Best type of trailer for RT?

[nonseven]

I'm thinking about buying a new RT. My current utility trailer is not quite big enough - 6 x 8. I need to get a 6 x 10'.

I was thinking about the type where the whole trailer bed pivots rather than the type with the back gate that swings to the ground. I don't want to risk hitting the drive belt when I drive it on.

What is everyone else using?

 

[NancysToy]

I use an enclosed trailer, when we absolutely need to take a trailer instead of riding, so I can't offer a specific example. Some basic principles:

Your idea of the longer trailer is a good one. The Spyder should be tied down by the wheels, which requires more length. You can do it in eight feet (or less) if it overhangs, and the trailer doesn't have anything that sticks up and gets in the way, but ten feet is better. Look in the Owner's Guide for the recommended tie-down procedures.

The pivoting trailer would assist in loading. Your belt won't hit, but the bottom of the Spyder will. Clearance is less than five inches. It takes a long ramp, a tilted trailer, or a combination of the two. You can raise the nose of the trailer with the jack to help a bit, but I don't recommend disconnecting from the tow vehicle unless you have stabilizer jacks all around.

The width of the trailer is important. A six foot wide trailer is not necessarily six feet of clear width. The RT is 3" wider than the RS, and you want room to load without having to cut things too close, so more is better here. Make sure of the actual clear width, no matter what the description or salesman says.

I forgot to add that you need to make sure of the weight capacity. The RTS weighs over 900 pounds dry, so can go well over 1,000 with fuel, oil, and some cargo in the bags. A 1,000 lb axle is not going to do the job. Also, check the laws in tthe state(s) you are towing through. Some require trailer brakes on trailers with as low as 1,000 or 1,500 pounds gross weight. Wisconsin requires all trailers to have brakes except lightweight folding camping trailers.

 

[xpeschon]

I went through the whole trailer ordeal last year and ended up buying a trailer from this outfit:

http://www.jerryjamestrailersinc.com/singleaxle.htm

I paid an extra 60.00 (it got me 82inches between wheel wells)for the extra wide width and bought the 12 foot --Single Axle ---TILT BED.. Works really good with the spyder, very easy. The reason I went with a 12 footer is that I wanted to load the spyder plus my other 2 wheeler, I have plenty of room to load the both.. If you are going to load just the spyder the tilt bed is the way to go BUT if you are going to try and load 2 pieces of equipment the ramp is the way to go because it is TRICKY to say the least loading 2 pieces of equipment on a tilt bed, its a whole balancing concept, ask me I know..... Now BumbleBee got the same trailer as I EXCEPT she bought the ramp style one and not the tilt,, and they load 2 bikes on theres with no worries about the whole balancing act.. I am in the process on attaching a 2 ton Jack on the front of the toungue in order to keep the bed UP and LOCKED when it comes to loading and unloading and be able to JACK it down when there are loaded,, sound complicated I know but it will all work out.. Best of luck..

Joe
(X)

 

[spyryder]

I'm thinking about buying a new RT. My current utility trailer is not quite big enough - 6 x 8. I need to get a 6 x 10'.

I was thinking about the type where the whole trailer bed pivots rather than the type with the back gate that swings to the ground. I don't want to risk hitting the drive belt when I drive it on.

What is everyone else using?

I built this 6X10 trailer specifically for my RS....works great. It's very similar to a lot of landscape trailers out there.:f_spider:

 

[retread]

Check Quality Built Trailers - I had one made to my specs for less than 2000. They're on line, located south of Lexington KY, good to deal with.

john

 

[xpeschon]

spyryder: Very nice job brother.. Any idea how to hook up a Hydralic Jack or cylinder to the tougue so that I can kind of control when it drops and raise it when I want to? If you have read my earlier post then you know what I am trying to do here? Open for suggestions at the moment..

Joe
(X)

 

[spyryder]

spyryder: Very nice job brother.. Any idea how to hook up a Hydralic Jack or cylinder to the tougue so that I can kind of control when it drops and raise it when I want to? If you have read my earlier post then you know what I am trying to do here? Open for suggestions at the moment..

Joe
(X)

Thanks Joe, yes I read your post.....maybe you could fashion some mounting brackets or pads and use a bottle jack on top of the drawbar and under the front rail? Or possibly a really simple or temporary way could be to adapt an old bumper jack or Jackall?

 

[craigclive]

trailer?????

 

[retired1]

trailer?

I have a 6'X12' Haulmark enclosed trailer with ramp door. My '09 :f_spider:
would jusy barely make it through the back opening. To get the RT through the rear door will require a 7' opening for me. To get the RS into the trailer I had to have the cables on the ramp held out, or the center of the wheel would rub. I haven't tried it yet, but with the RT being 3" wider I'm sure damage would result. When the RS went through the doorway there wasn't 1 1/2" clearance on either side. Just my opinion. Good luck!

 

[burg650]

If you have the money a AST3 trailer is the way to go, http://www.northwestsportsproducts.com/

 

[Jester]

AST quality??

Burg650,
I agree that the AST3 is the best looking thing out there and the air raise and lower is neat. However, there were several remarks in older threads that were less than kind about the quality and service level of the manufacturer. Has that been cleared up? If so, I am a candidate for one.

 

[burg650]

Burg650,
I agree that the AST3 is the best looking thing out there and the air raise and lower is neat. However, there were several remarks in older threads that were less than kind about the quality and service level of the manufacturer. Has that been cleared up? If so, I am a candidate for one.

I saw those post and actually talked to that person, he did say he was disappointed with the trailer but for what I got out of the conversation it was all about the way it was packed and shipped as it came damaged. He did also re-build the whole trailer as he was a perfectionist and wanted to make changes and I did see photos of what he did, but also he sold it very soon after all that work and money as he also sold the spyder.

For me it was the right choice, it is very easy for me to load and off load the Spyder and I especially like the look of the trailer and Spyder together and the bug shield/finders are painted to match my Spyder and of course the remote to control the air raising/lowering of the trailer is cool as well. I know of two others who also have this same trailer not the size I have as one carry one bike and the other carries two bikes the 3 is made for the spyder and the smart car or 3 bikes.

I can tell you that I have found nothing wrong with mine at all, I will also tell you I got mine from a dealer in Boston and went to pick it up and the drive home I almost forgot I had a trailer in toe it was very smooth and stable but had to get used to the size as it is wider than any other trailer I have pulled before. Sure it is much more expensive than many other trailers out there, hell 3 times the cost of most but the amount of money I have in my Spyder heck why not, if you were closer I would say come over and check it out.

 

[spyder08]

My brother built me a tilt trailer but either I don't know how or it won't upload a picture of it. I did manage to get one picture in my album. If you want to see it. I guess you can go to my album. He made it as low as possible with low profile tires and it works perfectly. Even matched up the color. Maybe I could email a picture of it to someone and they could post it. I don't know. :yikes:

 

[NancysToy]

My brother built me a tilt trailer but either I don't know how or it won't upload a picture of it. I did manage to get one picture in my album. If you want to see it. I guess you can go to my album. He made it as low as possible with low profile tires and it works perfectly. Even matched up the color. Maybe I could email a picture of it to someone and they could post it. I don't know. :yikes:

If you got the picture into your album, you are half way there. Go to the album and open the picture. Under the picture you will see two boxes. Copy the text in the box entitled "BB Code". Go back to the thread and paste that into your post. The picture should appear as part of your entry when you submit or preview. There are other ways, but this is simple and quick if it is in your album.

 

[syclemom]

Trailer

I want to ask an honest question, why would you buy a motorcycle of any make ,brand, style and haul it around on a trailer? They are meant to be ridden not hauled I looked there are no built in tie downs,you do not have the feel for your machine, the reactions without thinking , a motorcycle needs to be an extension of you to be safe on it, that only comes from experience riding not hauling,why buy a touring bike to haul? Before any rebuttles my wife rides 25-30000mi. a yr. and myself 35000mi.+ a yr. and NO I do not own a trailer of any kind intending to haul any of our motorcycles. Jan. 5 7,360mi. 31.5mpg

 

[retread]

I want to ask an honest question, why would you buy a motorcycle of any make ,brand, style and haul it around on a trailer? They are meant to be ridden not hauled I looked there are no built in tie downs,you do not have the feel for your machine, the reactions without thinking , a motorcycle needs to be an extension of you to be safe on it, that only comes from experience riding not hauling,why buy a touring bike to haul? Before any rebuttles my wife rides 25-30000mi. a yr. and myself 35000mi.+ a yr. and NO I do not own a trailer of any kind intending to haul any of our motorcycles. Jan. 5 7,360mi. 31.5mpg

Quick answer; I go many places to help build things, my Spyder goes with me on a trailer because it can't carry the tools I need, and I don't want to be without it.

john

 

[NancysToy]

I want to ask an honest question, why would you buy a motorcycle of any make ,brand, style and haul it around on a trailer? They are meant to be ridden not hauled I looked there are no built in tie downs,you do not have the feel for your machine, the reactions without thinking , a motorcycle needs to be an extension of you to be safe on it, that only comes from experience riding not hauling,why buy a touring bike to haul? Before any rebuttals my wife rides 25-30000mi. a yr. and myself 35000mi.+ a yr. and NO I do not own a trailer of any kind intending to haul any of our motorcycles. Jan. 5 7,360mi. 31.5mpg

Quick answer; I go many places to help build things, my Spyder goes with me on a trailer because it can't carry the tools I need, and I don't want to be without it.

john

I agree with both of you. I ride wherever I can, and I fully believe motorcycles (and hotrods) are made to be ridden. There are times when it is impractical, however. Situations as John described, for example, where even a motorcycle trailer won't haul a contractor's saw or a drill press. One that happens to me frequently is heading out to a motorcycle show, where I want something to ride, but need to haul a couple of show bikes, too. Getting the Spyder to the dealer during the winter snows (or picking up my new RT) make the trailer the only available answer, too. And how do you take your motorcycle along on your vacation, plus your wife and three kids? While I encourage all riders to ride to their destinations, I would never throw rocks at trailer use. On the other hand, you never build up the necessary confidence and experience needed to ride long distances, until you start to ride those distances. Start small, and eventually you end up touring the nation.

 

[Jester]

I tried to call Adventure Sports Products about the AST2 or AST3 trailers and found both of the telephone numbers shown on their website disconnected.
(http://www.adventuresportsproducts.com/index.cfm/0/0/11/0)

Does anyone know anything about them?:dontknow:

Scotty, sorry to hear you are disappointed in your RT. Up until recently, I thought you were enjoying it.

 

[burg650]

I tried to call Adventure Sports Products about the AST2 or AST3 trailers and found both of the telephone numbers shown on their website disconnected.
(http://www.adventuresportsproducts.com/index.cfm/0/0/11/0)

Does anyone know anything about them?:dontknow:

Scotty, sorry to hear you are disappointed in your RT. Up until recently, I thought you were enjoying it.

Call these Guys (978) 658-6028 ask for Brick or Mike tell them Roger from NJ gave you the number, real cool Guys to deal with. They can get you the AT3 the 2 is too small for spyder, also web link http://www.modernconceptstrailers.com/index.html Also see you have a Burgman 650 as well, real nice bike and yes I call it a bike.

 

[Jester]

Thanks Roger,
Will contact them Monday.
Cappy

PS.hyea:. About the Burgman 650: I can never decide if it is a scooter that thinks it is motorcycle or a motorcycle that looks like a scooter. All I know is that it is a lot of fun. Very nimble and surprising fast. A lot of HD guys have found out the hard way that it will run.