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Homemade pull behind motorcycle trailer...

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Why buy an expensive trailer?, when you can build your own

When your traveling on a motorcycle its almost impossible to carry all the nessasary items for the long haul much less the luxury items. But there is a alternative! A pull behind trailer which can be bought or fabricated on your own. My wife and I decided after looking at the pricetag for a already built trailer that we would make our own and see how it performed and if it would work for us. It was fine and very inexpensive. We ended up taking it all the way to the grand canyon and back with a 7 man walkin tent, a cooler, a inflatable bed, a portable shower, a guitar and tons of clothes and other what would seem luxury items on a motorcycle trip.

New addition:
Hey! one thing everyone needs to know is that when you are pulling a trailer with a motorcycle its not gonna be the same as when you rode single. Its a whole new game. You will drive slower and be more alert for road and weather conditions also you will have to ride with a more "think ahead type mind" in other words if you have to stop think ahead don't just cramm the brakes. When you have to get off the highway plan it a couple miles before hand, drive defensively granted your still a motorcyclist just in a different mode. I have exercises I do for that type of riding,I live in detriot and I try to "time " the lights, I try and see how far i can go without my feet touching the ground. This takes looking at the lights ahead and depending on what they are doing, adjusting my speed accordingly, If the light has been green a while I call that a "stale light" so I might slow down to a crawl to let it cycle or if its a new green light and im back aways I may speed up depending on what the lights after that are doing . Try to look at the big picture,whats ahead and behind me (im always checking mirrors). My doctor and I were talking about me having over thirty years of riding behind me(trust me ive had my dumps" he said something that made me think "I know your a good rider" I said "Hows that doc?" He said "Your still alive"

An overview

You can build this trailer from scatch and it wont cost you a arm and a leg. Its light and when loaded correctly you will barely notice its back there.the trailer came from harbor freight and has all the assembly instructions included. The plywood just bolts to the frame you will need short half inch bolts. the cargo box attaches to the plywood and use bolts with big washers to hold it on,what i did was set it where I wanted it and drilled through the cargo box, and right through the plywood. I think I have 8 bolts holding it on. Make sure you have the box so that the weight is centered to the axel if you look at mine I have it back further because the cooler adds weight to the front. As a added feature we took ladder replacement hinges and replaced the stock hinges on the cargo hauler so that it would open up with a bigger opening

Materials you'll need

1075 Lb. Capacity 40-1/2" x 48" Mini Utility Trailer with 12" Four-Lug Wheels and Tires (Harbor freight)

X-Cargo Sport 20 Car Top Carrier
Sears item# 02872020000 Mfr. model# 72020

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sheet of plywood 3/4" thick

wrenches ,pliers,hammer, screwdrivers, socket wrenches
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Step 1:

First step is to go to your local harbor freight and buy the 40-1/2" x 48" Mini Utility Trailer with 12" Four-Lug Wheels and Tires there are 2 trailer the same size but one has 8 inch wheels you don't want that for the reason that if a 16 inch wheel is doing 75mph a 8 inch wheel is doing 150mph lots more strain on the bearings and the rubber is not rated for that high speed. The trailer is put together easily with instructions provided. The only modification you need to know is to attach the tow bar as far ahead as possible the longer the tongue the more stability.

Step 2:

type=textattach the plywood with bolts to the frame, i recommend treated plywood,the green stuff,because you will be getting a lot of weather and the treated stuff will hold up better after a period of time. The reason I covered the top of the frame with plywood was its economical,you could use aliminum diamond plate but as far as steel goes id try and keep the weight down. This provides a solid sturdy base to attach the cargo holder to ,and gives structural support to the trailer frame.

Step 3:

attach the cargo hauler and go camping!

planet usa

P.S.

I added on the cooler carrier which when full keeps good weight on the tongue. most motorcycles are rated for only 600 more pounds added to the axel weight (that includes body weight) so pullling a trailer is easier on the bike than loading it down

Reader Feedback

  • Don May 16, 2012 @ 7:53 pm | delete
    I bought the trailer today but when I took the wheels out of the box to start putting the trailer together, the wheels say maximum speed is 55 mph. Can someone tell me if they travel above 55 mph pulling this trailer? I am doing a cross country trip this summer but don't want to be limited to 55 mph. If I can't go above 55 then I will return the trailer before I unbox it all. Info/help? Thanks..
  • COLONEL Mar 31, 2012 @ 11:11 am | delete
    I like the idea of building my own, but I want to build a light weight Pet hauler for a 75# Lab and I would like to hear some ideas besides what I have in mind. I will be pulling this trailer with an 07 FLHT Thanks in advance
  • Mike Mar 27, 2012 @ 9:18 pm | delete
    Just a note, your math on the mph for a 16" tire as to the 8" tire is way off. The 16" tire doing 75mph is the same as the 8" tire doing 75mph. The only thing that's different is the rpm each tire is spinning at. The 8" tire would not be going 150 mph while the 16" tire is doing 75 mph. Just not possible. Other than that, like your build.
  • Al W. Mar 26, 2012 @ 10:18 pm | delete
    I was at Harbor Freight today looking at this trailer for a cycle trailer.You gave me the rest of what I needed to know. Thanks
  • RidePushMountainRoad Jan 15, 2012 @ 11:05 pm | delete
    Great idea. I see so many "matching" trailers down here in Arkansas and I'm sure they cost a fortune. I will definitely like your lens. Please give min a like as well. Happy motoring!
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Zekes ride

Ready to ride

Here it is finished before our first big trip

Harbor freight Trailer

Trailer with 12" wwheels

Heres the trailer you will need
trailer link
This is the link to harbor freight tools the trailer page

Sears Cargo carrier

Bolt on carrier

bolt on carrier for pull behind motorcycle trailer
direct link to sears
this is the sears store online x-cargo page

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  • KittySmith May 18, 2012 @ 12:53 am | delete
    Hey Cool! That is really smart. I like smart a lot!
  • tintasbarnes Jul 26, 2011 @ 7:46 am | delete
    I liked your stuff, please like mine too.
  • tintasbarnes Jul 26, 2011 @ 7:46 am | delete
    I liked your stuff, please like mine too.
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springer13

I have been riding and building motorcycls since the age of 16. I am 52 years old now and still riding I have a 06 classic harley davidson springer .... more »

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