Looking for a motorcycle hauler

JJZ 109 · Jun 12, 2014

So I've sold my 2010 American Hauler 7x14 Night Hawk trailer. It was tall, 6'6" inside. The V on the front was pretty blunt, not a sharp angle at all. It dragged the mileage down to a little over 8 MPG on a Florida trip this winter. But part of that may have been the 5.0 in the F150 I had. I now have an F250 with 6.2 gasser. The American Hauler never did seem to be a nice pulling trailer.
I need a new enclosed bike hauler, but I want something that won't drag the mileage down quite so much. I know that they make lower profile trailers. Some have V noses, some are flat. I've heard some people swear that the flat nose pulls better, but my experience with a sharper V and 6' intererior that my 7x18 enclosed has is that it pulls much better than the slight V and taller (but shorter length) trailer I just sold.
It needs to be large enough to haul a Harley Street Glide and Softail Deluxe together. So I'm thinking 7x14 so that I don't have to cram them in tight to each other plus leave room for luggage, coolers, etc. Any suggestions for something that will accommodate our bikes as well as not acting like a large sail to drag the mileage down so much?

Diamondpilot · Jun 12, 2014

The nose does very little for mpg. It's the blunt rear that's the killer. Box trailers are what they are. Only way to haul a motorcycle and improve mpg is on a open trailer.

Chris

jejeosborne · Jun 12, 2014

Diamondpilot said:
The nose does very little for mpg. It's the blunt rear that's the killer. Box trailers are what they are. Only way to haul a motorcycle and improve mpg is on a open trailer.

Chris

I agree with Chris. The most aerodynamic shape is a teardrop with the pointy end being the back of the trailer. Unfortunately the tow vehicle geometry will dirty up the air make each complete rig to be individually different. The only advantage of the V - nose is more interior space over a flat nose.

3930dave · Jun 12, 2014

Yeah.... you're going to have to just keep paying at the pump...... no bike owner up north wants to haul a MC on an open trailer in the Winter (salt).... and HDs are too much of a theft target to take on a long trip on an open trailer anyway.....

Long way of saying...... I agree with the sentiments about the trailer back end limitation. You've maybe seen the modern sled (snowmobile) trailers - many of those use a full dome cover, so the rear is very aero.

Curious myself (distant purchase I'd like to make too....) so did a quick search....

Motorcycle trailer, Goldwing trailer , which also fits 2 Baggers, & other big motorcycles

RallyTime Trailers™ - Your motorcycle gives you a great ride! Why not return the favor?

They've tidied up the fronts of those a bit, the second one looks a little more aero re. sides and back. If I remember cars right..... side aerodynamics matter re. crosswinds - meaning mpg.

I've no idea what either one is like.... just some models you may want to check for on a MC forum....

On that first one, you might want to get them to check their math:

Empty weight 1300 lbs
Axle capacity 3500 lbs
Carrying Capacity 3300 lbs

Rgds, D.

JJZ 109 · Jun 13, 2014

Thanks for the opinions, that's why I visit here. On an old thread I mentioned the poor MPG on my last Florida trip. Chris mentioned it being due to the squared rear end then. I stated back then that I'd seen some tractor trailers on my trip that had some type of tail added to the trailer to streamline it. While I'm not looking at anything like that or even sure that something exists for the type of trailer I need, I guess the bottom line is that things are what they are.
The links that Dave provided do intrigue me, so I've contacted both vendors. I'll post back if they provide any information of value.

VTFireftr · Jun 13, 2014

If you are planning on hauling two bikes get a trailer that is 8 feet wide. I have a 7 x 14 and it's very tight inside with two bikes staggered. I take the fairing (aftermarket) off my bike so it doesn't contact the side of the trailer and crack when I'm hauling the bikes.

I use Condor wheel chocks for both bikes and can't say enough good things about these chocks. Well worth the investment.

For what it's worth, my trailer is a Road Force (made by Wells Cargo) and has been great investment. I'm guessing I now have over 35k miles on it (not all hauling bikes) in 10 years and have had only minor issues with it.

Marc

JJZ 109 · Jun 13, 2014

VTFireftr said:
If you are planning on hauling two bikes get a trailer that is 8 feet wide. I have a 7 x 14 and it's very tight inside with two bikes staggered. I take the fairing (aftermarket) off my bike so it doesn't contact the side of the trailer and crack when I'm hauling the bikes.

I use Condor wheel chocks for both bikes and can't say enough good things about these chocks. Well worth the investment.

For what it's worth, my trailer is a Road Force (made by Wells Cargo) and has been great investment. I'm guessing I now have over 35k miles on it (not all hauling bikes) in 10 years and have had only minor issues with it.

Marc

I actually had plenty of room in a 7x14 for the above mentioned bikes. Never had to remove fairing or bags on anything. I just hate the MPG of a box trailer. As for chocks, I had 2 different types of the Harbor Freight models and they never gave me a second of trouble.
Fortunately, because it's June I have some time to hang back and see what deals present themselves. I'm friends with an local person who owns several car dealerships, an HD dealership and a trailer sales place. So I'll see what the folks from Dave's links have for me in their replies first, and then I'll check out my friend's trailer store if I don't get the answers I'd like.

jejeosborne · Jun 13, 2014

JJZ 109 said:
I actually had plenty of room in a 7x14 for the above mentioned bikes. Never had to remove fairing or bags on anything. I just hate the MPG of a box trailer. As for chocks, I had 2 different types of the Harbor Freight models and they never gave me a second of trouble.
Fortunately, because it's June I have some time to hang back and see what deals present themselves. I'm friends with an local person who owns several car dealerships, an HD dealership and a trailer sales place. So I'll see what the folks from Dave's links have for me in their replies first, and then I'll check out my friend's trailer store if I don't get the answers I'd like.

+1 on the harbor freight chocks. I bought three for dirtbikes and they are very secure. Less than $40 if you have coupons. User reviews also support their quality.

JJZ 109 · Jun 13, 2014

3930dave said:
Curious myself (distant purchase I'd like to make too....) so did a quick search....

Motorcycle trailer, Goldwing trailer , which also fits 2 Baggers, & other big motorcycles

RallyTime Trailers™ - Your motorcycle gives you a great ride! Why not return the favor?

They've tidied up the fronts of those a bit, the second one looks a little more aero re. sides and back. If I remember cars right..... side aerodynamics matter re. crosswinds - meaning mpg.

I've no idea what either one is like.... just some models you may want to check for on a MC forum....

On that first one, you might want to get them to check their math:

Empty weight 1300 lbs
Axle capacity 3500 lbs
Carrying Capacity 3300 lbs

Rgds, D.

Got a reply from Iron Horse. Looks like $7900 for a trailer with no brakes. Brakes are a $400 option. Plus $1/mile for freight. If I were to spend that much, I'd just get a locally manufactured Blizzard all aluminum enclosed.
So now I'll wait to see what RallyTime comes back with.