How high should I go???

[wilcoy02]

I am going to start my trailer today. Going to cut the first piece of plywood.

My question is: How high can a trailer be and still be able to see traffic behind me while on the bike?

I was thinking 42 inches from ground to top of trailer. This will give me 12 inches high of cargo space. I would like more but I do not want to go higher than what I can see traffic behind me.

Thanks for any info you can give me.

 

[brianinpa]

What I have been reading elsewhere, and from some responses to that same question, 38 seems to be the highest that you want the platform of the trailer because the tent will add additional height. Which trailer are you making?

 

[dan filipi]

I would keep it as low as possible to keep center of gravity low.

 

[wilcoy02]

I am going to try a variation of the MOAB the green one. The tent will take up 12 Inches of height to the trailer.
12" of tent height The tent will be 6 foot high in the middle when erected. 1 door, couple of windows.
12" of cargo space
17" from ground to top of actual trailer - with nothing on the trailer.

41" total height from ground to top of trailer with cargo space & tent in place. Can I go higher?

I would like more cargo height but I do not want to block my rear view line of sight.

https://www.compactcampingconcepts.com/

Thanks Brian- I came across your question on a couple of forums for camping. I do appreciate your help on this. Do you think a total of 50 " would be too high?

I will be posting a step by step while I am building BUT it will be a slow process. Will take 3 weeks to get the tent after the cargo part is completed. So I will not have it in time for the meet and greet in Sept But it should be ready in plenty of time to go NORTH TO ALASKA next year.

 

[brianinpa]

Wes, take a look at this thread...

https://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3578

The one thing he said he would do over was to make it lower than 38 inches because the "tent" adds another 6 - 8 inches. Also posting in that thread is the maker of the MOAB tent kit, so there are a LOT of good hits and ideas.

Don't forget that you have all that space UNDER the trailer frame for storage space also. A great place for poles, folding chairs and other things that fit inside PVC pipes.

 

[mcgovern61]

That Motocampers site is a great asset for those looking into trailer camping (like me!) :yes:

 

[Ansimp]

wilcoy02 » Thu Jul 31, 2014 3:46 am[/url]":1hshfjnf]
I am going to start my trailer today. Going to cut the first piece of plywood.

My question is: How high can a trailer be and still be able to see traffic behind me while on the bike?

I was thinking 42 inches from ground to top of trailer. This will give me 12 inches high of cargo space. I would like more but I do not want to go higher than what I can see traffic behind me.

Thanks for any info you can give me.

I would measure your mirror height and not go any higher. I have been wiring up serious aluminium off road camper trailers for a local manufacture and the one thing I have learnt over the years the more room you give them the more crap they take. Many times when customers have had a problem we weigh everything and you wouldn't believe how overloaded they are and many times in the wrong places. Every pound you add decreases your Goldwings performance so I would try not to go too big/ heavy :yes:

 

[wilcoy02]

Thanks ansimp my mirrors are 43 in so I am going with 42 in from the ground to top.
Brian I had seen that sight on my quest for info on trailers.

I did start today and made my first cut on the plywood.

Thanks to all for the info.

 

[joedrum]

hmmmm pics wes

 

[brianinpa]

mcgovern61 » Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:36 pm[/url]":3b2xdmp7]
That Motocampers site is a great asset for those looking into trailer camping (like me!) :yes:

Not just for for those camping from trailer but for those camping from a motorcycle. It doesn't matter what brand, size, or flavor of riding you do, if you camp from a bike, that it the site to check out.

Thanks ansimp my mirrors are 43 in so I am going with 42 in from the ground to top.
Brian I had seen that sight on my quest for info on trailers.
I did start today and made my first cut on the plywood.

Thanks to all for the info.

Hey Wes, that thread I linked to should have taken you to a thread where a guy built the trailer you are making and he and the designer of the tent kit provide a lot of helpful info.

Remember measure once and cut twice... at least that seems to work best for me! :smilie_happy:

 

[slabghost]

brianinpa » Thu Jul 31, 2014 5:55 am[/url]":2vdu49uq]

mcgovern61 » Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:36 pm[/url]":2vdu49uq]
That Motocampers site is a great asset for those looking into trailer camping (like me!) :yes:

Not just for for those camping from trailer but for those camping from a motorcycle. It doesn't matter what brand, size, or flavor of riding you do, if you camp from a bike, that it the site to check out.

Thanks ansimp my mirrors are 43 in so I am going with 42 in from the ground to top.
Brian I had seen that sight on my quest for info on trailers.
I did start today and made my first cut on the plywood.

Thanks to all for the info.

Hey Wes, that thread I linked to should have taken you to a thread where a guy built the trailer you are making and he and the designer of the tent kit provide a lot of helpful info.

Remember measure once and cut twice... at least that seems to work best for me! :smilie_happy:

:smilie_happy: I tink ya gots dat bas ackwards! :hihihi:

 

[slabghost]

Sunnygun! Cut it 3 times an it's still too short!

 

[brianinpa]

slabghost » Thu Jul 31, 2014 6:20 am[/url]":1jip817z]

brianinpa » Thu Jul 31, 2014 5:55 am[/url]":1jip817z]

mcgovern61 » Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:36 pm[/url]":1jip817z]
That Motocampers site is a great asset for those looking into trailer camping (like me!) :yes:

Not just for for those camping from trailer but for those camping from a motorcycle. It doesn't matter what brand, size, or flavor of riding you do, if you camp from a bike, that it the site to check out.

Thanks ansimp my mirrors are 43 in so I am going with 42 in from the ground to top.
Brian I had seen that sight on my quest for info on trailers.
I did start today and made my first cut on the plywood.

Thanks to all for the info.

Hey Wes, that thread I linked to should have taken you to a thread where a guy built the trailer you are making and he and the designer of the tent kit provide a lot of helpful info.

Remember measure once and cut twice... at least that seems to work best for me! :smilie_happy:

:smilie_happy: I tink ya gots dat bas ackwards! :hihihi:

That's why I always add a few extra inches before I cut. :mrgreen:

 

[joedrum]

what the ? here ... how high to be before starting this job :headscratch: :whistling: :builder: :mrgreen:

 

[AApple]

Yeah...the thread title is a little mis-leading.....

:hihihi:

Don't forget that the higher your trailer is, the more wind resistance you'll have...especially if ya hit a cross-wind.... :moped:

 

[mcgovern61]

wilcoy02 » Wed Jul 30, 2014 11:43 pm[/url]":1y3hp9k8]
Thanks ansimp my mirrors are 43 in so I am going with 42 in from the ground to top.
Brian I had seen that sight on my quest for info on trailers.

I did start today and made my first cut on the plywood.

Thanks to all for the info.

Wes, start a new thread and keep us up to date!! I am following this too since I will also be deciding whether to build or just use a HF cargo trailer. opcorn:

 

[wilcoy02]

Joe,
There is not much to see of a piece of plywood cut once. Use your imagination to see the pic.

Gotta go buy some 2x1 before I get any further. I will get them this afternoon after my (pre employment) drug test. Then I can see how high I can get.

I do plan to do a thread on how I build this camper.

 

[OldWrench]

Just remember 13' 6" is max on the highways. :wave:

 

[Ansimp]

OldWrench » Fri Aug 01, 2014 2:03 am[/url]":1qqnlcsq]
Just remember 13' 6" is max on the highways. :wave:

:smilie_happy: :smilie_happy: :smilie_happy:

 

[slabghost]

OldWrench » Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:03 am[/url]"05qo1mx]
Just remember 13' 6" is max on the highways. :wave:

Higher than that may be a problem at underpasses. :smilie_happy: