Wanted Trailer 8ftx4ft bed or similar

GSite

Well-known member
UKGSer Subscriber
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
1,384
Reaction score
340
Location
Nr Sleaford, Lincolnshire, UK
Hi All,

On the lookout for a braked trailer with rear loading ramp as intend to use for general purpose and occaisional motorcycle transport.

Worth stating ideal spec as an Ifor Williams GD 84 single axle, braked trailer with 8ftx4ft load floor and mesh side extensions.
Just missed out on a virtually new one for £2000, you snooze you lose sceanrio.

Must be in very tidy condition with little or no corrosion and not require attention to suspension, brakes, hitch or electrics.
VIN plate a must have, with the number clearly visible.

Any quality trailer of similar spec may be ok but certainly no smaller, but no DIY jobs please.

Thanks
 
Have a look on bid spotter.

Sadly, many businesses closing.

Lots of Ifor Wiiiliams trailers


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I have a Nugent, like this:

Russels have a sale on just now. Two of the senior managers are motorcyclists
I'm very pleased with the Nugent
If you like the trailer, give them a call. They also have used stock...
I can give you the name and number of my contact there if it helps
 
Thanks Martin,
Thanks for the info. I don't know anything about Nugent trailers, but will certainly look into it.
Would you say the build quality is similar to Ifor Williams ? Do Russells sell these new ?
If so I could go to the depot near Melton Mowbray, not far from me to have a look.
Cheers
 
Thanks Martin,
Thanks for the info. I don't know anything about Nugent trailers, but will certainly look into it.
Would you say the build quality is similar to Ifor Williams ? Do Russells sell these new ?
If so I could go to the depot near Melton Mowbray, not far from me to have a look.
Cheers
I found the Nugent to be really good. Suspension is leaf spring, tyres are tubeless, build quality excellent
Russells a really good dealer, they have new and used.
Very pleased with the service I've had from them
 
Just being nosy,
Why the need for brakes on an 8x4 trailer?

Fair question, just a few thoughts if I may.
Trailers with gross weight over 750kg have to be braked by law and as most 8ft x4ft units are over this there is no option on those.
I have seen a few of this size un-braked though under 750kg which may not be enough for the use I have planned.
If not braked you rely on forward transfer of weight through the hitch to the towbar and vehicle chassis to slow the trailer reasonably quickly. Although this is how the brakes are activated on a braked trailer, the weight transfer as above is much reduced.
The whole set-up in my view is more stable under braking.
Just thought it safer when towing a 1200 GS and possibly heavier bikes, plus if fully loaded the gross weight can be 1400 to 2500kg +.
Would you be happy to have this just behind your rear windscreen unbraked ?
 
Last edited:
Fair question, just a few thoughts if I may.
Trailers with gross weight over 750kg have to be braked by law and as most 8ft x4ft units are over this there is no option on those.
I have seen a few of this size un-braked though under 750kg which may not be enough for the use I have planned.
If not braked you rely on forward transfer of weight through the hitch to the towbar and vehicle chassis to slow the trailer reasonably quickly. Although this is how the brakes are activated on a braked trailer, the weight transfer as above is much reduced.
The whole set-up in my view is more stable under braking.
Just thought it safer when towing a 1200 GS and possibly heavier bikes, plus if fully loaded the gross weight can be 1400 to 2500kg +.
Would you be happy to have this just behind your rear windscreen unbraked ?
I have an Erde 750 kilo unbraked trailer, and the car copes easily with two GS’s on it. With only one on there’s not very much difference at all.
 
Likewise, never had issue with an un-braked trailer. Still feel it safer with brakes in rare if ever situations such as emergency stop while towing.
 
I had TWO 750kg trailers.
IMO the main issue with stability was the elastic suspension, and the tiny wheels.
Once I got leaf suspension, and larger wheels the stability increased dramatically - those little 8" and 10" wheels bounce on every bump - possibly worsened with the narrower width/track/wheelbase of a small trailer...
On my 10' x 5' with twin axles, the GS sits beautifully. Plenty of space. Could possibly get 3 GS-sized bikes in there
IMG_20230929_111500.jpg

with the prop stands at the rear, a full ramp, and the jockey at the front, it stays super-stable whilst loading, being braked, it also has a handbrake making loading safer when it's not attached to the car
I have a wheel chock in a wooden brace against the front bulkhead, and extra lashing points inside, in the base of the trailer...
Being solidly-built, it weighs something like 600kg empty!!! The Defender drives perfectly with the trailer :)

Took this pic when I moved house about 18 months ago - once the bike was in, I loaded the rest of the garage "junk" around the bike...
 
Last edited:
I had TWO 750kg trailers.
IMO the main issue with stability was the elastic suspension, and the tiny wheels.
Once I got leaf suspension, and larger wheels the stability increased dramatically - those little 8" and 10" wheels bounce on every bump - possibly worsened with the narrower width/track/wheelbase of a small trailer...
On my 10' x 5' with twin axles, the GS sits beautifully. Plenty of space. Could possibly get 3 GS-sized bikes in there
View attachment 382679

with the prop stands at the rear, a full ramp, and the jockey at the front, it stays super-stable whilst loading, being braked, it also has a handbrake making loading safer when it's not attached to the car
I have a wheel chock in a wooden brace against the front bulkhead, and extra lashing points inside, in the base of the trailer...
Being solidly-built, it weighs something like 600kg empty!!! The Defender drives perfectly with the trailer :)

Took this pic when I moved house about 18 months ago - once the bike was in, I loaded the rest of the garage "junk" around the bike...
After loads of research found a great deal for an as new trailer like yours Martin, Nugent 3015.

Have question regarding choice of wheel chock as per post in wanted section.

 
I could not find a trailer i liked, so i brought a 8x4 trailer and made it into my own box trailer.

Before.jpgAfter Closed.jpgAfter Open.jpgInside.jpg
 
So I have a simple piece of wood, exactly the same length as the inner width of the trailer
Then a "slot" cut for the wheel brace
Simply so it cannot slide from side to side
When I roll the bike into the wheel chock, the first 2 straps I use are from the top of the forks (usually above the lower triple clamp) these 2 straps pull forwards onto the two chassis members of the trailer below. Once they are tight, the front of the bike is locked down - you can see these straps on the pic above (with my GS)
I then tie the rear wheel down, and an extra couple of straps from the pillion footrest area
job done!
 

Attachments

  • 1000019626.jpg
    1000019626.jpg
    480.6 KB · Views: 16
  • 1000019627.jpg
    1000019627.jpg
    411.1 KB · Views: 15
  • 1000019628.jpg
    1000019628.jpg
    446.7 KB · Views: 14
Thanks Martin,
Can see where the front straps go over the panel to front chassis members, but wondered about rear straps ? Do you have load lashing eyes in the floor of the trailer, if not how to you strap to the chassis from the rear of the bike if that's not a dumb question ?
Cheers
Andy
 
Hi Andy
Yes I do have load lashing eyes about halfway along the trailer on the inside. They bolt thru the wood in the base, and catch the galv brace underneath so very strong :thumby:
like these
eyes.webp


the outside bolts go thru the chassis as well as the wooden base
 
Hi Andy - yes I think the floor is about 18-20mm - I didn't get the checkerplate option...
 
Shameless plug

 


Back
Top Bottom