Narrowing HF's 40" X 49" Trailer?

[Bear_Rider]

I'm thinking of a small trailer to tow behind my motorcycle, and have looked at Harbor Freight's smallest trailer as a start point. As I look at the manual, it appears that one could cut the channel pieces running across the trailer, redrill the holes, and narrow the trailer body to about 30 inches. It also looks like the leaf springs and their spring plates will mount about anywhere on the axle. I plan on building a body on the trailer about 30 inches wide, 24 inches tall, and about 60 inches long, to keep the weight low and centered, and to reduce wind resistance. I will leave the axle the original length for stability.

I realise that the stress on the axle will be somewhat greater because the springs are further from the wheels, but I don't plan on carrying any more than about 175 pounds, and can likely bring the body weight in at less than 100 pounds, which is about 1/4 of the original design capacity of the trailer.

This will be my first attempt at building a trailer, so I would appreciate any thoughts.

[tinksdad]

The manual doesn't show it; but there are some holes and aligning lugs on the plates and springs to keep everything in place. I remember having to flip some things around when I moved the axle from under the springs to over; but I don't recall what right now. I'll try to look at it tomorrow if there's still any daylight left when I get home from work and see what I did. I also eliminated one leaf on each spring and that may have been where the aligning hole was. Don't flip the axle!!! I do remember a very slight curve on mine from side to side. It will change the camber (?) on the hubs.


Just my two cents worth. I am not an expert by any means.

[angib]

As a rough guide, you can increase the overhang (spring centre to wheel centre) by the same ratio that you reduce the weight - so you can carry half the weight if you double the overhang.

Andrew

[jagular7]

Exactly what I'm doing for a Jeep luggage trailer.
Found a HF #1200 40x48 trailer locally off CL for $100 with spare. It has the 4.8-12 tires with 4on4 wheels. Found a very large car top cargo carrier that needs hinges for $25.

Let me know what close-up pics you want. From the looks of things, the hole on the members tend to align up well. It is missing quite a bit of the bolts as previous owner had a 4x8 sheet on it and used eye bolts to secure it to the frame. There is a lot of 'flex' in the frame. I'll just weld it up.





I'm going to lengthen the tongue another 16" to add a basket up front, add a drop stabilizer off the tongue and a handle. I'm looking at some type of platform right now.

This MC trailer is wanting $650.

[schaney]

For a narrower trailer you could start with the Harbor Freight 35"x55" Trailer

[Bear_Rider]

For a narrower trailer you could start with the Harbor Freight 35"x55" Trailer

Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't know that they had that trailer. However, it costs $150 more than than the trailer I want to use, and I'd still have to narrow it at least 5" to get to the width that I want.

[bobhenry]

My stock 40x48 HF trailer was inches from being the width of the handlebars so I left the the frame unaltered. It pulled miserably until I extended the tongue I made a torsion box floor and it has made a real handy little cargo tear. Last weekend it carried a full load of firewood behind the Scion. It has moved brick and concrete blocks dirt, sand, and gravel and is easily swept out to go camping behind the Goldwing. More build pics in my album.

[Bear_Rider]

I picked 30" for a width because the hard cases on the bike are about 28". I want the trailer to more or less ride in the slip stream of the bike itself.

[bobhenry]

If aerodynamics become that much of an issue your towing way to fast.

[Bear_Rider]

If aerodynamics become that much of an issue your towing way to fast.

Small fuel tank. I need all the help that I can get.

An arrow flies easily through the air. It won't fly nearly as well with a silk parachute attached, even though the chute doesn't weigh much.