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Thread: hauling 4 bikes?

  1. #1
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    Default hauling 4 bikes?

    gots me a o5' frontier 6 banger. I need to load around 4 bikes on a semi regular basis and don't have a lot of cash. what do you recommend? i was thinking a small enclosed trailer but not sure the size i need.

    is something like this overkill or about right. small toyhauler would be sweet but kinda prices, looking to keep it 1-3k
    http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/rvs/1507890929.html
    Last edited by bdmmotard; 12-14-2009 at 09:24 AM.

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    If semi regular basis you will enjoy the enclosed aspect. If money is a problem I would buy a cheap open trailer and set it up just for hauling. ie tracks and strategic tie down locations.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bdmmotard View Post
    this looks perfect, think it'll fit 4 bikes semi easily?
    http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/rvs/1505939500.html
    Are they all dirtbikes/sm? Sportbikes tend to be fat f**kers, but it looks big enough.
    That one looks awsome actually. I would love to one day have something like that, but for now I have to rent.
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    Quote Originally Posted by bdmmotard View Post
    this looks perfect, think it'll fit 4 bikes semi easily?
    http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/rvs/1505939500.html
    That trailer will fit 4 sport bikes fairly well, especially if you get some kind of wheel chock or strapless tie down (Pit Bull, STS, etc). I can load 3 bikes into my 6X8 open trailer, two facing forward one facing backwards. I have enough room across the back to slip a mini in as well. If you don't have a canopy you can put the 4th bike in the bed of the truck as a last resort, I would think.

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    ok cool, i'll keep it in the 6x10ish range. I'd be hauling 4 dirtbikes/motards. those strapless systems are pimp but we're looking at $1200 for 4 or em!

    i was thinking harbour freight wheel chalks and tie down hooks everywhere?

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    hey B... 6 x 10 is fine....put the bikes in sideways with the handlebars turned it will fit fine...a buddy/s of mine doesn't use chocks at all as the front tire is wedged up against the wall. but he does have that track system that allows you multple places to put your straps...seems to work fine
    I'd buy the ratchet style hold down straps at the local hardware store...that way you can load and unload yourself....I think 12 bucks a set...
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hands Without Shadows View Post
    If semi regular basis you will enjoy the enclosed aspect. If money is a problem I would buy a cheap open trailer and set it up just for hauling. ie tracks and strategic tie down locations.
    Here is an example I found on my local classifieds of what I mean by tracks and strategic tie down locations. Cheap too. Thats Canadian dollars.

    http://london.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehic...dIdZ174727038#

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hands Without Shadows View Post
    Here is an example I found on my local classifieds of what I mean by tracks and strategic tie down locations. Cheap too. Thats Canadian dollars.

    http://london.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehic...dIdZ174727038#
    thats a wicked price for that setup.
    2005 525 smr 2004 200 exc

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    Quote Originally Posted by bdmmotard View Post
    ok cool, i'll keep it in the 6x10ish range. I'd be hauling 4 dirtbikes/motards. those strapless systems are pimp but we're looking at $1200 for 4 or em!

    i was thinking harbour freight wheel chalks and tie down hooks everywhere?
    That would be perfect with the HF chocks and straps. HF recently had the pop-chocks for $30 each (roll on - roll off), that and the track system around the trailer about 12" off fo the floor would be perfect. Especially with the front side door. A friend has the E-Track in his trailer on the floor and hates it. He also has the E-Track along the perimeter of the trailer and uses it all of the time. The track on the floor collects dirt and is easy to trip over while the stuff low to the floor is easier to reach.

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    hey brian, do you mean track system like on that trailer, or like a bar with tie down hooks like this?

    i should have just titled this "lets see pics of your trailer setup"

    right now i'm thinking hf chalks with tie down bars a few feet off the ground on both sides. I'll be using this atleast once a week, cheap and fast is the priority.
    Attached Images

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    One of the local guys makes a similar strapless stand to the pitbulls and they are price very reasonable. I think Strapless is the way to go if it is going to be a regular deal especially weekly. Straps suck when you have to use them all the time plus cranking down your suspension like that is very hard on it. I am assuming all 4 bikes have hollow axles with the sliders removed correct?

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    sweet, do you have a link to that local guy? 3/4 bikes have hollow axles, it would suck having to remove the sliders all the time but maybe there's a alt way to mount the sliders? wow this just got more complex.

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    His stands are 150 a piece and use the pitbull axle bar. They do not come with the axle bar but I don't think those are that spendy. they are also removable meaning can leave just a metal plate on the floor. I will attach a few pics and see what you think. He says he won't ship them but if you can wait till February I don't mind picking them up then shipping them to you when i get home from Iraq. here is the link to local forum (i think you will have to be a registered member to view pics)
    http://www.mnsportbikeriders.com/for...1&hl=strapless
    alot of the local guys run his stands and say they are solid products. Also i believe Aaron Colton and his dad have a few of them from him so that is professional approval. haha (Aaron is Local to us.)
    http://www.mnsportbikeriders.com/for...9&#entry615699

    and here are a few pictures of the stands.
    Attached Images
    Last edited by TLRSKUNK; 12-15-2009 at 01:30 PM. Reason: add-ins

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    and PS you might be able to use any sort of metal bar that fits tightly in the axle and will hang out side of the stand. just a thought.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bdmmotard View Post
    hey brian, do you mean track system like on that trailer, or like a bar with tie down hooks like this?

    i should have just titled this "lets see pics of your trailer setup"

    right now i'm thinking hf chalks with tie down bars a few feet off the ground on both sides. I'll be using this atleast once a week, cheap and fast is the priority.

    yea kinda like that...all though that looks way cool...prolly a few buckies fo sho....I was thinking of this kinda thing

    http://shop.easternmarine.com/index....categoryID=291




    looks like the whole shitter for under 50 bones.....although my buddy has the track that accepts a normal type hook w/o those ring things....
    Last edited by brian; 12-15-2009 at 02:36 PM.
    Brian # 30


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    BD....this would be my suggestion for securing the bikes.

    http://www.riskracing.com/pages/Lock_Page.html

    Looks perfect for your application. And it appears they're 10% off through December.

    IMHO...I think your 6cyl. Frontier will struggle pulling a 6x12, especially loaded with 4 bikes. And extra especially uphill. Enclosed trailer by all means, but a 5x10 would be better with your tow vehicle. If you used that stand in the link, you could fit 4 bikes and gear in a 5x10 no problem and shave 300+ lbs off the tow load. And a 5x10 trailer is less $$ also.

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    I have an 02 Frontier Crew Cab with the V6. I did a trackday at SoW in late November..my family in the cab, the bed was filled with gear, ez up, gas cans, etc, and I pulled a 4x8 trailer with two bikes (SV650 and KTM 690smc) in it. It pulled fine for the most part, long steep hills kicked it's ass though.

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    You could also do the "rail trailer" like I use, got it from www.sportutilitytrailers.com and you can customize it with up to 3 rails and its only a 48 x 48 main unit. you could get 3 bikes on there and one in the bed...I would have sprung for the floor under the rails when I got mine, but oh well, I can always add it
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    I can't remember the specs of my truck since i never pay any attention to anyting with 4 wheels, but i think it's a 4.0 liter v6, around 270hp. seems to haul ass but then i know piss all about towing.

    thanks for the advice, i'll definitly keep it under 5 x 10. is their a big gas mileage/drag difference between open and closed trailers?

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    I would say yes as closed trailers have a huge air dam on the front where as open trailers do not. 5x10 open trailers can be had for 500 pretty easy That is what i have then I laid 3/4 plywood down on it and it works great for 2 bikes and some gear(in Army Duffels and totes) I could easily fit 4 bikes with the right chock set-up.

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    Well here, you always have warm dry weather, big horkin frame/wheels locks......$ 1,100.00 bucks, holds 3,500 lbs and is 5' x 10'.... spanky new from lowes
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    Brian # 30


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  23. #23
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    something like that would make perfect sense. on the other hand this one is super pimpy! cool it if was all silver airstream style:
    http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/for/1503712174.html

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    well, its a grand more than the open trailer and its a 2006... has strap down rails etc....actually a pretty good deal... as long as the tongue weight doesn't go over 300 pounds then your rig should work fine...
    Hey B looks to me you would prefer to go enclosed..it has more pro's than con's I think...If you can swing the cash then slap down $ 2000.00buckas and see what the dude will do...If he counters at 2200.00 then I think its a good deal....check the wheel bearings, pull the cap and make sure it doesn't look like the mojave desert in there...
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    Quote Originally Posted by brian View Post
    check the wheel bearings, pull the cap and make sure it doesn't look like the mojave desert in there...
    +1 on the wheel bearings, just take a large flat blade screw driver on any of the used trailers your looking at and pop the cap off. If it doesn't look super clean and fresh get them to knock off a hundred or so. Repacking or replacing those things are super easy so it would not be a deal breaker to me. Just another way to get the price down.

    +1 on the enclosed if you can swing it as well. I had a small 5x8 I used out there to ride/race out of for years. Sleeping in a box is way better if your camping as well.
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    I mispoke....( like that's the first time ever )

    my buddy who put the bikes in sideways had a 7 foot wide not a six...
    sorry B...everyone I talked to can fit 4 bikes in a 6 x 12 with "some" room left over...
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    What hitch rating do you have on your frontier? and what does it say for tow capacity? If I could have afforded an enclosed that is what i would have gotten but I couldn't at the time and bought an open trailer. if you can haul that 6x12 that would be a sweet rig. Plus if the frontier works for a year it gives you an excuse to Upgrade trucks in a while. to a full sized truck. Suprisingly mileage isn't that much different between the smaller V6 trucks and the fuel size trucks if Gearing is right. I can get 22mpg out of my truck when cruising highway(1996 Dodge Ram 1500 extcab 5.9V8 swb 2wd with a 3.23 rear end) but in town it sucks.

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    hmm my friend has a 06 or so nissan frontier 4 door 6 cylinder. we hauled 3 sportbikes and a lot of gear from central illinois to indianapolis and the truck didnt have an issue at all. cant remember what fuel economy we got. but we used a pretty big enclosed trailer. not sure on dimensions. not sure if this helped you or not haha sorry.
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    alright, looks like the 6x12 gets the vote. i think i'll hold out on one for a side door. that way if i have to change a tire or something inside it'll be nice to have some cross vent.

    I wouldn't mind a bigger engine, but i defintily don't want a big truck. I live in a little beach town, and every time i park my car/truck and I can't get out cuz of some giant f*cking truck i just want to bunch the guy/soccer mom.

    The nissan has 270 lbs torque, 250+ hp, and is rated at 5,500 lbs towing capacity. i average 21mpg and I drive kinda fast. a crew cab would be nice, but the standard cabs were 5g less. I got it for $9200 with 45k on her. I love that truck, plan on keeping her til she dies.

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    You should be good with the 6x12 then. Just keep it out of Overdrive while towing if it is an Auto.

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    Every pickup truck owner wanted their rig to be more functional and reliable as well as protected from all sorts of damages. That is why installing their trucks with various performance add-ons is always an option. If you want to increase the usefulness and hauling capabilities of your truck bed while ensuring that its finish is free from scratches and dents, outfitting it with bike racks is a smart move. These are functional add-ons that are designed to carry and hold your bike(s) behind your truck. No matter how careful you place your bike on your truck bed, still they would usually cause the finish and components scraped or damaged during transport. For this reason that the bike rack is built to securely hold your bike(s) without damaging them as well as preventing them from causing some scratches and dents on your truck bed area. This will make your truck always armed to take transporting 2-wheelers to another level so there is no need to toss your bike in a damage-prone area behind your truck.
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