trailer

[Gator]

Im look at building a trailer for my valk to haul. But I need some info. #1 how much weight can they tow. #2 does the gas millage drop off real bad. #3 how does the valk handle when u tow something. And any other info that may help.  Thank :flamer:

[Valker]

Originally posted by Gator
Im look at building a trailer for my valk to haul. But I need some info. #1 how much weight can they tow. #2 does the gas millage drop off real bad. #3 how does the valk handle when u tow something. And any other info that may help.  Thank :flamer:

#1-as much as you're comfortable with. I have always tried to keep my total trailer weight to less than 500 lbs.
#2-Yes, but it is more speed related.
#3-Most folks can't tell they are back there unless they load them wrong or hit something in the road.
Pistolchamp probably has more experience with trailers here than anyone. I pulled one for about 70K.

[ossiningvalkyrie]

Pistolchamp was who I asked when I was lookin at my purchase of the used Bushtec

He was very generous with his time.

My trailer is maybe 100-150 pounds empty and no more than 250 loaded.  My tongue weight is around 40 lbs.

My gas mileage is less with the trailer but not terrible. My best mileage with it is around 33mpg at 70-75 mph.

Bigger wheels is better than smaller wheels

A longer tongue is better than a short one- less ossilation (pendulum effect)

That is all I know   Good luck

[don07tncav]

I've purchased one of the harbor freight trailers to go along with a car top carrier that I already had. The plan is to paint the carrier with Krylon plastic paint. I need something to tow my electric R/C planes to the field and to flyins.

[Pistolchamp]

I was the manufacturer of Scooter Trailers... see http://www.scootertrailer.net.

We have made over 20,000 of these trailers in the past 30 years, but, no more.  I sold the last one recently and we shall make no more and I am retiring.

I am getting older and don't like working any more and I don't have to.  Also after a couple of heart attacks and now two strokes, I think its time to slow down.

Those Harbor Freight rigs with car top carriers have been used from time-to-time and I guess they work from fair to okay, but, no better than that.  I pulled one at a rally a couple of years ago and couldn't wait to return to the camp site and give it back.  Short tongue, way too light, tiny 8" wheels and flimsy everything made it pull terrible... something you might not notice if you didn't know how well a good one can pull.

Don't go with less than 12" wheels, I put 13" aluminum wheels with steel belted radial tires on mine and you can't tell you are pulling a trailer.

Gas mileage will be reduced a little to a lot depending on the load and speed.

Some people said the tongue on my trailers looked long, but, they pulled fabulously.  The bigger wheels and good tires helped also.

With a welded steel frame and fully welded aluminum body my trailers are very stiff and stout and still only weigh about 100 pounds empty.

QUALITY IS EVERYTHING!  A flimsy cheaply made trailer will give you just what you paid for and no more.  Some of the super expensive fiberglass trailers are WAY too heavy running over 250 pounds empty and fiberglass will always give problems over time, cracking, splitting, coming loose from the frame, etc.etc.etc., and swoopy looks just make them hard to load.

I have pulled my trailers (many of them) over 400,000 miles all over the US, Canada and Mexico without a single problem... I wish you the same good luck.

[Strider]

Pistolchamp, are you the rider that I met at the PGR mission right before Christmas in Shreveport, Louisiana?

The rider with the keg fuel cell on the back?

If so, where in Texas are you out of?

[Cycho]

I have a home made (Harbor Freight/Sears cartop carrier) that I've pulled about 10K miles.
  I narrowed the frame 7 inches and extended the tongue 20 inches.  Has 12 inch wheels.
  The trailer pulls great,  you'll lose 2-3 mpg depending on the load.  My comfort level is about 350 lbs max because you have to stop it too.  Trailer seems to run best with about 40 lbs of tongue weight.
  You don't even know it's back there.  A longer tongue helps backing up.  Bigger wheels are better.

Dan

[Family Fun]

GATOR, I made my ouw trailer out of steel with 8 inch wheels.  mpg went down to 32 mpg, you need a longer tonge. it pulled great and the fat lady didn't want for power.  I had some trial and error but all worked out.  If ya want to talk e-mail me your phone and I'll call you.  kakillian@att.net     Ken    ps I pulled the unit fron Alaska to Sturgis and back with no problems