5x8 CT Bike Hauler and Camper

[working on it]

Over the weekend took some time to fit up the rubber dampers

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here is the rubber damper thing. made a couple angle brackets that then face weld to the inside of the trailer frame. (HATE welding upside down/overhead/under trailers!) we shall see how it rides once we get rolling again, it might be too tall for such a set up, if that is the case I have a plan to either get longer shackles to move the springs away from the damper or cut down the rubber damper. we shall see.

LATER POST

the new suspension seemed to make a good difference on the rough roads

I like your suspension mod. I made my own version of the Timbren dampers, using Daystar bump stops. I like the way they work, and I also intend to go off-road with them. My thinking was that shocks have their limitations, but that a "tunable" positive-action cushion in the form of rubber (or in my case, progressively compressible polyurethane) would respond to all situations. You placed your Timbrens in slight compression upon installation; that's the key feature to make it respond to all road conditions (no slack, no delay).

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[davidshourd]

I was surprised at the difference a big chunk of rubber made with the ride. prior to the installation little bumps would almost "chatter" the entire trailer up and down. with the timbren in there it seems to really smooth that out. and on larger bumpers the trailer does not just pop off the ground but seems to actually absorb it and keep "mostly" planted to the ground. I wanted to fit some shocks into the system too but I am rather content with just the Timbrens for the time being.

[RBRHSV]

Nice build!
I am planning to build the same size trailer, but without the bike hauling.
I want to use the layout of a teardrop but in a 5 x 8 CT so I can have a queen size bed up front and an open galley at the rear.
PS. I will also be towing with my Nissan Frontier Pro-4X.

[professorkx]

Excellent idea on the fender boxes, and very nice execution!! The Kawasaki is just adding eye candy to eye candy....

[Rainier70]

I am totally ignorant on the pros and cons of shocks and bump stops. Which is better for a 6x12 cargo trailer? Or is it better to take a leaf out of the spring set?
It is light and bounces on the rough and washboarded forest roads.

[davidshourd]

shocks would ultimately provide a better ride. jack up your trailer until the wheels are off the ground. measure the distance from frame to top of axle. then lower it down and try and load it up as much as you can and measure the same point. you will get the travel distance. its important the shock has enough stroke to compress all the way on big bumps but extend all the way. and geometry also plays a roll, as close to vertical is better but often difficult due to the space that's available in a trailer and find that you will have to run it at an angle, just make sure you don't put any of the suspension in a bind when it works through.
I went with the timbren bumps as I already had them and running bigger heavier tires that I can run on a little lower Pressure when I get on the bumpy stuff.

[7up]

Really spot on with your execution of your ideas. Did I mention that's my favorite color? Good luck and I will be following your build.