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J_Westy Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2008 Posts: 43
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:24 am Post subject: |
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Todd over at busesbythebeach.com tows an Aluma AE46 behind his vanagon.
Very very nice, but not in the budget right now for me.
http://www.alumaklm.com/ae46_all-purpose_enclosed_trailer.html
Here's some contact info for a dealer if you're interested:
Bernie
Fort Dodge Trailer World, Inc.
2475 235th Street
Exit 124 Highway 20
Fort Dodge, IA 50501-8465
515-972-4554 Office
515-408-4285 Cell
515-972-4606 Fax
Hours: Tue-Fri 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat 9:00AM to Noon |
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TroySmith80 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2008 Posts: 272 Location: Bend, OR
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:59 am Post subject: |
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Aluma trailers are very nice! I'm a dealer for them also, so i'm very familiar with their product. They are definitely not the cheapest things around, although considering the quality of materials and design put into these trailers, they are a very good value. I can't speak so much for the enclosed trailers, but i've sold a lot of their utility/open trailers and they are very nice. No reason to believe the enclosed are any different.
I don't have any of those little enclosed guys available, but i do have one all-aluminum utility left. 54" x 8' with the optional side-rail kit and bi-fold tailgate. It's a very sweet little package with aluminum deck (not wood) and aluminum 5-spoke star wheels. My dad bought one just like it from me that he uses to haul motorcycles and things behind his diesel jetta sportwagon. He loves it and says he can't even tell it's back there. If i remember right, it weighs somewhere around 250#!
Anyway, just a boost for Aluma, they are good stuff. We've been selling them for years and i don't think we've ever had one come back for warranty work. They have a 5-year warranty. 1-year is standard in the trailer business.
And of course i've got to give a little shameless plug for my business (trying to save up for a westy!), we have all kinds of trailers and can get even more.
Trailer World Bend
64601 Bailey Rd
Bend, OR 97701
541-389-9849
www.trailer-world.com
Mention you heard about us from me on the internet and i'll work up some kind of discount for you. |
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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:47 am Post subject: |
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Great one from our first PNW-PDX Westravaganza that a guy made. The single rear wheel pivots so it backs without jackknifing. It was very cool!
Tristar Eric may remember his name if you need to get more info.
Jeffrey _________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror! |
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TroySmith80 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2008 Posts: 272 Location: Bend, OR
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:00 am Post subject: |
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Hmm, that's kind of interesting. Does it wack the car on your left when you make a sharp right turn from the right lane? It must not, but as long as that is, it looks like it could be a concern. |
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82WestyMan Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2006 Posts: 1098 Location: Western OR
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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carterzest wrote: |
Great one from our first PNW-PDX Westravaganza that a guy made. The single rear wheel pivots so it backs without jackknifing. It was very cool!
Tristar Eric may remember his name if you need to get more info.
Jeffrey |
Now that's one cool / 'out-of-the-box' design
It looks to be ridgedly mounted in two places to the van, making it more of an extension of the vehicle instead of the more convension 'drag-behind' trailer _________________ "The floggings will continue until morale improves"
"I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell" - Harry S. Truman
82 Westfalia - w/ a Raby 'Camper Special' engine |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6242 Location: Portland OR
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BoneStock67 Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2006 Posts: 439 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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I was thinking about getting one of those Harbor Freight trailers, but then I saw that the maximum recommended driving speed is 45 mph.
Anyone with this trailer care to comment?
I assume that larger wheels/tires might help, yes? _________________ 1986 Wolfsburg Westfalia Weekender 2.1L stock
1967 Beetle, now becoming my daily driver again, after a long rest in the garage
"There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.” -Enrico Fermi |
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TroySmith80 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2008 Posts: 272 Location: Bend, OR
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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I would recommend minimum 12" tires if you're going to put any kind of miles on. 13 or 15" even better. Also, I would not use a bolt-together trailer. Look for one with an all-welded frame. |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2003 Posts: 1839 Location: Englewood, FL
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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BoneStock67 wrote: |
I was thinking about getting one of those Harbor Freight trailers, but then I saw that the maximum recommended driving speed is 45 mph.
Anyone with this trailer care to comment?
I assume that larger wheels/tires might help, yes? |
I have a harbour freight style trailer that I got for free, the axle is weak U channel with some spindles welded to it, its bent to shit. There more camber in the wheels than a a beetle dropped a few notches on the springplates, I run that thing 75mph all day long behind the vanny loaded up with mini bikes and cushmans, other than my tires wear out pretty fast it tows just fine.
I've got the HB 12" wheel/tire combo on my boat trailer, one of the wheels wobbled right from the store, its got big warnings all over to the tires "max speed 55" Thats just a guide that boats made few trips up I-75 at more than few hours over 70mph wobbly wheels and all.
Only thing pissing me off is the local harbour freight store will sell you a trailer but they won't sell you an axle. I have heard some say that the bearings they use are not a common size either so If you do travel alot might want to have set ready. I dunno how true that is I didn't hvae any problems getting a set from NAPA when I first got the trailer but mine is and older trailer.
Heres my "sanford and son" trailer, thats a light load, I usually have a couple of mini bikes on either side of the cushman in the back
_________________ Markus |
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BoneStock67 Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2006 Posts: 439 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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So Markus,
That's a lot of good info, but I'm not sure about your bottom line: is it thumbs-up or thumbs-down?
Also, I don't see any larger wheels and tires listed for this thing on the Harbor Freight web site, and it's not clear how large a diameter will fit. Anyone have any specific wheel/tire recommendations? _________________ 1986 Wolfsburg Westfalia Weekender 2.1L stock
1967 Beetle, now becoming my daily driver again, after a long rest in the garage
"There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.” -Enrico Fermi |
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TroySmith80 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2008 Posts: 272 Location: Bend, OR
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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Markus, you've got bent axles and wobbly wheels but it all tows fine. Well of course it does, until the wheel comes off, then it doesn't tow fine and you've got your scooter and minibikes careening down the freeway on their sides.
Forgive me if I rant, but i sell trailers and i see people over and over and over again spending all kinds of money on their toys, then putting these precious toys in the junkiest trailers you can imagine. The 'deal' of the cheap trailer doesn't seem like that good of a deal when your toy (which usually costs several times as much as a good quality trailer) suffers damage or is destroyed because of the few bucks saved on a trailer.
I'm not saying you have to spend thousands on a big fancy trailer, but please, don't run something with bent axles and wobbling wheels.
It always works, right up until it doesn't. |
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BoneStock67 Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2006 Posts: 439 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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OK, Troy, so what do you recommend as a good value small utility trailer that can, for example, safely tow a riding lawnmower from Arkansas to NJ (don't ask...) _________________ 1986 Wolfsburg Westfalia Weekender 2.1L stock
1967 Beetle, now becoming my daily driver again, after a long rest in the garage
"There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.” -Enrico Fermi |
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goffoz Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2007 Posts: 1486
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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I have one of these.
http://sure-trac.com/sure-trac-tilt-bed-atv-homeowner.html
...Its been great....it doesnt come with wood sides.
I welded on a low rail,on three sides,at about the height of the mud-guard top...It really helped to stiffen the deck, I felt it was a little to "flexy" for my use |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2003 Posts: 1839 Location: Englewood, FL
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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TroySmith80 wrote: |
Markus, you've got bent axles and wobbly wheels but it all tows fine. Well of course it does, until the wheel comes off, then it doesn't tow fine and you've got your scooter and minibikes careening down the freeway on their sides.
Forgive me if I rant, but i sell trailers and i see people over and over and over again spending all kinds of money on their toys, then putting these precious toys in the junkiest trailers you can imagine. The 'deal' of the cheap trailer doesn't seem like that good of a deal when your toy (which usually costs several times as much as a good quality trailer) suffers damage or is destroyed because of the few bucks saved on a trailer.
I'm not saying you have to spend thousands on a big fancy trailer, but please, don't run something with bent axles and wobbling wheels.
It always works, right up until it doesn't. |
Thank you, I'm going to the trailer place first thing in the am to get everything fixed.
bonestock, before I got this trailer I never would have even thought about buying one of the HF trailers. But I have to say as much crap as this thing has been through, and as much abuse as I put it through I'm pretty impressed with it (except for the axle, but then again, it was bent when I got it and it has not gotten worse in 3 years)
My parents bought one of the kit trailers new, they got it with the larger tires and better axle, waited for one of their sales didn't pay much more that maybe 30 bucks over the smaller wheeled one I think. Larger overall dia tire is better usually help with keeping bearings cooler etc.. But I don't know what kind of tires you can find in the 12" trailer size. I know that you can actually get a pretty stout 8" highway tire as I have bought them for my Eriba Puck campers.
The good thing about the HF style trailers is that they are easily modifiable, and light. Both good if your looking at building a small storage type trailer t fit your personal needs.
don't worry Troy not all my trailers are Ghetto, I have a couple nice ones to. so I'm only a danger to society half of the time, I never wear my seatbelt though
my rack-n-roll:
an all steel trailer that's too dam heavy for long hauls, and the cushman does not fit on it without hanging it over the rail:
one of the Eriba pucks (I made my friend tow the wobbly wheeled trailer that trip, you can see part of the carolina skiff behind his van ):
_________________ Markus |
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TroySmith80 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2008 Posts: 272 Location: Bend, OR
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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BoneStock67 wrote: |
OK, Troy, so what do you recommend as a good value small utility trailer that can, for example, safely tow a riding lawnmower from Arkansas to NJ (don't ask...) |
You don't need much, don't get me wrong. Just get something that is welded together (not bolted) and that has bearings, spindles and hubs in good condition, and preferably has 12" or larger wheels. Then remember to grease and adjust the bearings annually.
Like I said a couple posts up:
TroySmith80 wrote: |
I would recommend minimum 12" tires if you're going to put any kind of miles on. 13 or 15" even better. Also, I would not use a bolt-together trailer. Look for one with an all-welded frame. |
One that i have used personally quite a bit behind my subaru legacy is a Sport Club single place snowmobile trailer. I added a cross bar at the front and i've used it to carry a snowmobile, a big motorcycle, 3 dirtbikes, miscellaneous stuff and yes, honestly, a riding lawn mower. It's about 50" wide and 10' long, it has a tilt deck, 12" wheels and a welded tube frame. I got it for about $650. Brand new they're about a grand.
Another one that i sell for around $700 brand new is a 4x8' basic light utility trailer. Several manufacturers of quality, larger trailers offer a light trailer like this, usually rated 1500 to 2990 lbs GVW and with 12-15" tires, welded frames and widely-available standard size wheel bearings. I carry them from Big-Tex, Eagle trailers and Load Trail. They are basic, reliable, and will last you as long as you want to keep them (20-30 yrs). They are a few hundred bucks more than the tinny bolt togethers, but they are the real deal and much more rugged.
A fantastic trailer, but one that is quite expensive, is the aluma 54"x8' series (or any of the Aluma products www.alumaklm.com ) they are, of course, all aluminum construction, including 13" aluminum wheels, weigh next to nothing, have 2,000 lb torsion axles, look great and will continue to look great since they are aluminum. They are priced closer to 2 grand with side rails and tailgate though. |
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Summers420us Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2010 Posts: 759 Location: Amissville, Virginia
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:42 am Post subject: |
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Resurecting this old thread. Taking a 6,000+ mile journey this summer with family of 4. We pack fairly light, but last time we did this, we had gear on the floor and on the bed in the back that I would like to move to a trailer. It does not need to be too deep to store all our loose gear and bags so that when we stop, we don't have to do the gear shuffle... Heck, if I can get the cooler inside or on the toungue... even better. I would also like to put 4 bikes on it via a roof rack, so the lower the better.
Stopped and looked at 4X6 enclosed yesterday and was scared of size and height of that box behind the Vanagon... especially going over the rockies.
Want something a tad bigger than what is hauled behind a motorcycle, but this 4X6 I think is just too BIG and definitely too TALL:
Do you have any ideas?
Post pics of your long distance gear haulers. _________________ 1997 EVC
1988 2WD Westfalia with OE 2.1 (R.I.P.) |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16496 Location: Brookeville, MD
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schaney Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Salem, OR
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:57 am Post subject: |
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You might check out my Explorer Box trailers mentioned earlier in the thread. They are normally built on a 4x6 frame and can be easily configured to carry four bikes on top. For additional details visit Explorer Box Info
_________________ Camping the "Compact Way" |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6242 Location: Portland OR
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T3 Pilot Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011 Posts: 1507 Location: Deep South of the Great White North
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