Transporting bikes - What's Best to Haul With?

[Machismo111]

Well since I'm going to be taking up racing, I'm going to need a way to trailer my bikes around where I need them to be. I'd much prefer not to crash and have to walk home. But now this raises the question of what I should do to move the bikes. I don't really have access to a truck &/or trailer of my own, so I need to buy something. Now, my options are this, either I buy a truck with a long enough bed that I can roll the bike up into or that I can haul a trailer behind, or I get hitch attached to my car and get a trailer for that. My car is a 97 saturn coupe, but it can manage 1000 lbs, supposedly.

Ideally, I'm sure it'd be best just to go out and buy a brand new giant truck, but I happen to be a starving college student at the moment, and every dollar I spend on my transportation I could have spent paying for head work or something else to make the race bike extremely cool. So, what do you guys suggest I do? I could probably get an alright truck and trailer for about $1500-$2000, maybe less, but it'd be old (which I don't really mind). However, I could be pulling a trailer with my car for about $500. That problem with *that* is that my job depends on that car operating well. If I wear down the tranny to nubs then I don't get to eat any more.

What do y'all think the best course of action is?

[kennie]

use the car until you can get yourself a truck. A cheap flatbed trailer doesn't really weigh too much and you know the Hawk is really light. Think of it as hauling around your two fattest friends.

[Soul]

I agree, use your car..Look for one of those tiny singe axle build it yourself trailer kits. When you're pulling something with your car just remember that you are pulling something with your car and be a little lighter on the go pedal. Also, when I pull in my jeep i never put it in overdrive, so thats something to think about..See what your owners manual says i guess on that kinda thing. But, insurance, registration, maintenance, and oh yea, finding a truck reliable enough for you to take on a decent road trip is probably easily the cost of a new tranny., so even if you do this for 2 years or something and your tranny dies, getting another one probably evens you up with the beater truck you were going to buy. I dunno. My .02.

[grbgrubb72]

If you look in the Pennysaver you might be able to find a decent trailer for less than 500.00. Definitely use the car for now with a trailer and when you get a truck, be sure it is one YOU can work on if you need to. Or, bite the bullet and buy a new one from a dealership with the full warranty. Me, my "cage" has to be on the way to the parts man b4 I get a new one.

Grbgrubb72

[dagus]

Haul it with the car. If you get a beater truck, you're going to have to pour money into upkeep sooner than you might think (which means less $ to your racing!) Get a light trailer or one of those things that look like a long iron bar with two wheels at the end to hook up to your trailer hitch... anybody remember those? I can't remember who sells them but they're specifically for bikes.

[zeetard]

Re: Transporting bikes - What's Best to Haul With?

Well since I'm going to be taking up racing, I'm going to need a way to trailer my bikes around where I need them to be. I'd much prefer not to crash and have to walk home. But now this raises the question of what I should do to move the bikes. I don't really have access to a truck &/or trailer of my own, so I need to buy something. Now, my options are this, either I buy a truck with a long enough bed that I can roll the bike up into or that I can haul a trailer behind, or I get hitch attached to my car and get a trailer for that. My car is a 97 saturn coupe, but it can manage 1000 lbs, supposedly.

Ideally, I'm sure it'd be best just to go out and buy a brand new giant truck, but I happen to be a starving college student at the moment, and every dollar I spend on my transportation I could have spent paying for head work or something else to make the race bike extremely cool. So, what do you guys suggest I do? I could probably get an alright truck and trailer for about $1500-$2000, maybe less, but it'd be old (which I don't really mind). However, I could be pulling a trailer with my car for about $500. That problem with *that* is that my job depends on that car operating well. If I wear down the tranny to nubs then I don't get to eat any more.

What do y'all think the best course of action is?

www.atvexpress.com has an aluminum hauler good for 400 lbs. for a mere $150 or so shipped! You need a receiver hitch to use it, but you need a hitch for a trailer anyhow.

[Tusk]

Harbor Freight Tools trailer here. They come real cheap (especially on sale) and just throw some wood on. A few eye bolts on each corner, build some sides and away you go! They even fold up!

I tagged mine, but a buddy down the street hasn't for the past 6 years. I've even dragged mine "off road" (behind a Durango) to go dirt riding.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90154

[Doc]

Yep use the car, shouldn't be hard on it and you won't be trailering it all the time.
I have always had a truck but for some reason I bought a brand new SUV then I had to go buy a trailer, I am not using the trailer much, where do you live? You want to borrow/buy my trailer?

[Rick]

Get a Van!

Just picked up my Hawk this past weekend, and it was done with a friend's Mercury Villager. I had previously transported my SV with a van as well. Far as I know, these old vans goes for quite cheap on the market, and you'll have rain protection and all for the bike and any spares you need to carry.

I'd def. consider this as an alternative.

[toyotafj40s]

if is the sc2/sl2 model (twin cam) i wouldnt mind hauling shit with it. if it's the sl1 it has enough trouble gettin places on it's own power (single overhead cam)

[ponley]

I don't know what the job requirements are of your transportation but if you can use a pickup then ...

I use a 95 Ford Ranger, 4 cyl, 28 MPG at 65 MPH hauling my Hawk, and all racing gear (generator, camping gear, food, gas cans, stands, tools/spares). I have also used it to get myself and friend with 2 dirt bikes to Michigan for trail riding.

Get the 4 cyl, the V-6's are not as reliable. The 2.3l 4 cyl lasts forever.