How do you tie the Spyder down? And, how did you make the wheel chocks?
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Best Trailer For Hauling Spyder
- Thread starter jbarrett85
- Start date
How do you tie the Spyder down? And, how did you make the wheel chocks?
MNF3
Member
I have a 2016 F3T, and still have about a foot on each side. RT would be no problem.
Loading Spyder
What do you mean by ramp plates, how do they work?if possible take picture please. We bought the Beat Track 76 X 120 but can’t load a Spyder
What do you mean by ramp plates, how do they work?if possible take picture please. We bought the Beat Track 76 X 120 but can’t load a Spyder
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Something like this that you can lay over or extend the ramp to decrease the angle.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200622239_200622239
OR DIY with these and a 2-12 https://www.homedepot.com/p/CargoSmart-12-in-Aluminum-Ramp-Plate-Kit-Box-of-2-3006/301705453
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200622239_200622239
OR DIY with these and a 2-12 https://www.homedepot.com/p/CargoSmart-12-in-Aluminum-Ramp-Plate-Kit-Box-of-2-3006/301705453
johnsimion
New member
Review of Drop-Tail Trailer: Pros: Bought this last October, have only had time to use it once to carry the Spyder. Very easy to load, my RT doesn't scrape at all, it's a perfect fit, and there are lots of tie-down points. It's also flat so you can use it for other things as needed. As modified, it's also very easy to move around.
Cons: Nothing holds up the tongue, it just rests on the ground. The trailer is steel and fairly heavy. I about got a back strain trying to lift that tongue to hitch it the first time. The trailer is also nearly impossible to back up -- it's very short and therefore extremely sensitive to tow vehicle steering inputs, far more so than a boat trailer. It's even worse if the Spyder isn't aboard because you also can't see where you're backing. The solution to these problems is a swivel jack with a caster. This thing is grrrreat! Drop-Tail doesn't sell this, God knows why - I got mine from etrailer.com. This attaches to the pipe mount on the trailer and lets me crank the tongue up and down while the caster lets me move the trailer around very easily. So easily, in fact, that I don't even bother backing the trailer up, I just unload the Spyder, attach the swivel jack/caster, then detach the trailer and push it up my driveway (uphill) where it needs to go. This is 1000 times easier than trying to back it up. Unfortunately the swivel jack/caster does have to be removed when the Drop-Tail is actually hitched - there simply is no room to fold up the swivel jack like you'd do with a similar device on a boat trailer.
For those who want to fold the Drop-Tail - it's not that hard to fold up the tail. That will save you some horizontal storage space. Folding it up vertically is a lot bigger deal. It's definitely a two-man job and they'd better be strong men because this thing is darned heavy. If you plan to store it vertically inside your garage, better check your ceiling height because it's not short when vertical according to their specs. Because of this, I opted to store my Drop-Tail outside horizontally with the tail folded and a tarp over it. When tarping it, I had to build a wood structure to put underneath because water was pooling on the tarp due to the trailer design (yes, it rains in Las Vegas).
Another "con" is quality. On my first trip, both turn signals and one brake light failed. Drop-Tail was no help at all. I took the trailer to U-Haul and their tech quickly discovered that not one, not two, but THREE wires were not properly attached at the factory and were hanging loose. One wire had not even been stripped properly. The trailer should never have left the factory like this. All in all, I'd say both the problem and Drop-Tail's response were an embarrassment to American manufacturing.
Cons: Nothing holds up the tongue, it just rests on the ground. The trailer is steel and fairly heavy. I about got a back strain trying to lift that tongue to hitch it the first time. The trailer is also nearly impossible to back up -- it's very short and therefore extremely sensitive to tow vehicle steering inputs, far more so than a boat trailer. It's even worse if the Spyder isn't aboard because you also can't see where you're backing. The solution to these problems is a swivel jack with a caster. This thing is grrrreat! Drop-Tail doesn't sell this, God knows why - I got mine from etrailer.com. This attaches to the pipe mount on the trailer and lets me crank the tongue up and down while the caster lets me move the trailer around very easily. So easily, in fact, that I don't even bother backing the trailer up, I just unload the Spyder, attach the swivel jack/caster, then detach the trailer and push it up my driveway (uphill) where it needs to go. This is 1000 times easier than trying to back it up. Unfortunately the swivel jack/caster does have to be removed when the Drop-Tail is actually hitched - there simply is no room to fold up the swivel jack like you'd do with a similar device on a boat trailer.
For those who want to fold the Drop-Tail - it's not that hard to fold up the tail. That will save you some horizontal storage space. Folding it up vertically is a lot bigger deal. It's definitely a two-man job and they'd better be strong men because this thing is darned heavy. If you plan to store it vertically inside your garage, better check your ceiling height because it's not short when vertical according to their specs. Because of this, I opted to store my Drop-Tail outside horizontally with the tail folded and a tarp over it. When tarping it, I had to build a wood structure to put underneath because water was pooling on the tarp due to the trailer design (yes, it rains in Las Vegas).
Another "con" is quality. On my first trip, both turn signals and one brake light failed. Drop-Tail was no help at all. I took the trailer to U-Haul and their tech quickly discovered that not one, not two, but THREE wires were not properly attached at the factory and were hanging loose. One wire had not even been stripped properly. The trailer should never have left the factory like this. All in all, I'd say both the problem and Drop-Tail's response were an embarrassment to American manufacturing.
Jim&Teresa
New member
From one of my previous post.... +1 on Droptail Trailer....We have pulled it on long trips, i.e. to Utah and to Florida loaded with no issues. We did add a higher 20" stone guard, hitch jack, spare tire, etc....folds nicely in garage just ahead of our two bikes.
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...lering-my-RT&p=1313704&viewfull=1#post1313704
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...lering-my-RT&p=1313704&viewfull=1#post1313704
If I was buying a trailer to haul my Spyder I would look for one that I could use to load my Spyder without extra wood ramps etc. If I was using a trailer I already owned I guess I would use some wood ramps or what not to load the bike without bottoming the nose. I have a toy hauler camper and I raise the jack up front so as to lower the angle of the ramp so I can load at a minimum angle and this seems to be working so far.
662SpyderRyder
New member
Hi,
Where do I buy one? The Aluma 638 that is. The more I look, the more confused I become haha. Wide range of prices/models. Where’s the best place to buy from? Is it something that’s generally shipped to you or a local pick up thing?
Where do I buy one? The Aluma 638 that is. The more I look, the more confused I become haha. Wide range of prices/models. Where’s the best place to buy from? Is it something that’s generally shipped to you or a local pick up thing?
I believe that fits the F3, but not the RT. I tried that with my Rt and the ramp was too narrow. I had to go with an Aluma 7 x 10.
ChicagoSpyder
New member
I currently have this Aluma which works great, but I traded it on a 22' Aluma so I can haul my SxS and the F3 at the same time.
The new trailer coming next week.
The new trailer coming next week.
fantabstic
New member
Drop tail trailer works great. We went to Minnesota and back to florida last year and to Mass and back this year. No issues and it trailed really nice. We did Airbnb all the way and loved it. We would Stay a couple of days and ryde around and then load up and go to the next stop.
Nice! Wallysea. You will have to let me know how that tows, looks like a nice trailer. Welcome to the forum!
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