Home Built Trailer for RT

Here are some pictures of the trailer I built based on the Harbour Freight 1990# frame. I used 1 1/8" plywood that cantilevers out over the frame on all 4 sides. I added a 1/4" aluminum stiffener down both sides that also acts as security edge to prevent driving off the sides. I used the left over steel that was for the storage casters to mount my winch on. As can be seen it loaded perfectly by attaching a tow strap at the A frames then winching it aboard. I reversed the process to let it back down with a little help from my wife :-)

I made the fenders removable so I can simply drive over the tops of the tires when loading which worked perfectly. The trailer is multipurpose and used the original stake pockets to mount the 4 x 8 railings (you can see the cut outs on the deck). The over all width of the trailer is 6" wider then the bike tires and is about the same width as the Dodge Caravan I use to tow with.

You can also see that the springs have plenty of travel when loaded, the trailer settled less than 1/2" loaded

That is a sweet trailer and fits your spyder well..congrats..!! :2thumbs: Where do you store the ramps when traveling..??

Along side of the back tire, two on one side, one on the other. I bungee them in place but still need to add the D-rings for these.

How much is the tongue weight?
Where and how do you pack the ramps? Guess I got beat on that question.

Looks good. What is the weight of the trailer empty and what is the tongue weight?

Tongue weight is just under 200#s loaded. I was on a slope when I checked it so it may be slightly off. The combined weight with load is about 1750# so based on the rating of the tires, the settlement on the hitch the unit is plenty more than adequate for this setup.

The empty weight is right at 425#. The plywood weights 137# which is the heavies part. other than the trailer. I have not weighted since I added the winch so allow for another 25#.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bluestratos

Tongue weight is just under 200#s loaded. I was on a slope when I checked it so it may be slightly off. The combined weight with load is about 1750# so based on the rating of the tires, the settlement on the hitch the unit is plenty more than adequate for this setup.

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That's perfect. Falls between 10% and 15%.

Very nice job. Well executed.
You have proven the concept of using the HF trailer frame.
Looks like a project I should plan for this winter.

Love it!!!

The trailer is also close enough to meet the weight requirements to be towed by the Spyder. Need to service your car? Just tow the Spyder to the car dealer, roll the Spyder off and hitch the trailer to your Spyder and head back home or wherever!

You might want to consider adding Whirlygiggers.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...=1#post1022272

Lol.. yes that is a thought, wrong ball size though. I ran the trailer over the scale on Saturday when I went to the recycles, with the sides on for hauling compost. Empty it weighs in at 520 Lbs which makes sense due to the added weight of the railings. I hauled a full yard of compost on Saturday and a yard was approximated at 1700 lbs so it was a bit overweight but it towed fine and did not cause the trailer to settle anymore than the Spyder did. I am adding some HD tie downs to the bed, they flush mount and have a backing plate. This will be how I secure the tie down through the wheels.

Been a fun project.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bluestratos

Lol.. yes that is a thought, wrong ball size though. I ran the trailer over the scale on Saturday when I went to the recycles, with the sides on for hauling compost. Empty it weighs in at 520 Lbs which makes sense due to the added weight of the railings. I hauled a full yard of compost on Saturday and a yard was approximated at 1700 lbs so it was a bit overweight but it towed fine and did not cause the trailer to settle anymore than the Spyder did. I am adding some HD tie downs to the bed, they flush mount and have a backing plate. This will be how I secure the tie down through the wheels.

Been a fun project.

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Just a suggestion put your "Tie downs" over your tires ( in the middle of the tire) so the tie downs wont scratch the Tupper ware.

Mike ( Blueknight911) did this on his trailer, when he was towing my spyder on a trailer that he made, when we to Spyderfest in 2013. Also my spyder did not move.

Deanna

Thanks Dianna,
I am planning to install the tie downs to allow for just that.

Nice job!

Thanks Buggy ;)

Looking real nice.:firstplace:

I just might do something like this, but to bring a SV650 to Salt Lake City. I gave the bike to my daughter. U-haul wants $495 to rent me a trailer one way. For that I could build one like you did and then she can either sale it there, or keep it.

Thanks for posting pictures!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bluestratos

Thanks Dianna,
I am planning to install the tie downs to allow for just that.

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You are welcome for the info. Post pictures! Deanna

So the bottom line here is what was the total cost, total time to build, fingers missing and number of trips

to the Chiropractor? (add to total cost) :D ​(are you still married)

Jack

It cost me about $600 but I had some items kicking around at home. It took about 1 week to assemble and install the deck and railings. No trips to the doctor or chiropractor, just a few scrapes. My wife did not care and actually helped me with some of the heavy lifting, lol. The 600 included the tongue jack, the spare and the mount, and all of the lumber. What I did have already was the aluminum that runs along the sides which is worth about $500 if you had to buy it so I would have used steel if I had to fork out the money.

It took two evening to build the frame from the kit, then another to do the wiring (I modified the wiring to be more dependable). One after noon to lay the deck including cutting the stake pockets and wheel openings. I then built the railings which took another afternoon. I love this kind of work so it was quite pleasurable and rewarding plus, I got a trailer that fits the RT.

What bluestratos did in building his trailer is worth showing off to all those who would rather use their talents, time and tools to create usable accessories for the spyderlovers and other bikers.
Anyone else got a trailer build to share before I start on mine? Go ahead:2thumbs: