Trailer for behind motorbike.

Just tossing around the idea. Anyone owned one or have any input re these beasts.
Can get tow bar for Bandit $600.
First welding project might be in the making. Exposed frame with lockable boxes bolted in, small trail bike wheels with ind suspension.
mick

There's a facebook group dedicated to this subject, some good info and member projects:  Australian Motorcycle Trailer Owners  https://www.facebook.com/groups/AusMTO

Your hitch will need to be approved, something welded up in the garage might not be looked upon favourably by the powers to be.  For a normal bike your trailer will need a swivel coupling. 

Be careful with the downward force on the towball when loading the trailer, too much and you'll load up your suspension; too much weight on the back of the trailer can also be bad as it might try to lift your back wheel.

I was looking at one of those EZYTRAILERS but ended up getting a trailer made, bit stronger and better parts.

EZYTRAILER examples:




My trailer, I have also added a spare wheel on the drawbar, the trailer wheels are the same size as the sidecar:

Looks a very nice set up Barry_mcki.
I can see from the image the trailer does not appear to have brakes? (leastways not manual) but does the the sidecar have brakes? looks like it would take a fair bit more to stop if it was ever fully loaded?

I have to ask . What do people put in these trailer ,they think they need, that i don't ?  Barry excused ,because i know 

I recall a simple packing strategy where you use a medium tank bag for anything up to 3 week trips.

The first unnecessary item is extra underwear.

A pair of jocks is worn correctly on day 1, turned inside out on day 2, back to front on day 3 and reversed again on day 4.
On day 5 you drop your old pair in the bin and visit Target, Woolies etc. and buy a new pair of jocks which is good for days 5 thru 8.
This also avoids the need to carry washing detergent.

The other option is to go commando.

BTW how come they are called  "a pair of jocks" when there is only a single item?

While on the topic of lightweight travel I knew a guy who was an avid lightweight camper/bushwalker.
If he was going on a 5 day hike he would only carry enough toothpaste for five days.
He also cut the handle of his toothbrush in half as the full length was considered unnecessary.

Hi Barry and thank you, nice pics and info .
Tow bar mob in WA, brackets are different but unit is the same. $600 new, found used for $300 but would need brackets or make to suit. Use small front wheels-can have cable brake via solenoid.
Hi Gus, was tossing around the idea of small tent, bag, bed, lpg cooking gear, chair or 2. Basically, camping with the bike.
Would be smaller than Barry's.

gus wrote:I have to ask . What do people put in these trailer ,they think they need, that i don't ?  Barry excused ,because i know 

Because there's no Aldi in Tassie 

truck wrote:Looks a very nice set up Barry_mcki.
I can see from the image the trailer does not appear to have brakes? (leastways not manual) but does the the sidecar have brakes? looks like it would take a fair bit more to stop if it was ever fully loaded?

No brakes on either the trailer or sidecar (besides the mandatory hand brake), but I have never had any issues.  I do use engine breaking and gearing down a fair bit, I think its about reading the road ahead best you can.  The handling is a lot different with a sidecar, you can be into a corner breaking and accelerating at the same time.  With the trailer you just take things a bit more calmly.

  I actually expected you to say brakes are fitted but are hidden. You're a braver man than me, but I already knew that from your profile pic.

Considering car trailers must have brakes fitted if over 750 Kg, I'm surprised brakes are not mandatory on sidecars or trailers considering the additional weight which could be added - passenger / luggage / bike handling / environmental conditions PLUS a potential trailer weight and contents.
I've been almost caught out with my 80 series cruiser and unbraked trailer picking up half a metre of dirt and the increased braking distance required.

QLD DOT page advises about mechanical parkbrakes on bikes less than 30 yrs old but nothing else. Got me stumped why a parkbrake is considered mandatory but additional trailer or sidecar braking is not.

GSX1100G wrote:Hi Barry and thank you, nice pics and info .
Tow bar mob in WA, brackets are different but unit is the same. $600 new, found used for $300 but would need brackets or make to suit. Use small front wheels-can have cable brake via solenoid.
Hi Gus, was tossing around the idea of small tent, bag, bed, lpg cooking gear, chair or 2. Basically, camping with the bike.
Would be smaller than Barry's.

Gus was taking the piss GSX1100G, he laughs at my panniers and top box and considers them excessive, as for a trailer ............................

Chook wrote:

GSX1100G wrote:Hi Barry and thank you, nice pics and info .
Tow bar mob in WA, brackets are different but unit is the same. $600 new, found used for $300 but would need brackets or make to suit. Use small front wheels-can have cable brake via solenoid.
Hi Gus, was tossing around the idea of small tent, bag, bed, lpg cooking gear, chair or 2. Basically, camping with the bike.
Would be smaller than Barry's.

Gus was taking the piss GSX1100G, he laughs at my panniers and top box and considers them excessive, as for a trailer ............................

I have the same set up as you have . Tried to tie tent etc on but massively bulky. Gus is all good. I will tinker, must get welder out and practice first .

I actually own a bmw f800s that came with a GIVI on the back . I used it last week .  The shame .

gus wrote:I actually own a bmw f800s that came with a GIVI on the back . I used it last week .  The shame .

gus wrote:I actually own a bmw f800s that came with a GIVI on the back . I used it last week .  The shame .

Maybe one day we'll convert you, but I doubt it  

[img]https://dreamersjourneytolife.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/lotsofluggage.jpg[/img]

Primax wrote:

I only get to see the image when I hit the quote tab, even clicking on the link doesn't bring it up on the host site?

There it is for everyone to see now 

damn speed humps

a bit of an update,
thanks for input & pics & donkey
a trailer is easy enough to build and meet ad's, but towbar could prove more difficult.
priced a NEW towbar from Classic $650.00 .
2 weeks later, Classic are now closed, business has been for sale for a fairly long time apparently.
Then on Gummy one appeared in QLD and a deal was struck $200 , wrapped & posted
friends have trailer that I can clone

Have finally got around to fitting the towbar. Needed some minor alterations to mount hangers with the Givi panniers & top box setup.


Will take pic with panniers & tb on and with rear guard extension to replace the rubber flap.
 Have moved plug location. 
Final trailer design will be finished very soon.
4th & final design & component choice.
Welding skills have improved dramatically.  
Unit will be 95W x110L x 60D , drawbar 60 as well.
Bike is 100W with panniers on.

Trailer taking shape, of course you always think of a better way or design later

Did you consider a block hitch with a full 360 deg swivel?



A former work mate came of after the trailer went up on 2 wheels and dragged the bike with it, most likely the bike would have remained upright with a swivel coupling

Hi Chook,
Coupled up & did a test lean , I'll never get that far over to jam it up, but have thought of it. Will extend plate for coupling to give more clearance, then get it registered then tinker a bit more. This is the test pig. Have a upgrade list on the shed wall.
Have already thought about a independent suspension version. If I build that I will definitely go with swivel coupling, slide out top.
Will listen to all ideas