Help choosing an enclosed trailer for track days | GTAMotorcycle.com

Help choosing an enclosed trailer for track days

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I bought a couple track bikes last year. I have a landscaping trailer that I used last year (the two times I made it out before the weather got cold) I found that to be less then ideal. I would like to get an enclosed one. I read all the trailer posts on this forum, but I still have a few questions. I want to be able to take two track bikes and gear with me. Is it reasonable to get a 5x9? They are Aprilia RS250's so not huge bikes. Does anyone have pics of 2 bikes in a 5x9?

I want to be able to tow it with a small SUV or Wagon so I want keep the weight down, other then price is there any downside to an aluminum trailer?

What are your must have add ons for a trailer? I am thinking the man door on the side, 6-8 d rings in the floor, and a ramp door rear, some interior lighting, roof vent. Anything else I should look for? Most small SUV's and wagons recommend trailer brakes if towing more then 1000lbs, yet you never see the smaller trailers equipped with them. Are they easy to add on or do you pretty much have to order one from the factory?

Also if anyone knows someone thinking about selling theirs I would be interested, probably easier to get one someone else has already set up. I have not found much on Kijiji. I am in the London/Stratford area.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
we got a 6x10 made for our two bikes (FZ6R and FZ1) from Best 4 Less trailers in Vanastra...we got two chocks (not the cheap ones either), 8 d-rings, e-track along the walls, ramp door, side man door. roof vent, interior light, shore power outlet, 15" radial tires, e-brake for just under $4,000...give Ron a call and tell him Ivana and Bob sent you...it's all aluminum with steel frame...very well built...no screws either on the seams...ours is a v-nose...easily towed behind our Santa Fe... http://www.best4lesstrailers.com/ ...
 
I have actually looked at their website. I was hoping to get an aluminum frame as well, but I should go check them out their prices seem very reasonable. Do you know how much yours weighs empty?
 
My 6x10 v-nose with a single axle and steel frame weighs 1600lbs unloaded. So that should be less than that
 
No pics but I used to store my zx6 and r6 in my 5x8 over the winter. One backwards.

I really like mine, can't even notice it behind the suv. That being said it is packed pretty well for trackdays, almost full. It's also my camper so when you add in genny, tools, cot, BBQ, cooler, gear, the up-up, chairs and my bicycle it resembles a jenga puzzle.

Upside is nothing has ANY Room to move during the drive!

It can be done, but most would probably want a bit bigger.

My must have is a trailer restraint system. Pitbull makes one and I love it, can load and unload solo.
 
Buy second-hand. You can probably get a larger trailer - if your vehicle can haul it. IMHO.

I have a 21' trailer with four pitbull restraints in it, which I interchange with my camper for weekend hauls. All in for the camper and the restraint plates, plus some restoration work over 8 years of ownership, I have about $7500 invested which includes the maintenance costs of a suspension overhaul, new tires and new wheels this year. There's room to work on the bikes inside the trailer even when it's full. I'd like it to have some shelving but I couldn't overlook the overall cost of it ($5500). My trailer literally will carry a light truck in it and so weighs in at around 2800 pounds unladen (if the manuf. sticker is to be believed) so would be too large for your tow vehicle... but it has moved an entire household in one trip, so that's also worth considering - if you're going to own one, what else could you do with it...?

This is my trailer rig:

DSCF3014.JPG


So.. yeah, that's my input... try to find a used one. Maybe a 14' one with lighter construction for your tow vehicle restraints.
 
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I have a 6x13 all aluminum single axle enclosed. The trailer weighs about 1200lbs unloaded. The previous owners added trailer brakes after the fact because they had a smaller tow vehicle. Any trailer service shop can do this.

I wouldn't want a 5' width enclosed. It's doable to fit two bikes side by side, but doesn't leave much of any wiggle room.

I recommend an RV style door on the side. It allows you to close/lock/open the door from the inside. Great for when using the trailer to sleep in.

Drop down door is great because you don't need additional ramps.

I have 3 channels running the length of the trailer for securing tie-down rings anywhere I need. I've bolted two wheel chocks in the trailer as well, positioning the bikes center of gravity just ahead of the axle.

This setup works great for me... and having an enclosed has more uses than just pulling bikes. Handy to have.


Trailer 1.jpg

trailer 2.jpg
 
Have to admit the whole trailer brake thing confuses me, I've never had a trailer before but I am looking at buying an enclosed one, so this thread is perfect.
I'll be towing with a 2012 Grand Caravan (3,660lbs towing capacity) & only have the 1 bike to transport so was thinking along the lines of 5' x 8' or 6' x 10' max - I wouldnt need the trailer to have brakes with that would I?
 
Remove the two seats from the Caravan, remove the windscreen from your bike and the bike will fit inside like a glove with a ramp from the rear, plus all your gear and you wouldn't even feel it.

For me the simpler the setup the best and I am cheap
smudger said:
Have to admit the whole trailer brake thing confuses me, I've never had a trailer before but I am looking at buying an enclosed one, so this thread is perfect.
I'll be towing with a 2012 Grand Caravan (3,660lbs towing capacity) & only have the 1 bike to transport so was thinking along the lines of 5' x 8' or 6' x 10' max - I wouldnt need the trailer to have brakes with that would I?
Click to expand...
 
ZX600 said:
Remove the two seats from the Caravan, remove the windscreen from your bike and the bike will fit inside like a glove with a ramp from the rear, plus all your gear and you wouldn't even feel it.

For me the simpler the setup the best and I am cheap
Click to expand...

Thats too much work.
 
smudger said:
Have to admit the whole trailer brake thing confuses me, I've never had a trailer before but I am looking at buying an enclosed one, so this thread is perfect.
I'll be towing with a 2012 Grand Caravan (3,660lbs towing capacity) & only have the 1 bike to transport so was thinking along the lines of 5' x 8' or 6' x 10' max - I wouldnt need the trailer to have brakes with that would I?
Click to expand...

Probably not, I'm not sure what the legislation says about it. Given that my trailer fully laden could be as much as 9000 pounds, then it needs brakes on each axle. I'll be honest and say I'm not cheap enough to leave it to chance, I'd put at least one brake on a trailer that size, probably a momentum brake at least.
 
Now that all the 1/4 ton trucks are coming with Trailer Brake Controllers, you'd have to be a fool to not get one... I mean come on, how can you let that slider just sit there for years of ownership, never being used?
 
You would not need electric brakes, but definitly surge brakes to help on hill decent. With a minivan your bigger issue is going to be squatting in the rear, more so then braking.
 
Thanks gents, when I had the hitch fitted there's only the lights wiring connector on it so I'm not sure what would be required for a surge brake?
Yea, the minivan is front wheel drive & I had thought about the rear squatting but I'm hoping with a max of only 1500lbs on it, it will be ok because my only other option is a Honda Civic lol

ZX600, thats exactly how I got the bike home last October from the other side of Toronto, it fitted in very nicely as you say (I have the pictures) but its not a 1 man job to get it in the minivan - or at least I couldnt do it on my own - & the wifes a bit tetchy about my smelly old bike being in the nice clean minivan.
 
SweetOnion said:
Now that all the 1/4 ton trucks are coming with Trailer Brake Controllers, you'd have to be a fool to not get one... I mean come on, how can you let that slider just sit there for years of ownership, never being used?
Click to expand...
I installed a programmable brake controller for under $100
 
Actually, my GMC controller is pretty good. I have no complaints.
 
I have a 08 caravan, I installed timbren load levellers. They are basically just a bigger bumper stop on the rear springs. Easy to install. I have towed two full size bikes and two guys worth of gear with it and it sits level.
 
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