Nice job on the trailer. I would like to mention though, if you notice in the video, how your straps momentarily loosen over the slightest bump. Obviously, the suspension is compressing. An alternative is to run straps around front fender supports,, and then to trailer D rings. That way no amount of rough road will loosen the straps. Friendly observation. Mike
Mike thanks for the info. I definitely saw that going on bumps. I haven’t tried that method yet but I did strap a secondary tie downs in the front handle bars that have locking safety tips when I did a 147 mile trip one way and had no issue. Won’t hurt if I added straps to the fenders for more additional support on long trips. Thanks!
Normally when towing a bike on a trailer the front suspension is taken all the way down by tightening the straps , the rear can also be preloaded with the straps but you don't have to go all the way down. This prevents the bike from moving independently of the trailer. The trailer was finished off nicely, I am looking to redo my folding trailer and make improvements. Cheers!
I have the exact same setup, including the rail. Did you ever notice the rail digging into the tire? My front has turned every time I've trailered it to the track, and it always puts a massive gouge in my tire. It started happening on the rear as well.
Nice! I’ve never had the issue you are having though. How wide is your rail? I think mine is about 8” or 10” wide which clears the edges of the rail so no gouge.
Nice job and thank you for sharing. Just got myself into a Honda Ruckus and thinking of getting one like this for transport. Does it come with the 4 pin plug to be connected to a harness for lighting? Does it need to be registered at the DMV in California?
No problem. Yes it comes with the 4 pin plug that connects to the trailer with lights, if that is what you are asking? Now the plug that connects to your vehicle does not come with it. I had to buy that separately. I’m in Oregon and if a trailer is under a weight limit then you don’t have to register it. I don’t know with California rules.
Harbor freight trailers are rated for a maximum of 45 mph per the website I bought this same trailer to build a med size bbq trailer but worried about the 45 Max
@@robertatkinson2810 I’ve put more than 1200 miles on the trailer already averaging 60+ mph. I’ve had no issues. Just make sure you repack the bearings. Don’t use the one that they repacked it with. I didn’t show it on the video but I removed the grease that came with it and repacked it with grease I purchased at a local auto parts store.
It would be a lot easier to load if you flipped the axle. Put the axle on top of the leaf springs. If it seems like it is riding too rough you can shorten the smaller leaf springs or even remove one or more of them.
Nice looking trailer. I learned the hard way to only use straps with carabiner fasteners on both ends, the hooks can fall out when the suspension compresses.
@nvmcrider thanks! I now use two sets of straps in the front. One regular hook and the other hook that has a locking pin on it so the strap won’t come off when the suspension compresses.
The platform is a 4’x8’ 3/4” plywood that I bought from a hardware store and cut it to my needs. The motorcycle rail itself I googled and took me to eBay where I found it. Unfortunately searching it up they are not selling it anymore.
This is grand, Im looking to build a lightwight trailer for track travel since ill be hauling my bike with my car. I was wondering since you don't have any lights on yours if thats like legal.
Are you talking about lights on the trailer or the motorcycle? The trailer does have rear lights with functional brake/turn signals. I guess you can say the motorcycle is street legal because I hooked up a small LED headlight and tail lights as well. The only thing that doesn’t work are my turn signals but I use hand motion lol!
@@andongf4338 recheck the lug nuts.i purchased a hf trailer used and they needed tightening..1200 mile trip on a hf trailer they are nice.i repacked the hubs with grease also.
I bought it on eBay. Searched motorcycle rail and found it, but looks like they are gone. Also this website is also the same dimensions www.siraweb.com/ce-smith-26110pg but unfortunately they are out of stock.
I am building my own trailer that has the same dimensions as yours has. Would you measure the distance from the coupler to the first cross over for me please? I think it is around 42 inches, but I cant find that dimension anywhere. Thank you...Paul
How about the wheel bearings? It looks like there is grease in the bearing, a minimal amount. I'm going to pack them with a marine bearing grease then use bearing protectors with grease fitting & caps. What did you do about the bearings? I stand corrected, I pulled a bearing out to pack it, it was loaded with grease, I think the bearing buddies will be sufficient to keep them lubed. Were your bearings well-greased as delivered?
I read that the grease that comes with it is only for packaging when it’s being sent out. They said to always re-grease it. So I removed the grease that came with the bearing and cleaned it all out with brake cleaner and then repacked it with new grease. I forgot what I bought but it was from Autozone.
Everyone like the circle jerk about the bearings but I'm starting to think either Harbor Freight has a new supplier for bearings or people were only checking their bearings after a few thousand miles at 80 miles an hour, obviously way overworking them. Those tiny little wheels gotta spin real fast to keep up lol
@@patw9175 I also think these are being supplied by a new manufacturer. Mine had a ton of grease, both front and rear. I'm going to run them as is and inspect them after a few miles.
I googled motorcycle rail and it took me to eBay where I purchased mines. They are now out of stock. www.siraweb.com/ce-smith-26110pg is another website but doesn’t do any help because it says they are out of stock as well.
I bought it on eBay but they don’t sell them anymore when I looked. Etrailer has the same ones though www.etrailer.com/Tie-Down-Anchors/CE-Smith/CE26110PG.html
It looks like they are sold out though on their website. Also if you are talking about the motorcycle rail, I googled it and took me to eBay and that’s where I purchased it. And unfortunately that item is sold out as well.
Motorcycle rail www.etrailer.com/Tie-Down-Anchors/CE-Smith/CE26110PG.html I bought the trailer at HarborFreight. 4x8 plywood at HomeDepot and cut it to fit. Extra nuts and bolts at Home Depot.
Thinking about purchasing the 4x4 and extending similar to yours. Did you have any way of supporting the extended front of the plywood? I would recommend ditching the rail and investing in pit bull restraints as that's what I am gonna go with!
I was thinking of putting something underneath the plywood but with the motorcycle rail being galvanized steel it had plenty of support so I didn’t. If you are going to use the pit bull restraints I’d definitely would put something underneath the plywood.
I am building this trailer in my garage now. The bolts are secured with nylock nuts. Did that concern you, no lock washers, just nylocks? I'm about to go get 30+ lock washers to be safe, I think. What are your thoughts about bolts & nylocks long-term? Thanks for the video.
I used a flat washer with a nylon lock nut and used lock tight. You should be good with just using a nylon lock. I always inspect loose nuts before I use it. No problem glad it helped out.
Where did you get the rail? Did you bend it yourself? How much was it? Narration would be more useful that the annoying background music. Did you ever think that if people need to listen to music while watching a video that does not have narration they will just play whatever they like?
I got one of these and did something similar. I put three tracks on the deck so I can haul two dirt bike at one or just one in the middle of the deck. I had to well extension that come about a foot off the trailer for strap mounts.
Such a late response. Everything is holding up. Some screws loose but easily tighten back up. I stay at 60 mph but I’ve gotten up to 70mph and trailer does fine.
I bought it on eBay searched up motorcycle rail and found it, but now it’s not on there when you search it up. This website also is the same one www.siraweb.com/ce-smith-26110pg but does no help because they are out of stock lol!
For some reason it’s not on the HarborFreight website anymore. But m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200612543_200612543 is the same kind just different brand. It does say its currently unavailable due to high demands.
Yo, the trailer looks sick....question, where did you get that rail? looks way cleaner than people using the flipped over loading ramps lol. Appreciate it!
Hi. Just curious, to what max speed have you taken this trailer? Some "sellers" of this trailer state 45mph max but it seems many people are going beyond that with no issues. I want one, but not if it has any issues on the freeway, up to 65mph. Thanks
I just recently did a 246 round trip freeway miles. I stayed above 60 mph majority of the times. I’ve done 75 mph to pass some slow drivers and no issues at all.
@@andongf4338 Nice. I have that exact trailer but with 8 inch wheels. Everyone I have spoken to so far also states they have had no problems on the freeway in the 65 to 70mph range. I guess its important to check the bearings and grease more frequently with smaller wheels, due to higher temperatures and more revolutions. I am not planning on racing with it, haha, but going 65 would be the norm. It would only get used once or twice a month, and likely 30 miles max distance, with around 400lbs of properly balanced weight. Thanks again
@@rkstreeper1 oh yea you are totally fine at that short distance. And definitely grease the bearings. I didn’t show it on the video but I repacked mines. 👍
I’ve seen the “speed rating” is only 55mph. Did you exceed 55? And if so how did it handle and everything? Looking to build one for my dirtbike and where I ride is pretty far so I need to go on the freeway
In the video at 3:55 I was going 60 mph through the end of the video. It was steady and I honestly couldn’t tell it was behind me. I haven’t taken it out far yet but it should be okay. Make sure you re-pack all the bearings because from what I’ve searched the lube they used is horrible from factory.
@@edgargarcia940 www.harborfreight.com/automotive/trailers-towing/1090-lb-capacity-40-12-in-x-48-in-utility-trailer-62665.html that’s the trailer itself at Harbor Freight website. The motorcycle rail I bought on eBay and can’t find it anymore.
@@Wolfcone I just looked at their website. That’s weird that I don’t see it anymore. You can be right, I purchased this trailer 2 months ago I called 4 Harbor freight trailer stores and they were all sold out so I wouldn’t know why they wouldn’t sell them anymore if people are buying them.But I finally got my hands on one when I went inside the store and asked for it.
Yep when I saw the video I saw there was a lot of movement when I hit a bump. So I used the straps that you see on the video plus added another strap that has the safety tip on the end on the front. Feel a lot safer now.
