U-Haul Car Dolly Trike Towing?

[Texan]

Let me start out with I know it's a dumb question but have to ask.

Just did my search a little differently and there a couple 4 or 5 different threads out there...am going to go digest those.

I can't see investing big $$$$'s on a trailer I'd use maybe once or twice a year because I like to ride. BUT some times time and distance seem to dictate things. Let's take Sturgis, 900 miles. With my Parkinson's I fatigue very fast. Can only do 350-400 miles before I'm totally wiped out and I mean totally. Last year I took 3 days to get there but was costly for motels and time. Felt I'd barely gotten there before it was time to pack it up and head home. Thought I'd try out different options this year. Went over to U-Haul to look at their motorcycle trailer....too narrow. It WILL fit but could barely get dental floss between the side rails and the fenders on the trike. Then I noticed U-Haul's 'car dolly'.... would be towing backward but could secure the rear tires real good and I have a handle bar tie down off an old Kendon trailer I had several years ago. Towing backward ??? Anybody ever try this ???

Then I looked at the receiver hitch systems...most have limited tongue weight restrictions and none of the manufactures would recommend these for Tri-Glides.

Then I have to figure the cost of the dolly all week vs extra motel cost ??? Time ???

I might add here even though it doesn't add much to the discussion that I've ridden to Sturgis 32 times.

I guess there becomes a point in our lives when the mind says go for it....and the body say "bull****".

8~\o

 

[Texan]

After reading thru all the post on this subject I have 1 question. Did anybody try it ???

8~\o

 

[rhino 2]

After reading thru all the post on this subject I have 1 question. Did anybody try it ???

8~\o

Be the first one on your block to try it............But sometimes when something look's like it's a good [Cheaper] idea, It turns out in the long run it isn't...:Shrug:

 

[frostbite51]

I think for a once-a-year trip I would buy a used trailer, take my trip, come home and sell the trailer.

Did you check trailer dealers if they would do a rental?

My wife had distance trouble, so I had an enclosed trailer. Found lots of other uses for it to justify the cost of owning it.

I read some of those other threads. That bit about the windshield and fairing being backwards in the wind would give me second thoughts.

But, hey, go for it. Post pics...

 

[Sidecarbill]

I think there're pretty cheap for a day. You might just rent one to see if it works. I think you may have issues with the loading ramp part that doesn't come off. It may interfere with the body.

 

[NC Triker]

U Haul Car Dolly

You would probably need a new front tire when you got home.

 

[Pegasus1300]

If you aren't going to use it that much just rent one for the trip,turn it in when done. Or contact a bike haul company to ship it to your destination then back home. I have met more then one traveler who did that because of time and health reasons.

 

[lah2420]

Check with construction equipment rental places. The ones you would go to for a tractor or a forklift. Most of the ones around here rent utility trailers, drop bed trailers, and tilt trailers. But I think they run anywhere from 35 to 75 a day.

 

[Texan]

Thanks for the tips. I had a Kendon dual rail trailer not too long ago. The keyword is "HAD" that I could carry two dressers on... Only problem was they wouldn't fit sidebyside on the trailer. Had to turn on around and remove the windshield. No real problems hauling that way.

8~\o

 

[rhino 2]

I'm thinking if you ride around your neighborhood you will find someone that has a old trailer sitting on their property that their are wanting to unload, You might make a deal, And if so once you are done with it put it on your property and someone else will take it off your hands... ....Eventually....

 

[Old Road Dog]

After reading thru all the post on this subject I have 1 question. Did anybody try it ???

8~\o

I'm in the transportation business-a nut on the end of a stick shift.Dont do this.Unless you want to see your trike dance the fandango across 4 lanes of traffic.

 

[Texan]

I'm thinking if you ride around your neighborhood you will find someone that has a old trailer sitting on their property that their are wanting to unload, You might make a deal, And if so once you are done with it put it on your property and someone else will take it off your hands... ....Eventually....

Great idea but in my part of the country, farming and ranching, trailers are a premium. Then in Texas you have to register a trailer, $60.00 for a year. They don't care if you use it all year or two weeks. AND now you have to carry liability on trailers and I have NO idea on how much that's going to be. Pretty new law.

Because of this new liability law there's a lot of the local around town hauling trailer companies going out of business and no, from the few I've looked at none would be fit for hauling a trike.

8~\o

 

[rhino 2]

Great idea but in my part of the country, farming and ranching, trailers are a premium. Then in Texas you have to register a trailer, $60.00 for a year. They don't care if you use it all year or two weeks. AND now you have to carry liability on trailers and I have NO idea on how much that's going to be. Pretty new law.

Because of this new liability law there's a lot of the local around town hauling trailer companies going out of business and no, from the few I've looked at none would be fit for hauling a trike.

8~\o

Thats a kicker....Up here in the other United States to register my trailers they run about 18 dollars each, And the towing vehicles insurance automatically covers the trailer..:Shrug:

 

[Ray55]

Out here with the fruits and nuts, a utility trailer registration is $10.00 for 5 years. A live in trailer( camper) registered every year.

 

[paws]

Costs me $59.75 for annual registration for my Aluma TK1 trailer - plus - $37.05 for insurance through Allstate. $7.05 of the insurance is an add-on for towing if disabled.

Thinking seriously of selling trike and trailer as one sale...both or none. Not riding enough to justify the costs.

 

[Old Road Dog]

www.fatzusa.com. Boston Jim told me this will work with Harley trikes.

 

[Peter A.]

Hauling

www.fatzusa.com. Boston Jim told me this will work with Harley trikes.

That may/looks good, work BUT I would really be concerned about rocks, debris, etc. hitting the whole front end!

:gah:

 

[Ed H]

I would go to Lowe's or Home depot and buy a landscape trailer. More than enough room for your trike.

When you get home sell it or keep it as they are only $800 or so. Far less than a enclosed trailer.

I too have parkinson's, may need to follow my own advice as the disease progress's.

 

[Sunman]

Great idea but in my part of the country, farming and ranching, trailers are a premium. Then in Texas you have to register a trailer, $60.00 for a year. They don't care if you use it all year or two weeks. AND now you have to carry liability on trailers and I have NO idea on how much that's going to be. Pretty new law.

Because of this new liability law there's a lot of the local around town hauling trailer companies going out of business and no, from the few I've looked at none would be fit for hauling a trike.

8~\o

I just renewed registration on two of my trailers in Texas and no one asked me for proof of insurance? I have not heard anything about a new law in Texas for liability insurance on trailers. Does this apply to private owned trailers or maybe just for commercial trailers such as rentals, etc.? Thanks, Sunman

 

[paws]

I just renewed registration on two of my trailers in Texas and no one asked me for proof of insurance? I have not heard anything about a new law in Texas for liability insurance on trailers. Does this apply to private owned trailers or maybe just for commercial trailers such as rentals, etc.? Thanks, Sunman

Hey Danny... Yeah... it is stated on the registration form you receive in the mail. It says:

Send bottom part of this form, proof of insurance, and appropriate fee to......

We asked about this at the tax office when we first noticed this statement on the trailer registration form - they said yes, insurance on trailers is required now. We explained it basically was akin to a utility trailer - not like a 5th wheel or something....they said it didn’t matter, its designated as trailer.

So... don’t know if its up to the discretion of the individual tax collection office, the individual AT the tax office, or if it is indeed a state law, but Midland County is saying its state law.

But then another reason to have it insured is theft, vandalism, or it somehow causes damage to others. (I guess it could grow razor-sharp teeth and toenails, come alive, and attack the neighbors—-oooohhh Gonetothree would love seeing that movie. :laugh. Allstate said it would not be covered under our usual homeowner’s policy or automobile policy.

Don’t know....maybe we are just being taken in? If someone thinks so PLEASE let me know...I love saving money!

 

[Sunman]

Hey Danny... Yeah... it is stated on the registration form you receive in the mail. It says:

Send bottom part of this form, proof of insurance, and appropriate fee to......

We asked about this at the tax office when we first noticed this statement on the trailer registration form - they said yes, insurance on trailers is required now. We explained it basically was akin to a utility trailer - not like a 5th wheel or something....they said it didn’t matter, its designated as trailer.

So... don’t know if its up to the discretion of the individual tax collection office, the individual AT the tax office, or if it is indeed a state law, but Midland County is saying its state law.

But then another reason to have it insured is theft, vandalism, or it somehow causes damage to others. (I guess it could grow razor-sharp teeth and toenails, come alive, and attack the neighbors—-oooohhh Gonetothree would love seeing that movie. :laugh. Allstate said it would not be covered under our usual homeowner’s policy or automobile policy.

Don’t know....maybe we are just being taken in? If someone thinks so PLEASE let me know...I love saving money!

Well, this month I renewed registration on wife's Jeep...had to get inspected and show proof of insurance. Also this month renewed registration on 1 utility trailer and 1 motorcycle transport trailer and went straight to county tax office and wrote them a check and got tags for both trailers. No inspection, no request for proof of insurance no questions. Could that statement (send proof of insurance in) be standard boiler plate text on the renewal form but doesn't apply to trailers? I do know that on trailers over a certain load rating (3,500 lbs.?) they have to be inspected. Don't know but in Austin county there doesn't seem to be a requirement for private trailer insurance?

Sunman

 

[paws]

Tell you what Danny.... now you’ve got me VERY curious. I’m going down tomorrow to the tax office and get an OFFICIAL verification - after I get on the Texas DOT.GOV website to see what I can see about trailer registrations. Hhhmmm......thanks! Will update when I find out something....

 

[T-Cat]

"Then in Texas you have to register a trailer, $60.00 for a year. They don't care if you use it all year or two weeks." - Agree with this statement

AND now you have to carry liability on trailers and I have NO idea on how much that's going to be. - disagree with this statement



- liability insurance requirement applies to the vehicle towing the trailer - not the trailer itself

- the inspection station where I get my 5th Wheel & big utility trailer inspected only look at the insurance card for my truck

- my Bustec & small utility trailer, don't require inspection & I renewed the registration for them online - with no associated liability insurance

 

[paws]

Tell you what Danny.... now you’ve got me VERY curious. I’m going down tomorrow to the tax office and get an OFFICIAL verification - after I get on the Texas DOT.GOV website to see what I can see about trailer registrations. Hhhmmm......thanks! Will update when I find out something....

Yep... the Midland County tax representative didn’t know her business well enough to “officially” speak about the rules. I actually did not have to show proof of insurance for the Aluma TK1 trailer when I got the license plate renewal done.

 

[Papa Zook]

Tractor Supply rents trailers and their prices online appear to be reasonable.

 

[Fearless]

"Then in Texas you have to register a trailer, $60.00 for a year. They don't care if you use it all year or two weeks." - Agree with this statement

AND now you have to carry liability on trailers and I have NO idea on how much that's going to be. - disagree with this statement



- liability insurance requirement applies to the vehicle towing the trailer - not the trailer itself

- the inspection station where I get my 5th Wheel & big utility trailer inspected only look at the insurance card for my truck

- my Bustec & small utility trailer, don't require inspection & I renewed the registration for them online - with no associated liability insurance

And that is how it is Pennsylvania if it matters towing vehicle is required to be Insured... Fred

 

[eagle1]

triGlide ramps too wide for my '08 triglide

but haven't checked the gl-1500 with roadsmith trike kit yet.wont fit. too narrow and too long

 

[bomber43]

trailer

Great idea but in my part of the country, farming and ranching, trailers are a premium. Then in Texas you have to register a trailer, $60.00 for a year. They don't care if you use it all year or two weeks. AND now you have to carry liability on trailers and I have NO idea on how much that's going to be. Pretty new law.

Because of this new liability law there's a lot of the local around town hauling trailer companies going out of business and no, from the few I've looked at none would be fit for hauling a trike.

You can borrow mine if you want to come up here and get it