Middle TN area newb checking in.

[MidTNJasonF]

Found the site through a link on AdventureRider.com and enjoyed snooping around the posts.

I signed up to do some searching on the forums for designs modifed or created with towing a motorcycle in mind. I want to build a small trailer to pull with my Crown Vic P71 that will hold my vintage race motorcycle. Once at the race track and unloaded I would like to be able to fold out, fold down, or otherwise roll out some sort of mattress.

I have a short list of needs for the design.

Low floor/deck height for loading the bike.
Integrated or easily deployed loading ramp system.
Dry and comfortable mattress to fit a 6'2" "real sized" man.
Storage for race gear like the leathers, helmet, and hand tools as well as a cooler.
Some sort of mini galley to make some coffee in the morning.

All thoughts and ideas welcome and I look forward to more reading on the site.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Jason, welcome to the forum. There are many great builders here and I'm sure the ideas for your build will be flowing very soon. Stay tuned.

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Jason. We have lots of people who can help you just ask and let us know when you decide on a profile. Look up in the Generic Benroy plans. They convert to almost any profile.


You can do it---we can help

[Lgboro]

Towing with a Crown Vic should open up a lot of options for you. Many of us on the forum tow with small 4 cylinder cars that are just minimal for towing. I'm sure there is a creative unique solution for you needs. You might want to look around in the Hall of Fame, Generic Benroy Plans, Design Library, and in some of the forum members albums to get a start on deciding on a plan design.

[MidTNJasonF]

Towing with a Crown Vic should open up a lot of options for you. Many of us on the forum tow with small 4 cylinder cars that are just minimal for towing. I'm sure there is a creative unique solution for you needs. You might want to look around in the Hall of Fame, Generic Benroy Plans, Design Library, and in some of the forum members albums to get a start on deciding on a plan design.

Yes the Crown Vic does open up some options but I would actually like to make sure that something smaller could handle it as well. Since my Crown Vic is actually a police package car it is even better for towing with a 3.55:1 rear instead of the 2.73 found in most of the civilian models. Add in the trans cooler, heavy cooling system, beefed up frame, better brakes, and heavy ply tires and it make 4500 to 5000lbs towing possible. I am not sure I would try that but I have done 2700lbs with it and had no issues. I averaged 18mpg pulling a loaded 16 foot trailer with two motorcycles over mountain roads.

I would actually love a small truck as a tow vehicle to replace the Vicky at some point.

[MidTNJasonF]

Oh and just to make sure everyone did not think I was a one post wonder I have just been very busy. I do not think I will start my project until winter.

One thing that has kept me busy is trip planning. I thought some of you might enjoy seeing some of the details of this trip.

I am headed to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the inaugural Redbull Moto GP race. I borrowed a small camping trailer from a friend. This trailer was pulled behind a Honda ST1000 motorcycle that has a sidecar attached. The entire rig just got back from a 15,000 mile trip from Middle Tennessee to Alaska above the Arctic Circle then across Canada and back down the East Coast.

I cleaned it up for him since he let me borrow it. The amount of road filth on it from a 15,000 mile Alaskan adventure was staggering. I forgot to take before pics but here it is after about half of the cleaning was done.

[wridley]

Hey Jason.

Amazing who you see floating around the net!! Recognized that tent trailer the instant I saw it. Seen your posts at ChopperCharles and I was following that trip to Alaska with great interest.

[tinksdad]

I don't recognize the tent trailer;



but I do recognize the style trailer parked along side it. That's what I am building my tear on (with 12" wheels instead of 8"). My design doesn't meet your criteria; but it shows what a little creativity and ingenuity can accomplish. I'm sure you will have no problem coming up with a design to meet your needs.

[Arne]

low floor height = torsion axle.

I used a tiltable utility trailer to tow my gold wing to distant adventures. One thing I found was I could put a block of wood under the back of the trailer to limit how far it would tilt, and was able to drive up the ramp, then the weight of the g/w would cause the trailer to tilt down till it hit the block, and I had a straight shot onto the trailer.. once on the trailer, I'd roll slowly forward till the weight shift caused the trailer to flatten out to its normal position.... worked very well for me. And that was on a higher utility trailer with a normal spring setup.

A fold down bed is simple... a chain on each end, a few hinges and a piece of 3/4" ply and a foam mattress....

The ramp should fit under the trailer and above the torsion axle with no problem....

If you do some work on paper, sounds like a piece of cake.