Thinking of buying a trailer to haul the spyder on family trips…

[SupaMan_3]

What I did was buy an old pop up camper trailer. :yes:It is 6 ft wide and 10 feet long. Paid $250.00. Striped it down, new plywood and lights. Also changed the springs to 3000 lb. Made a ramp also.
Enough room for the spyder.
Ended up with a little over $500.00.:2thumbs:
Works for me instead of spending big bucks for a manufactured one.:yes:

Any pictures?? I would love to see the finished product.opcorn:opcorn:

 

[Trickie Dick]

I've towed bikes in open trailers for a number of years. Yup, it gets wet, and it gets dirty. But no worse than if I rode the bike to wherever I was going. And my wife and I get to ride together in the motorhome which makes any trip a lot of fun.

If I had easy free storage for an enclosed trailer I might have one, but they can be a bear to move around by hand and add a lot of weight.

:agree:. I don't understand why someone would say they would never tow a spyder, or any bike, with an open trailer. Did I miss something. Don't we ride these things in the open; most of the time at speeds exceeding those of a towed trailer. Sure a closed trailer is nice. IMHO I wouldn't spend those extra bucks to keep my spyder nice and dry on the road. I would, however, have a rock shield on my trailer.

 

[SteveMac]

:agree:

I've towed bikes in open trailers for a number of years. Yup, it gets wet, and it gets dirty. But no worse than if I rode the bike to wherever I was going. And my wife and I get to ride together in the motorhome which makes any trip a lot of fun.

If I had easy free storage for an enclosed trailer I might have one, but they can be a bear to move around by hand and add a lot of weight.

 

[SupaMan_3]

Mind if we ask how much $$$$?

Yes, I am curious as I contacted the company and I am awaiting the information on the AST3.

 

[NancysToy]

:agree:. I don't understand why someone would say they would never tow a spyder, or any bike, with an open trailer. Did I miss something. Don't we ride these things in the open; most of the time at speeds exceeding those of a towed trailer. Sure a closed trailer is nice. IMHO I wouldn't spend those extra bucks to keep my spyder nice and dry on the road. I would, however, have a rock shield on my trailer.

When we tow a Spyder, which is seldom, it is in an enclosed trailer for two reasons. First, the Spyder fits, and I am not buying another trailer just for the Spyder. Second, the enclosed trailer serves as our home when we arrive at an event. Unload the bikes/Spyder, set up some cots and a porta-potty, put down a throw rug, and we are in business. Versatility counts for everything. BTW, my enclosed trailer weighs just 1,200 pounds empty, so the profile is more of a burden than the weight.

 

[burg650]

:agree:. I don't understand why someone would say they would never tow a spyder, or any bike, with an open trailer. Did I miss something. Don't we ride these things in the open; most of the time at speeds exceeding those of a towed trailer. Sure a closed trailer is nice. IMHO I wouldn't spend those extra bucks to keep my spyder nice and dry on the road. I would, however, have a rock shield on my trailer.

That's a awesome rock shield you have, love how it also goes around the sides. Who makes that trailer.

 

[bumper60651]

Trailers

I purchased a 6'6" x 10' trailer with a drop ramp. When I first tried loading the :spyder2: it loaded okay until I backed out. Since I have highway pegs, the bracket caught on the trailer at the ramp. I finally was able to back down the ramp and have since installed 2-2"x12" runners down both sides where the front wheels track. I cut the ends at a 45 degree angel at the ramp and now when I load, the front wheels ride up on the runners and the rear wheel tracks down the middle. At the end of the runners I have wheel chocks to lock in the :spyder2: front wheels and strap everything down front and read. The :spyder2: rides real well in this configuration.

 

[arntufun]

:agree:. I don't understand why someone would say they would never tow a spyder, or any bike, with an open trailer. Did I miss something. Don't we ride these things in the open; most of the time at speeds exceeding those of a towed trailer. Sure a closed trailer is nice. IMHO I wouldn't spend those extra bucks to keep my spyder nice and dry on the road. I would, however, have a rock shield on my trailer.

First, where do you get gas for $2.28 a gallon ??? I'm over $4.00 here in NY. Nice truck. I have the same one, just a different color.

As far as towing a spyder in open trailer. I used to have a open snowmobile trailer with salt shield and two sleds. Everytime we would get to where we were going the sleds were completly covered with salt. I mean totally white. It changed my mind in a hurry regarding everything I towed. Even with my enclosed Spyder trailer, the v-nose portion of the trailer gets all dirty with road grime. But, My spyder is perfectly clean inside. And has not been beaten by the sun either. Like Nancystoy said, I also use that trailer to sleep in also.

Don't forget the most important reason, The enclosed trailer locks up tight when you are not around it. It would only take a few seconds for someone to hop up on an open trailer and steal your gps or vandalize your Spyder.

 

[woodchuck]

tyrailer

Any pictures?? I would love to see the finished product.opcorn:opcorn:

I don't know how to put pictures on here.

 

[Trickie Dick]

When we tow a Spyder, which is seldom, it is in an enclosed trailer for two reasons. First, the Spyder fits, and I am not buying another trailer just for the Spyder. Second, the enclosed trailer serves as our home when we arrive at an event. Unload the bikes/Spyder, set up some cots and a porta-potty, put down a throw rug, and we are in business. Versatility counts for everything. BTW, my enclosed trailer weighs just 1,200 pounds empty, so the profile is more of a burden than the weight.

I said, I wouldn't spend the extra bucks to keep my spyder nice and dry. I didn't say I wouldn't do it to keep me nice and dry.:roflblack:

That's a awesome rock shield you have, love how it also goes around the sides. Who makes that trailer.

I had this guy modify one of his basic designs for me. I made sure the ramp was low enough and long enough that the spyder would load/unload without bottoming out. I also had him put in chocks for the spyder's front wheels. He went to a local spyder dealer to measure everything. I've been pleased with it so far.
http://www.qualitybuilttrailers.com/default.html

First, where do you get gas for $2.28 a gallon ??? I'm over $4.00 here in NY. Nice truck. I have the same one, just a different color.


As far as towing a spyder in open trailer. I used to have a open snowmobile trailer with salt shield and two sleds. Everytime we would get to where we were going the sleds were completly covered with salt. I mean totally white. It changed my mind in a hurry regarding everything I towed. Even with my enclosed Spyder trailer, the v-nose portion of the trailer in all dirty with road grime. But, My spyder is perfectly clean inside. And has not been beaten by the sun either. Like Nancystoy said, I also use that trailer to sleep in also.

Don't forget the most important reason, The enclosed trailer locks up tight when you are not around it. It would only take a few seconds for someone to hop up on an open trailer and steal your gps or vandalize your Spyder.

I knew the gas price would draw a comment. Obviously, the picture is several years old. Ahh the good ole days.:thumbup:
Wondering how you keep your spyder warm and safe when you park it on the street to go into the grocery store. :dontknow:
Do you cover it with it blankie at night when you put it to bed. :roflblack:

 

[arntufun]

Do you cover it with it blankie at night when you put it to bed. :roflblack:

How did you know ??? :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[mxz600]

Any recommendations on a trailer? I have noticed most have the two-drop ramps or the utility ramp (not sure if it would support the weight) figured I would start here, as tomorrow I will be going around getting quotes for the Class II or III hitch. Guidance please?

Here's one built by R&R trailers in Three Rivers, MI. It would need some modification of the ramp to accommodate the Spyder. Something I'm sure they could do. I was thinking of this one before I upgraded my snowmobile trailer.

Now I'll just use my sled trailer for the Spyder, although it's a little large. I will rarely trailer the Spyder anyway.

http://www.rnrtrailers.com/

 

[3whlLefty]

Look at the Aluma

I haul my Spyder on a trailer from Aluma. It's the model 638, 63 inches wide and 8 feet long. It loads quite easily if you can get the wheels in a dip like the curb on your driveway. Very light and tows like a dream.

I like the open trailer so I can watch it in my mirror. It can get dirty but it's very washable. Once I figure out some hooks for the floor I'll be able to carry a cargo box on each side after the Spyder is loaded. You can see the choices at

www.alumaklm.com

 

[mofa52]

I went with an enclosed trailer called the Toycarrier. Great trailer

 

[t64507]

:agree:. I don't understand why someone would say they would never tow a spyder, or any bike, with an open trailer. Did I miss something. Don't we ride these things in the open; most of the time at speeds exceeding those of a towed trailer. Sure a closed trailer is nice. IMHO I wouldn't spend those extra bucks to keep my spyder nice and dry on the road. I would, however, have a rock shield on my trailer.

WHERE you live your gas is cheap:chat:

 

[burg650]

Supaman, did you decide on a trailer yet?

 

[SteveMac]

Picked up my new trailer today and gave the Spyder a trial fit.
PERFECT. For me. I like having a multi purpose trailer, and this one looks pretty good if I do say so myself! The drop axles and longer gate allow for a nice shallow angle of entry for the Spyder.

Right on point SpyderWolf. I just sold a 20' split deck tilt trailer that was very easy to load with a good angle of attack for loading. However the trailer was just too big. I also had a 10' tilt, but it was too narrow. So, I sold both of those trailers and had a local trailer builder custom build a tandem axle for me here locally (there are TONS of trailer manufacturers in Sikeston MO, a few miles from me and one of my good friends owns one of the companies his website is: http://www.retcotrailers.com/) I also wanted a tandem axle, not so much to support weight of the Spyder, but in case I wanted to haul a pallet of stone or any other heavy load. I also wanted trailer brakes, making the trailer much safer to pull. Anyway to SpyderWolf's point. I rode my RT over to my friends shop the other day to check the angle of attack for loading and he had a 3' drop gate with a dove tail on the trailer, we had hoped that would work with the shorter tail gate, so I wouldn't grab as much wind. However it was still too steep and this trailer even has drop axles. We are going with a 4' drop gate and I think that will solve the problem.

So to SupaMan_3 If you buy, be sure to hook the trailer to YOUR vehicle and load the Spyder to be sure you have no drag. I am not sure but I would guess that the RS is more forgiving on loading than the RT. Maybe not, but the Frunk on the RT is very low and forward of the front wheels. Keep in mind if you have a two inch receiver you can get a drop or raise hitch to alter the angle of attack when loading. A slip hitch that raises the tongue of the trailer will help.

Hope that helps! I'll post a pic of my trailer when I pick it up. Hopefully next week! I am going on a Florida vacation and I'll have three college kids tagging along, so I am taking my SUV which will haul all five of us and then me and the wifey will rYde along the ocean!

 

[burg650]

Congrats SteveMac, can I suggest you get some kind of a shield/bug guard for the front of the trailer to protect the Spyder.

 

[SteveMac]

Thanks! I'll definitely look into it. Been hauling golf carts and cars on open trailers this way for years without issue, but it only takes once I suppose!

Congrats SteveMac, can I suggest you get some kind of a shield/bug guard for the front of the trailer to protect the Spyder.

 

[tajohn]

We recently bought a 6x10 Gator Made utility trailer w/15" wheels. The best feature is the spring loaded ramp. No drag on loading.