uncledj Posted September 22, 2012 Share #1 Posted September 22, 2012 (edited) Don't know how I'd feel towing something like this. Was thinking about turning it into a motorcycle trailer, but don't know if it'd be safe. bjmrt-3269559198@sale.craigslist.org http://images.craigslist.org/5N85L15M83M93Fe3Jec9df2847bb5042e1d3b.jpg Edited September 22, 2012 by uncledj Forgot to post the link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel Horse Cowboy Posted September 22, 2012 Share #2 Posted September 22, 2012 Is it an invisible trailer? C.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eusa1 Posted September 22, 2012 Share #3 Posted September 22, 2012 It matches so well with the picture of your bike! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dacheedah Posted September 22, 2012 Share #4 Posted September 22, 2012 Invisible trailers are a pain to pull, and you forget they are there and then hit something, OUCH!! Pulling the tires off and repacking the bearings with invisible bearing grease is a terrible job, and reassembly . . . well you almost need to call Yammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncledj Posted September 22, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted September 22, 2012 Posted a pic and a link. (forgot) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragtop69gs Posted September 22, 2012 Share #6 Posted September 22, 2012 Seems to be missing a wheel your link is for a reply not the ad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabreco Posted September 22, 2012 Share #7 Posted September 22, 2012 Don't know how I'd feel towing something like this. Was thinking about turning it into a motorcycle trailer, but don't know if it'd be safe. bjmrt-3269559198@sale.craigslist.org http://images.craigslist.org/5N85L15M83M93Fe3Jec9df2847bb5042e1d3b.jpg OH WOW an old '60's Coleman Pack Horse Trailer. IDK how they pull behind a bike but they were a breeze to pull behind an air cooled Beetle! I would assume it would be equally easy to pull with a bike as it will also lean with you~! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midnightventure Posted September 23, 2012 Share #8 Posted September 23, 2012 I pull a single wheel trailer and it is about as easy to forget it's back there as an invisible trailer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squidley Posted September 23, 2012 Share #9 Posted September 23, 2012 Id pull that in a minute! How much did they want for it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncledj Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted September 23, 2012 He wants $150 for it. It looks a bit rough, but with a little elbow grease (and paint) it might make a nice Winter project. I can fab up a hitch easy enough, but have difficulty imagining the dynamics of a trailer rigidly mounted to the bike, and leaning with the bike. I guess you wouldn't have to worry about it jack knifing anyway. I'll give him a call tomorrow and see if I can nab it. Any further opinions appreciated....I've never pulled a trailer and am not sure what to expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabreco Posted September 23, 2012 Share #11 Posted September 23, 2012 Id pull that in a minute! How much did they want for it? Perhaps you should rephrase that, it just sound bad, Squid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabreco Posted September 23, 2012 Share #12 Posted September 23, 2012 He wants $150 for it. It looks a bit rough, but with a little elbow grease (and paint) it might make a nice Winter project. I can fab up a hitch easy enough, but have difficulty imagining the dynamics of a trailer rigidly mounted to the bike, and leaning with the bike. I guess you wouldn't have to worry about it jack knifing anyway. I'll give him a call tomorrow and see if I can nab it. Any further opinions appreciated....I've never pulled a trailer and am not sure what to expect. A buck 50? Yeah definitely worth a looksee. You should be able to knock down the price. Single wheel is the easiest trailer to pull. because the wheel leans & also pivots. It will ALWAY track directly behind you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midnightventure Posted September 23, 2012 Share #13 Posted September 23, 2012 I used a universal joint from a gm steering column in my trailer. It swivels up and down and left and right but the trailer leans with the bike. I honestly did forget it was back there. Started to turn around to look for a buddy that had disappeared and as I was backing up I felt some pressure and remembered it. Had it at a right angle at that point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squidley Posted September 23, 2012 Share #14 Posted September 23, 2012 I plan on making one eventually, if that could be picked up for that price it would be a decent deal. Cabreco....you are so bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrenchrob Posted September 23, 2012 Share #15 Posted September 23, 2012 And it looks very cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepy2 Posted September 23, 2012 Share #16 Posted September 23, 2012 I would be wondering how it would pull if it is a wide trailer say 3 1/2 ft wide and not packed right would it tend to lean harder to that side making it harder to control? I know if it was one that was made narrow it wouldn't pull to the side. If it was me and it was as wide as a car-top carrier I personally put a regular axle on it.My 2cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncledj Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share #17 Posted September 25, 2012 I went and checked it out. It was all there, but a lotta rust, the wheel and pivot turns smooth but tight. Plates say that it was last licensed in 86. I offered the guy $80 for it and he took it. I figured I couldn't go wrong. I'll weld up a hitch for it, sandblast and paint, clean and grease the bearings, will still have to determine whether to keep the tire or not. Looks ok, but pretty old. When I make a hitch, I was planning on making it to swivel up and down, but not turn. One poster suggested a u joint type of hitch, allowing the trailer to turn with the bike...which sounds interesting, but I'm not sure of what benefit I'd get by having the trailer turn with me. It seems like it'd be easier to back out of a spot without lateral motion.....any thoughts from anyone who's been through it would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabreco Posted September 25, 2012 Share #18 Posted September 25, 2012 ...will still have to determine whether to keep the tire or not. Looks ok, but pretty old.. last Licensed in 86? At best case the tire is 26 years old. Rubber breaks down with age...DEFINITELY lose the tire! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted September 25, 2012 Share #19 Posted September 25, 2012 I went and checked it out. It was all there, but a lotta rust, the wheel and pivot turns smooth but tight. Plates say that it was last licensed in 86. I offered the guy $80 for it and he took it. I figured I couldn't go wrong. I'll weld up a hitch for it, sandblast and paint, clean and grease the bearings, will still have to determine whether to keep the tire or not. Looks ok, but pretty old. When I make a hitch, I was planning on making it to swivel up and down, but not turn. One poster suggested a u joint type of hitch, allowing the trailer to turn with the bike...which sounds interesting, but I'm not sure of what benefit I'd get by having the trailer turn with me. It seems like it'd be easier to back out of a spot without lateral motion.....any thoughts from anyone who's been through it would be appreciated. If the trailer doesn't turn, when making a sharp turn with the bike, the trailer will skid-hop ... I figgure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncledj Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share #20 Posted September 25, 2012 No, I can't see how it'd hop. The single wheel is on a swivel, which would allow it to turn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squidley Posted September 25, 2012 Share #21 Posted September 25, 2012 John, If you want to talk with someone about pulling a single wheel trailer, talk with Dennis Traynor Midrsv on the site here. I know he had a unigo that he pulled behind his RSV and would be a great resource for questions......and loose that tire thats on there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncledj Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share #22 Posted September 25, 2012 As far as the tire goes, I'm sure you're right. Should be pretty cheap anyhow. I think it's a 4.80 x 8 which is a pretty common tire. I have a 57 Ford Tractor / backhoe, and I think the rear tires are original. They both have been banded to prevent the tubes from blowing through, and I silicone up the cracks as I find them. At this point, it's kind of a game where since I rarely use the backhoe, I refuse to spend the $$$ to replace the tires when the old ones get me by......the tires aren't the only thing worn out on that ol' gal. Leaks, smokes, creaks, but always starts and digs great. .....Don't ask me how I got off on that tangient..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted September 25, 2012 Share #23 Posted September 25, 2012 When I make a hitch, I was planning on making it to swivel up and down, but not turn. If you keep the swivel wheel you should be OK. But what do I know? I've never pulled a trailer. On second thought, you may get a lot of wheel shimmy with the swivel. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunter 1500 Posted September 26, 2012 Share #24 Posted September 26, 2012 Followed a guy towing a Unigo through the twisties and you would never know it was on his bike the way he was riding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyinfool Posted September 26, 2012 Share #25 Posted September 26, 2012 Two different animals here. Some of the trailers do not have a swivel on the single wheel. Those are the ones that require a U-joint in the hitch so that they can move up and down and turn. If you have a swivel wheel, a U-joint would be a bad thing, it would allow the trailer to swing all over the place and try to pass you up when you hit the brakes or even just swing out till it hits some part of the bike to stop it. With a trailer that has a swivel wheel you still do need the ability to move up and down only to allow for uneven surfaces like entering the DQ driveway. OK that is the mechanics part of what you need to even try it. I am not sure how the swivel wheel will handle behind a bike that will be leaning in the corners. Because as the swivel lets the wheel turn it is also moving it off center which will cause a weight imbalance toward the outside of the turn that will be trying to stand the bike back up. I'm just not sure how that part will work out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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