Trailering Spyders behind a motorhome

[lonestarmedic]

So, as we mature a bit, we are thinking of going on the road with a class C motorhome. Something 24 foot or less.
Also, wanting to take 2 Spyders along. This will be a gradual purchase, over the next 7-9 years. Planning our
retirement in advance. Anyway, If you put 2 Spyder RTs in a trailer what is the shortest we could get away with?
Thinking pull one in and back one in. Looks like 8 foot width would do, but not sure on length. I figure the 2
Spyders on/in a lightweight trailer should hold in at 3500 lbs or less.

JB

 

[Bob Denman]

My gut tells me that you'd be happier with a 16 footer; but I actually do think that you could do it with 12'. A lot of snowmobile trailers are actually 101" wide now... That extra little bit of width would give you some more wiggle room' it might even make a 12 footer easier to deal with. :thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

Park your Spyders on the garage floor or paved driveway, as close as you think you could comfortably load them in a trailer. Remember that you can only approach from one direction, and can't hang ove the edges unless it is an open trailer. Back-to back takes less length, but requires more width. Single file takes less width, but requires more length. Once you have them parked, take a measurement outside the rectangle they occupy. That is the minimum size you would need. How much extra to allow depends on your skill and comfort in loading, and whether it is an enclosed or open trailer.

Other considerations...
A. The clear tailgate width may be considerably less than the trailer width, which is usually stated as the nominal width from backing plate to backing plate, not the inside (or tailgate) dimension.
B. 3,500 pounds would be real tight, especially if the Spyders are RTs and the trailer is enclosed. You would probably have a 1,500 pound trailer weight or better, plus two 1,000 pound Spyders....with no extra cargo. Better to look at a dual-axle trailer with a bit more capacity. The dual-axle will be lkess sensitive to loading position, anyway.
C. Consider the loaded tongue weight. You may need more trailer in order to position the Spyders to optimize the tongue weight. Too little can be dangerous, and too much can damage the tow vehicle/hitch or overload your tires.

 

[bruiser]

I just purchased an 8x20' enclosed V nose trailer with twin 3500lb axles with brakes, for our two Spyders. Nothing less will do. I tried. Some 18' trailers only have a 16.5' floor. I ordered it with 8 D rings in the floor. I will back in one Spyder and nose in the other. That way I'll keep the majority of the weight centered on the twin axles. An 8' width gives you a 7' rear door. Plenty of room to load the Spyder. I choose the V nose for the extra room plus less drag. I have the side entry door as well. And I ordered it with LED lighting and a spare tire. I did what Scotty recommends, laying a pattern out. Try it and see. Good luck.

 

[lonestarmedic]

Don't own Spyders as of yet.

So, I am putting the trailer before the Spyders a bit. Need to upgrade our trailer
for general purpose. The 3500lbs is what I figure 2 Spyders and an open trailer
would weigh. Probably add 1000lbs. for lightweight enclosed. I really do not
see the need for a 20 foot x 8 foot trailer in our case. That would be ten foot
per roadster. Unless I am being deceived, they are not that long. The Can-Am
web site puts the length at 8.75 feet. So about the same as our Yamaha.
The clear ramp width and door needs to be 6 foot. I do agree that putting the
fronts of both roadsters over the tandem axles is ideal. I guess we will need to
measure a Spyder from tip to tail and see where it lands. If the wheel tie downs
are good, I am comfortable with leaving about a foot clearance when they are locked in.

I think an 8 foot by 16 foot would work if they were offset. If they go inline, anything
6 foot or wider and 18 foot of deck would work.

JB

 

[NancysToy]

Sounds like you have a good handle on it. Best of luck in your search.

 

[bruiser]

I wasn't clear on my post. The trailer has 18' of flat floor and 2' in the V nose. Thus 20'. I should have explained that. I wanted 8' to give me room to move around when tying down the Spyders. Is there any way you can take both bikes to a trailer dealer and do a test load?? That would give you an exact idea of what you need. What I found out was the overall trailer measurements don't reflect the deck measurement. Some trailers take into account the tailgate as part of the overall length. So an 18' trailer would have a 14' deck and 4' tailgate. A drop tail trailer has 16' of flat deck and 2' on the drop tail. You are correct on the length of the Spyder. 105" = 8.75 feet.