I've been planning a few motorcycle trips out west but have no interest in riding from my home in PA cross country to places like Arizona, Montana and Utah so I'm looking for a motorcycle trailer. I've already hauled my bike in the bed of my truck to Arizona and Colorado but loading the bike in the bed of my truck solo can be a little tricky plus I have two bikes so I'd like a trailer that can haul two bikes. I want something well built but light weight to minimize fuel consumption since my 2010 Tundra burns enough gas without towing a load.

So far I've looked at Kendon and Aluma which really seem like quality trailers designed specifically for motorcycles but a bit pricy with the Kendon 2 rail trailer selling for just shy of 4K. I've also looked at utility trailers at Lowes/Home Depot but not sure how well they would hold up to cross country travel once or twice a year for the next 5-10 years.

I saw a company called Triple A Trailers on Cycle Trader that had good prices on enclosed trailers but the enclosed trailers would probably hit me pretty hard on fuel economy due to the weight and wind resistance. I'm living on my military retirement so need to save on money when I can.

I had two motorcycles, until I got rid of one recently, but still have my Wing.
I wrestled with the idea of getting a motorcycle trailer for a while and eventually got a utility trailer because it fits some other needs that I had.
I did get an all aluminum trailer. I drilled a hole in the front part and installed a removable front wheel chock for a motorcycle. Not sure how secure that would be on the long haul, but for short distances works out great.
You could do some things to keep the rear wheel from kicking out if you thought it out too.
I have a Triton utility. Hope this helps.
I also have a UTV and an ATV and I transport my Zero turn between two properties I have so it helps to have this trailer.

https://beartracktrailers.com/

Lightweight, well made, tailgate folds in half to cut wind resistance.



https://www.baxleycompanies.com/shop/sport-chock/

Sport Chocks (used in garage daily) transfer to trailer with a clevis pin through a hole in the flooring.

I think the above recommendation on a utility trailer with a chock would be a good option, if you have any other use for a trailer.

When my in-laws moved out here from CA, they trailered the Indian & Victory (2 trips) in an enclosed trailer, with a motorcycle chock in the front.

That combined with a couple straps should be plenty solid for distance, just make sure to securely tie down the strap tails to avoid paint damage from flapping in the wind.

From personal experience I would get an enclosed trailer for your needs as expressed.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
From personal experience I would get an enclosed trailer for your needs as expressed.

Enclosed trailers are nice and certainly have their pluses but they are heavier and create more wind resistance which equals more fuel consumption when towing. Hauling a 1000 lb trailer plus the weight of the bike 500 lbs, driving 2400 miles and fuel costs add up quick. Living off my retirement income I have to be mindful of costs and save money where possible.

Any overnight stops on your trip? Security with an open trailer something to consider.

I had and would recommend an aluminum trailer with "ride in" chock. Made loading solo a snap.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

Any overnight stops on your trip? Security with an open trailer something to consider.

I do have overnight stops but all my nights will be spent on military installations so security won't be an issue.

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
I had and would recommend an aluminum trailer with "ride in" chock. Made loading solo a snap.

Do you recall the manufacturer of your aluminum trailer? One of the things I didn't like about the utility trailers I saw at Lowes/Home Depot was they are made of steel and eventhough they were brand new they still had surface rust forming on the frame.

Overnight security and having a clean bike at your final destination should definitely be considered.
Maybe something like this aerodynamic enclosed trailer...

http://ironhorsetrailers.com/w...-motorcycle-trailer/

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

Any overnight stops on your trip? Security with an open trailer something to consider.

I do have overnight stops but all my nights will be spent on military installations so security won't be an issue.

In that case, I think an open trailer would suffice. My father-in-law was getting something like 8-10mkpg in his '07 Tundra towing his loaded enclosed trailer (with a Victory touring bike & a lot of personal stuff) and a loaded truck bed.

If not too much effort, maybe a removable 'panel' that you can either strap down, or bolt to the trailer floor with 2 drive in wheel chocks, if you have any intent on using the trailer for non-motorcycle transport use.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
Overnight security and having a clean bike at your final destination should definitely be considered.
Maybe something like this aerodynamic enclosed trailer...

http://ironhorsetrailers.com/w...-motorcycle-trailer/

Thanks for the link the Iron Horse trailers look nice but at 950 lbs still more weight than I'd like to tow cross country. I haven't ruled out an enclosed trailer yet because the Kendon 2 rail I looked at is 3800 and the Triple A 7x10 enclosed Trailer with finished interior is only a few hundred bucks more at 4100. Similar price but with the enclosed you seem to get more trailer for your money.

Just received a quote from Iron Horse and the two motorcycle trailer is 8500 plus another 600-800 for accessories. Very nice trailer but at over 9 grand well in excess of my budget.

I had a Kendon, dual trailer, the Go Series dual rail ride up folding. I think I paid under $2K for it, probably closer to $1500 but that was in 05, sold it for the same amount several years later.

Great little trailer, tracks well, the issue is the ramp used to be narrow and could twist but they appear to have fixed that with a wider ramp.

The chock to lock the front tire is a plus, since it makes loading a one person job.

They are short, so backing can be challenging, but not difficult, and storage is great since it stands up on it's end.

If you want an exposed motorcycle trailer Kendon is the way to go, look for a used on on ebay, craigslist, auctions etc.

Cycle trader has one listed for $2100

https://www.cycletrader.com/Ke...ake=Kendon%7C3285281

Another for $1750

https://www.cycletrader.com/li...D-UP-DUAL-5012075421

You could buy the kendon, use it and then sell after the trip for what you paid for it,

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
I had a Kendon, dual trailer, the Go Series dual rail ride up folding. I think I paid under $2K for it, probably closer to $1500 but that was in 05, sold it for the same amount several years later.

Great little trailer, tracks well, the issue is the ramp used to be narrow and could twist but they appear to have fixed that with a wider ramp.

The chock to lock the front tire is a plus, since it makes loading a one person job.

They are short, so backing can be challenging, but not difficult, and storage is great since it stands up on it's end.

If you want an exposed motorcycle trailer Kendon is the way to go, look for a used on on ebay, craigslist, auctions etc.

Cycle trader has one listed for $2100

https://www.cycletrader.com/Ke...ake=Kendon%7C3285281

Another for $1750

https://www.cycletrader.com/li...D-UP-DUAL-5012075421

You could buy the kendon, use it and then sell after the trip for what you paid for it,

Thanks for the link I checked cycle trader yesterday and the used 2003 didn't show up even though it's less than 50 miles from my home. This might be exactly what I'm looking for especially if the trailer is in good shape.
I do plan to keep the trailer for as long as I'm healthy enough to travel cross country so whatever I buy I plan to keep for a while.

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:
[quote]Thanks for the link I checked cycle trader yesterday and the used 2003 didn't show up even though it's less than 50 miles from my home. This might be exactly what I'm looking for especially if the trailer is in good shape.
I do plan to keep the trailer for as long as I'm healthy enough to travel cross country so whatever I buy I plan to keep for a while.

Ask the guy if he bought it in FL, the guy I sold mine to was from NJ and living in FL at the time, using it to transport/move back to NJ...

Hell it could be my old trailer...

I'd look at a 10' or 12' single axle ramp gate trailer. Customize with chocks and strategically located tie down point. There are builders for those all over the country.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:
[quote]Thanks for the link I checked cycle trader yesterday and the used 2003 didn't show up even though it's less than 50 miles from my home. This might be exactly what I'm looking for especially if the trailer is in good shape.
I do plan to keep the trailer for as long as I'm healthy enough to travel cross country so whatever I buy I plan to keep for a while.

Ask the guy if he bought it in FL, the guy I sold mine to was from NJ and living in FL at the time, using it to transport/move back to NJ...

Hell it could be my old trailer...

Will do