No more bike trailer

https://youtu.be/QstWM6Hsu88

Interesting ............I wondered how they were going to lift the bike . I'm not sure I would like to tow for any extended distance though , could end up with a bit of a flat spot.

Yeah, that's my thoughts.
I'm almost sold on the idea, but needs to have a set of dolly wheels for the front.

That would exceed the tow ball limits on most of our 4WD let alone the family sedan.

2wheelsagain wrote:That would exceed the tow ball limits on most of our 4WD let alone the family sedan.

That is true. It would have to be over engineered, as there is no neutral ballance point of a dead weight, which also affects the car suspension.

I thought about getting one of these suckers for my dirter 


https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Heavy-hitch-mount-aluminum-motorcycle-carrier-rack-and-dirt-motorbike-no-trailer/173910313001

Between me and the brother we have 8 bikes, won this turder on Ebay for $310. A bit of a clean up and the sucker will look brand new 

mtbeerwah wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:That would exceed the tow ball limits on most of our 4WD let alone the family sedan.

That is true. It would have to be over engineered, as there is no neutral ballance point of a dead weight, which also affects the car suspension.

Over engineering isn't going to fix the maximum ball weight allowed on a vehicle.

Suspension upgrade might get you there

rodent4 wrote:Between me and the brother we have 8 bikes, won this turder on Ebay for $310. A bit of a clean up and the sucker will look brand new 

Bargain, you wouldn't go close to buying the materials for what you paid

Not sure about that 350kg capacity rack, add the rack weight and you would need to put it on a truck if anywhere near capacity.

I found this Australian towing guide http://ozhitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/towingmassguidenov2007.pdf


a few maximum ball weight examples: 

Ford Courier 1996-2007: 10% of ATM up to maximum 180kg
Ford F150 1987 - 1993:  15% of ATM up to maximum 280kg
Ford F250 & F350 2001-2006: 10-15% of ATM
Ford Falcon BA, BF, FG: 10% of ATM then the varies between 120 -230kg depending on exact model
Ford Ranger 02/2007 - : 10% of ATM up to a max 250kg

Holden Captiva: 5-10% of ATM
Holden Commodore 9/1997-8/2004: up to max of 120kg - 210kg depending on exact model
Commodore 1 tonner ute: 160kg -up to max of  210kg depending on exact model
Holden Commodore 8/2006 - 9/2007:  10% of ATM
Holden Jackaroo: up to max of - 250kg
Holden Rodeo 1/2006 - 12/2006 : 200kg
Holden Rodeo 1/2007 - : 5-10% of ATM

Mitsubishi Triton 2006 - : 150kg - 230kg depending on exact model

Nissan Patrol 2007- : 100kg -320kg depending on exact model and tow bar

Subaru: the highest permitted ball weight on any models is the Tribeca @ 100kg max

Suzuki Vitara V6: 120kg max, most Suzuki's are between 40 and 50kg max

Toyota Hilux 1988 - 3/2005 : 10% of ATN up to a max of between 120kg and 180kg depending on exact model
Toyota Hilux 4/2005 - :120 kg - 225kg depending on exact madel
Toyota L/cruiser 80 series: 1990 - 9/1996: 250kg max
Toyota L/cruiser 80 series: 10/1996 - 1998 - 10% of ATM up to max 350kg
Toyota L/cruiser 100 series: 10% of ATM up to max 350kg
Toyota Prado 1996 - : 10% of ATM up to max 250kg
The 200 series isn't listed but I do know we are about to get suspension upgrade on 3 at work because the trailers they have been towing for 20 years have been found to exceed both the max ball weight (GVM & GCM are ok)

Chook wrote:

mtbeerwah wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:That would exceed the tow ball limits on most of our 4WD let alone the family sedan.

Over engineering isn't going to fix the maximum ball weight allowed on a vehicle.

Suspension upgrade might get you there

Having built many truck hitches in my life, and being around heavy industry all my life, I reckon I could build something that could hold it. Including vehicle structural points of contact.
Legal for my vehicle...now that's another question.
I guarantee it won't break.

But now I'm being silly....

If towbar bike mounts concern you, take a look at what some people put in tail mount gear sacks on their bikes.
I've been guilty in the past of stuffing in enough gear to nearly require two people to carry the pack when off of the bike.
Apart from the enormous forces on the bike frame mounting points, how does 10Kg++ mounted higher than the seat affect the stability?

There was a video on the Michelin tyre web site some time ago where they had done some wind tunnel testing of bike luggage (pretty scary!!)

I've already got a three bike trailer.
I just chucked up that link for shits and giggles. It started to give me thoughts on a single style bike mover for ease of use.
If I was to get serious, I'd build my own thing. My brother and myself are both trade qualified Coach & Motor Body Builders. My brother is licensed to fit Mod plates, so if I was to get serious, I'd be going down that path of legalities.
But I'm just tyre kicking at the moment.

Other ways to tow....

Ha ha...I like some of them Barry...

mtbeerwah wrote:

Chook wrote:

mtbeerwah wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:That would exceed the tow ball limits on most of our 4WD let alone the family sedan.

Over engineering isn't going to fix the maximum ball weight allowed on a vehicle.

Suspension upgrade might get you there

Having built many truck hitches in my life, and being around heavy industry all my life, I reckon I could build something that could hold it. Including vehicle structural points of contact.
Legal for my vehicle...now that's another question.
I guarantee it won't break.

But now I'm being silly....

Like I said, over engineering isn't going to fix maximum ball weight. It doesn't matter if it won't break if your front wheels aren't still planted firmly on the black stuff
3

My ute cost me $500 .Fits 2 bikes ,3 people and has a heater .

gus wrote:My ute cost me $500 .Fits 2 bikes ,3 people and has a heater .

In SA that would cost over $1000 a year for rego and ctp compared to $800 for a sedan or wagon. 

A trailer costs $75 to register. I'd take the $125 savings and convenience of at least 5 seats. Can't recall ever thinking that I  needed a heater on a trailer before either 

Chook wrote:

mtbeerwah wrote:

Chook wrote:

mtbeerwah wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:That would exceed the tow ball limits on most of our 4WD let alone the family sedan.

Over engineering isn't going to fix the maximum ball weight allowed on a vehicle.

Suspension upgrade might get you there

Having built many truck hitches in my life, and being around heavy industry all my life, I reckon I could build something that could hold it. Including vehicle structural points of contact.
Legal for my vehicle...now that's another question.
[size=48]I guarantee it won't break.[/size]

But now I'm being silly....

Like I said, over engineering isn't going to fix maximum ball weight. It doesn't matter if it won't break if your front wheels aren't still planted firmly on the black stuff
3

 And like I said...I'm just being silly

This wasn't mean't to be a serious thread. 

As my trade is, I'm reasonably briefed on what's right and wrong, and can access any engineering means at my finger tips, to meet ADR rules, if I was to be serious.

But this is just shits and giggles....along the lines of what Barry put up.

I could put my 30 year old ute on si rego and pay only $400 a year . Your getting ripped off big time.

Picked my trailer up today, it looks as good in person as the pics.  Gonna drop it off tomorrow for some blasting and then back home for some paint by myself and my son by brush 

gus wrote:I could put my 30 year old ute on si rego and pay only $400 a year . Your getting ripped off big time.

Our equivalent to special interest rego, Historic is less than that for 3 years 



approx $108 1 year, $193 2 years or $279 3 years for a 4 cylinder ute on Conditional Historic Rego.

What restrictions do they put on use? Thee are the SA conditions of use:

• The vehicle cannot be driven for fee, hire or reward.
  
  
• The vehicle can not be driven on more than 90 days in a year.
  
  
• The owner of the vehicle must be a financial member of a recognised motor vehicle club.
  
  
• Before the start of each journey, details of the journey must be recorded in a log book.
  
  
• The owner must make their vehicle available for inspection at the request of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles or their recognised motor vehicle club.
  
  

Chook wrote:

gus wrote:I could put my 30 year old ute on si rego and pay only $400 a year . Your getting ripped off big time.

Our equivalent to special interest rego, Historic is less than that for 3 years 



approx $108 1 year, $193 2 years or $279 3 years for a 4 cylinder ute on Conditional Historic Rego.

What restrictions do they put on use? Thee are the SA conditions of use:

• The vehicle cannot be driven for fee, hire or reward.
  
  
• The vehicle can not be driven on more than 90 days in a year.
  
  
• The owner of the vehicle must be a financial member of a recognised motor vehicle club.
  
  
• Before the start of each journey, details of the journey must be recorded in a log book.
  
  
• The owner must make their vehicle available for inspection at the request of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles or their recognised motor vehicle club.
  
  

^^^Vic is similar 

Dropped the trailer off today, $120-150 to sand blast......very reasonable 

Fitted a towbar to my missus's ex Pulsar and wired in a plug, this may well lead to the demise of the Pulsar    

Hopefully I find a ute before it's death