Utility Trailer Ideas
- Thread starter dduelin
- Start date
ReSTored
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This chock setup enables me to move the bike forward or backward about 6 - 8 inches to fine tune tongue weight.
Not a great shot of the toolbox
Not a great shot of the toolbox
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2018
- Messages
- 833
- Age
- 79
- Bike
- GL1800, ST1300
The height of the trailer hitch receiver on your tow vehicle directly affects your tongue weight. HOW MUCH ABOVE THE TRAILER BEING LEVEL IS THE RECEIVER? Sorry about the caps!
OP
OP
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2006
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- 8,434
- Location
- Jacksonville
- Bike
- GL1800 R1200RT NC700
- 2024 Miles
- 026983
The ball height sets the trailer roughly level with the roadway.
OP
OP
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2006
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- 8,434
- Location
- Jacksonville
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- GL1800 R1200RT NC700
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- 026983
I have that same chock bolted to the floor of my garage. Because I needed to move the bike forward of the existing deck to weigh the tongue I didn't think I could use it in this instance.This chock setup enables me to move the bike forward or backward about 6 - 8 inches to fine tune tongue weight.
Not a great shot of the toolbox
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2018
- Messages
- 833
- Age
- 79
- Bike
- GL1800, ST1300
You can, but see post 2. This is probably the best and most logical way to resolve the problem and allow you to haul the GW as well.
ReSTored
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I think if you're planning to modify the front of the trailer to move the bike forward then this chock is substantial enough to take the weight of a GW, plus outrigger bar gives you a place to attach ratchet straps to. I modified the pivot point by drilling additional holes. This enables me to move both the pivot and the front plate forward and backward to fine tune tongue weight.
OP
OP
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2006
- Messages
- 8,434
- Location
- Jacksonville
- Bike
- GL1800 R1200RT NC700
- 2024 Miles
- 026983
As an update you can see how the trailer was modified to add 18" to the deck length all of which is forward of the original cross member. I did have a cargo tray added after this thread was active in November 2022 and on that tray I carried 40 lbs of ballast.
I picked it up from the welder late yesterday with a forecast of rain from Tropical Storm Helene now Hurricane Helene so when I got home I solvent cleaned the bare metal and shot it with spray paint to keep it from rusting hence the overspray. I had to cover it with a tarp when it started raining 30 minutes later. Lots of rain forecast today and tonight from Helene.
I picked it up from the welder late yesterday with a forecast of rain from Tropical Storm Helene now Hurricane Helene so when I got home I solvent cleaned the bare metal and shot it with spray paint to keep it from rusting hence the overspray. I had to cover it with a tarp when it started raining 30 minutes later. Lots of rain forecast today and tonight from Helene.
OP
OP
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2006
- Messages
- 8,434
- Location
- Jacksonville
- Bike
- GL1800 R1200RT NC700
- 2024 Miles
- 026983
Measure twice and cut & weld once!!!
I loaded the NC on the trailer today to see how much the tongue weight increased and found to my dismay the modification is an improvement but not what I expected. I told the welder to make the V shape extension at least 8" wide but motorcycle forks are wider than that so the front wheels of each bike won't fully nestle as far forward to fit properly. I was thinking tire width of 6" or less and completely forgot about the width of the forks/fender. The NC and RT load a little better but the Wing won't work. Back to the welding shop.
I loaded the NC on the trailer today to see how much the tongue weight increased and found to my dismay the modification is an improvement but not what I expected. I told the welder to make the V shape extension at least 8" wide but motorcycle forks are wider than that so the front wheels of each bike won't fully nestle as far forward to fit properly. I was thinking tire width of 6" or less and completely forgot about the width of the forks/fender. The NC and RT load a little better but the Wing won't work. Back to the welding shop.
