Streaks Trailer Project!

[Bikebear]

A friend of mine had her trailer flip on the Southern Cross Run when she clipped a roo, the bike stayed upright but the classic trailer dragged along on it's roof until she could pull up. If she hadn't had a swivel trailer hitch she may well have not survived the incident. I have a swivel hitch on my trailer and would never consider fitting a fixed hitch.  Just my 2 cents worth.

[johnnyYTED]

 
STreak,next weekend I'll swap my swivel for the rigid 1 that came with my trailer and do a few k's. That way I can give an honeST personal experience.
   the way I ride towing, (ask ST George ) if I had a rigid hitch I wouldn't be able to lean as much  before beginning to lift the trailer, there is limited pivoting(?) with a rigid hitch opposed to a swivel,  if that makes sense. But I will try it out and report back.    good reason for a ride to scuff new PR3 buying this week, havent ridden since Ballarat.
juST read Bikebear's post  while typing and I have also seen the same happen...  a rigid hitch would pull the back wheel up with it as it went over .... scary

[Streak]

Interesting, any tips to where to get a swivel hitch from?

[Bikebear]

There is one on ebay that says it is suitable and approved for road use, $96 with $12 postage.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Trailer-Coupling-with-Swivel-for-motocycle-trailer-50-mm-/371050579389?pt=AU_product_Trailer_Parts&hash=item56645685bd&_uhb=1

[johnnyYTED]

Interesting, any tips to where to get a swivel hitch from?

 
are classic still at yandina, I got mine from a caravan place i think..  just tagged you on facebook with an ebay thing  for another type of swivel.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/camper-trailer-coupling-4wd-tow-hitch-caravan-trailer-parts-polyblock-TREG-STYLE-/360923295964?pt=AU_Boat_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5408b470dc
here's a pic of mine, much more compact.

[Bikebear]

Looks very similar to the one on my trailer johnnyYTED...  My mate has one that is similar to the Treg hitch but is smaller to suit a bike. I dunno if it was professionally made or he had it made by someone, I do know he has had it for quite a while.

[johnnyYTED]

 
after a little thought I remembered riding up to Bundaberg  to a small factory unit where a guy was making them, cant for the life of me think of his name,,, maybe a ulysses member from S E Qld might know as it was prolly one who told me.. Gympie branch..I was with.

[Sean]

Streak,
Have you considered a fiberglass shell.

There is a guy on the Cunningham Hwy at Mutdapilly that does fibre glassing. From time to time he has motorcycle trailers out the front.
 
Paul Serg & Sons. 
Search of white pages gives Mobile Service 4454 Cunningham Hwy, Mutdapilly
0419 993 898

For what it's worth.

Sean

[STroppy]

Here is the classic industries hitch . . . I have a Classic trailer and can vouch for their hitches flexibility  . . . Dropped the bike at no speed and trailer stayed upright and no damage to bike or trailer.

http://www.classicind.com.au/Parts/

I have seen these hitches at my local trailer/caravan dealers and I think they were cheaper than the Classic price.

[scarp]

Here is the one on my trailer it is the most common & is readily available at most trailer parts places

They are available From Martins Trailer Parts:
http://www.trailerparts.net.au/online_shop/category/1099637053/AE

[Brock]

The classic hitches are very expensive, at $250, when the other link above is $96

[scarp]

You could use a car roof top box as the trailer box (like this one)  They look really neat & tidy
I've seen a few of these done & was going to build one myself till I saw the trailer I now have (was too cheap to knock back)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krYbg9YiC0Q

[scarp]

The classic hitches are very expensive, at $250, when the other link above is $96

& the one I have is $42

[Shiney]

...What about using a car roof pod ?? Lots of sizes available, waterproof(ish) and light weight 

 

Something like Leethal's

http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=2431.25

[STroppy]

The Classic hitches are fully 360 degree swivel hitches the one in the link isn't, however Mr Classic is not known for his cheap or reasonable prices and I am sure you can get the same hitch at half the Classic price elswhere.

[Streak]

Thanks guys!

I am definatly going to get the 360 degree hitch,

I have looked with the pod, it is not versatile enough in my mind, my storeman who works for me can build anything, so he has his design hat on coming up with an idea or two for me, I am basically thinking of a box with a removable insert in it, with a smaller box in front for odds and sods, still leaving enough room for an esky to bolt on.

Dimensions I am working with are 1200mm long, 790mm wide.

I was thinking main box 1050mm long, 790mm wide, second box 150mm long 790mm wide (all approximate of course, many variables to work with)

Excuse my picture I am using draw on my iPad


Gas struts on the lid, rubber mat on the floor with marine carpet around the walls and roof would protect everything nicely

I am after some more thoughts:

what to do the for the indicator/brake/tail light setup on the back, what has other people done? I have seen you can buy a pre built unit for a boat trailer somewhere?

Height of box? I was thinking 400mm would plenty, but I am happy to what other thoughts....clean ones...

[johnnyYTED]

 
STreak I would go more this shape to reduce wind drag, I have a smaller box I mount on my drawbar also,,   
also repco or supercheap used to have a basic trailer kit for lights      LED lQQk good..

juST a rough drawing..

[STroppy]

Streak, Johnny's is a good start, I would add 5 or 10 litre jerry can holders on the sides above the mudguards -for water or petrol . . . Handy if you travel around OZ or for outback camping . . . Esky or fridge platform on the front is good too.  Length and width might depend on size of equipment you may wish to carry . . . Like tent, ezy up gazebo, tables (I started with aluminium rollup table but now have solid fold-in-half table) awning poles etc etc

[Bikebear]

Definitely go for LED lights, no hassles with bulbs etc. and they are BRIGHT....

[Streak]

Streak, Johnny's is a good start, I would add 5 or 10 litre jerry can holders on the sides above the mudguards -for water or petrol . . . Handy if you travel around OZ or for outback camping . . . Esky or fridge platform on the front is good too.  Length and width might depend on size of equipment you may wish to carry . . . Like tent, ezy up gazebo, tables (I started with aluminium rollup table but now have solid fold-in-half table) awning poles etc etc

I am looking at all my options  everything you and Johnny has said is great 

The trailer is mainly for Teela and I tripping around, and also I'm preparing for the trip to WA in 2016, hence why I am wanting any and all opinions....

I do like the water and fuel containers ideas though good food for thought

[Streak]

thought this might help everyone, i took a photo and added dimensions to it, its only rough with a quick run over with a tape, the missing 200 odd mm is the top measurement to the tow ball

[Brock]

Those length measurements dont add up, with a total length of 1850mm, and lengths of 1200 and 420mm, you are missing 230mm some where. Unless the legth of the chassis to towball is 1850..

[Streak]

yep that's why i said only rough, i didn't take the top measurement along far enough....

[STeveo]

STreak I would go more this shape to reduce wind drag, I have a smaller box I mount on my drawbar also,,   
also repco or supercheap used to have a basic trailer kit for lights      LED lQQk good..

juST a rough drawing..

If you want it aerodynamic turn it around.

[Streak]

ok so back to the 360 degree hitches, can i use something like this? the holes are already drilled in the frame for it, and would be a simple fit