Let's talk race trailers [Archive]

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Satch

8th January 2007, 17:15

Hey everyone

well over the past year ive spent a fortune on trailer hire carting bikes all over the show. I now find myself with the time the skills and the resources to build myself a real nice custom race trailer , (dont actually race yet )

i figure if im going to build one then its not much extra effort to build another one or 2 and flick them at cost and a bit of labour.

all trailers would be built to a high standard and avaliable in custom colours of course

Heres what im thinking, my ones going to be dual purpose, to haul around my poleskis aswell as bikes. Its goint to have a flat deck so it can be used for general purpose aswell. Have a good gear box up front, say 2 footish siding for looks and aerodynamics and a spiffy paintjob to match my truck and some nice alloys. I havent decided about lowering or tilting options yet as i tend to think it may be a bit over the top when a couple of nice stowable ramps will do.

so, i reckon most of you guys that actually have them will be hanging around this forum and have some good ideas to build into it, you know the things youve always wished you trailer had!

what ya reckon about wheel chocks and channels? gearboxes? built in petrol tank etc? tool area, fodl out siding for work bench?? so many ideas!! throw some ideas or designs out at me and ill let you know how it goes. basically im looking for input and ideas from you guys that know how to use them!

also if anyone out there is seriously considering a trailer, heres a chance to have your input into your own one!

any input appreciated

thanks

kane

Goblin

8th January 2007, 17:20

Better off with a LWB van. Can only legally do 90km/h towing a trailer and unless it's a fully enclosed jobbie, ya cant lock everything. Van is the way to go IMHO.

Darkman

8th January 2007, 17:39

I am after a small, light weight trailer. Something that is not to wide. Something in the line of the following but with the bike in the middle.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Trailers/photos/a-83556213/p-32664527.htm

Karma

8th January 2007, 17:48

I'd say wheel tracks would be advisable, and rings etc... for tiedowns as well to make sure it's all secure.

Disco Dan

8th January 2007, 17:52

sAsLEX

8th January 2007, 17:58

I may be wrong but I am sure building your own trailer is now a very expensive and complicated process... as they need to be approved, vinned etc and a whole load of other nasties... It used to be easy to build your own, but laws changed and it's now apparently very dificult.

My advice, look on trademe and buy one. Will save you so much hassle.

Yeah think you need certed welder etc now, we built our own and now have a "homebuilt" reg that can be moved to any trailer we build in future muwhahahah!

Cleve

8th January 2007, 17:58

I have a real basic trailer built by some dumb arse South Island guy... it is nearly new but I would like someone with half a brain (ie lives in North Is - preferably top half) to do a few extra things.
PM me if you are interested.

Also the whole, van, ute, trailer ... debate is an older one in the race forums. Can't be arsed going back but if you are interested go find it. It came from a poll. Best way to carry your bike...

Hellraiser

8th January 2007, 18:25

I may be wrong but I am sure building your own trailer is now a very expensive and complicated process... as they need to be approved, vinned etc and a whole load of other nasties... It used to be easy to build your own, but laws changed and it's now apparently very dificult.

This be wrong young grasshopper. only thing that needs to be cert is the draw bar hence why you start with an old trailer, you then reregister it as scratch built and you are allowed yearly warrants again. Total cost to get a trailer reg & wof about $130.00

Motu

8th January 2007, 19:11

You can still build your own,you can buy trailer parts at various places,Repco and Supercheap on the retail side.I'm going to keep my new axle and coupling and make a new one soon....like,when I run out of things to do....

Make it single handed loading and unloading - easy to push up and the bike stay upright in it's chock unsupported,then you can sort out the tie downs without having to hold the bike with one hand.

boostin

8th January 2007, 19:37

I have been going over this idea for a couple of weeks lately.

Any ideas on what you want to use for suspension, I have been told by a mate that the easiest (not cheapest) is these.

http://www.trojan.co.nz/index.asp?PageID=2145833594

When I saw some prices on trade me I lost a bit of interest, but now I forget what the price was...

sAsLEX

8th January 2007, 19:42

vtec

8th January 2007, 22:20

Check this baby out, The back gate doubles as a ramp, and it can take 3 bikes and paddock stands and gas tanks and all sorts. Has been improved slightly since it was recovered after it got stolen.

Was trying to attach another pic, but just refer to this thread for example:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=37628

What?

9th January 2007, 05:33

My bike trailer has a flat deck for usefulness. The wheel channels are only big enough for the front wheel to locate into - when the front end is tied down the back can't go anywhere.
The loading ramp slides in underneath the deck and is locked in with a couple of lynch pins. IMO this is waaaaay better than hinged or removable ramps.
Don't use duratorque (rubber) suspension. You will get a much smoother ride with leaf springs.
If you want to be able to use the trailer for other things, put heaps of hooks on it - the more the better.

DEATH_INC.

9th January 2007, 06:01

Put shocks on it, hardly anyone does but they tow so much better. :yes:

Firefight

9th January 2007, 07:22

have had both, good points with each, but have stuck with trailer now.

In my case I went for a standard Kea trailer with flat deck, was then able to use for all the other jobs you, ie cart a bit of builders mix/sand/timber what ever made it easier to justify the up keep/rego/wof cost etc..

Have bolt on channels(which can be removed quickly) to help keep bikes in place, added a big (ute style plastic ) gear box bolted to the draw bar, great for keeping oil/petrol/dirty ride gear out of the boot of work car, also spare tyre /carrier. Only other thing I added was an engineers vice which bolts on to the steel mud guard, without a doubt the best thing I ever done to the trailer, have used that vice so many times.

Trailer holds 3 motox bikes or two sports bikes.

Was used on the first KB down the line ride/piss up,""Waikato Rally"" that Quazzie organised for us and made a perfect support vehicle, and work bench for running repairs.

Will try and find a pic of it later.

F/F

Satch

9th January 2007, 10:15

Fist of all, thanks for all the great input you guys!! many great ideas comming out here and with all this great feedback im def going to get started on these ASAP

Better off with a LWB van. ....

thats a good point especiably with the locability however im commited to my truck and a vehicle change is not an option for me. I also have many other uses for a trailer, timber builders mix and of course jetskis!! so itll be a trailer for me for now

I'd say wheel tracks would be advisable, and rings etc... for tiedowns as well to make sure it's all secure.

def good idea especially the tie down points. im not sure wether to recess the wheel tracks into the bed or not or make them removable at this stage tho. would probably be more useful as a trailer if they were removable and not recessed as the would collect gravel and dirt otherwise

I have a real basic trailer built by some dumb arse South Island guy... it is nearly new but I would like someone with half a brain (ie lives in North Is - preferably top half) to do a few extra things.
PM me if you are interested.

could def help you out there mate. ill get in touch if your still keen after these ones are built!

This be wrong young grasshopper. only thing that needs to be cert is the draw bar hence why you start with an old trailer, you then reregister it as scratch built and you are allowed yearly warrants again. Total cost to get a trailer reg & wof about $130.00

yip, it dont cost that much at all!! also ive got no problems getting welds ticked off if need be!

Make it single handed loading and unloading - easy to push up and the bike stay upright in it's chock unsupported,then you can sort out the tie downs without having to hold the bike with one hand.

i really like the single handed idea, would this be a case of a full length wheel channel or simply a good front chock thats a snug fit? i was thinking about having a recession to sit the front in to stop her relling at all while untied down

I have been go.....

http://www.trojan.co.nz/index.asp?PageID=2145833594

yeah they look real nice aye, its a good site that. at this stage im just going to go with a leaf sprung axle. i am considering dropaxles at this stage also tho

Check this baby out, .......[/url]

dude thats not to shabby

you say it takes 3 bikes? would it fit three road bikes or only 3 dirt bikes? id be interested to know its measurments. thanks for the pic dude. real helpful

cheers

My bike trailer has a flat deck for usefulness. The wheel channels are only big enough for the front whe..........

great advice. thats what im thinking with the flat deck, theres alwasy other things to be moved around aye! great idea on the ramps i think im sold on that one!

Have bolt on channels(which can be removed quickly) to help keep bikes in place, added a big (ute style plastic ) gear box bolted to the draw bar, great for keeping oil/petrol/dirty ride gear out of the boot of work car, also spare tyre /carrier. Only other thing I added was an engineers vice which bolts on to the steel mud guard, without a doubt the best thing I ever done to the trailer, have used that vice so many times.

Trailer holds 3 motox bikes or two sports bikes.

Was used on the first KB down the line ride/piss up,""Waikato Rally"" that Quazzie organised for us and made a perfect support vehicle, and work bench for running repairs.

Will try and find a pic of it later.

F/F

thanks for the input! yes it must have a vice!! youve just convinced me, and how do those bolt on channels work out for you? im still deciding about that at them moment!

be keen to see than pic

thanks alot all of you

kane

Motu

9th January 2007, 11:34

i really like the single handed idea, would this be a case of a full length wheel channel or simply a good front chock thats a snug fit? i was thinking about having a recession to sit the front in to stop her relling at all while untied down
kane

I am using a bike stand by Cycle Torque in Frankton,similar to those small ones you see on TradeMe,but much more substantial,like 1 1/4in tubing.It has a couple of holes for floor mounting - I have a couple of holes in the floor of my van and trailer...drop it on the deck and just pin to locate.It goes overcentre and holds the bike firmly,just pull back to remove.My only trouble with the setup is with taller bikes the front wheel hits the chock when still going up the ramp with my arms at their limit....sometimes I just push the rear wheel to get it in.I'm sure some extentions on either my arms or legs would cure the problem....a longer tray would also help.You need the point where you have to step up on the deck to also be at a stage where the bike can be controled.And as Death said - shocks make a hell of a difference.

vtec

11th January 2007, 22:10

dude thats not to shabby

you say it takes 3 bikes? would it fit three road bikes or only 3 dirt bikes? id be interested to know its measurments. thanks for the pic dude. real helpful

Yep, I've had 2x CBR250RR's on the outside 2 spots, and a CBR600RR on the middle one at the same time.

Also had an 06 CBR1000RR in the middle, and a K5 GSXR600 on one side, and an 03 CBR600RR on the other side. But it was a tight fit, still managed to avoid them touching each other. The middle bike sits further forward than the others.

Try and get someone who knows about trailers to give you a hand, cause you want it so that when loaded, the centre of gravity is slightly in front of the wheel pivot. And there's lots of other things to watch out for. My dad and his mate built it. His mate runs an engineering workshop that installs industrial robots, and some of those robots build trailers, so that's why he wanted to make an awesome one.

I

Firefight

14th January 2007, 09:06

Satch

14th January 2007, 20:54

Yep, I've had 2x CBR250RR's on the outside 2 spots, and a CBR600RR on the middle one at the same time.

Also had an 06 CBR1000RR in the middle, and a K5 GSXR600 on one side, and an 03 CBR600RR
I

Hey man thanks for the reply

dont suppose you could just measure how far appart the 3 wheel tracks are for me could ya?, i might as well try to fit 3 on but dont have 3 bikes at the moment to test fit!

cheers

Satch

14th January 2007, 20:57

sorry its taken me a while, but here are some pics, .
only sat everything in place for photos, would be bolted down for travel, got a swivel vice so its stows out of way for trip this is by far the most useful thing on the trailer, have used it heaps of times.

F/F

Hey mate, thanks for taking the photos!

man thats a real simple idea and looks like a real practical tidy unit. i like the whole concept and see what youve done for the wheel tracks,

its good to be able to use it for a normal trailer 2 aye.

was that gear box removable and where did you get it? the size looks about what im after, ive been considering making one but if i could find one at a good price thatd be easier!

love the vice

once again thanks for the pics!

Firefight

14th January 2007, 21:36

Hey mate, thanks for taking the photos!

man thats a real simple idea and looks like a real practical tidy unit. i like the whole concept and see what youve done for the wheel tracks,

its good to be able to use it for a normal trailer 2 aye.

was that gear box removable and where did you get it? the size looks about what im after, ive been considering making one but if i could find one at a good price thatd be easier!

love the vice

once again thanks for the pics!

No worries, you could make the gear box removable, i did not bother, it does not get in the way with normal trailer operations, I got mine second hand from Tuakau traders, it was a ute box, but you could make one up easy enuff, I think we paid about NZ$100.00 for it..have seen the same sort of thing brand new at repco/super cheap auto/mitre 10 The size was just right could hold enuff gear for 3 motox bikes including fuel, tools etc.

F/F

roadracingoldfart

16th January 2007, 21:30

You donta have to have any kind of cert done to build or register a new trailer so dont worry about welding tickets etc. I am an engineer and have just built my own bike trailer last year for myself . All you have to do is go and register it at LTSA or Post Shop and then take it to a WOF test station or the local garage to get a WOF check and thats all folks.