Bob, I actually dug a little deeper and based on some correspondence with another forum member (I believe it was Pistolchamp) chose to purchase a trailer with a torsion bar suspension rather than the cargo trailer from Harbor Freight, which uses leaf springs. Pistolchamp owns a trailer company and knows a lot about them. Here is his website...
http://www.scootertrailer.net.My problem was probably a common one. I did not know if I would like pulling a trailer and therefore could not justify spending money for a good one, but I didn't want to buy a poorly made trailer either. I ended up finding a Magenta UMBT1 trailer on eBay for about $550 (it had some flaws in the gel coat). I pulled it down to Knoxville, TN from Boston without any problem. I actually rode Deal's Gap the day we left and she pulled through the turns like it wasn't even there.
http://www.motorcycletrailer.com/mag1/http://www.motorcycletrailer.com/mag1/umbt1a.htmPros ..
1. I like the size. Easy to store and light weight.
2. It pulls like a dream. Tongue to width ratio is perfect.
3. Good suspension (absolutely no bounce at all).
4. The price was right (at the time).
The pros, in my opinion, are the important things... Cost, function and safety.
The cons, as you will see, have more to do with looks and convenience.
Cons...
1. The lid was completely detachable and was a pain to get in & out of. I installed make-shift hinges on it, but it was a huge pain in the butt. I still have to figure out a way to hold the lid up on it's own. I was going to use the piston type arm you would find on the back window of an SUV, but I think the lid is too light weight.
2. There was no way to secure (as in lock with a key) the lid. I installed an eye bolt into the base and another into the lid and I lock it with a (long shank) padlock. It doesn't look pretty but its functional.
3. The tail lights were mounted behind the tires and the lack of visibility bothered me, so I purchased a high brake / turn signal light.
4. There are no options for this trailer in terms of accessories. I wanted a cooler rack (I made one out of angle brackets and bolted it to the trailer tongue). I wanted carpeting (I purchased cheap trunk carpet, cut it to size and glued it in). I wanted a top rack (like a roof rack) to tie extra stuff to (I found some chrome shelves at Wal-Mart that I was able modify and bolt to the lid). I wanted a dome light, and had to bolt one to the inside of the lid and wire it up.
5. I saw Evans Bushtech with a pocket under the lid for small items and I wanted that too, so I used an old car organizer that is supposed to hang on the back of a front seat. I installed the female side of some snaps through the fabric of the organizer and bolted the male end to the inside of the lid.
Don't get me wrong, it works well for what I need, but it looks somewhat homemade with all the bolts sticking out from everywhere and spray painting it doesn't help the cause. I'll try to post some pictures if you want.
I have thought about upgrading, but once again have trouble justifying the cost for the (very) few times I use it.
I hope my long winded post is helpful in some way. Good luck.
