What size trailer?

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goodoboy
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What size trailer?

Post by goodoboy »

Hello,

I have a 2000 kdx 220 and I need a trailer to pull it.

2002 Honda Accord LX

I know I need this hitch with other accessories.

What size trailer do I need to look for 4x6, 4x7, or 4x8.? The length of the bike is about 7ft long.

http://www.harborfreight.com/870-lb-cap ... 42708.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive ... 90154.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/sno/4434798950.html

I would like a lighter trailer specifically for one dirt bike like http://s66.photobucket.com/user/quailch ... 8.jpg.html
Thank you
Last edited by goodoboy on 08:42 pm May 10 2014, edited 1 time in total.
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6 Riders
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by 6 Riders »

4X8 would be ideal. Many people are having good luck with the Harbor Freight trailer, including a couple guys that I know.
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
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diymirage
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by diymirage »

lol, don't pay 400 used for something that costs 300 new


keep in mind that now your only thinking of hauling a bike, but later you might need to move a lawnmower, some sheetrock or a bed

mine is 4X8 and it fits all those items perfectly

also, the folding trailers have, what, 9 inch wheels ?
the smaller the wheels the quicker they turn and the bigger the chance of spinning a bearing

if it were my money, I would consider this one over the one you posted
http://houston.craigslist.org/sno/4461379566.html
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
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diymirage
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by diymirage »

newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by 6 Riders »

That 2nd CL one might be the deal of the day! I'd check it out!
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
masterblaster wrote:Man 6 riders you rock.
*side note...I'm drunk, so try to read what I'm trying to say, instead of what I actually type
goodoboy
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by goodoboy »

diymirage wrote:lol, don't pay 400 used for something that costs 300 new


keep in mind that now your only thinking of hauling a bike, but later you might need to move a lawnmower, some sheetrock or a bed

mine is 4X8 and it fits all those items perfectly

also, the folding trailers have, what, 9 inch wheels ?
the smaller the wheels the quicker they turn and the bigger the chance of spinning a bearing

if it were my money, I would consider this one over the one you posted
http://houston.craigslist.org/sno/4461379566.html
Thanks for the response.

Can you explain why choose the one you posted over mine? Is it because of the side rails and ramp? I am not use to trailer, still learning, just like the bike.

how about these:

http://houston.craigslist.org/grd/4460745637.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4448116947.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/sno/4447803208.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4430663275.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4412598494.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/grd/4398685182.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4399986925.html look good but I think bike is too long for 4x6

Thanks for all the help. Well appreciated.
Last edited by goodoboy on 12:51 am May 11 2014, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by 6 Riders »

I can tell you that the one from Craigs list that you posted is a Harbor Freight trailer, they sell new for <$300 and have little 12" wheels. The first one that DIY posted is a nice all steel trailer w/14" wheels and a built in ramp, pretty nice trailer for $400. The 2nd one he posted is an all steel deck well built trailer w/at least 14" wheels. Those two trailers are a hundred times better than a Harbor Freight trailer.
He's really just saying that there are better trailers than the really cheap trailers with the little wheels.
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
masterblaster wrote:Man 6 riders you rock.
*side note...I'm drunk, so try to read what I'm trying to say, instead of what I actually type
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by goodoboy »

6 Riders wrote:I can tell you that the one from Craigs list that you posted is a Harbor Freight trailer, they sell new for <$300 and have little 12" wheels. The first one that DIY posted is a nice all steel trailer w/14" wheels and a built in ramp, pretty nice trailer for $400. The 2nd one he posted is an all steel deck well built trailer w/at least 14" wheels. Those two trailers are a hundred times better than a Harbor Freight trailer.
He's really just saying that there are better trailers than the really cheap trailers with the little wheels.
Thanks, I understand now. Wouldn't the steel trailers weight more? The max weight my car can pull is 1000 lbs. Bike weighs about 230 lbs. But steel would be better
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by 6 Riders »

The first one that he posted is a pretty light trailer, these little trailers are going to be a couple hundred pounds, not 500+. You should be safe w/either of them, should be able to pull 2 bikes and gear!
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
masterblaster wrote:Man 6 riders you rock.
*side note...I'm drunk, so try to read what I'm trying to say, instead of what I actually type
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diymirage
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by diymirage »

yup, I looked at they way they are constructed, the size of the wheels (bigger is better) and the overall shape it is in

from all the ones you listed I liked the wood decked one
simple but useful and it comes with a toolbox
http://houston.craigslist.org/sno/4447803208.html this one I would stay away from, it is all twisted and I cant imagine that would pull straight or hold a load as secure as a flat trailer would

http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4430663275.html I think this is my favorite from the batch you posted
the wheels are still smaller then the first one I posted but at least they aren't 9 inchers


I would stay away from the smaller ones and shoot for a 4X8 because you just never know what you want to haul once you get a trailer
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
goodoboy
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by goodoboy »

diymirage wrote:yup, I looked at they way they are constructed, the size of the wheels (bigger is better) and the overall shape it is in

from all the ones you listed I liked the wood decked one
simple but useful and it comes with a toolbox
http://houston.craigslist.org/sno/4447803208.html this one I would stay away from, it is all twisted and I cant imagine that would pull straight or hold a load as secure as a flat trailer would

http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4430663275.html I think this is my favorite from the batch you posted
the wheels are still smaller then the first one I posted but at least they aren't 9 inchers


I would stay away from the smaller ones and shoot for a 4X8 because you just never know what you want to haul once you get a trailer
What about here: http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4448116947.html
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diymirage
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by diymirage »

yeah, I like that one
the deck doesn't look show quality but it will do great, looks nice and sturdy and the toolbox is a great plus and that nosewheel will make maneuvering it around the driveway a lot easier
not sure what size wheels they are but they look like 12s ?

I would definitely put that one near the top of my list


funny story about trailers
I got a call last Friday from a buddy, asking to borrow my trailer
he had just bought a house and it has a huge yard, much to big to use his pushmower on
so he had borrowed a riding mower somewhere and wanted to borrow my trailer to haul

I said sure, no problem, that's what I got it for
he comes to pick it up, no problem
early Saturday he calls me up again
"I know I already bothered you about the trailer...but could I also borrow your lawnmower?"
:doh: sure
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
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What size trailer?

Post by vlxk98 »

I bought one of the 4x8 Harbor Freight trailers for the KDX and light hauling. It is rated at 1195#.

I got it on sale for $229 when all was said and done. I did a plywood floor and treated 1x4 side rails, 3 rails a couple of inches apart.

It has 12" wheels. I have had no problems at all with it. There are more durable trailers to be found but it fit my budget and purpose at the time.
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by 6 Riders »

goodoboy wrote: What about here: http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4448116947.html
That's a pretty decent trailer. I'd think that you'll want to re-deck it with 3/4 ply to save weight though.....probably cost about $50 in good plywood and paint.
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
masterblaster wrote:Man 6 riders you rock.
*side note...I'm drunk, so try to read what I'm trying to say, instead of what I actually type
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What size trailer?

Post by 6 Riders »

vlxk98 wrote:I bought one of the 4x8 Harbor Freight trailers for the KDX and light hauling. It is rated at 1195#.

I got it on sale for $229 when all was said and done. I did a plywood floor and treated 1x4 side rails, 3 rails a couple of inches apart.

It has 12" wheels. I have had no problems at all with it. There are more durable trailers to be found but it fit my budget and purpose at the time.
Yes, if you look at the adds, they have the trailers w/12" wheels, there are more issues w/ HF trailers than the wheel size, like welds that break, shitty metal....it's hit and miss. But for $350 including decking and taxes, pretty descent trailers for the $$.
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
masterblaster wrote:Man 6 riders you rock.
*side note...I'm drunk, so try to read what I'm trying to say, instead of what I actually type
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by goodoboy »

diymirage wrote: he comes to pick it up, no problem
early Saturday he calls me up again
"I know I already bothered you about the trailer...but could I also borrow your lawnmower?"
:doh: sure
That's what friends are for. lol
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Re: What size trailer?

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6 Riders wrote:
goodoboy wrote: What about here: http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4448116947.html
That's a pretty decent trailer. I'd think that you'll want to re-deck it with 3/4 ply to save weight though.....probably cost about $50 in good plywood and paint.
THanks,

I just called the guy. He does not have it registered, so I will have to get it registered.

Yes, the wood does look a bit worned. He has had it for about 8 years he mentioned and only used it for dirt bike hauling and some other hauling.

I will go look at it Friday. What I really want is a trailer meant only for dirt bike hauling but these will extend the budget. I want be doing any other hauling whats so ever besides hauling this bike so all the extra room is really not needed for my case.

I sure be glad when this process of buying gear and stuff is over so I get to riding.. lol :blink:
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What size trailer?

Post by adam728 »

I went back and forth on trailer size for a good while. Got sick of using the 5x8 enclosed and van to get 15 mpg heading up north with the family and bike, wanted something small and light so we could take either car and get 26-28 mpg instead.

Ended up with the 4x8 Harbor Freight trailer. Works well, no issues with wheel bearings yet (12" wheels), and did about 2,000 miles in one week at freeway speeds hauling 2 scooters (about 500 lbs).

That said, I would have/should have spent more up front. I got the trailer on sale, with a 25% off coupon, so it came out well under $300 with the spare tire added on. Then you buy good plywood for a deck ($50), hardware to bolt it all down ($20), tie-down points ($10), and you are creeping towards those nicer complete trailers that are much more heavy duty. Very flimsy torsionally, even with 3/4 plywood and 25 bolts. Lift a corner and the trailer twists 4-5" before picking a wheel up. I plan to add a rail across the front and about 3/4 of the way down the sides, will give more tie-down spots, and make it much more rigid.

I spent too much time on it too, and time is worth money. I didn't want it folding, so I welded everything together. Then painted most of it. Didn't paint the tongue, as I didn't modify it. I will be paining the tongue soon. Less than 1 year outside partially under a lean-to and the tongue has faded to nearly white. Looks horrible. The cheap International red tractor paint on the rest of it looks fine. I also ended up (after the pics) flipping the rear axle to lower the trailer. I raised the fenders, but it still wasn't enough, so I ditched them for now until I can make new brackets (fenders on that weight class trailer are not required in Michigan).

So in the end I probably have $450 or so into the thing, I could have purchased a small steel trailer with mesh deck and rear ramp for that price locally. And I have a good 8 hours into assembly/welding/paining/modifying. But it works.

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Re: What size trailer?

Post by bufftester »

4x8 that I bought at Tractor Supply in Minot a few years back, paid all of $325 on sale, another $20 for the 5/8" exterior plywood (Underneath is the steel mesh, just didn't like how much road junk it let up while towing). It has made a couple of trips between ND and WA fully loaded with 3 bikes and never a problem. Light enough I used to tow it behind my '85 Scirocco before I got rid of it.
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Re: What size trailer?

Post by diymirage »

bufftester wrote:4x8 that I bought at Tractor Supply in Minot a few years back, paid all of $325 on sale

THAT is a good deal

in fact, that beats anything ive seen on CL
different ramps but very similar to mine

(I got about 450 into mine, not counting the time and material I spend extending the tongue to ensure the toolbox didn't hit the car when turning)
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
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