Trailer for two 1200GSs

[Geoff Crowther]

Hi all
At the moment this is just a passing thought. Having bought a motorhome last year and keen to make maximum use of it (it cost lots!) I'm considering a trailer. My biking partner's just bought a 1200GS and I have a 12GSA.
You often see trailers for sale on here but they don't seem big enough. Wouldn't mind a second hand one.
We fancy the idea of self build so my questions are:

• Has anyone built a trailer big enough for 2 1200s?
• How do you ensure it has an adequate payload?
• How do you get one plated?

Any constructive advice would be gratefully received.
Cheers
Geoff

 

[Dainese Brave]

Hi,

First thing to do is check out the towing spec of your Motorhome...maximum Trailer weight and maximum train weight.

I have owned Motorhomes for years, but this year bought a Swift Kontiki with the intention of towing a smart car and trailer....researching the different capacities of different vans for suitability wasn't necessarily dependent on size.

Don't forget that you can borrow a bit of any unused payload weight to increase the towing limit...but don't go daft with it. The train weight can't be exceeded (van+payload+towing weight).

All these details are available from the manufacturer, either on the website or via e-mail if an older model.

My trailer alone weighs just under 400kg...I'm not sure how heavy two Gs's would weigh?

Hope that helps a little?

 

[Wapping]

Loads of places sell trailers quite capable of carrying two 1200 GS motorcycles... and just about any other make.

Contact someone like Ifor Williams. Find the specification you are after and then find one that suits you / your towing vehicle.

Or look on-line for vehicle towing or trailer hire, local to your area. They often sell-off trailers (or sell new ones) that will suit you.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Doing a bit of research a Gs is showing as 200kg dry, 225/229 fuelled with no accessories....so a total of 460kg.

I'm thinking most Motorhomes with a dedicated bike trailer would tow that.

I did look into bike trailers when I was buying my van and there were some fine ones out there...google is your friend...also look at the Motorhome towbar specialists cos some of them do bike trailers too.

 

[MickyBlueyes]

I think you'll be looking at something like an Erde 751 with two rails or a Phoenix two big bike trailer for 'comfort' I certainly would be.

Like this, scroll 1/2 way down

I think the bikelug twin (TE) will also do it if you want a collapsible.. at a price

http://www.motolug.com/index.php

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Thanks guys.
My motorhomes an Autosleeper van conversion based on a lwb Peugeot Boxer. My handbook says I can tow up to 2000kg.That weight would need to be braked though.
I reckon I'd want it braked, even if not legally required.
I estimate the weight of two GSs as somewhere around 600kg, allowing for extras, fuel and luggage system. That would leave up to 1400kg for a trailer; I don't think they weigh that much and, in any event, would prefer not to on the maximum limit.
Any answers to my self build questions?
Cheers
Geoff

 

[Andy B]

Brenderup are good. Used to put a Harley and a GSA on mine.

If you do build, make it a thread on here. I reckon a lot of people would be interested.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Have towed 2 gsa's behind my motorhome many times on unbraked trailer. To be honest, i dont really notice they are there.

Any trailer that has a min payload of 500kg will be fine.

You won't feel two gsa's behind you and don't need to go to the expense of braked trailers as total weighr goes nowhere near max towing load you quote.

Make sure you have spare wheel for trailer and tools to change wheel.

All professionally made trailers are plated and make their load carrying capacity very clear.

The Motolug collapsible trailers are brill. Will be buying one shortly configured to take two GSA's.

 

[Wapping]

Any answers to my self build questions?

My father built himself a trailer by chopping up the chassis of his TT Rep Frazer Nash...

All you need is a bit of confidence and a decent hacksaw.....

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Very useful info you lot. Thanks very much.
Windy - bow to your experience, I see that brakes aren't essential.
Mickey - given the above, that Phoenix looks good value, galvanised & spare wheel.
Wapping - the Frazer Nash looks fabulous - surely that one isn't your Dad's? He chopped it for a trailer?
Again, grateful for all the advice.
Any more would be welcome.
No self builders out there? Maybe it's not worth it?
Smile!
Geoff

 

[Humbug]

+1 for Pheonix trailers.

 

[Whele]

I purchased a fully enclosed box trailer with 4 wheels, all of which were braked. Inside fitted with two bike grabs it would easily take two adventure bikes a large tool chest and a couple of push bikes. The rear door drops down as a ramp so loading bikes was simply a matter of riding them into the trailer.

Not cheap, but, being inside an enclosed trailer means they are secure and out of sight.

I covered more than 30,000 miles in the last 10 years with this trailer, including trips to Morocco and Italy. it now sits in the back garden waiting for the trackday season to start.

 

[Wapping]

Wapping - the Frazer Nash looks fabulous - surely that one isn't your Dad's? He chopped it for a trailer?


No self builders out there? Maybe it's not worth it?
Smile!

Geoff

It is very similar.

His car is a TT Rep, whose sister car raced at Le Mans in the early 30's. Dad bought it just after the war when he was working at de Havilland, having built his first car when he was about 16 during the war.... no internet then!

He chopped it up in I guess 1956 when he was about 28, to make the trailer. The chassis itself was not worth a lot, it is only steel after all. Just as he was about to saw, he remembered to chop it exactly in half lengthways, so he could one day remember how long and wide it was.

The old man is now 84.... and he has never got around to putting the car back together again, albeit he built a new chassis about twenty years ago.

The original engine was a 1600cc supercharged Meadows, which blew up. He then bought a normally aspirated two litre AC engine, which he has had run-up on a bench but never went into the car. He still has the supercharger from the Meadows, which could probably be fitted to the AC engine but is probably not necessary.

The whole car is quite simple and very crude, compared with even a car from the 60's, let alone last week.... Chain driven, wooden 'boat' body covered with canvas, room for two legless dwarves in the back and dreadful brakes!!!!

All he ever really wanted was a Bugatti..... But could definitely never afford one.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

That, sir, is a fascinating story.
My regards and respect to your father; obviously a man of many talents.
Cheers
Geoff

 

[Vern]

I just bought this off the site, it needs a bit of work to get it just right, but worth it every time. I'm going to have a go at making something similar using pressed steel and then hot dipped.

This one has a 1000kg max weight, and tows like a dream. Once it's all sorted, I'm going to put it out for rent, to counter the cost of it all.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=281837

Anything like what you're after?

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Hi Vern,
Yes it is but I'd like to self build if at all possible.
Cheers
Geoff

 

[Vern]

Hi Vern,
Yes it is but I'd like to self build if at all possible.
Cheers
Geoff

Can you give me a bell tomorrow at the workshop for a chat. 01829 771040. 12-2 is the best time if you can manage it

 

[F104]

I'm looking at a trailer too. Not sure what you can get in UK but Stema trailers look good, more so with the red anodized frame.

The Motolug looks good but I would concerned about stablity (tiny wheel base). And i would have to put or one, or two bikes on it, so a 3 bike set up seems ideal (eg never 3 bikes, but two, or just one in the middle)

another tempting one is the Daltec Lifter, an 'affordable' hydraulically lowerable trailer (think £1400 or so)

My biggest problem is where to store it when not in use

 

[WindyChuffer]

I'm looking at a trailer too. Not sure what you can get in UK but Stema trailers look good, more so with the red anodized frame.

The Motolug looks good but I would concerned about stablity (tiny wheel base). And i would have to put or one, or two bikes on it, so a 3 bike set up seems ideal (eg never 3 bikes, but two, or just one in the middle)

another tempting one is the Daltec Lifter, an 'affordable' hydraulically lowerable trailer (think £1400 or so)

My biggest problem is where to store it when not in use

By wheelbase, I presume you mean the distance between the wheels. Why do you think that is small? I think you'll find that there is not a lot in it between the Motolug and other conventional trailers. The Motolug is tried and tested; don't be put off by the fact that it is collapsible.

 

[F104]

By wheelbase, I presume you mean the distance between the wheels. Why do you think that is small? I think you'll find that there is not a lot in it between the Motolug and other conventional trailers. The Motolug is tried and tested; don't be put off by the fact that it is collapsible.

ok just looked at their website, and i'll take that wheelbase statement back. However, that Motolug website is brandnew, did not exist some weeks ago, and pricing seems to be more attractive than I can remember. I looked at buying a 2nd hand sinle one.

Yes it is collapsable, but not to the point you can stick in your booth at point of destination to prevent theft. At £ 925 for two bikes it is a valid alternative to take apart and store in your garage.

I haven't figured this out. For example spare tyre. You don't want to leave the trailer with GS/A on it because you don't have a spare tyre. In the £ 925 price range there are no-brake, 1700lbs max, tandem axle trailers -that is two spare wheels.. Just need the space to store it