So a few weeks ago the wheels were put in motion of whether or not we were going to load up the family and head down to NC for Thanksgiving to visit my In-Laws. To be honest at first I was not really looking forward to driving for 17 hours and getting there and realizing that every dam road I’m on down there is begging for my motorcycle to be ridden on them. At time you’re driving along and suddenly I can picture my below me wrestling this curve to submission… But then Dawn gave me a budget…
The answer to this problem was a trailer. I need a trailer to put the bike on and thus behind the family truckster I could bring my “trusty Steed” and thus spend a few hours carving out some of those twistys that had beckoned me on previous visits. Now it was just up to me to find one and hopefully do it within Dawn’s budget. But I didn’t want just a Motorcycle trailer… I wanted it to be multi-purpose. I wanted it big enough for the bike in one configuration and then I wanted it to be able to haul lumber, firewood, and those miscellaneous large items you buy at Home Depot and or Lowes that will not fit inside the Yukon.
Surfing the internet I was on craigslist, Lowes, Home Depot and even individual trailer mfg websites. I was on Tractor Supply’s Website when I initially found a floorless trailer for $349.. None of my Local TSC’s could get one in time for me to modify, floor and whatever. It was while visiting the MFG website (carry-on) that I discovered a startling revelation. The $349 Trailer was only capable of hauling 700lbs. Indeed after seeing that stat and looking at the enlarged picture I could see why. Very small angle iron and as I had already looked at a few 5×10 trailers at Home Depot that flexed could only imagine that thing was no better.
4x6 Trailer from Tractor Supply
I decided to visit the Tractor Supply Company directly and in illuminated nighttime lighting I looked at their 4×6 trailer that was marked at $399.. Now I know you might be thinking that’s barely large enough. Actually, I think it is more than enough. It has a Mesh floor that I think next year’s project will be to use the grinder I have for my air tank and put a pressure treated floor on. It barely flexed at all like the 5×7 and 5×10. It does not have a ramp but that’s OK I can make ramps. And it has a much beefier 1700lb rating. I decided to Purchase the spare tire and mount which to be honest almost cost just as much as the trailer but I figure playing against Murphy means if I buy the Spare I will not need it but if I do not have it I will need it. (Murphy was an optimist.)
of the 4x6 Trailer from Tractor Supply
In the midst of all this a friend of mine who had much the same dilemma sent me a link to what he did to last year’s(possibly earlier) model of a 4×7 that had a ramp. He put a floor on it and all so I grabbed a lot of “Idea’rs” from him. Like I said before I think a hardwood floor will be installed. I think the center one will be a swappable 2×10 piece so that I can maintain the multi-purpose aspect. I think a heavy stake siding will be modified with a back Gate that is removable so that 8 foot sections of wood can be elevated at the back or front to prevent sliding off during travel…
For now I will place a 2×10 plank of pressure treated that I will also place some small strapping on and I have already ordered one of the cheaper Motorcycle chocks for the front wheel.. I have also already purchased the tie downs and picked up the Canyon Dancer II Handlebar Cuffs so I do not have to worry about my controls getting fubared by the straps. I will also pick up the ramp ends and I’m thinking I might get some fiberglass rods to get some visibility for backing up that will of course be avoided at all costs because backing up a short trailer with the Yukon is well… a Challenge…
I’m now looking forward to not only a cool trip to NC (because I can do some riding and be with family) but also a very cool project that I will try and document as I go along..