Project "Deuce and a Quarter"

[225]

Been lurking for a while. I try not to too much on a forum considering I own/run 3 of them myself.

Now my plans are to build a Benroy... with a twist.

I need some way to mount this:


And I will be pulling it with this:



So I need my tongue weight to be very low.

I was thinking that maybe if I shift the axle back a little bit, that I can mount a removable rail on the rear of the teardrop. That way I can pull the rail off when I am stopped to have better access to the galley.

My bike weighs about 250/275 lbs.

Anyway, I am pretty good at building stuff. And I have a friend that's a welder and another guy who works at a 18wheeler depot. So parts are going to be easy.


With my job, I live on the boat 20 days and I am home 10. I figure I can work all day on it 8/10 days home, and have it done in 3 trips.

[225]

I also bought this today. Already getting the ball rolling.

[IndyTom]

What about an opening section in the center of your galley, so you could carry the bike inside? I believe another of our members here did something very similar so they could carry their bike inside their teardrop.

Tom

[225]

You wouldn't happen have a link would you?

[Forrest747]

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/206/4584/ITEM/Travelrite-Travel-Rack.aspx

Sportsworks Transport Receiver hitch-rack (Little Guy welded on the hitch receiver when I bought the teardrop). Carries two bikes. And my teardrop hatch opens with both bikes on.

What about something like this on the back of the tear. I have seen some that have thier bike on a hitch on the back of thier trailer. Just a thought.

[225]

That's where I would love to mount it. But I am worried about trailer sway.

Do you guys think it would matter that much to mount it on the rear to the trailer? I think it would be best honestly. Just worried about the extra 250lbs on the rear.

If I mounted it on the rear of the trailer, I would weld two receiver hitches on each corner, the have a rail that slides in and locks with pins. That way when I get to where I am going, I could pull it off for access to the galley.

I currently own this trailer:

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive ... 42709.html

But with 12" wheels.

I guess I need to drop that change on the 1700lb one?

Thanks!

[225]

I have good news and bad news....

The bad news is, I won't be able to buy that new bike I was wanting because of life issues and stuff came up.

The good news is, the 4k I had saved up is now 2k. So I am going to go ahead and use that 2k and start by build as soon as I get off this stinking boat.


I will take a pic later today, but I have a brand new trailer tongue box on the boat that I am going to use to put a small window unit in some kind of way.

Also I am ordering parts for the electrical stuff. LED lighting, etc...

Bonus:

Here are a few pics of what I do for fun.

Me at Deal's Gap:

[deepvee]

Hello James, Welcome to the maddness. I see that you live not far from me. I'm here in Prairieville. I built my trailer to haul my 4-wheeler and motorcycle. I used a boat trailer i had here. With a boat trailer you can move the axle to where you need it for proper weight. We have a few people here in the area that has teardrops and go camping. From the picture you had up looks like you work for Marquette. I may have setup the steering on your boat. I work for EMI. Good luck with your build and ask questions there a lot of people here that can help.

[225]

Hello James, Welcome to the maddness. I see that you live not far from me. I'm here in Prairieville. I built my trailer to haul my 4-wheeler and motorcycle. I used a boat trailer i had here. With a boat trailer you can move the axle to where you need it for proper weight. We have a few people here in the area that has teardrops and go camping. From the picture you had up looks like you work for Marquette. I may have setup the steering on your boat. I work for EMI. Good luck with your build and ask questions there a lot of people here that can help.

Yes you sure did work on my boat. I am on the St. Thomas. When I get mt TD together, I might plan a trip with the rest of you guys!

Now on to the updates. I don't get off work for another 10 days, so I eBay lots of stuff.
I bought this:
Lincoln Electric Weld Pak 180 HD Wire Feed Welder



And decided I am going to build the trailer myself.

Also I have a little fridge NIB, and a brand new tongue box I never used. So I will buy some steel and a axle, and I'll be at it.

[bc toys]

sense you can weld find you a electric wheel chair lift remove the ramps on it and move them around so your bike will fit the way you like it and make a set of wheel scoches and ty downs. I do off road rescue i got one that the bike trails behind me i even hooked up the controls so it will go all the way down to ground and comes up it will lift about 300lbs

[Woodstramp]

225,

I will be real interested to see how you finally flush out your design to get the light tongue weight you need. Mulled around a simular idea (to mount a small scooter).

Built my own frame (like you plan) and have one critique. Noticed the small wire welder you intend to use. I borrowed a small 120 volt unit simular to that at an early stage of my build. The thing was almost useless. Best it would do was "dob" very thin metal. Found those are designed for body work on cars. We have a large wire fed welder at work and I was able to use it instead.

(Note on that:) I was able to pre-assemble our frame using Tec screw/plates/braces to be able to tow the rig to the big welder. Was able to get things set up before final welder burn in. Maybe you can do that if your welder doesn't work out.

[225]

225,

I will be real interested to see how you finally flush out your design to get the light tongue weight you need. Mulled around a simular idea (to mount a small scooter).

Built my own frame (like you plan) and have one critique. Noticed the small wire welder you intend to use. I borrowed a small 120 volt unit simular to that at an early stage of my build. The thing was almost useless. Best it would do was "dob" very thin metal. Found those are designed for body work on cars. We have a large wire fed welder at work and I was able to use it instead.

(Note on that:) I was able to pre-assemble our frame using Tec screw/plates/braces to be able to tow the rig to the big welder. Was able to get things set up before final welder burn in. Maybe you can do that if your welder doesn't work out.

Thanks. Did you ever get around to mounting that scooter?

[aggie79]

James,

I really like your toys...and your new welder too.

The 180 amp model is the same one I want. Unfortunately, I don't have 208/230 in my garage (unless I disconnect our water heater.)

Like another person mentioned, I'm trying to recall the person that was building a teardrop to haul his motorcycle (or maybe it was a scooter.) Rather than putting it on the back, I think I'd be tempted to put the cycle in front of the teardrop. That's what Little Guy does on their teardrop toy haulers: http://www.golittleguy.com/teardrops/models/6-wide-sport/. Of course, you'll need to watch the tongue weight which means you'll need to move the axle up closer to the front.

Another hair brain idea had was to have tandem trailers with the motorcycle trailer behind the teardrop trailer. One of CocaColaTeardrop's many builds had this setup.

Take care,
Tom

[225]

Also I have been talking with Aggie79 (Tom) and he sent me his plans from his build. His has a 10" sweep in the back. So I have to make a receiver longer than that. A dirt bike, or in my case a supermoto is tall and very narrow. So I plan to get the rail as close to the camper as possible.

I know y'all want some build pics. But I get off in 10 days. When I get off, I am buying steel on the way home.....

[225]

James,

Another hair brain idea had was to have tandem trailers with the motorcycle trailer behind the teardrop trailer. One of CocaColaTeardrop's many builds had this setup.

Take care,
Tom

Tom,

Thanks about my toys. I love to have fun when I'm not working hard.

Actually, a tandem axle trailer that's 6ft wide, even with the bike on the front, would almost support it own weight. In other words, it would sit there without having the tongue jack down. And wouldn't tip over....

I need to try to find a picture of one. To see if I like how it looks.

Thanks again!