I will be trailering my bike to Rolling Thunder this year, (no wise cracks please, I don't have time to ride the trip) and I would like to know if anyone has ever used This Funky Little Trailer by U-Haul. It is 1300 miles one way and I am not particularly fond of the golf cart type tires on this trailer for such a long haul at highway speeds. I am looking at another trailer HERE. The pro's and cons of each. Keep in mind that the protection of my bike outweighs cost, but the wear and tear on my midsize V-6 truck pulling a heavier trailer that far and back is of great significance too.

Motorcycle Trailer Pros:
1. It is smaller and lighter (550 Lbs) and will require less fuel to pull.
2. 14.95 a day = less cost.
Cons:
1. It is smaller and lighter with torsion suspension and may bounce around.
2. Smaller tires for a long trip at highway speeds.
3. No shield in the front or sides to keep sand blasting off the bike.
4. The bike sits more in the open, rather than being surrounded by trailer sides.

5X9 Ramp Trailer Pros:
1. Heavier trailer (1250 Lbs) with leaf springs will probably ride better.
2. Full size tires for long trip at highway speeds.
3. Has steel shielding on front and sides to protect bike better.
4. Bike is down inside the trailer with protective sides and front, bike not out in the open.
Cons:
1. Trailer is almost twice as heavy and will require more gas to pull.
2. Harder on my truck to pull, but my bass boat is heavier than this trailer/bike would be and it pulls it okay, but this is 1300 miles one way.
3. 24.95 a day = higher cost.

Opinions please.

Mate, just my opinion. I've pulled trailers over a lot of Australia and my recommendation would be to go to the heavier trailer.

I've had suspension (spring) let go on trailers and the results aren't pretty. Believe me, the increase in fuel consumption will be negligible. It just isn't worth damaging your bike, trailer, car, other road users.

Does also depend on whether you think the extra rental cost is too much. I personally don't.

Just my $0.02 worth.

I like the ramp trailer, depending on how long you need it, it might be better to find a used one and buy it...they don't weigh much so it shouldn't effect your tow vehicle at all...I used a uhaul for 60 miles, I didn,t have a bike licence so had to pull it home on the trailer,,,be sure to check the wheel bearings as uhaul does not...the one I had was crap, wheel bearings were worn out.

Either would serve your purpose. Safety first though. The Roadie is only 700ish pounds , so....... BB

Here's my 2 pennies worth.
You won't notice a huge difference in fuel cost if you have a larger tow vehicle. I easily lost 9 miles per gallon in my S-10(4cyl) pulling my boat, but my Nissan (4.0 v6) only loses about 3. Once you get rolling and set the cruise, wind resistance is you biggest problem.
The smaller tires are U-Hauls problem, not yours. It would be better to wear out their bearings than yours.
Once you put your Roadie on a trailer, it ain't gonna bounce unless it is a larger trailer. The larger of these may actually bounce more (think of the ride in your truck with an empty bed vs having a load of lumber in it. Now put the same load on a dock high delivery truck) My trailer has a 3500 lb axle, and I wish it was less.
The sides will protect the bike some, but she will still be dirty. At least the big stuff won't hit her. That's worth quite a bit right there.
How much do they get for their enclosed trailers? After trailering mine last month, I sure wish I had the enclosed. Sure would be nice to have a fellow biker to rent theirs from. Maybe someone should start a directory.

Good luck and enjoy your trip. That is one on my list of rides to do.

I am leaning toward the bigger trailer. My bass boat with trailer I estimate to weigh about 2700 Lbs and I have pulled it to Lake Fork and back which is about 100 miles each way. It did fine. This U-Haul trailer with my bike would be about 1900 or 2000.

Yeah mate, I also based my recommendation on the 1300 miles each way that you quoted. If you were going a short distance, say 50 mile or so, the smaller trailer would be the pick.

Shadowfax wrote:
Here's my 2 pennies worth.
You won't notice a huge difference in fuel cost if you have a larger tow vehicle. I easily lost 9 miles per gallon in my S-10(4cyl) pulling my boat, but my Nissan (4.0 v6) only loses about 3. Once you get rolling and set the cruise, wind resistance is you biggest problem.
The smaller tires are U-Hauls problem, not yours. It would be better to wear out their bearings than yours.
Once you put your Roadie on a trailer, it ain't gonna bounce unless it is a larger trailer. The larger of these may actually bounce more (think of the ride in your truck with an empty bed vs having a load of lumber in it. Now put the same load on a dock high delivery truck) My trailer has a 3500 lb axle, and I wish it was less.
The sides will protect the bike some, but she will still be dirty. At least the big stuff won't hit her. That's worth quite a bit right there.
How much do they get for their enclosed trailers? After trailering mine last month, I sure wish I had the enclosed. Sure would be nice to have a fellow biker to rent theirs from. Maybe someone should start a directory.

Good luck and enjoy your trip. That is one on my list of rides to do.

Cost is the last of my concerns, but it is a concern. The only problem with the closed trailers is that they have no tie down points in them. I think they have rings on the walls, but they are rinky dink and wouldn't hold a good sized load. I could probably pull them out of the wall with my ratchets.

Flashback wrote:
I like the ramp trailer, depending on how long you need it, it might be better to find a used one and buy it...they don't weigh much so it shouldn't effect your tow vehicle at all...I used a uhaul for 60 miles, I didn,t have a bike licence so had to pull it home on the trailer,,,be sure to check the wheel bearings as uhaul does not...the one I had was crap, wheel bearings were worn out.

And that is a major concern. I have heard many horror stories about being stranded on the side of the road waiting for someone to show up to fix the U-Haul. Maybe if I ask U-Haul to make sure the bearings are lubed, they would do it? I don't want to, and shouldn't have to. from what I have read online, sounds like U-Haul does not maintain their equipment. I think they only repair as problems arise, but there is no preventive maintenance going on.

What do you have for a pull veh? U-Haul won't rent an enclosed unless your tow veh is one on the approved list for the trailer. Now IMO I like the enclosed. I used one to pick up my bike, Towed it about 950 mi's round trip I did check and pack the wheel bearings before I left town (didn't trust U-Haul).It pulled good and didn't have any problems. If I had to haul another I would do the same.