and back! (6500 miles) No Flats! (I did have a plug kit ... and my Tires were brand new!)

Wheel bearings are the things that go out on trailers and guys tend to ignore them. Don't! Mine were replaced in Florida before my return trip. Tail light plastics get banged up doing forest and Desert camping. (rough) I replaced mine twice over the years.

Suspension (GOOD suspension) is the key to a stable ride. Un damped leaf springs suck. BOUNCE BOUNCE BOUNCE!!!

I used Thick Leather belts (riding tac) to strap rear wheel into rail, plus typical ratchet straps pulling at 45º.


Good luck!

[turboguzzi]

cant say good enough things about my todaro with a platform. they are not very common but after owning railed ones, this is so much easier to load and operate. when i park it at race tracks i use the surface to place my tools and cook on it

wouldnt be hard to DIY,

it has super simple suspension with small trailing arms sprung by rubber under torsion, no bearings or shocks, zero mainteneance after 7 years and i guess something like 50K kilometers, also with rather heavy bikes like a VFR750.

Rimorchio Trasporto Moto a 1o 2 posti da 400 Kg

complete rubber suspension axles

http://www.knott-trailer-shop.com/pr...om_picture/yes