Motorcycle Trailer Build- Need Advice and Parts

L

Lots Of Chrome

Member
Hi there!

I'm moving to BC for school by the end of August, and I'm going to try to ride my motorcycle there. I've decided that if I'm going to do that, I need a small trailer to haul some light items with me. I have a 2005 750cc Honda Shadow Spirit:
577914_10151203611973409_1669256925_n.jpg


I would like to build a trailer like this:
trailer1.jpg


The trailer above is built on this trailer frame available from Harbor Freight Tools based in the US: $183 US
http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ailer-with-8-inch-wheels-and-tires-42708.html

The idea is that you bolt a car roof top carrier ($60-150 used on Kijiji) onto the trailer frame, ad a hitch to your bike and brake/signal controller, hook it up, and away you go.

I have not been able to find a store in Ontario, or Canada for that matter, that sells a comparable small trailer frame, except for Lowes which is selling it with rails for $500! That just won't do.

I will also need a hitch for my motorcycle. So far I have only found this retailer in the US:
http://www.hitchusa.com/H.html $295 US

I am wondering if anyone has a trailer for sale, or has built a trailer and can tell me where I can buy the trailer frame, hitch, and controller from. Also, I would like advice on building and using a trailer, specifically what the geometry should be that will keep the trailer steady on the highways.

Thanks for all the help. Cheers!
Lots Of Chrome
Located in the DT area of the GTA.
 
Crappy tire sells that frame, pretty sure it's less than $500. Princess auto is also a great place for trailer bits/pieces. But I will tell you your 750 ain't gonna like it one bit. Especially in the mountains between Alberta and bc.
Good luck with your build and hope you have a great trip!
Btw there are several trailers on kijiji for sale exactly like you want to build, already complete and ready.
 
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I saw one at Deals Gap, light frame with a beer keg welded to it. Mounted to the bike via custom frame and ball joint. Pretty nice setup, might make one like that for my VFR if the hitch checks out from the link you posted.
 
What's the problem with buying the trailer from Harbor Freight? Do you have access to a car?

Just fyi, importing "trailer parts" is very cheap and easy, importing a trailer is annoying and expensive. If you go to the states to buy something, make sure you say the right thing at the border.
 
Looking on kijiji, found these-
Trailer with car top pod $450 Ottawa 613-551-5548 ad#502224386
alum checker plate $800 brantford 519-861-0751 ad#500389661
factory built (nice looking) $525 Hamilton 289-880-1733 ad#494007187
don't know where you're located, but these might be worth a look. Remember if you buy one to check or have checked the wheel bearings before you set out to BC. Good luck
 
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Hi Iceman,

thank-you for your suggestions. I checked out CT's and PA's website last night and unfortunately, neither of them had the trailer frame listed. But,you were right about PA listing all the trailer bits! Thanks! (Perhaps you've seen the trailer frame I'm looking for in person at CT? If so, please let me know which locations.) Castlegar is my final destination in BC. It's location between Kelowna and Banff, but only 30 km North of the US/Canada border. Hopefully my motorcycle's capabilities don't prevent me from making the trip. I'm going to test my motorcycle out, with the trailer loaded once built, on Airport Rd, North of Highway 9 heading towards Stayner. There are some wicked hills along that route :D

Oh, and thank-you so much for the heads up on trailers for sale in the local-ish area!!!! Cheers!
 
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Hi GreyGhost,

I can buy the trailer from HF as I do have access to a car, I'm just hesitant because I've never traveled across the border before, and I'm not sure what the procedure or paper work will be like. Also, it's just less hassle to buy the trailer closer to home. Thanks for the tip about what to say! I'll remember what you said should I not be able to find the trailer closer to home.
 
I have a car top carrier like that, only a little uglier, I can send you a picture if you like. $20 and its yours.
 
Lots Of Chrome said:
Hi GreyGhost,

I can buy the trailer from HF as I do have access to a car, I'm just hesitant because I've never traveled across the border before, and I'm not sure what the procedure or paper work will be like. Also, it's just less hassle to buy the trailer closer to home.
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If the trailer would be readily available In Canada I would agree with your statement, however, as others have stated, bringing the trailer from Buffalo is dead easy. You buy the parts from HF, keep the invoice and at the border, the guard will ask you about any purchases. You will say that you have trailer parts (important trailer parts not trailer kit), show him the invoice. He will ask you to park in a special place and go inside a building where you will be asked to pay the HST on the invoice that you present and you are good to go. At home, you build the trailer and then probably you will have to register the trailer with the MTO and license it.
 
The other consideration is that most people who use that HF trailer trim the width by 2-4 inches. It's a bit wider between the wheels than that cargo carrier. I have the exact same setup waiting to be built in my garage, but I'm worried about using it with my 650. The total weight of the trailer and contents needs to be no more than 1/2 the weight of your bike, otherwise you may get some funky things happening when you brake.
 
Forget about the trailer. If it can't fit on the bike, you don't need it. Anything else that you need for school can be sent via Greyhound.
 
I say go for it.

I bought the 4x8 HF trailer, very similar to yours, just obviously bigger.

Got a 20% off coupon and i think the trailer cost me $250ish. Couple of easy days putting it together and a very short trip to MTO to register it as a home built.

Couldnt be easier.

Only thing is i wouldnt bother with the car carrier, just build a box from plywood.
 
Thanks everyone for replying!

tiborgh: That's reassuring to know. Unless I find the frame in Ontario, I'm going to HF, and I will tell the customs officer just what you said, "trailer parts". :D
ace7seven: Thanks for the heads up on the max trailer weight. I'm going to be near a recycle center soon, so I'll just take my bike to their scale and find out how much it weights with me on it.
BlackBeast: That's another option for sure. Problem is, my type of training in BC will require me to move around during the program, and I won't be able to "Grey Hound" my stuff to every location I may have to move too.
Red Liner740: Did you have to get insurance on your trailer before you were able to register and plate it?
cknowles: Awesome!!! Cheapest hitch seller so far, and located in Peterborough! Cheers! PS. That trailer is a bit grimy, but if it the frame is solid... SOLD!

So I did some digging around and I found this awesome photo collection of another Honda Shadow pulling a similar trailer frame, with good pictures of the hitch itself. The owner must live in Ontario according to their license plates. I've sent the owner of the photos a PM asking about where he bought all his equipment, as I haven't seen a manufacturer of the hitch he has. Might be a home built and welded piece.

http://s7.photobucket.com/user/daver84/media/Trailer/hitch024.jpg.html?sort=2&o=0
IMG_0246.jpg

IMG_2866.jpg

trip179.jpg
 
I don't have any insurance on my home built trailers. Just pay ~$20 and you get the plate.
 
you'll notice the trailer in the picture has a longish looking tounge, that keeps the wieght on the trailer wheels not on the bike suspension. Some tongue weight is required or you get the dreaded fish tail at speed, especially downhill where it gets a bit scary. When you load the trailer pay some attention to how you put stuff it it, heavy down low.
At least if you go car top carrier idea, when its full, its full. Box trailers get overloaded quick, your not pulling it with a pickup truck.
I went coast to coast twice (GL1100 tow unit) with a harbour frt modified trailer. Carry a bearing kit if you get a harbor frt trailer, the bearings are an odd size. and a wrench that will fit the wheel nuts. Looking for parts in Estivan Sask. at 8pm Sunday will reinforce this thought.
 
No insurance on small trailers. I believe its covered under your vehicle insurance.

This is how the conversation went.

"Hi, i'd like to register and plate a trailer i just built...."

"color? Red with black flooring"

"Single axle rated for 1200lbs"

Thanks for the plate!
 
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