Teardrop for Ural motorcycle.

[rebelrider.mike]

Well, I've lurked, searched, and ask a few question. Now I think its time to start a build thread. So here's what I'm going for: I'll be taking a trip on my Ural M70 from Washington, up to Alaska, East across Canada, to Main, and back to Washington via several Northern US states. I want to avoid freeways and busy highways and enjoy the scenic routes where I can find them. I want to build a camper primarily just to sleep in, and one where I can pull over wherever I might need to, to be protected from weather, bugs and whatever. I'm planning on low weight, and minimal setup. When I'm not sleeping, I plan to be outside riding, hiking, or otherwise exploring.

So, with all that in mind, here are a few pictures I've collected around the internet from which I'm drawing some ideas and inspiration:

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[rebelrider.mike]

This fellow just shared his trailer on Facebook:

Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/jose.meseguer.165?fref=nf

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Some of this is also in my intro thread, but this is what I've got planed so far.
The trailer I'm considering for the base is Northern Tool's smallest trailer http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200612543_200612543.

A few features I'd like on the camper:
A couple of batteries that match the motorcycle's.
DC charging station for small electronics.
AC inverter, though I intend to make everything DC if I can.
A solar panel to keep the batteries topped off.
An AC converter in case I'm near a power outlet.
Interior and exterior LED lights.
DIY swamp cooler. (Lots of You Tube vids on this.)
Vent fans.
Some kind of fold out table for outside the trailer.
I have an idea for a small table on the inside of the trailer. And I'll want the interior tall enough to sit up in. Hopefully, I can pull all this off with a final weight of 500 lbs or less.
Windows, and a door I guess.

[JaggedEdges]

Awww yiss,,, that's like the Jeep or 2CV or Yugo of motorcycles or something.

I do like 'em, though for what I'd want I'm otherwise distracted by the BT500/350 and CT90/110... with that latter more likely to eventually be dangling precariously on the bumper of my camper sometime.

My first thoughts would be toward building a mini camper on a sidecar frame though if I was solo.


Edit: Just looked at the trailer, one of the big box stores had practically the same thing in aluminum, they wanted double the money for it though.

[rebelrider.mike]

Fixed my You Tube link. Thanks capnTelescope!

Also, I've found a local welding shop that does custom trailers. I'll ask them what it might cost to build one in the dimensions I'm actually looking for.

[rebelrider.mike]

Well, the local custom welding guy was a nice fellow, and seemed very knowledgeable and competent, but his idea for my build was going to be too heavy and too pricey.
So now I'm back to the little bolt-together trailers. Specifically the Ironton 40x48.


It has twice the weight capacity I want, and its only 150 lbs. The width is good, but its 2 feet too short. I'll have to figure out how to deal with that.

[frosty]

Have a look at this one
food for thought :-)

https://web.archive.org/web/20151127131 ... tear58.htm

[tac422]

Just 'cause I can...
(I never pulled it on the highway with the Ural)

Have you considered a Foamie ?

[ghcoe]

This one might give you some ideas. I believe it was built in Alaska and made a trip to the east coast and back. Only weighted 180lbs http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=50313

[rebelrider.mike]

I haven't decided on a material for the camper yet. That Pico Lite trailer design is very interesting. I think mine may end up similar to that.
Here's a drawing I sketched out based on the few dimensions given by Northern Tool's website. I messed up the tire size, and had to guess the location, but I think its pretty close.
I scaled it as best I could with 1 square on the paper being 2". The green line is where I think the floor may end up.

I drew the camper and trailer on separate pieces of paper so I can play around with exactly where under the camper the wheels will be. In this pic I have the camper overhanging about a foot off the back of the trailer.
I think the tongue will need to be made longer for turning.

[ghcoe]

Well, the local custom welding guy was a nice fellow, and seemed very knowledgeable and competent, but his idea for my build was going to be too heavy and too pricey.
So now I'm back to the little bolt-together trailers. Specifically the Ironton 40x48.


It has twice the weight capacity I want, and its only 150 lbs. The width is good, but its 2 feet too short. I'll have to figure out how to deal with that.

I just saw the Harbor Freight version of this trailer that was built to be towed behind a motorcycle. Not sure where I saw it though. I did notice that they built onto the tongue quite a bit. The tongue is made to be towed behind a car and needs the three feet to clear the vehicle in turns. You do not need as much tongue on a motorcycle because it is narrower than a car. If I were to guess they built a foot over each end.

[visser]

Any updates on this build?

I want to do something similar, although mine would be for an ATV... so as such I want a very narrow trailer like the one you linked to above or possibly their Sport trailer model: https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools ... _200692633

The idea being put the ATV in the truck, attach the trailer to the truck, drive to the trails, tow the trailer with the ATV out to a remote lake and camp. On top of what-ever trailer base I would build a narrow small teardrop (so I guess more like a coffin)... around 6' long, 3' high, and 3' wide, or thereabouts.

I'm thinking I might need more clearance than these trailers offer though, so I might be better off building a custom trailer using axle-less hubs or half torsion hubs or something similar.

[rebelrider.mike]

Unfortunately, no updates yet. I'm still planning to build it, but I probably won't start until 2019. The plan is to take it on trips in 2020.
Some of my Ural friends have replaced their sidecar tubs with a "coffin" type sleeping box like what you have in mind. They're taking advantage of the robust sidecar frame, but a small trailer would be just as good as far as I know. Mine will be a little bigger as I plan to spent a bit more time in it than just sleeping.

I don't know anything about wheel and suspension modification. But you definitely want something that is going to meet your specific requirements, so mod away! My rig will be on-road 90% of the time, with maybe a little gravel/forest service road use, so a basic trailer frame should work fine for what I'm doing.

[aggie79]

Mine will be a little bigger as I plan to spent a bit more time in it than just sleeping.

This may be a bit too much bigger but it is cool: http://www.goldbrand.info/motorcykelhusvagn2.html

[HarleyCamper]

I've thought about doing the same to pull behind my Softail. A foamie on the same trailer would keep it nice and light. Someday I may get to it. I can't wait to see what you build!

[jdash5]

We had a Little Guy Silver Shadow. It was great! We sold it as we have three kids and it was not practical for us. However, if you are going on a solo trip, I'd highly recommend Little Guy.