single wheel trailers? Help me with info

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oldmopars

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As I have done some searching around I have taken an interest in the single wheel trailers. I think that I could maybe make my own with the cargo box I have and it will be large enough for my needs, and keep me from over loading it or the bike.
What do you know about the single wheel trailer? How do they handle? Has anyone ever built one of their own?
Any info would be great as I am torn between the simple throw together of a Harbor freight trailer and my 2 boxes vs. the testimonies I read of the single wheel trailers.
 
[url=https://www.classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=94583#p94583:2bnk0n1k said:
toytender01 » Sun Sep 01, 2013 9:07 pm[/url]":2bnk0n1k]
All of the single wheel trailers I have seen are on the back of vehicles tied at two points. I think on a M/C it would make for a wild ride.

There are several examples of them on Youtube showing the trailers tracking right behind the bike with no problem even through the twisties. Most of the mono-wheel trailers that I have seen connect to a receiver hitch through a universal joint so it allows the rigidity and the still keeps a single point connection. Oh by the way, this company is in OZ, so while we think he may be on the wrong side of the road, he really is on the correct side of the road. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyLHQSK3rO0

 
I've built a single wheel trailer for my wing. As stated, a universal hitch is needed. The trailer weighs about 80lbs (overbuilt) and I haul about 60 lbs on it. You really don't know it's there other than a bit more to balance at a stop. And yes, backing up is a pain, but when I mess up I just get off and move the trailer back in line.
 

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Nice :good: I hate the idea of anything that would limit my lane splitting and apart from the extra weight a singe wheel trailer wouldn't. I can't find that reverse gear yet so that shouldn't be too much of a problem as I only seem to go forward ( sometimes we lie down but not on purpose) :smilie_happy:
 
[url=https://www.classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=94722#p94722:c8vxfnnx said:
89-300ce » Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:01 am[/url]":c8vxfnnx]
I've built a single wheel trailer for my wing. As stated, a universal hitch is needed. The trailer weighs about 80lbs (overbuilt) and I haul about 60 lbs on it. You really don't know it's there other than a bit more to balance at a stop. And yes, backing up is a pain, but when I mess up I just get off and move the trailer back in line.
file.php

I thought there was a member here that had one of those. Can you post a close up of your hitch?
 

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[url=https://www.classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=95033#p95033:u4qiu937 said:
dan filipi » Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:50 am[/url]":u4qiu937]
jorg, is the hitch designed to prevent the trailer from tilting?

Yes, the trailer cannot tilt independant of the bike. The u-joint is bolted to the mount pins on the hitch and trailer. The trailer can move up/down and left/right but will remain at the same angle as the bike.
 
[url=https://www.classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=95037#p95037:24dvcfx0 said:
dan filipi » Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:24 am[/url]":24dvcfx0]
So it would seem even loading of the trailer left to right wise is very important?

The trailer is very narrow. Only about 18" between the outside rails. The box/tote is only about 15" wide. I've never noticed any side to side differences. I'm usually only carrying ~60lbs of gear on it so the difference would be slight. It's much narrower than the saddle bags for comparison and rides fully in the slipstream of the bike. We mostly carry clothes, a stove, misc. camping stuff, and a little food in the tote, tent strapped on top, and thermarests on the front. I can't say I notice a difference in range per tank though I'm sure there must be some.
 
[url=https://www.classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=95044#p95044:3mdzq344 said:
89-300ce » Thu Sep 05, 2013 11:01 am[/url]":3mdzq344]
[url=https://www.classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=95037#p95037:3mdzq344 said:
dan filipi » Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:24 am[/url]":3mdzq344]
So it would seem even loading of the trailer left to right wise is very important?

The trailer is very narrow. Only about 18" between the outside rails. The box/tote is only about 15" wide. I've never noticed any side to side differences. I'm usually only carrying ~60lbs of gear on it so the difference would be slight. It's much narrower than the saddle bags for comparison and rides fully in the slipstream of the bike. We mostly carry clothes, a stove, misc. camping stuff, and a little food in the tote, tent strapped on top, and thermarests on the front. I can't say I notice a difference in range per tank though I'm sure there must be some.

That is what I am thinking I need a smaller trailer for, and a single wheel trailer would fit. Most weekend camping trips I can fit everything in/on the bike, but if (and that is a big if) I ever convince the wife to ride along with me, I will need more room. I have a boat trailer that I down sized to fit a collapsable cargo bag, but it is too big for just a long weekend trip. A single wheel trailer would be the perfect fit for that long weekend get-away trip.
 
That is exactly why I went this route. It carries most light bulky items and allows the wife and I to camp comfortably for weeks. Two up with just the bike luggage wouldn't have been practical. We get to take along luxuries like flip-flops for around camp and showers, sneakers for hiking and boots for riding. A tarp for shelter from the sun and a hamock for relaxing. Real pillows. Riding clothes and walking around town clothes. Next trip we will take along a couple of camp chairs for lounging.

I buy backpack orientated camping gear that in these days is light and small.

A couple of these will be our next purchase.
https://www.mec.ca/product/5031-086/heli ... 0018+50130
About 2 lbs each and about the size of a sub sandwich when packed. I've tried it out and they're way more comfortable than the typical fold out chairs.

ps. the trailer easily rolls down motel corridors when it's raining :yes:
 
Here are the pictures of the hitch. Not shown are the support rods to the upper bag mounts. They are black and I just leave them on the bike. I didn't bolt the hitch into the u-joint but you can see how it works.
 

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Jorg,

Thanks for the pics! That just slides into the rear crash bar assembly where the normal rear bumber bar attaches... correct? If so, is the piece that slides inside the rear crash bar assembly a pipe or a solid rod?
 
[url=https://www.classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=95161#p95161:1byqgu82 said:
brianinpa » Fri Sep 06, 2013 8:15 am[/url]":1byqgu82]
Jorg,

Thanks for the pics! That just slides into the rear crash bar assembly where the normal rear bumber bar attaches... correct? If so, is the piece that slides inside the rear crash bar assembly a pipe or a solid rod?

It's solid in this case, if I recall correctly the shank of a 5/8 bolt (0.620 od) into a 1/2" sch40 pipe (0.622 id).
 
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