Buying a trailer - Help please

[jafa21]

Hi all,
My friend and I are looking to buy a trailer to tow 2 bikes - 2010 ZX10 and 2009 CBR1000 together.
I have been looking online and trademe and the biggest standard trailer i can find is 8ftX5ft.
There are a lot of motorbike trailers available however these are more purpose built for dirt bikes not sports bikes as sport bikes are much wider.
Also we prefer a flat deck, single axle one as it would be a lot easier to use.
We have no towing or trailer experience at all. So i know nothing about trailers.
I was wondering if you can please give me general pointers/help on trailers.

few things we need info on is:
-Whats a good size for 2 bikes as stated above
-how much am i expected to pay for a trailer
-any companies make trailers bigger than 8ftX5ft around $2k mark?
-anyone here selling one?
-anything particular i need to consider
-WOF/Rego costs?
-buy a second hand or new?
-our budget is $2k
-do you think 8X5 is more than plenty or bigger will be better?

Thank you for your input.
Merry Christmas :)

[BadSarah]

I saw one on TradeMe up your way

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[Waihou Thumper]

-WOF/Rego costs?



That bit is easy.....Use your keyboard....:)

[Waihou Thumper]

Hi all,
My friend and I are looking to buy a trailer to tow 2 bikes - 2010 ZX10 and 2009 CBR1000 together.


Break down often do they? :msn-wink: Or a holiday with a difference?

[jafa21]

That bit is easy.....Use your keyboard....:)

true that.. will do

[jafa21]

Break down often do they? :msn-wink: Or a holiday with a difference?


bit of both :P
converting my bike into a track bike

[Danger Dave]

I have a 8x5 trailer that we used to carry a 2008 zx10r and a 2009 r1 from hamilton to manfield to compete in the winter series it's single axle, nice and low for loading we could fit all of the front & rear stands, spare wheels Tyres, eyzup and other spares for two bikes with no problem, i got mine for $1500 so the deals are out there and 8x5 is plenty big enough.

[Akzle]

get one made > buy one from bunnings.

braked is always an advantage, for the cost.

longer draw bar is gooder.

independent hubs/suspension > beam axle.

coils > leafs
-unless you're putting all your tools and your fat wife on it as well.

air suspenders. i fucking love air suspenders.

[AllanB]

Given the cost of a new bike trailer that is useless for anything but bikes why not look at a proper trailer and set it up with a couple of removal (unbolt) wheel chocks in the front of the bed and a decent ramp.

I'd be wary of the Bunnings stuff .......

Briford make fantastic trailers that last.

[madkiwi]

Try Cedric - 021735345 - Marine & Industrial Engineering, they build a few different trailers and I know they built his trailer.

[Virago]

Given the cost of a new bike trailer that is useless for anything but bikes why not look at a proper trailer...

Read the first post - that's exactly what he's looking for.

[AllanB]

Read the first post - that's exactly what he's looking for.

WTF - this is KB, how dare one expect someone to read the full post. It's a site rule that you must read 1/2 only then jump in.

And BRIFORD - get one of them.

Plus you trailer with front and back sides up does not need to be long enough to hold the bike - folding them down gains a fair bit. But the reasurance of the ends up is nice.

[spanner spinner]

try looking for some thing like this, http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trailers/tandem-axle/auction-815082274.htm spent a couple of years racing and my friend that I raced with had a trailer like this, bloody great idea bikes stay dry are secure and you can store other shit you need in them as well, fuel containers, tools etc. just fit a couple of wheel stays to help tie the bikes down. You can some times get a good deal by buying one from the local rental company when they have finished with them.

[Tazz]

try looking for some thing like this, http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trailers/tandem-axle/auction-815082274.htm spent a couple of years racing and my friend that I raced with had a trailer like this, bloody great idea bikes stay dry are secure and you can store other shit you need in them as well, fuel containers, tools etc. just fit a couple of wheel stays to help tie the bikes down. You can some times get a good deal by buying one from the local rental company when they have finished with them.

Safest option too regarding increasing theft. Just sign write 'Louies Latrines' on the side or some such :niceone:

[Akzle]

Safest option too regarding increasing theft. Just sign write 'Louies Latrines' on the side or some such :niceone:

or. Leave the trailer chained to your pitbull.

[Voltaire]

Given the cost of a new bike trailer that is useless for anything but bikes why not look at a proper trailer and set it up with a couple of removal (unbolt) wheel chocks in the front of the bed and a decent ramp.

I'd be wary of the Bunnings stuff .......

Briford make fantastic trailers that last.

I bought a new Bunnings trailer about 6 years ago, other than a few bits of light surface rust its very good. Tows nice and I can get two BMW's on it.

I used to buy stuff that was made to last, but its pretty hard to kill one of those XU1 power tools for $25 :lol:

[ktm84mxc]

Were r u in Auck ? 2g shud see u in a NZ made 8x5 easily . Buy an NZ made trailer . Get the slots added to the front so the front wheels are held in place and use those tie down straps that slip over the bars , MX ones just damage the fairings etc
Try Trailerworld thr in Waiau Pa , Pinto in Onehunga and the one on Barry's point rd.

[Waihou Thumper]

I have looked at a few on Trade Me and want a trailer, not a dedicated M/cycle one.
I want to do both, cart the shit to the tip and put the bike on it too....(not take it to the tip though!) Geez, I bet you read into that one guys...
The prices seem indicative of the quality, but I would rather have an old school one than a brand new crap one from China!
Give me good old Trojan easily replaceable parts anyday....

The wants are a tray approx 2300mm but a fold down front would be good and then I can have a smaller footprint. I have a front wheel anchor to mount if required...
My budget is the limiting factor....

Maybe $800-1300 tops!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=844029034 - This ones local!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=841864619

If you have one that you want to sell in the Waikato let me know or give me some thoughts on these? Or if you see something that I ain't Yell out please...:)

[Tazz]

First one looks doesn't look a bad buy. Sitting pretty high though. Take a look and put some weight on it to see if they are really stiff or not. Cage is a bit, uh, yeah, but easy enough to remedy.

Drawbar length on second is better.

[Waihou Thumper]

First one looks doesn't look a bad buy. Sitting pretty high though. Take a look and put some weight on it to see if they are really stiff or not. Cage is a bit, uh, yeah, but easy enough to remedy.

Drawbar length on second is better.

I have a good ramp, it looks like it is sprung well and has a good tray made of strong materials.
It really only has to hold a bike and some crap, rubbish etc...I am not going to cart tonnes of things.

[Tazz]

I have a good ramp, it looks like it is sprung well and has a good tray made of strong materials.
It really only has to hold a bike and some crap, rubbish etc...I am not going to cart tonnes of things.

Meant more for how it tows when there is not much weight on it. Sitting that high is possibly because the springs are a bit firm for the weight of the trailer. The springs in mine are way too firm so it's unsettled/bouncing around unless you have it loaded to the brim. Just one thing I will look at more closely next time I'm buying one, along with the oddball bearing size and stud pattern :laugh:

Like I said though, that one does look like a great buy. Having the bars along the side so you can tie off anywhere makes life so much easier too.

[tigertim20]

Id suggest going to an engineer and asking for a quote to build one. they can sort any other bits you want, like removable, bolted in wheel chocks etc for the bikes, that can be removed allowing it to be used as a normal trailer as well, or a toolbox / spare tyre rack on the drawbar etc.Youll get your choice of finish and colour, and specs.

[Waihou Thumper]

Id suggest going to an engineer and asking for a quote to build one. they can sort any other bits you want, like removable, bolted in wheel chocks etc for the bikes, that can be removed allowing it to be used as a normal trailer as well, or a toolbox / spare tyre rack on the drawbar etc.Youll get your choice of finish and colour, and specs.

I will not get any change out of $17-1800 I think though?

[mossy1200]

I will not get any change out of $17-1800 I think though?


Cost me just under 900 to make.
Get into it and do the hard yards yourself.
Mine was registered and warranted by 4pm the same day and painted on day 2.

[Waihou Thumper]

Cost me just under 900 to make.
Get into it and do the hard yards yourself.
Mine was registered and warranted by 4pm the same day and painted on day 2.


Nice work but....
......want a trailer, not a dedicated M/cycle one. I want the best of both worlds.

[mossy1200]

Nice work but....
......want a trailer, not a dedicated M/cycle one. I want the best of both worlds.

Frames the same. Cut some metal and make one. Marine ply timber deck. Its not rocket science.

[Arctic Wolfe]

Frames the same. Cut some metal and make one. Marine ply timber deck. Its not rocket science.

I agree. I could not find a trailer that really suited my needs so I built my own. This carries two super bikes or my GS Adventure plus a camping crate and has a "Nose Cone" for tools, fuel etc ... The attachment rings are on slide outs to improve the angle of the tie down when loading two bikes. They extend to the level of the wheels so they do not stick out on the sides past anything.

Tows like a dream and runs on 10" wheels for ease of loading. Ramp clamps on underneath and behind the axle ...

Galvanised frame and rubbax axle ...

308771

[Winston001]

I have had a Lochiel Engineering trailer for 20 years and its still solid, but probably unknown in the North Island.

The Briford trailers are good but rattle: not a problem unless it annoys you.

If I could buy the ideal car trailer for bikes and general use here's what I'd like:

Long drawbar (as Axle says).

Galvanised

7x4 or more precisely 2100mm x 1220mm which leaves a bit of room on each side for 1200 sheets.

Removeable sides with bottom rails for a flat deck to transport bikes and anything else.

Braked is nice but not essential with single axle.

Tipping.

Removeable front and rear gates.

Never mind small tyres, they jump around a lot and are a pain. 14 inch rims and a solid axle with leaf springs. Simple stuff.


My trailer has wide panels over the wheels which makes the carrying capacity wider and that is very useful. Most modern trailers don't have that. No big deal just nice to have.

I'm concious of this stuff because I'm currently loading a double bed, chest of drawers, sofa etc etc on the trailer in the garage and wondering if I can get it to Dunedin without rain. :D

[unstuck]

You need a VW.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10453365_10152308196362879_6549558029436796986_n.j pg?oh=f4ef7d0e75e3789654773b50746fd7a6&oe=554FEA1A&__gda__=1431537743_006b31fd024923588561b918c796c11 5

[Murray]

I have looked at a few on Trade Me and want a trailer, not a dedicated M/cycle one.
I want to do both, cart the shit to the tip and put the bike on it too....(not take it to the tip though!) Geez, I bet you read into that one guys...
The prices seem indicative of the quality, but I would rather have an old school one than a brand new crap one from China!
Give me good old Trojan easily replaceable parts anyday....

The wants are a tray approx 2300mm but a fold down front would be good and then I can have a smaller footprint. I have a front wheel anchor to mount if required...
My budget is the limiting factor....

Maybe $800-1300 tops!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=844029034 - This ones local!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=841864619

If you have one that you want to sell in the Waikato let me know or give me some thoughts on these? Or if you see something that I ain't Yell out please...:)

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/172682-Bike-trailer?highlight=trailer


Strange but hes the guy who started this thread

I was going to buy this but have just had to pull out due to an unexpected customs bill on motorcycle parts - Bastards

If your interested me pm me and I will give you the guys number - I only advised him yesterday that it would be a month before I could get it and to sell if he can

[jafa21]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/172682-Bike-trailer?highlight=trailer


Strange but hes the guy who started this thread

I was going to buy this but have just had to pull out due to an unexpected customs bill on motorcycle parts - Bastards

If your interested me pm me and I will give you the guys number - I only advised him yesterday that it would be a month before I could get it and to sell if he can

hi, "this guy" (me) here.
I bought this trailer as i needed something quick. Its a lot bigger than i need and hence i am looking to buy a smaller one.
This is hard to store as i have limited space.
Not too fussed or not in hurry to sell. As i still need a trailer.

[Murray]

[I]I have looked at a few on Trade Me and want a trailer, not a dedicated M/cycle one.
My budget is the limiting factor....

Maybe $800-1300 tops!



hi, "this guy" (me) here.
I bought this trailer as i needed something quick. Its a lot bigger than i need and hence i am looking to buy a smaller one.
This is hard to store as i have limited space.
Not too fussed or not in hurry to sell. As i still need a trailer.

Maybe you guys should talk????

[buggerit]

hi, "this guy" (me) here.
I bought this trailer as i needed something quick. Its a lot bigger than i need and hence i am looking to buy a smaller one.
This is hard to store as i have limited space.
Not too fussed or not in hurry to sell. As i still need a trailer.

Got any photos of drawbar attachment to main frame.
How much clearance do tires have from floor?
What distance are the lights from the rear of the trailer?
What ply are the tires?

[BMWST?]

this looks a good one...?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trailers/single-axle/auction-843030451.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trailers/single-axle/auction-844964292.htm

[mossy1200]

this looks a good one...?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trailers/single-axle/auction-843030451.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trailers/single-axle/auction-844964292.htm

Both good. Idd go trailer 1 and build an insert triple bike channel. Centre for one bike or outers for 2 bikes.

[jafa21]

Got any photos of drawbar attachment to main frame.
How much clearance do tires have from floor?
What distance are the lights from the rear of the trailer?
What ply are the tires?

feel free to give me a call or text. its easier if you explain the info you need and i can let you know.
you can come view it as well.
021 04 83 789

[Arctic Wolfe]

Never mind small tyres, they jump around a lot and are a pain. 14 inch rims and a solid axle with leaf springs. Simple stuff.
:D

You go with that .........

[Waihou Thumper]

this looks a good one...?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trailers/single-axle/auction-843030451.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trailers/single-axle/auction-844964292.htm

Yep, both are good although the Briford is a tad small. I like the idea of the board on the drawbar, I could let the tailgate down and rest the front wheel on it for travel.
I have a wheel rail thing to install, that'll help.

This one is perfect?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trailers/single-axle/auction-846200066.htm

It is a Bunnings one though? Should I be concerned? The price he wants is almost retail though, mind you, the tyre, getting it wof'ed and reg all adds up. Plus the bike attachment.

[Waihou Thumper]

I got a Kea 6 foot by 4 foot. $900, with wof and reg good for another 6 months....AND it is local! :)
Older one and the front and rear tailgates open so that's good.
It will fit the motorbike with the front tailgate down, I have a channel to get fitted for the front wheel if required.

Just one question guys....
I have 165.75.13 on the trailer at present.
4 stud pattern....

Can I get something better and bling it up a tad with a 4 stud pattern?

These perhaps - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=847389572

Basically, can I get biggerI Is my only consideration the wheels can fit under the guards and don't rub and hit on bumps etc?

[unstuck]

I got a Kea 6 foot by 4 foot. $900, with wof and reg good for another 6 months....AND it is local! :)
Older one and the front and rear tailgates open so that's good.
It will fit the motorbike with the front tailgate down, I have a channel to get fitted for the front wheel if required.

Just one question guys....
I have 165.75.13 on the trailer at present.
4 stud pattern....

Can I get something better and bling it up a tad with a 4 stud pattern?

These perhaps - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=847389572

Basically, can I get biggerI Is my only consideration the wheels can fit under the guards and don't rub and hit on bumps etc?
How much room is there between the tires and guards? You may be able to go up to a 14'' rim and tire. What sort of guards has it got, you may also be able to raise the guards for bugger all.