I spend a lot of time on the road with my service truck, which is 100% necessary in my line of work. I'm working in Houston for a few weeks, and it would have been so nice to have been able to bring my bike along for the trip. There are also other times when I have to drive the service truck, but would be able to ride in my spare time. Could even leave the service truck on site at times, and ride everywhere else I want to go.

I'm looking at the Harbor Freight trailer, which is rated for a little over 1700#. Thinking of welding in a channel, and decking with expanded metal, then enclosing it somehow.

Anyone built a bike trailer with one of these as a base?

 

I hear many campers build their own tear drop camping trailers on the heavy duty harbor platform. It pulls OK. There are better specially built bike trailers for hauling a heavy bike new for $2000, used for much less. Enclosed toy haulers do get into a lot of money, however.

 

harbor freight.....you get what you pay for. Recently I rented a motorcycle-specific trailer from U-haul. Great little trailer. If you were around this area, I'd suggest you have a conversation with Magnum Custom trailers. There is one in San Antonio I think.

 

Thanks. I appreciate the info.

 

I did use a Harbor Freight trailer as a platform for a boat trailer for an inflatable Zodiac. On the other hand, if you want an enclosed trailer, I'd shop around for a used one. I can't imagine trying to convert a cheap H.F. trailer into something like that.

 

The HF fold-up (the one I assume you're looking at) trailer looks awfully flimsy. I'd peruse craigslist for a 5x8 trailer. I've hauled my WG on a 5x8 with fold down ramp. I had about 6"-8" between the tip of the rear fender and the fold-up ramp.

One thing, the trailer I used had expanded metal for the flooring and I can tell you from experience, the metal has too much give. My rear tire would sit between the rails (frame supports) and bow the metal a good bit. Unless you take some measurements, and install some reinforcements (rails) to cover the area where your tires will sit, I'd advise against expanded metal.

I wasn't able to do that with my borrowed trailer because, well, it wasn't mine to alter.

If I were in the market for a trailer, I'd by at least a 10' long trailer to allow for a wheel chock to be installed.

Here is one on CL that is very reasonably priced in SA.
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/2542197195.html

 

No, not the folding trailer, the heavy-duty trailer. The expanded metal was for decking in non-load-bearing areas. I would use a full-length steel channel for the bike, and reinforced plate for other load-bearing areas.

I'll have a look at the one in SA. Thanks!

ETA: That's a nice one for that price! If I weren't working out of town, I'd run to SA and have a look with cash in hand.

 

Oh, I didn't realize HF had a heavy duty trailer. I did look it up and noticed it has 12" wheels. The forementioned borrowed trailer had 12" wheels. Every time I used it, I had to replace a tire because it would wear out very quickly. I was only towing a 650# motorcycle no more than 100mi. Again, if I were in the market, I'd look for a trailer that uses 15" car-type tires to withstand the abuse they'd get if/when I had to take it on the highway. Not sure in Tx, but in SC speed limits range up to 70mph. 12" tires just aren't meant to roll that fast.

I trailered my bike to get tuned after I did my cams. Wasn't 75miles from here to Winston-Salem, NC. As I got off the interstate, I notice the trailer was rockin and rollin. Pull over, and again another tire had disintegrated. Literally. I limped to the tuner. Removed the bike, let him start working while I found a place to buy a replacement tire for the ride home.

I think what I'm saying is don't get the HF trailer. Look elsewhere for a better-built trailer for your bike.

 

Yeah, make sure what ever you buy/make uses car tires. If you can, take a look at the U-haul motorcycle trailer for ideas of what a good unit is.

 

I saw one in Dallas one the side of the road, with a broken axle.
I would look on craigslist for a used trailer. You can fine an enclosed 5X10 without a ramp door for around $1200, if you look long enough.
A well built open utility trailer can be had for $600 all day. If you are going to pull ot a lot, I would look for one with an ez lube axle. The issues I have ever seen with a good utility trailer are wheel bearings failing. That is because they were not lubed properly. Other than that, check the bolts for the springs/axle. Sometimes they come loose.