My Spyder on a 5x8 trailer

[ArmyJoe]

I stole the idea from this thread (http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=113931&postcount=13) and over-engineered it a bit.

Using three 8' x 2" x 6" boards per side, I created a step for the front wheels to rest on. Then using another 70" board and a heavy-duty hinge, I created a ramp for the front wheels.

This gets the front wheels up 6.5" so the rims don't scratch on the sides of the trailer and it allows the frunk to over-hang the front of the trailer so it'll fit.

Once the Spyder is in place, the side ramps flip over and rest on the steps.

 

[SpyderGirl]

WOW! Innovative! :2thumbs:

Any trouble strapping it down?

 

[ArmyJoe]

Any trouble strapping it down?

I haven't tried yet, but I don't expect any problems. I'll use two cargo tie-downs through each front rim to counteract front-back movement and one through the rear rim for side-to-side.

 

[krb1945]

GIJoe...

Nice job:thumbup:... innovative ideas always over come obstacles.

This points to why I always say, "there is nothing we can't solve." /Ken krb1945

 

[gjco]

This is the same method I posted a while back. I hauled my spyder from Grand Junction Colorado to Winchester Virginia. About 2500 miles and 30hours on the road. I had no problems and I tied the spyder down the way the manual says to.

 

[ArmyJoe]

This is the same method I posted a while back.

Yup, I gave you credit in the first sentence. :thumbup:

 

[xpeschon]

Very nice, great job..

Joe
(X)

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

trailer

That is very smart. I have the same trailer. Just used three planks and layed them in the motorhome luggage compartment. Mite have to use this idea for the new toy hauler. Thank You.

 

[SpyderWolf]

:2thumbs: That is a great idea, thanks for posting it!

This could actually save me quite a bit of money as well, as I was going to buy a 6X10 trailer which costs quite a bit more than the 5X8 I was looking at.

When are you scheduled to arrive in Augusta? I hope you are ready for the heat and humidity, as it has been pretty bad already this year.

 

[NancysToy]

Very ingenius! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[BRPjunkie]

Since you admitted to over engineering, did you consider bolting some wheel chocks to the front of the boards to make sure the Spyder does not shift forward under hard braking? If you used three boards on each side, how did you get 6.5" of raise? Three 2" board would be 4.5" and four would be 6". Can't really tell from the photo. I suppose I could try this with my 5" x 7' trailer, but still not sure there would be enough room to close the gate. I have been backing mine on and removing the tailgate and transporting it inside my van. I use foam pads at the sides of the front wheels to protect them from the rails. Necessity is the mother of invention.

 

[SpyderGirl]

Mine fits pretty good on my 5x9 trailer (no modifications) and I paid about $800 for it.

But any of these options look good too. :2thumbs:

 

[ArmyJoe]

When are you scheduled to arrive in Augusta?

Probably Thursday. I need to look for a place to live before I start school on Tuesday.

 

[ArmyJoe]

Since you admitted to over engineering, did you consider bolting some wheel chocks to the front of the boards to make sure the Spyder does not shift forward under hard braking?

Yes. If I have time, I was planning to add that as well.

If you used three boards on each side, how did you get 6.5" of raise?

Two are on edge and one lays across the top. 6.5" is a ballpark number. Since a 2x6 is really 1.5" x 5.5", the height of the step is probably around 7" high.

ETA: Here's a detail pic:

 

[BRPjunkie]

Wheel chocks would add some forward roll security. Pretty cheap safety feature. I get it now, you actually built beams. Stacking four 2" x 6" on top of each other is another alternative.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Probably Thursday. I need to look for a place to live before I start school on Tuesday.

After you get settled in, and are ready to do some ryding, let me know. We can try to meet up somewhere and perhaps get a few other Spyder Lovers in the area to join us as well. :thumbup:

 

[3whlLefty]

I wish I'd thought of that!

I had a 5 x 10 trailer much like that one. I thought of the side rails but couldn't come up with a good ramp idea. That's so simple it's genius! Nice work. :2thumbs:

I bought an aluminum trailer that's 63" wide and 8 ft long to haul my Spyder. It works very well and is nice and light. The trailer weights less than 400#. A nice easy tow. I'll be loading it next week. Hope I can remember to take some pics to post.

 

[SpyderWolf]

I had a 5 x 10 trailer much like that one. I thought of the side rails but couldn't come up with a good ramp idea. That's so simple it's genius! Nice work. :2thumbs:

I bought an aluminum trailer that's 63" wide and 8 ft long to haul my Spyder. It works very well and is nice and light. The trailer weights less than 400#. A nice easy tow. I'll be loading it next week. Hope I can remember to take some pics to post.

Your aluminum trailer sounds like it might be the ticket for something I could pull behind my Ford Edge. Do you have a link to the manufacturer's information or anything available?

 

[3whlLefty]

Your aluminum trailer sounds like it might be the ticket for something I could pull behind my Ford Edge. Do you have a link to the manufacturer's information or anything available?

The brand of the aluminum trailer is Aluma. The URL is alumaklm.com. Mine is model 638.

I'd be glad to answer other questions but my response will be slow because I'm using borrowed computers for the next week.

I'm pulling this with an 02 Blazer with a 4.3 engine. I'm eyeing the idea of downsizing to a Forester or an Equinox myself. Can they handle this?? :dontknow:

 

[SpyderGirl]

We are pulling a North Star Sportstar II WG ATV trailer which is 61" x 109" with our Chevy HHR which is a 2.4L 4cyl with a class I hitch. Pulls it with no problem. An Equinox or an Escape would have no problem either.

We towed the Spyder to AZ from Northern California and back with this set-up and averaged about 20 MPG and that was pulling over several mountain passes.