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tilt trailers loading issues?
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TOPIC: tilt trailers loading issues?
#1018524
mbk (User)
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tilt trailers loading issues? 6 Months, 4 Weeks ago  
Okay, before the comments start, I agree a bike should be ridden not trailered. However . . . . riding a bike with a flat tire or worse one that has been laid over is usually not an option. Out here, you can easily get stuck on a weekend, a hell of a long way from home, and there is not many options (say none) for roadside service options that would not pay for a trailer like this one below in one use. Had a friend get a flat this last week and he was stuck for several hours trying to run down a trailer to haul his ride back to town while he sat out in the sticks. I could probably use a reasonably good utility trailer anyway for just everyday life. I would not need it but a few times a year so do not want to spend a lot of cash (mainly this is just an insurance policy ) Question, any thoughts on a tilt trailer vs a ramp job? Riding up a tilt trailer looks like it could be fun as she tips over center and a good buddy or wife powered crank winch at the front should get a non-running bike up the hill. My past experiences with ramps are not bad, usually though there are either in the way or not on the trailer when you need them. This little unit below is 5' x 10', new, and $750.00. I know I cn find used ones a little cheaper. Thoughts on a tilt bed?

 
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#1018534
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Re:tilt trailers loading issues? 6 Months, 4 Weeks ago  
I'd use one.

Funny story: I had to have my bike towed to a shop for frame repair after my crash earlier this year. The tow company sent a big flat bed, but it couldn't be winched up like a car (for obvious reasons). So I hop on the bike and gently, gently ride it up the ramp. I stopped the bike, put the kickstand down and immediately felt my foot start dragging as the bike slid back down the ramp and onto the pavement. The tow driver and I did this a few more times before we finally figured out that all the accumulated crap on the trailer bed was keeping me from getting any traction. That was sketchy as hell!
 
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#1018535
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Re:tilt trailers loading issues? 6 Months, 4 Weeks ago  
Loading and unloading a bike on a tilting trailer is a little scary at first until you get the feel of it especially when you are attempting this by yourself. For loading a running bike I would pull close to the trailer,get off the bike and tilt the bed,keep my foot on the bed and pull the bike forward until the tire was holding the bed down, then ride the bike up on the bed and your forward weight would bring the front of the bed level.Go slow so you don't slam down with the sudden transfer of weight. Highly recommend a good wheel chock so you can pull right into the chock and support the bike in an upright position making strapping down much easier.Same as unloading, go slow so you don't slam the bed down.Harbor freight has a wheel chock for about $40 that works great. My first attempt left me stuck in the street with me on the bike with the trailer in the tilted position at 11:30 pm unable to go forward or backward. Thank God the wife was still up. There was no video so if pressed,I'll deny everything.
 
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Last Edit: 2017/07/31 18:39 By yamaleidy.
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#1018679
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Re:tilt trailers loading issues? 6 Months, 4 Weeks ago  
I've used a tilt trailer.... wasn't the most fun experience. Had a hard time trying to load/unload by myself. I've found if you have someone to help hold the trailer in the tilted position, then walk up the inside of the trailer once the bike is in, it makes it 1000% easier. For that reason alone, I would be more apt to consider a ramp style. And I would 2nd the recommendation of a wheel chock! I made my own wheel guides with wood for the trip I needed the trailer, but certainly not as clean as a chock would've been.
 
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#1018780
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Re:tilt trailers loading issues? 6 Months, 4 Weeks ago  
Tilt trailers are the most common type in the snowmobile world,
but a snowmobile will not fall over on you.

But even with the sleds, I always thought the ramps were a better deal.
With my little tilt trailer I still used the ramps for my bike.

If it is really not going to be used much you can pickup up one of the cheap Harbor Freight trailers. Even cheaper used, you see them all the time. Plus it saves you the 10 hours of assembly..

And why they are best if not used much, don't plate or title them.
People don't realize that when you buy these things in the store it is up to you try to figure out how to get a title from your state, and then plates. Not an easy thing in most states.

For mine I was lucky, my brother had an old single axle trailer that crapped out, but he kept the title and gave it to me.

I was going to use it to put plates on my HF trailer, but it would have been $100. And it was the same deal, no plans to use the trailer, just wanted to have it around if I needed it.

Just remember part of what you are paying for on a better trailer is a title..
 
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#1018795
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Re:tilt trailers loading issues? 6 Months, 4 Weeks ago  
Hey Mike, never loaded a bike on a tilt trailer, but you saw the HF trailer I brought the bike to Celina on 2 years ago. Its great for hauling a bike with HF wheel chock in the front and then this last week I took it to the freight yard and had an 8ft 1200lb pallet loaded on it as my box trailer was already full of equipment. I left the frame of the wheel chock in place and just pulled the pins and removed to 2 upright pieces. I have right at $500.00 in that trailer with the 4 X 8 plywood floor decking the fasteners and the wheel chock. In the pinch I was in at the time I bought this ramp in Tulsa to get the bike onto the trailer, NOT RECOMMENDED for loading a big bike!!!!!!!!!

(SHHHHH, I borrowed the tags off my other trailer to use it last week Like Mike was saying a lot of cost in titleing and registering to just have around)

Just paint the frame black so no one knows where it came from

Rod
 
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Last Edit: 2017/08/01 10:06 By HotRodStar.
 
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#1018799
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Re:tilt trailers loading issues? 6 Months, 4 Weeks ago  
While tilts can provide a great service with easing the ramp spread, unless it's a longer trailer I'm not comfortable with it. It's that little scary part when the scales are getting even where the oh-shit moment happens. I'm sure it would not be that bad with other hands on board but it seems I'm always solo.
Personally I find comfort in something rigid. That said the tilt goes both ways and can be used rigid so now you can go both ways to When it comes to ramps I've always been the guy that prefers to back up to a small bank, or a little ditch where I can drop the axel down into it. When I loaded my truck for the AZ trip I backed up to a dirt mound on that end and found an offset parking lot on this end. When I've need to load on my trailer at the house I back up to my own curb, drop a 2x4 & 4x4 in the grass against the trailer and lay a 6' 2x12 down and I'm good. If it's going to a shop for service they have what's needed to unload there (I think that's the only time I've ever trailered this bike).

As for tags/registering.... I've transferred titles but not registered, that way I have a good title (an asset when selling) but don't have to pay for tags. Here in KS the reg is trailers under 2,000#s don't need to be titled or plated.
That said I'd have one of these on it, it shares that information to LEOs (very important if traveling through other states that want everything tagged). https://img1.etsystatic.com/007/0/7049956/il_570xN.386681961_sai5.jpg

Just my 1/2¢

If you find yourself in a tight spot again call me, I've got a connection or two and you know your on my emergency call list

Btw, it seems every few weeks I see a decent trailer that could fit this bill for a reasonable price, I'll let you know next time I do.

Ride safe or stay home ~Phil
 
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Last Edit: 2017/08/01 10:27 By pbirk.
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#1018824
yamaleidy (User)
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Re:tilt trailers loading issues? 6 Months, 3 Weeks ago  
MidwestMike wrote:
Tilt trailers are the most common type in the snowmobile world,
but a snowmobile will not fall over on you.

But even with the sleds, I always thought the ramps were a better deal.
With my little tilt trailer I still used the ramps for my bike.

If it is really not going to be used much you can pickup up one of the cheap Harbor Freight trailers. Even cheaper used, you see them all the time. Plus it saves you the 10 hours of assembly..

And why they are best if not used much, don't plate or title them.
People don't realize that when you buy these things in the store it is up to you try to figure out how to get a title from your state, and then plates. Not an easy thing in most states.

For mine I was lucky, my brother had an old single axle trailer that crapped out, but he kept the title and gave it to me.

I was going to use it to put plates on my HF trailer, but it would have been $100. And it was the same deal, no plans to use the trailer, just wanted to have it around if I needed it.

Just remember part of what you are paying for on a better trailer is a title..
HF gives you a title when you purchase a trailer. IL requires trailers to have a title(unless you don't get caught). Other stares don't. If you use your trailer often,I would recommend other options than a HF trailer. With that many bolts holding it together,things can go wrong.
 
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