Towing your Spyder between two homes

[jbim]

Hello,

I have two homes located 450 kms apart, 95% highway. I'm thinking of buying a trailer to take my Spyder back and forth. I figure it would give me more flexibility like driving at night and in bad weather. The 401 is very boring highway for riding repeatedly and I drive faster than I ride. Also, I may use it when I winter in Florida from Canada, but I'm not sure I would take the Spyder down anyway. Obviously, that is a major consideration.

It's another "thing" to take care of, store, I am just so fed up of buying stuff and I am trying to downsize. Obviously, buying a Spyder was not a very good first step towards downsizing.

The alternative is to keep the Spyder at one location mostly and possibly commute once a month on it. I do the commute 2-3 times a month. I have been going back and forth in my head for a few months and I can't make up my mind. Maybe I am missing a few pros and cons. Anybody had a similar experience and decided either way. Why? Any second thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts?

Cheers,

 

[Mazo EMS2]

Just go buy a decent utility trailer, 6'x12', with a bifold ramp on the back. Then you have a trailer to use whenever you need it for whatever you need it for.

 

[lumberjack22]

I store mine in an enclosed 7x12 trailer dual axle. Trailer it when I need too. Never been to Florida,but the trailer is its home.I like the fact that I can take it to southern Ontario, and not drive on that wretched 401 to London with it.Safe and secure.

 

[bushrat]

Before I even picked up my new Spyder F3L in June 2017, I went looking for a suitable trailer once I had decided to buy the bike. Why? Living in Ontario meant that I would be a 7-month rider, at best, each year. But, we also have a place in Central Florida, and I wanted the Spyder to get maximum use. That meant either hauling it back and forth, or riding. Much easier and quicker to haul. This is our second year now, going back and forth. Best decision I made. I stop off on the way down each fall and ride the hills in TN, NC, WV, etc., for several days. Makes for a magical trip. Trailer also comes in handy for short hauls back home in ON, going to dealer, hauling other things occasionally. Have even done the same in FL. The trailer's cost was a small investment that made it easily possible to maximize Spyder fun everywhere we live. My advice: stop dithering, buy the trailer; take the Spyder with you everywhere and you'll never stop smiling. I was lucky and found a used aluminum trailer that another owner had built (and used) for hauling his Spyder back and forth to FL; he also lives near you, and did the trip 5 times before getting a toy hauler. I grabbed his trailer a whole month before I even laid out money for my bike. Absolutely no regrets. DO IT!!

 

[PW2013STL]

JBIM,

I know what you mean by having to store the trailer. I have that issue in that I live in a townhouse association that doesn't allow trailers to be stored outside. That means I have to be able to store it in my garage, or rent a spot at a storage facility. We are going to start staying winters in warmer states, and will need to trailer one of the F3's back and forth.
I am looking at the Drop-Tail trailer as that one folds up, and stands up so it will take up less room in the garage. It will cost more than a non-folding trailer, but not having to pay rent for a parking spot for the trailer will make up for that.
I think you will appreciate having a trailer to bring your Spyder back and forth safely.

 

[jbim]

Thanks guys for the advice. Obviously, it's unanimous. I found a folding trailer that would fit just fine, would most likely have good resale value and keep well in the meantime. Just not cheap to buy initially!

https://apogeetrailers.com/

Safe riding!

J

 

[PW2013STL]

Looks nice. I assume you are looking at the X600, or X700 as they are the only two wide enough for the Spyder.

 

[bushrat]

Thanks guys for the advice. Obviously, it's unanimous. I found a folding trailer that would fit just fine, would most likely have good resale value and keep well in the meantime. Just not cheap to buy initially!

https://apogeetrailers.com/

Safe riding!

J

That's a very interesting looking piece of equipment; some great features. Hope it checks out well for you. Likely won't be too difficult to find a buyer if you tire of it, so probably a reasonable investment gamble too. Good luck.

 

[johnsimion]

JBIM,

I know what you mean by having to store the trailer. I have that issue in that I live in a townhouse association that doesn't allow trailers to be stored outside. That means I have to be able to store it in my garage, or rent a spot at a storage facility. We are going to start staying winters in warmer states, and will need to trailer one of the F3's back and forth.
I am looking at the Drop-Tail trailer as that one folds up, and stands up so it will take up less room in the garage. It will cost more than a non-folding trailer, but not having to pay rent for a parking spot for the trailer will make up for that.
I think you will appreciate having a trailer to bring your Spyder back and forth safely.

I have a Drop-Tail trailer. Much as I like the trailer, do not underestimate its weight. When I tried to stand up my Drop-Tail to take up less space, I nearly threw my back out (and BTW I am 6'-4", in good health, and work out at the gym regularly). I think it's neat that you can stand up the Drop-Tail, but I'd definitely call that a two man job. And if it's that hard to raise up, it's probably also a two man job to lower it back down. And unless your woman is built like Brienne of Tarth from Game of Thrones, I do mean a two "man" job. I wasn't going to throw out my 5'-0" wife's back as well in a man-woman effort. As a result, I gave up and just folded over the back end (that's heavy enough) and left it like that, putting a 12' x 12' tarp to cover the whole thing (I also had to build a simple wood support so rain wouldn't just accumulate on the tarp).

Another thing I found out that you might find useful: The Drop-Tail does not come with any kind of front support. From the factory, the tongue and hitch just lay on the ground. It does have a "pipe-mount" on it and Drop-Tail does sell an optional front support thingie with a flat foot that fits on the pipe-mount, but the flat foot is not helpful in moving it around. Instead, I bought a Bulldog Round, Pipe-Mount Swivel Jack - Sidewind - 10" Lift - 2,000 lbs together with "Bulldog Removable, 6" Steel Caster Assembly for 2" Jack Tube - 1,000 lbs." I got this from etrailer.com after discussing it with them by phone. This attaches to the pipe-mount and this setup allows me to roll the Drop-Tail around my driveway, parking space and the street in front, PLUS it adjusts the height of the hitch with a crank so it's easy to attach the trailer to the tow vehicle without lifting that heavy tongue. Once it's attached, you remove the swivel jack assembly and put it in the trunk or pickup bed while you are trailering, then put it back when you remove the trailer. I have no idea why Drop-Tail doesn't sell something similar to this because it is 1000 times more useful than what they sell.

 

[Highwayman2013]

I would think some sort of winch would help.

 

[Bfromla]

Thanks guys for the advice. Obviously, it's unanimous. I found a folding trailer that would fit just fine, would most likely have good resale value and keep well in the meantime. Just not cheap to buy initially!

https://apogeetrailers.com/

Safe riding!

J

As long as it does the job:yes::thumbup: might even find more uses to help make it worth while:clap::bbq:.

 

[PW2013STL]

My friend uses a small electric winch for lifting and lowering his, so my plan is to copy his set up. I believe he also has a swivel jack that folds up and out of the way. Since he did all the work to make this a one person job I am going to be a copy cat.

 

[johnsimion]

My friend uses a small electric winch for lifting and lowering his, so my plan is to copy his set up. I believe he also has a swivel jack that folds up and out of the way. Since he did all the work to make this a one person job I am going to be a copy cat.

Good luck with that. Seeing is believing. Post pictures.

 

[Musashi]

Just buy another Spyder and keep one at each house.

 

[LifeLongRider]

Thanks guys for the advice. Obviously, it's unanimous. I found a folding trailer that would fit just fine, would most likely have good resale value and keep well in the meantime. Just not cheap to buy initially!

https://apogeetrailers.com/

Wow, I really like that Apogee X-600 folding trailer but apparently there are no dealers in the US
I live in Florida and would seriously consider one of these if they were reasonably priced and within driving distance to pick one up.

 

[PW2013STL]

Wow, I really like that Apogee X-600 folding trailer but apparently there are no dealers in the US
I live in Florida and would seriously consider one of these if they were reasonably priced and within driving distance to pick one up.

I agree. I did send them a question about this via there request page, but have not heard back from them.

 

[donhy]

There is a guy right in ontario that makes folding trailers specifically for spyders i believe they go for $2200 CAD
https://ca.stingertrailer.com/product/stinger-can-am-spyder-trailer/

 

[jbim]

Looks nice. I assume you are looking at the X600, or X700 as they are the only two wide enough for the Spyder.

I'm hoping I can go with the X500 as it is actually 61.5 inches wide. It would be tight but if it works I would prefer a narrower setup.

 

[jbim]

That's a very interesting looking piece of equipment; some great features. Hope it checks out well for you. Likely won't be too difficult to find a buyer if you tire of it, so probably a reasonable investment gamble too. Good luck.

Yes indeed, I'm thinking maybe I could get 50% back after 4-5 years as they are aluminium. I've been watching those since the Fall last year and never seen a used one for sale. So either they don't sell many or those who buy them find them very practical and keep them.

 

[jbim]

Just buy another Spyder and keep one at each house.

If not for insurance cost, that is what I would do, a nice little Ryker! That would be fun. Maybe so much fun that I would like to have it at both places...and need a trailer. Wouldn't that be even funnier. I am already paying 1500$ CDN for my F3L and a Ryker would add another 1000$ or so. In fact, when I want to spin it, I figure the additional insurance, additional maintenance and gas will eventually pay for the trailer.