Making a trailer

Picked up for free, a neighbours used 13 foot long boat trailer. It had all the rollers, and guides - so I stripped them off, and have begun to prepare to make this thing into a dirt bike hauler.

Not planning anything fancy - just a simple 4 foot wide by 8 foot long deck - some new fenders, and maybe a checkered plate floor with some solid eye hooks for securing the bike. Will also change out the tires/rims - and give this thing a decent coat of tremclad black paint. Rewiring the harness and LED lights are going on all around as well.

At the front end of the trailer - I might try to figure out a way to mount a gas tank/tool box holder.

If anyone has ideas on that - or anything else about this little project - please holler!

[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

Picked up for free, a neighbours used 13 foot long boat trailer. It had all the rollers, and guides - so I stripped them off, and have begun to prepare to make this thing into a dirt bike hauler.

Not planning anything fancy - just a simple 4 foot wide by 8 foot long deck - some new fenders, and maybe a checkered plate floor with some solid eye hooks for securing the bike. Will also change out the tires/rims - and give this thing a decent coat of tremclad black paint. Rewiring the harness and LED lights are going on all around as well.

At the front end of the trailer - I might try to figure out a way to mount a gas tank/tool box holder.

If anyone has ideas on that - or anything else about this little project - please holler!

Might look into mounting some sort of hitch on the front. It sure makes things easier to hook up instead of welding it to the bumper everytime you go for a dirt ride. :biggrin:

measure in english, not Canadian. :biggrin:

no, seriously.....use vfr rear wheels and use race take-off tyres.

no, seriously.....use vfr rear wheels and use race take-off tyres.

...or go to a junkyard and buy some real cheap car wheels... :biggrin:

Pay attention to the bike position in relationship to the axle when placing your tie down hooks.
The center of the bike should end up a bit forward of the trailer axle so that you have a decent amount of weight on the tongue of the trailer.
Too little weight and you get a trailer that sways side to speed.

I started out with nearly the exact same trailer, unfortunately I don't have any before and after pics. Here's what I did: Weld 2 triangles of rectangular tubing to square up the bed, then cut tdown he length of the tongue. Added a bed of treated lumber, an HF wheel chock, and recessed tie down loops into the bed that fold flush when using the trailer for other purposes. It is light, 4x8 bed, strong, and tows like a dream.
[image: Posted Image]
[image: Posted Image]
[image: Posted Image]

At the front end of the trailer - I might try to figure out a way to mount a gas tank/tool box holder.

I have a small trailer that I use to tow tires/tools for autocross behind my S2000. I made a simple open box out of 2x4s on the tongue that I drop a cooler in. A cam buckle tie-down strap over the cooler and hooked to the frame holds it well.

I started out with nearly the exact same trailer, unfortunately I don't have any before and after pics. Here's what I did: Weld 2 triangles of rectangular tubing to square up the bed, then cut tdown he length of the tongue. Added a bed of treated lumber, an HF wheel chock, and recessed tie down loops into the bed that fold flush when using the trailer for other purposes. It is light, 4x8 bed, strong, and tows like a dream.
[image: Posted Image]
[image: Posted Image]
[image: Posted Image]

Damn - that looks like a great target as the "after" pics! Nicely done. Do have to square up the front of the frame to get a 4x8 size - square tubing sounds good.

Did you keep the tilt option or did you weld that closed? My plan was/is to weld it permanently closed.

Thanks!

At the front end of the trailer - I might try to figure out a way to mount a gas tank/tool box holder.

I have a small trailer that I use to tow tires/tools for autocross behind my S2000. I made a simple open box out of 2x4s on the tongue that I drop a cooler in. A cam buckle tie-down strap over the cooler and hooked to the frame holds it well.

THATS a great simple idea - also low cost!! thanks! Might have to weld a bit more base material on the front end to support such a box.