Extend a trailer

[dannymax]

Was thinking of a new 6' x 10' utility trailer to haul my Freewheeler but thought I'd have a go at this....seems like it should work just fine.

Sorry, no photo!

 

[trikeman]

Work for me

 

[Sunman]

So what is it?

Sunman

 

[dannymax]

I used a standard 5' x 8' Carry On Tractor Supply utility trailer....the Freewheeler will fit width wise but overhangs in the rear about 10". Tipping the loading ramp/tailgate back about 45deg. will allow enough room and a couple pieces of 1/4" x 3' x 4' strap steel bolted to the side rails and upper corners of the ramp will keep it solidly in place. Some ratchet straps on all 4 corners and you have a light, fairly inexpensive way to transport your Freewheeler.

I'm sure my description sux....will try pic again.....

You can copy/paste the following in your browser....best I can do.

 

[paws]

I used a standard 5' x 8' Carry On Tractor Supply utility trailer....the Freewheeler will fit width wise but overhangs in the rear about 10". Tipping the loading ramp/tailgate back about 45deg. will allow enough room and a couple pieces of 1/4" x 3' x 4' strap steel bolted to the side rails and upper corners of the ramp will keep it solidly in place. Some ratchet straps on all 4 corners and you have a light, fairly inexpensive way to transport your Freewheeler.

I'm sure my description sux....will try pic again.....

You can copy/paste the following in your browser....best I can do.

Have you actually loaded the trike and tried driving at highway speeds yet?

Just curious if it had any sway to it. We had a trailer that was just a little too short for the trike and could not get over about 40mph without experiencing severe sway. It was a very frightening experience. Had to take it home, unload, and drive the trike to Kerrville. Then found the Aluma TK1, almost brand-new, and no more problems with trailer sway. Be careful and good luck with it.

 

[dannymax]

Have you actually loaded the trike and tried driving at highway speeds yet?

Just curious if it had any sway to it. We had a trailer that was just a little too short for the trike and could not get over about 40mph without experiencing severe sway. It was a very frightening experience. Had to take it home, unload, and drive the trike to Kerrville. Then found the Aluma TK1, almost brand-new, and no more problems with trailer sway. Be careful and good luck with it.

No, I haven't had it out on the road yet, it seems to have adequate tongue weight to prevent sway but as you say, proof is out on the highway. I'm towing with a 5500# Toyota Tundra....what was your tow vehicle?

 

[paws]

We were driving a Ford Escape. It was rated to tow the weight of the trike and trailer ok but the weight hanging on the very back-end of the trailer was the problem. The same vehicle pulled the Aluma TK1 with the same trike without any problem whatsoever.

 

[dannymax]

That's a nice set up you have. I like the sliding axle! It's basically what I have with a little smaller trailer. I totally agree on the weight distribution....my axle is 60" from the front of the bed to axle center on a 96" trailer which puts the majority of the Freewheeler weight forward of the axle. I'm expecting it will draw fine, if not I'll weld a tool box to the tongue and fill it full of rocks! :laugh:

 

[dannymax]

Nice set up! I'll be getting to the painting phase soon but don't think it'll come out as nice as yours.

I'm having trouble posting pics, it works once in awhile but mostly not but if you copy/past the link below in your browser you should be able to look at mine....the trannie is maybe just an inch or 2 in front of the axle so I'm thinking tongue weight should be fine. I dragged a cargo trailer behind me for 15 years with all my underground tank testing equipment so got a bit of experience on how to balance these things.

file:///C:/Users/Dan%20Unwin/Desktop/IMG_2125.JPG

 

[dannymax]

See if this works? By golly, it did! :clapping:

Obviously the Kubota is only a yard bird....not the official OTR tow vehicle. :laugh:

 

[dannymax]

One more view. And a good excuse to see if I remember the sequence.....:xzqxz:

The Freewheeler hangs over the end of the trailer about 10"....this modification makes up for that plus a couple more inches for some cushion material between the bike & ramp....just in case.

Also, the ramp is bolted down with grade 8 socket cap 3/8" bolts making the whole unit much more rigid.



And 'Stow Mode' with the braces bolted to the trailer side rails.

 

[dannymax]

A few sheets of aluminum, couple angle braces, some POR-15 paint and we're done.

 

[dannymax]

Thanx! Fer sure those little bars on the tailgate block a bunch of wind, I'm looking at a 20 mile or less haul so not too concerned about it.

 

[rhino 2]

Thanx! Fer sure those little bars on the tailgate block a bunch of wind, I'm looking at a 20 mile or less haul so not too concerned about it.

Its not so much the wind, its the weight if the ramp hanging off the rear end...''Leverage''..

I have a 10 by 6 1/2 Aluma...And when i trailer when empty i fold the ramp flat into the bed, The weight of the ramp sitting at the very end will lighten up the tongue weight...

And its very noticeable at highway speeds..:cxtv:

 

[dannymax]

I bolted down a sheet of 3/4" pressure treated plywood to beef up the bed....maybe the wind coming off the truck creates enough down force on the plywood to counteract the leveraging cuz I've never noticed it. :Shrug: