4 x 6 aluminum trailer from home depot?

[Tombstone]

hey dudes,

so theres a 4' x 6' aluminum trailer at home depot for $800, but we're planning to pick up a couple old 1980's xr250r's which are 84" long, and the trailer is only 72" long..

So i was wondering if you ran aluminum 5" channel forward so the front tire can sit on it that would work right?

Also i wondered if you advise against aluminum trailers (12" wheels) for logging roads etc.

Thing is the steel one is 1600lbs and the aluminum one is 310lbs, and for dirt bikes i figured that would do the trick.

Any advice on laying the channel for the front tire or if that trailer is a bad idea please let me know!

thanks

[FastDoc]

Back when I raced my RZ I used a HF trailer with little wheels and it worked great. Cost all of about $200 on sale. Very light. I stored it upright leaning on a wall in my garage.

Now I use a Holden 2 rail (since converted to 3 rail) little trailer with about 12 inch wheels. It is light (maybe 150 lbs?) and works great for towing 2 bikes, even on dirt and gravel roads. I would not use it to haul a Gold Wing. For that I'd hire a Sigorsky Skycrane.

I store this small trailer in my garage, but it is too heavy to lift on its side because I have to be careful with my back.

If I was going for long distances at speeds over 70 I may not like the little wheels but other than that I love this trailer.

Make sure to make sure your bearings are greased and don't feel hot and you are good to go.

[FastDoc]

So i was wondering if you ran aluminum 5" channel forward so the front tire can sit on it that would work right?

Should be fine but I'd recommend buying a motorcycle specific rail and bolting that on. Stronger and more secure.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...trailer%2Brail

This is the one I use as a center rail on mine. Look around, you can likely find one smaller and cheaper, this is more than you need for a 250 but it would work fine.

[katoranger]

I have a 4x8 trailer that is steel. It does not weigh much. I doubt it is 400lbs.

The aluminum trailer should be fine and I am not sure if you would need the rails. The bike may be 84" overall, but the distance to where the tires contact would be less. I think that you may be good with 72".

Otherwise I would get the rails like doc suggested.

[Tombstone]

good calls, thanks guys!

[katoranger]

For the steel trailer I am thinking that the capacity is 1600lbs. That sounds about right on a 4x8 trailer. I have loaded mine more than that.

It tows behind my minivan and I also towed it with a 4cyl ranger.

[Tombstone]

i thought you may be right but no i was correct.

The trailer is 1600lbs and can only haul 1300lbs lol..

•Gross vehicle weight is 1,600 lbs, and payload capacity is 1,320 lbs

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

someone on another forum said they had a steel one that rusted out from the road salt i believe it was, sounds like aluminum is the way to go.

Also i took a picture of a 85' xr250r and sized it up in adobe illustrator (im a graphic designer/sign maker etc.) and turns out the wheel should fit on the floor if we remove the front top rail. If it's super tight we might have to remove the gate too but its 71" from the back of the backtire to the front axle.

[katoranger]

Gross vehicle weight refers to the combine weight of the trailer and the cargo. Looks like the trailer weighs 280lbs plus the 1320lbs of cargo which sounds about right for a 4x6 trailer. The axles are usually rated at 1500lbs. My trailer is slightly bigger. It is about 400lbs. I had a 6x12 trailer with a wood floor that weight about 800lbs.

Road salt is something to consider if you plan to use it in the winter with a steel trailer. Mine is a southern unit. Probably 20 years old, but not rusted. I paid $150 for it and then new tires and lights. Hauled 2000lbs from Georgia to Kansas.

If you are serious about a trailer I suggest getting an 8ft long one. It will be more useful. A really good size is 5x10.

If you are limited to a small car the 4x6 is fine. Any car should be able to handle that.

[katoranger]

This trailer looks like a better unit. It is galvanized to resist rust.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

It also weighs 310lbs. At this size I don't see an aluminum trailer having a significant weight advantage. Also with aluminum the axle, springs, and tongue are generally steel. The bed will be aluminum.

[Tombstone]

doh! i feel like a dumbass now lol

you must be right but they've removed the trailer from their website now lol so i cant check..

but yea thats basically the exact same trailer at can tire, the home depot one said galvanized too i just thought since it was only 310lbs it must be galvanized aluminum (which i googled to make sure it exists).

Ok i guess we'll get that galvanized one from can tire, but the weird thing is i work beside a home depot and they have the trailers outside so i dont know why it would disappear off their site the day after i start looking at it.. odd.

[FastDoc]

Would this work? Do you have HF where you live?

http://www.harborfreight.com/950-lb-...res-42709.html

[salzybaby]

http://www.tractorsupply.com//Produc...&storeId=10151

http://www.tractorsupply.com//Produc...&storeId=10151

The first is $600 the second is $700... Don't know if you have a TSC near you.

[MICRider]

No Harbor Freights or Tractor Supply's in Canada... One would have to go across the border to access those. Good prices though! I particularly like the Harbor Freight unit, that's dirt cheap!

[katoranger]

have you checked for used ones?

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by MICRider

No Harbor Freights or Tractor Supply's in Canada... One would have to go across the border to access those. Good prices though! I particularly like the Harbor Freight unit, that's dirt cheap!

I used the HF one for many years. It worked great.