Speaking of Rednecks....

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

If you ever decide to pull anything bigger you may need to install a transmission cooler but a bike and trailer will probably not be an issue (friend of mine with a mustang learned that the hard way).

Yea, I actually looked at a cooler. They're not that expensive or hard to install so I might do it this Summer...

[Kerry_129]

Looks good & well hidden. I've had one on my old beater integra which has hauled a bike or two many miles - did so again this past w/e. A buddy with a truck laughed at it when he first saw it at a Gap trip, until I pointed out that my load (1 bike + gear) was exactly the same as his, and I made it there @ ~25mpg - roughly double his mileage hauling.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Kerry_129

Looks good & well hidden. I've had one on my old beater integra which has hauled a bike or two many miles - did so again this past w/e. A buddy with a truck laughed at it when he first saw it at a Gap trip, until I pointed out that my load (1 bike + gear) was exactly the same as his, and I made it there @ ~25mpg - roughly double his mileage hauling.

I won't be getting that benefit with this set up! But I also don't have to drive a fricken truck the other 350 days a year that I don't need one. I happen to like my drop top and don't want to own two vehicles again so...hitch on a car ftw!

[Rangerscott]

Yout got a spare tire and a good jack?

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Rangerscott

Yout got a spare tire and a good jack?

Shopping for a spare next week and I have my car's jack which fits under there well. I also have a couple bottle jacks that I'm considering... I might get a tongue box for the straps, jack, etc. I don't want to over do it though. This is intended for short, infrequent trips not cross country or anything.

[Tmall]

It'll be no problem. I'm planning to do it with my car as well. And after browsing the link I'm going to post, I have no concerns with doing it. The only thing is, your bikes weigh a bit more than mine does.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=940017

[Kerry_129]

Those HF jobbies are hard to beat for the value - just takes a little extra planning & hardware to set them up right.

One thing to keep an eye on are the flimsy bent fender brackets. After they bounce & vibrate around a while and/or get (easily) bent a few times I've seen them fatigue & break right off (fortunately not moving!). Probably wouldn't mess up your shit - but sure could ruin somebody's day behind you! (and cause an ins. claim)

On the bearings, they might last the life of the trailer just fine - but if you haven't already I'd suggest pulling the axles & cleaning-out/replacing the crap grease in there - as much as anything to make sure the axle nut is snugged-down properly. I found that both were too loose on the one I assembled - that'll kill the bearings quick, as I'm sure you know. Also makes a convenient time to identify the bearing #s and at least make note of what they are 'just in case'.


Edit: thought it was the h/f you had there - I bet that one's a few notches better in parts/quality. Kick-ass they honored the H/F coupon - I'll keep that in mind. Looks good!

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Kerry_129

Those HF jobbies are hard to beat for the value - just takes a little extra planning & hardware to set them up right.

One thing to keep an eye on are the flimsy bent fender brackets. After they bounce & vibrate around a while and/or get (easily) bent a few times I've seen them fatigue & break right off (fortunately not moving!). Probably wouldn't mess up your shit - but sure could ruin somebody's day behind you! (and cause an ins. claim)

On the bearings, they might last the life of the trailer just fine - but if you haven't already I'd suggest pulling the axles & cleaning-out/replacing the crap grease in there - as much as anything to make sure the axle nut is snugged-down properly. I found that both were too loose on the one I assembled - that'll kill the bearings quick, as I'm sure you know. Also makes a convenient time to identify the bearing #s and at least make note of what they are 'just in case'.


Edit: thought it was the h/f you had there - I bet that one's a few notches better in parts/quality. Kick-ass they honored the H/F coupon - I'll keep that in mind. Looks good!

Ha mind reader! I was just thinking, WTF is he talking about? Yea the TSC trailers have a decent rep and it's all welded, each weld inspected by me! Besides, it came with 12'' five lug wheels and I didn't have to assemble it!!! Decent lights, frame etc... the TSC trailer out weighs the HF trailer by almost 100 lbs and it doesn't have the added fold up trailer hardware. I looked at Lowes, TSC and HF and decided to go for the "middle" option. The trailer was on sale for $300 so I rolled for about $260 otd. Went to HD, which is going out of business. 9 4X6X8 treated planks for about $30, 100 #12 2'' drillers $10, car wiring kit $3, etc. I already had ramps and Condor style locking chocks from HF so no further expense there. All in all, I'm very happy with my purchase and labor. Yee Haw!

[derf]

Why wouldn't they fit side by side? I can easily fit two bikes in the back of a truck and its only a 5 foot wide bed

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by derf

Why wouldn't they fit side by side? I can easily fit two bikes in the back of a truck and its only a 5 foot wide bed

5'>4'.........

They would fit but it would be tight and I hate loading that tight if I can help it. Besides, I really wanted to keep the tongue weight down. I tried a couple different configurations before I settled on this set-up.

Before with a truck 5' bed,






Both forward with GF's bike back 2',






Again, finished product,