What size trailer for VFR800?

I'm looking to get a small utility trailer with a built in ramp. How big do I have to go to fit a VFR800? I don't want to go too big as my goal is to tow bike/trailer with a '90 Honda Accord... max towing 1,000-1,500 lbs depending on who you ask. So I want the trailer to be small.

Looking at this trailer:

Carry-On Trailer Mesh Floor Trailer, 1650 lb. Capacity - 1000231 | Tractor Supply Company

Might move up a notch to get 13" tires.

 

Yeah when I bought the VFR I hauled it back with my '92 Dodge and 16' car hauler. Kind of overkill. I also don't like loading bikes into the bed of the truck. and it doesn't get all that great of mileage anyways. So I am looking to expand my options for motorsickle transport.

 

Just hold a wheelie over the ramp. Followed by a stoppie. It's pretty easy that way.

 

make a longer loading ramp drop the angle...you will be alright..

 

There are certainly lots of options for moving your VFR. I won't comment on the one your are looking at but will throw out and option. I bought one of these and found the extra cost of purchase was well worth the money. The features and benefits of the this trailer put my mind at ease every time I used it.
Loading and unloading were simple and able to be accomplished with no help at all. The light weight of the trailer not only complimented towability but made moving the unit around and hitching a breeze. Something a senior with back and ticker problems really appreciates. The other great thing was when I was no longer in need of it I was able to sell it and get my money back from a purchaser who apprciated the added value it provided. There are other purpose built units out there all of which are likely more money than the option at which you are looking. Costco had a nice one too as I recall. You do get what you pay for. Sometimes that's great. Sometimes not!
Here is a link. Motorcycle trailers from Lite Aluminum Products
Good luck with your decision. Remember, if you ride up a single narrow ramp, places to put you feet down at often not at hand.

 

I would look at a trailer with a nice wood plank floor, those TSC trailers will start to have the mesh bow from the weight.

 

A general rule of thumb with trailer: If at all posible, you want to get a trailer with automotive spec hubs/bearings. The little trailers with 12" tires are suitable for local stuff. If you're going long distance, you definitely want a better axle & bearings under your trailer.

I don't recommend towing with a front drive auto. It is possible, but not ideal. The reason is the Accord is FWD. You put a trailer on it & put weight down on the rear of the car. This will accelerate front end component wear of the car. It's not like the car will implode on the hiway, it will just wear out faster.


To answer the original question, the smallest trailer you need is a 4' X 8". My 2000 VFR is 7'3" long & 30" wide at the bars.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

huh.....never thought about it with regards to a front wheel drive car....that makes total sense though....

 

If you ever see a truck towing a trailer & the front tires look like the outside edges are rounding off, that because they have too much weight on the rear of the truck/tongue of the trailer. This takes weight off the front of the truck & it cause the front end to wander. This is much more noticable on a FWD vehicle.

An almost universal rule is 10% of the total weight of the trailer should be tongue weight. In other words, a 1500lb trailer should have a 150lb tongue weight. You can use a bathroom scale to measure this. My 6' X 12" enclosed cargo trailer weighs about 2500lb - 2700lb with all the crap I put in it. I can still lift the front off the ground. It's about a 275lb dead lift so it's pretty managable.

kC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Check out this video. It's a big bike. Think of the VFR. You tilt the trailer up. Ride on. The trailer lowers by gravity controlled by two shocks. The front wheel is in a chock so the bike stands alone. Just get off and tie it down.
Diamondback Single Rail Tilt Bed Motorcycle Trailer

 

I wanted the smallest trailer I could find and bought the 5x7 Carry-on from Lowe's when they had it on sale for around $400. It was very difficult, but I was able to slide the rear end and parked the VFR diagonally with the front wheel in a wheel chock. At the suggestion of a friend, I welded a plate onto the front square tube, cut the rails and fitted the chock on the plate. Now I can ride on and off with no problem, and have a small footprint trailer that doesn't take up the whole garage. The mesh is the weakest point and although I haven't done it yet, a plywood base would help. With this set-up I've towed my VFR back and forth from Phoenix to Salt Lake, 650 miles each way, with no problems.

 

Here is what I ended up getting. It's a 4 x 7 utility trailer from Tractor Supply, $529.99. 350 lbs unloaded, rated for 1650 lb payload. 12" tires but I think I will upgrade them down the road, as well as the mesh floor. The kickstand of my bike already distorted a spot in the floor. So far I like it though. Seems like it will be very handy. The VFR fits in there perfectly.



Now onto getting a hitch for my Accord, and getting it ready to tow this setup when I want to.

*Fairings removed because I just did an oil change. I also have to take it in for recall work (wiring harness), so I figured I'd just leave them off. I'm not riding the bike right now.

 

Look at trailer in a bag. Since you are using a cr etc. It take little room to store. Deals with the bike and can be stowed n the trunk.

http://trailerinabag.com/index.html

 

um, I already got something.

 

Here"s a tip. Connect your bungie cords from the bottom hook to the top hook of your tiedowns. It keeps tension on the tiedowns. I learned this the hard way taking a left turn. Just enough slack to send the KLX flying off the trailer into the middle of the 3 lane hwy, not cool.

 

The best advice now is to buy a Harbor Freight wheel chock to keep the bike upright. I paid $40 for mine and it functions as both a freestanding bike stand with built in wheel chock. It even has tie down hooks built it. Like everything Harbor Freight, it weights a ton but it well built!





Rollin

 

Yeah, i should have read the post ahead of mine .. Heheh.