Multi-use Trailer

[brianinpa]

After finishing this trailer, it basically sat for two years before I used it for the first time for real. I rode around the area that I live with it hooked up, but never anything more than 10 or 15 miles. Even when it was used as just a boat trailer, I never traveled that far with it. It trailered fine, but I just never put it to the test... until this past weekend.

I loaded it up with everything I needed for a weekend camping trip and hit the road for a campgrounds that was 150 miles away. All totaled I would estimate there was close to 500 pounds on the trailer. It pulled smoothly but I did notice that the bike ran a little bit warmer while pulling the trailer. In addition, I was spending more time out of OD than in OD.

I had enough room inside the cargo bag for all of my camping gear, but my clothing bag had to be strapped to the top of the bag or on the bike. What's the point of pulling a trailer if you have to look like Jed Clampett at you are rolling down the road? In addition, the trailer was as wide as the mirrors/saddlebags on the bike, but even still, it just looked too wide, so I am making some changes.

I am going to lose nine inches from the width, replace the bag with a box, and replace some of my oversized gear with smaller - compacter gear. Depending on the size box that I go with, I am actually going to gain storage space - how much, only time will tell.

 

[dan filipi]

Good project. Narrowing it some will shave some weight for the box add-on. Wood frame and plywood?

 

[brianinpa]

That's the idea. In the end, I want the box to be the same height or just a little bit higher than the ice chest. I've already lost the nine inches, now I just need to lose it from the axel and then decide on the box dimensions. Then I can shorten it up a bit also.

 

[mcgovern61]

Brian, I have a Sears rooftop cargo box sitting in my backyard if you are interested. Got it from a neighbor and intended to use it on my daughters Ford Explorer, but the car got totaled a few months ago.

Now it is sitting and I have been debating on another project trailer and whether to buy the HF trailer, install the box and sell the whole trailer.

 

[brianinpa]

In the never ending saga of my Multi-use trailer, here is the latest...

I lost nine inches from the middle and shortened it by 20 inches. By losing the nine inches, my roof-top cargo bag is too big. Gerry offered me a Sears roof top carrier, but thankfully it was too wide. I only have 31 1/2 inches between the fenders and the carrier was 34ish.

I say thankfully, because I wanted something different and there are already a lot of trailers with roof-top carriers on the road. So here is what I am going with...

This is the box that is going to be on my trailer. 46x30x17, so about 13.5 cubic feet of space.

Where is the top? I am still working on that and when I am finished with it, it is going to double as a table. It's a multi-purpose, multi-use trailer.

 

[mcgovern61]

opcorn:

 

[Ansimp]

opcorn: opcorn:
:beer:

 

[brianinpa]

I took the day from work today to be with the wife (her Father passed away yesterday expectantly) only to find out that she really didn't need me. To make things even better, there was a bomb threat at the Out-Patient facility where I work and had I been at work, as the Emergency Management Coordinator I would have been BUSY. :Egyptian:

So I was busy honoring my Father In-Law by using some of the tools that he gave me through the years.

Next is the electrical and then I can find some new fenders... Those white plastic ones need to go. When I put everything back together again, I realized I lost the license plate during my ride home from my camping trip, so I need to get a new one. After that, some shiny wheels would look good also.

 

[joedrum]

looking good

 

[backlander]

Looks nice Brian !!

 

[brianinpa]

I think with the weight I lost in metal but gained in wood, I am only about 20 pounds heavier right now. Pine is great and 1/4" plywood is light.

 

[Ansimp]

Very nice Brian :good:

 

[dkl]

Look'n Good.....save room for the A/C !!!!!!!!

 

[brianinpa]

dkl » Sun Jul 17, 2016 6:54 pm[/url]":y5h185q9]
Look'n Good.....save room for the A/C !!!!!!!!

I try not to camp where a/c is necessary. When I went camping over the 4th, temps got into the high 50s at night. Gotta love the mountains of the Northeast...

 

[Ansimp]

brianinpa » Mon Jul 18, 2016 10:49 am[/url]":had9agaj]

dkl » Sun Jul 17, 2016 6:54 pm[/url]":had9agaj]
Look'n Good.....save room for the A/C !!!!!!!!

I try not to camp where a/c is necessary. When I went camping over the 4th, temps got into the high 50s at night. Gotta love the mountains of the Northeast...

:good:
If I want ac it is in the cage or a motel! :good:

 

[brianinpa]

Ansimp » Sun Jul 17, 2016 9:21 pm[/url]":hb33x28r]

brianinpa » Mon Jul 18, 2016 10:49 am[/url]":hb33x28r]

dkl » Sun Jul 17, 2016 6:54 pm[/url]":hb33x28r]
Look'n Good.....save room for the A/C !!!!!!!!

I try not to camp where a/c is necessary. When I went camping over the 4th, temps got into the high 50s at night. Gotta love the mountains of the Northeast...

:good:
If I want ac it is in the cage or a motel! :good:

I can see the need for it in Southern states... if I wanted to camp and it was 80 at night, I would probably use an A/C of some type. Even when we had the Meet and Greet at Joe's place, it was 90s during the day but it was cool at night. Down south, not so much.

But, for my trip from Texas to Pa... hotels all the way!