building a bike trailer

building a trailer from northern tool. rated at 1200 lbs. quality seems to be okay. uses all nylock bolts. about $500.00
need to drive up to northern vermont from long island to pick up the norton.
shippping price and the trailer price were competitive .
anybody know what the best ramp to get is?
thx,
goo

We got the Harbor Freight version of that (basically the same thing) and after assembly and a test-pull I went buy a buddie's welding shop and had him tack it together, the bolts just made me a little nervous. All said and done, it's a decent little trailer.

Vince

I would agree with welding it together. I have fixed a few trailers, and bolts alone are not the answer.

Absolutely weld it up; at least solid tacks at each joint if nothing else. Nylock nuts, if they aren't already.

thanks for the suggestions, gents

will definetly get it welded.

anybody know where's the best place to get a ramp?

thx,
goo

Being the cheap-bastard that I am here is my ramp-deal:
Go to home depot and get some bolt-on ramp ends and a 2 X 12, drill a few holes, put the bolts in and your are done. If you want to get fancy put some grip-tape on it.

Vince

good idea.
i guess i could stick a milk crate below it for support.

A 2 X 12 will hold the weight of many Commando's, no milk crate needed.

Vince

The last 2 Nortons I loaded in the back of my truck with a 2x6. It dosn't take much.

Yes tow it to a welder or DIY to stifle the bolt wallow rattles then tie the whole
thing in dampened rigidness bolting the wood planks down or expanded metal screen. Don't forget to paint over the weld wounds to blimish the finish.
I really like foot high rails to help hold other luggage and cargo with or w/o bikes along too. I'm thinking to get cheap 12 v wench and pulley I can move
on front rail to suck a bike or two up single handed with not on good angle or grade.
Think about a lockable storage box on the front too. Wood ramps are kind of heavy to more around so keep an eye out for wide Al channel and some way to hold end to the trailer when not on best angle/height loading. I was able to haul 3 recliner rockers to save $75 delivery charge way out in the woods. Could make two Commandos out of that one big twin there.

You've really got to watch those wenches - they'll eat you out of house and home, particularly if you marry one. Winches work better for getting bikes onto trailers!

A former Boeing colleague went to work for Coors Brewery, designing handling equipment and assorted plant machinery. Food & Drug regulations required everything to be stainless steel. He managed to buy enough scrap material to build a trailer for his off-road bikes. It was quite a talking point at meetings.

Re: thanks for the suggestions, gents

goo said:

will definetly get it welded.

anybody know where's the best place to get a ramp?

thx,
goo

Click to expand...

you could look at this as an excuse to buy a MIG welder and do it yourself :wink: got one myself a few years ago and it has been useful for all sorts of things and have even made a few $$$ with it