Enclosed trailer question

[05HarleyBagger]

what Length and Width trailer SIZE is "best" suited for two (2) street glides with medium size tour paks ?    THANKS

[UltraNutZ]

tourpaks is not really the concern as much as the handlebars are.

6 x 12 is what I put two fully dressed baggers on/in but prefer 7' wide to provide more clearance for bags and engine guards/pegs, etc.  The 12' is needed to stagger the bikes.

[Quicksilver]

7 ft is just wide enough to do the job properly. My trailer is 14ft long. Maybe a bit too long, but is great for carrying extra stuff.

[pwmorris]

14x7-
I had a 6x12 and its tight as hell for two big bikes. Plus, better be tied down good cause if one bounces in there or moves, they can touch. As said, stagger them, but you have to then mount your chocks that way.
The 14 X 7 gives you more breathing room, and space to put stuff in there for wherever you are taking the bikes.
Also, make sure you get a roof with good clearance so you can walk around in there.

[Xanadu]

they make a wheel chock that mounts on metal bungs on the floor, you can remove the chock so the floor of your trailer is flat, and you can position the bungs in different locations depending on what type bikes you want to haul,  I had a 6x12 trailer, and staggering is a must, however the 6' width is just too tight.  you need a min of 6'6" wide...unless you are hauling two sportsters.

[chaos901]

Again with the 7' x 14' for the reasons mentioned above.     

[Smarty]

With the 8' wide box like the car haulers, you can position the bikes side by side. I have had both and really like the wider one best. The good thing is it left a nice place in the front for plenty of storage. Now I've sold all mine and only ride.

[05HarleyBagger]

So when you say 12 or 14 feet long, is this a straight nose front trailer. Or is it before the V-nose starts.
And I understand the 7 or 8 feet wide. And most of all, thanks for the helpful information.

[wavlovr1]

I recommend double axles...

[PoorUB]

I can not imagine hauling two baggers in a six foot wide enclosed trailer after hauling them in a 7x14. Tandam axle will pull smoother too.

[Oclaf]

I recommend double axles...

Why?

[PoorUB]

I recommend double axles...

Why?

Pull both and you will know. The tandam axle is very smooth over rough roads, railroad tracks. A single axle jumps and hope around. At work we have a 6x10 single axle and a buddy has a 7x14 tandam. I would pick the larger, tandam axle trailer any day over the single axle.

[Oclaf]

I recommend double axles...

Why?

Pull both and you will know. The tandam axle is very smooth over rough roads, railroad tracks. A single axle jumps and hope around. At work we have a 6x10 single axle and a buddy has a 7x14 tandam. I would pick the larger, tandam axle trailer any day over the single axle.

so long as you have the towing vehicle for it, more trailer, higher GVW...to pull and stop...if only that simple...

[UltraNutZ]

tandem won't sway like a single axle does
tandem is a hell of a lot easier to back up than a single axle
smoother pulling as PoorUB pointed out

[UltraNutZ]

so long as you have the towing vehicle for it, more trailer, higher GVW...to pull and stop...if only that simple...

well if you have a HD, can afford a tandem axle trailer of quality, then I 'm kinda thinking you wouldn't be pulling a tandem with a KIA.     

[Hossamania]

Tandem has brakes, a nice feature. Two dressers in a single axle trailer would put the trailer very close to its maximum gvw.

[moose]

I have a 7x14 v nose Haulmark low rider and it fits 2 dressers or 3 fatboy or heritages if you stager the back 2 and 1 all the way to the front rides like a dream double axles and brakes

http://www.haulmark.com/low-hauler_motorcycle-trailer/modelvnlhwt2/

[PoorUB]

I recommend double axles...

Why?

Pull both and you will know. The tandam axle is very smooth over rough roads, railroad tracks. A single axle jumps and hope around. At work we have a 6x10 single axle and a buddy has a 7x14 tandam. I would pick the larger, tandam axle trailer any day over the single axle.

so long as you have the towing vehicle for it, more trailer, higher GVW...to pull and stop...if only that simple...

Sure, but the question was why tandem axle.

I have pulled both trailers with the same truck, and the tandem pulls easier. Pulling a 7x14 single axle versus a 7x14 tandem axle is going to require the same vehicle.  The wind resistance is the killer, not the weight.

[Oclaf]

so long as you have the towing vehicle for it, more trailer, higher GVW...to pull and stop...if only that simple...

well if you have a HD, can afford a tandem axle trailer of quality, then I 'm kinda thinking you wouldn't be pulling a tandem with a KIA.     

sorta my point, thats logic, but we dont know his tow vehicle...never seen a 7 or 8 not tandem, but then i dont go looking at all the trailers, just know i would get a 7x14 minimum with two bikes...if i could afford a trailer. its easier to ride my bike, if i must take one of the others, it fits fine in the back of the truck the OL drives...

[Xanadu]

bottom line is if you want to haul more than 1 bike, ever get at least 6'6" wide trailer, as measured on the inside!  Another thing get the trailer where the whole back drops down and becomes a ramp, as opposed to a cargo style that you build a ramp for.  as you go up the ramp its nice to have a place to put a foot down if needed!

[05HarleyBagger]

My truck is a low mileage GMC 2500 with the 8.1 motor and 410 gears.......if that helps.  Thanks

[UltraNutZ]

My truck is a low mileage GMC 2500 with the 8.1 motor and 410 gears.......if that helps.  Thanks

Well then.  Forget the 7x14.  Here's what you need
http://www.advantagetrailer.com/p.78/atc-aluminum-t6-toy-hauler-with-slide-out-trailer-with-living-quarters.aspx

[geezer ron]

I just got a 7.5 x 14 feet trailer and there's lots of room in there for 2 bikes. I can stagger them and can easily walk between the bikes, even with my fat belly. I bought an ATC trailer and would highly recommend it.

[Flhfxd]

I hear lotsa positive comments on the 7 x 14. Double axel etc., all sounds good. Are there any drawbacks to a slightly shorter length of 7 x 12? Also, does anyone make a "convertible" enclosed trailer? As in, go from a flat bed to enclosed?

[Helmwurst]

Hey with a 3/4 truck, Id go for the big arse hauler too. Otherwise, I pulled a Iron Horse 2 bike to Sturgis 3000 miles. I had to keep looking in the mirrors to make sure it was back there. Was not too bad on the fuel burn either.

[UltraNutZ]

sorta my point, thats logic, but we dont know his tow vehicle...never seen a 7 or 8 not tandem, but then i dont go looking at all the trailers, just know i would get a 7x14 minimum with two bikes...if i could afford a trailer. its easier to ride my bike, if i must take one of the others, it fits fine in the back of the truck the OL drives...

Love my truck and blackwidow ramp

[wavlovr1]

I recommend double axles...

Why?

eryone pretty much answered this question, but here is something else to consider. When I haul my wife's trike in the single axle, I have to put it all the way back as far as I can get it; otherwise the tongue weight quickly jumps up way past 200 pounds. Depends on who makes the single axle trailer, but "balancing" the bikes weight over the axle is next to impossible. Bad stuff can happen with too much or too little tongue weight. Just another reason for dual axles.

Even loaded, I have had my single axle lift one tire off the road in high winds. Happened in Montana and once in SD as well. (85-100mph winds happen here.)

JimBob

[PoorUB]

One more thing, if you can live with it, buy a lower trailer with a V nose, just tall enough to clear the windshield on a bagger. Much easier to pull going down the road.

[BJB]

After wearing out a couple of trucks as a bird dog field trialer I've done my share of trailer pulling.
Double axle is the way to go BUT after having a trailer with Torflex vs shackles or slipper springs, I'd spend the extra $$$ for Torflex every time.

[Flintlock]

An advantage of two axels is also if you get a flat there is still one tire holding you up.

I use a 5x12 single axel. It only holds one bike and the low door opening means you have to watch your noggin going in and out. Once slight advantage to single axels is lower tolls if that's a factor.

Trailers come in handy for other moving jobs too. I wish I had bought 7x14 with torsion suspension, but the little one takes less room sitting on the driveway where it spends the bulk of its time.

[06roadglide]

Pay attention to what tires come on it if you're buying new also.  Many trailer tires are rated for a max speed of 60 mph.

[roadkingdresser]

I use a 7X10 inside box dia. and haul 2 roadkings at a time. Got the wheel chocks staggered about a ft. both have big Johnson bars on them. It's a little tight to get the tie downs on the rear of the bikes but there is still room in the rear to put extra stuff. The 8 ft. would be a lttle nicer as far as tie downs. But then you're catchen the extra air. Keep it as low as possible, and the tires are really important.

[gonenorth]

After wearing out a couple of trucks as a bird dog field trialer I've done my share of trailer pulling.
Double axle is the way to go BUT after having a trailer with Torflex vs shackles or slipper springs, I'd spend the extra $$$ for Torflex every time.

Works my 5.3 Ltr Tahoe real hard at interstate speed with the 7X14.  Wish I'd bought one 6 inches lower.  Think it would make a big difference.  As others said, weight isn't the issue - wind resistance at higher speeds.  Agree with the tire comment.  Cheapo tires on my trailer were trash in 3,500 miles.  I changed to good radials.  Will see what happens on mileage with them.

[Oclaf]

I am just gonna go with my gut, and say, ride the damn thing! 

[BJB]

When you have a flat with a dual wheel shackle trailer the tire that has the flat will be shot by the time you get stopped. Torflex it has much less of a chance.
Good tires are a must also.

[Oclaf]

When you have a flat with a dual wheel shackle trailer the tire that has the flat will be shot by the time you get stopped. Torflex it has much less of a chance.
Good tires are a must also.

of all the things i and many other find odd in some folks practices...tires are not one for me to mess around with. my bike, mileage is not an issue, i get center wear, replace. if i had a trailer that hauled my bikes, same thing, i wouldnt go for mileage. all my cars/trucks, never a blow out, i replace tires when minimum wear shows... in particular, here in AZ, once it heats up...you see so many cars with 'blowouts' or rolling as a consequence...and trucks just passing thru town, summer time, 'tire gators' everywhere on interstate...and unless you are on outskirts going to whatever side your on, you have to ride the intersate. like i am west side, wanna ride with buds on east side, minimum of an hour on interstate to get to other side of town. just that big and summer is brutal on tires...worn tires get no mercy... 

[Hossamania]

I'm with Oclaf, tires are never compromised. I may replace them a bit prematurely, but I have never regretted it.
To add, I always get the best tire I can afford, even if I can't afford it.

[Oclaf]

Same...even if I can't afford them...