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trailering

SPYDERGUY1

New member
Hello to all. Am looking for info on trailering a Spyder Across the country. Was looking at a landscape trailer that somewhat tilts with a drop down gate, not really sure what would happen when you got the front wheels on the trailer if the back would make it on due to the low ground clearance. Any info and or ideas Thanks from the frozen north. ( come on spring ):dontknow:
 
I've been looking at the AST2 from Adventure Sports Products. It's expensive as hell, but looks like the best open trailer on the market designed for the Can-am Spyder.
 
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We were having an ice storm the day I picked up my Spyder. We took a trailer similar to what you described. With the drop down ramp/rear of the trailer the Spyder sits to low to drive on, however, the salesman suggested backing the Spyder on, it did the trick. I imagine if a trailer had a longer ramp on the back the Spyder could be driven right on, or maybe an extension could be made?.?

If I remember right, a while back someone on this board made changes to his/her trailer to drive the spyder on. I'll look and see ifI can find it.
 
Hello to all. Am looking for info on trailering a Spyder Across the country. Was looking at a landscape trailer that somewhat tilts with a drop down gate, not really sure what would happen when you got the front wheels on the trailer if the back would make it on due to the low ground clearance. Any info and or ideas Thanks from the frozen north. ( come on spring ):dontknow:

Hello Spyderguy1
I bought one of those Home Depot trailers open trailers with the fold down gate two years ago and I loaded my Spyder on it. I did have a problem with the nose piece being too low, so I backed the trailer up to an embankment and made the gate level with the trailer and I drove right on. It's a tight fit but it worked. I lashed her down with a few tie downs and I'm heading to Daytona on Saturday. It's very stable and I see no problems. It's only a 5 x 10 foot trailer.:cheers: Now all I have to do is find another embankment to unload her.
 
We bought a regular 6 x 12 utility trailer with the let down ramp on the back. We have to put a 2 x 4 or a landscape timber under the ramp when loading and unloading the spyder so it doesn't drag but it works fine. If the ramp was a little longer it would be better but we make it work.
 
If you want to do an inexpensive trailer. I have a Teske 5X8 landscape
trailer that I use around my house for yard work. It just so happens that the Spyder fits on perfectly. the ramp is long so no problem with loading.
It is a tight fit the actual dimensions is 62"X 99" so it just fits, the nose
of the spyder does overhang on the tongue of the trailer a bit.
This trailer retails in the $800-900 dollar range.
I am going to trailer the Spyder from Chicago down to Florida the end of April. I did modify the trailer by adding wheel chocks and tie down points.
Its not hte most extravagent of trailers but it does the job.
 
Well if ya want a little more security

I have a CONVENT 6 by 10 enclosed trailer fit the sypder perfectly i brought it up from TN to PA with no problem. with extras it ran me 3600 no extras 2700.
 
Sometimes I back the rear wheels of the tow vehicle onto ramps(while the trailer is still connected) to give me a better angle on the gate.....:doorag:
barbecue-21.gif
:joke:
 
I use a 14' landscape trailer with a steel mesh tailgate. On flat ground I can actually ride my Spyder up with no clearance problems. If the angle is a little steeper I can walk it up. Works great and I can use it for a lot of other things as well.
 
Spyder007.jpg


Perhaps the smallest trailer ever used to transport a Spyder. 5' x 7'. Spyder must be backed on manually and slope of drive is the key to getting tailgate angle to allow Spyder to roll on. Tailgate unhooks and goes in the van during transport. Unload on a sloped bank at dealer. Would not be the best for cross country transport, but 60 miles to dealer was no problem.
 
I, too, use an enclosed trailer. Mine is a 7x12 V-nose, all aluminum. Spyder drives up the ramp just fine, but it's an extra tall trailer, so the ramp is quite long. Nice thing is that I can chuck a couple of small bikes in there with the Spyder, plus gear. Without the Spyder it fits four bikes quite comfortably, plus we sleep in it after it's unloaded.

If you are going to be traveling around the country, look into the trailer laws. Some states require trailer brakes, even with as low as a 1,000 pound GVWR trailer. A small landscape trailer could require mods to be legal...or safe, especially in the mountains. Also, I'd avoid the narrower trailers. When the wheels are that close to the rails, something is gonna get dinged if you put it on and off enough, or it bounces around in transit. The Spyder wheel spokes stick out beyond the tires.
-Scotty
1a_snow.gif
 
I, too, use an enclosed trailer. Mine is a 7x12 V-nose, all aluminum. Spyder drives up the ramp just fine, but it's an extra tall trailer, so the ramp is quite long. Nice thing is that I can chuck a couple of small bikes in there with the Spyder, plus gear. Without the Spyder it fits four bikes quite comfortably, plus we sleep in it after it's unloaded.

If you are going to be traveling around the country, look into the trailer laws. Some states require trailer brakes, even with as low as a 1,000 pound GVWR trailer. A small landscape trailer could require mods to be legal...or safe, especially in the mountains. Also, I'd avoid the narrower trailers. When the wheels are that close to the rails, something is gonna get dinged if you put it on and off enough, or it bounces around in transit. The Spyder wheel spokes stick out beyond the tires.
-Scotty
1a_snow.gif

No question this is a precision fit. I placed a wood strip at the bottom of the trailer between the tires and the rail and packed foam rubber between the trailer rail and the wheels just for that reason. There is only about 1" clearance on each side. After I had it lashed down with about six tie downs, it did not move. I would not use this for long distance, but since I own it already, its nice to know it works in an emergency,
 
I have the big Kendon folding trailer. It's 6' x 8' and I can ride the Spyder up the ramps on level ground. When not in use the back folds up, tip the trailer upright and casters on the folded end allow you to roll it up against the garage wall (standing upright). This trailer is expensive but it is very well made and rated for 4,000 lbs. The trailer is made out of tubing so it is very strong but a lot lighter than the older Kendon trailers were.

The Spyder fit on it stock but I wanted to get the bike farther forward so I cut away the front railing between the two upright supporting tubes. It came with two ramps so I purchased a third ramp from Kendon.

I've attached a photo of the full moon, setting over the Spyder on the trailer out at my desert place.
 
I use a 77" x 10' "Load Trail" utility trailer with a 4" drop axle and diamond plate floor. With the low deck height, there is no problem riding the Spyder up the ramp. Out the door, less than $1600.:2thumbs:
With normal axle, you could also take the tongue off the tow vehicle, chock the wheels and raise the front end of the trailer, thereby lowering the rear.
 
I have an AST 2 trailer and they do look good. It stops there though. Not very well built and the customer service from these jokers is a story in itself. I would be surprised that you would find them still in business.
 
I have an AST 2 trailer and they do look good. It stops there though. Not very well built and the customer service from these jokers is a story in itself. I would be surprised that you would find them still in business.

What's falling apart? What about them is saying "not very well built"? I was kinda looking at them, but now I'm not so sure I want one.

Juice :banghead:
 
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