Trailer Advise

[Lapchik]

I am thinking about building a trailer to pull behind my Concours. Any suggestions or knowledge to share with me? Any good hitch manufacturers out there? I have a good idea of what I want, but any input is greatly appreciated.

I am thinking independent suspension using mini-dirt bike shocks, low deck height, and some sort of roof top cargo box that can easily be put on/taken off so I can possibly use the trailer as a flatbed. You know, for hauling kegs or bike engines or whatever. I have 4.5x12 tires laying around from old boat trailers I took apart that I will use. Axle mounted fenders, lights mounted on fenders. I assume even with LED lights, I will need some sort of isolated wiring harness from bike to trailer.

I have no experience driving a bike with trailer, so any advice there? I assume braking distance increases at least double, trailer will push back end of bike around, and trailer will pull bike side to side in wind.

Talking sense, or did I just Thelma and Louise it off the cliff?

[Frump]

Check the trike place in Granville which is just down the road from you. Those guys specialize in trailers and you would be pressed to make a nice trailer at the prices they have. That is where my trailer originally came from and I've been told they are very helpful and have good followup support. My trailer is fiberglass built around a steel chassis with torsion arms. It pulls and stops very easy. One feature I like is that it uses a common 12" tire which can be found in stock nearly anywhere. I mainly use it when I'm camping and need to carry more gear.

http://www.matrixmfg.com/cargo-trailers/...r-info.htm

[Shooter]

Mine is no more than a little utility trailer with a cargo container bolted on top. Like Sleddog said the key is keeping the trailer as light as possible without losing structural integrity. Also as Frump stated your hard pressed to save money making your own when you consider the manufactured one will most likely be considerably lighter. Unless you make it out of aluminum and then your cost are right back to the price of a manufactured one.

I would recommend either make one like mine cheap or spend the money on a manufactured one. Mine is small and not square also so keep that in mind. BTW mine is not for sale either...lol

On a side note a travelocity gnome bolted to the top of a cargo container makes it about 7000 miles before he blows off in a wind storm coming home from the 2011 Bonzai Rally.

RIP Gnomie

[Lapchik]

All good information. I still think I can build a good trailer in my garage without having it turn out like heavy farm equipment. I just can't spend over $1000 on an already built trailer. I already have wheels, tires, spindles, and hubs. I only need some steel and a cargo trailer. It will be a good challenge. I will have to work on my google-foo skills and see a few trailers in person before I start. I am planning on January or February start time for the trailer so I have a lot of time to research and draft up options.

[Lapchik]

Does anyone use a pivot ball or pivot hitch?