I am not certain where the difficulty would be in getting the trailor registered. and I think it could be very well worth it. I think I would want to consider that as well, because it would mean (at least during the riding season) that I had no need for a cage.

I say go for it. I would

 

With gas prices creeping up, I see no reason to make minor changes* to one's daily habits to try and decrease cost of living in the long run.

I put 17k miles on my minivan alone last year (I know not a lot to some) and if I could switch some of that to a more economical ride I would love it. (and hopefully the free bike will do this for me.) Just my commute round trip is 30miles; that's 1.75 gal in gas in the grocery getter and .66 gal of a gas on the bike (or less depending on how I ride and how well she is).



* Making a major change - buying a brand new bike or cager that gets better gas mileage - it would take a long time to recoup your expenses.

 

I say go for it. I too am considering the trailer, that would greatly reduce the need for my car in the smmer.

 

The only reason I held off in the past was the cost of the hitch. I have it now for the camper. So the cost of the trailer $175.00 + plate = cost of one tank of gas (at $5.00 a gallon) in my van(it has a 35 gallon tank). I get 14 mile per gallon in van. About 45 mile per gallon on the bike.
(I am thinking justifiable.)

 

Depends on how far you live from town. Even though I pretty much live in the country I'm within a 10 mi. radius of pretty much anything I need. So in that case it would be kind of a waste. But if you will use it enough to be practical go for it.

 

I have two words for you moodygne... Hell yes


Get that trailer and show them cagers you're no joke!

And is it one of the conversion vans? Those things are amazingly comfortable but really uneconomical. For the price it costs you to fill up 10 times with 5 dollars a gallon you could buy a used Honda civic or some equally small crappy car and end up getting at-least 25mpg

 

I have two words for you moodygne... Hell yes


Get that trailer and show them cagers you're no joke!

And is it one of the conversion vans? Those things are amazingly comfortable but really uneconomical. For the price it costs you to fill up 10 times with 5 dollars a gallon you could buy a used Honda civic or some equally small crappy car and end up getting at-least 25mpg

Saw this yesterday:

 

$5.00 a gallon - i'm on my way!!!

over here, with the latest tax hike, unleaded fuel is £1.30 to £1.35 a Litre.
4.5 Litres to a gallon = £6.075 a gallon

£1 = $1.55 so currently we are being charged the equivalent of $9.41 a gallon.

think yourselves lucky lol.
we pay 88% duty on our fuel, then get taxed 20% on top of that as well, so over 100% of the actual cost of the fuel goes to the govt.
work that one out.

 

Go for it! Getting registration for a trailer is EASY! Any lisc bureau/deputy registrar can do it for you. Just be sure to bring all your paperwork/receipts.

 

I love to run errands on my bike. If I had a hitch for my Harley I would definitely get a trailer like you want.

 

Speaking of hitches ...
1 - Are they something you can put on most bikes OR is it only worth it on the larger cc's?
2 - Would it be worth finding or designing one for my 79 Suzuki GS550L?

 

I get 14 mile per gallon in van. About 45 mile per gallon on the bike.

How are you getting 45 mpg on a 1800 GW. I can get that on my 1100 if I ride it easy. Most guys I have talked to that have 1800 say they average about 35, you sure must be doing something right. I commute 90 miles a day (in decent weather) on the 1100 and it will save me about thirty five dollars a week over the my car that gets about 28 mpg.

 

I am lucky with that 45 mpg. I have tried everything, ( high octane 93 to regular 87) I find 87 octane to be best. Different stations make a big difference. Best results is a station near me that, I found out sales gas without ethanol. I get over 50 with that, on back roads at 45 to 55 mph. I don't pull out fast or show off, and I ride one up with nothing but a ice tea with me.. I love to ride the slow twesties. Other than that I don't know why??? I have no reason to tell you anything but the truth. I would be the first one to bitch if I got less.

 

For Registration in PA you take your receipt and 4 pictures (one from each side) to your local Notary. As long as the trailer is DOT approved, that should be it. If it's not DOT approved, then it has to be inspected by the PA State Police and it would fall under "Home Built" rules. Any Notary should be able to give you the definitive answer.

Good luck. I would do it in a second.

 

45 is not out of line for a touring bike. I get the low 40's riding two up on my Electra Glide. I get in the 60's on my 250 Ninja, but I am not putting a hitch on that.

 

@ Benny - you've mistaken the imperial gallon for the US gallon.
US gallon is 3.79 liters, still... I read in an automotive trade magazine (about ten years ago) that when on a buisness trip to Europe, to fill his rented volvo, it cost about a weeks wages. I think he said it was about $7 US dollars a gallon then.

 

@ Benny - you've mistaken the imperial gallon for the US gallon.
US gallon is 3.79 liters

yes i'm sure we've had this discussion before.....
your inches are smaller too - so when you say you have an 8" ****, it's actually only 5

pretty sure that here, you can only tow a trailer if you have a reverse gear, so afaik the only bike you can use is a leadwing


* just to prove i am not always right....

UK Motorbike Towing Law
A motorcycle/sidecar combination is treated as a solo motorcycle. A trike unit is legally treated as a 3 wheeled motorcycle (a motorcycle/sidecar combination is not!). A trike can tow up to a maximum gross weight of 254kg.



Legally for a solo motorcycle to tow it must have an engine capacity over 125cc.

The trailer must not exceed 1 metre in width.

The distance from the rear wheel spindle to the back of the trailer must not exceed 2.5 metres.

The Motorcycle must be marked with it’s kerbside weight.

The trailer must be marked with its unladen weight.

Maximum towed weight, including the trailer and it’s load must not exceed 150 Kg. (330 lb.) or two thirds of the motorcycles unladen weight, whichever is least.

The UK speed limit is 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

Lighting regulations are the same as other small trailers.

You cannot tow more than one trailer and passengers are not allowed to be carried inside the trailer.

Legal requirements vary from country to country and in some European countries it is illegal to tow with a motorbike. In those counties where it is illegal towing is permitted to visiting UK citizens during their stay. We would recommend you check with the relevant authorities before travelling just to be sure.

 

$7 a gallon. I'm sure it will be here before we know it. I just filled up my Valkyire with $3.16 per U.S. Gallon. I'm sure it's higher on either coast already.

 

I bought the same trailer from Harbor Freight when I had my 82 Aspencade 1100. I put it together and got it tagged after I took it to the inspection station in the back of my pickup. No problems inspecting since it had a new title. With the trailer tagged and registered, I then cut the axle and the frame down to a size to fit behind the cycle(no wider than the saddlebags). Mounted a car topper permanently on the frame and customized the sides with aluminum so you couldn't tell it was a car topper. Added paint and a few decals. Then I fashioned my own swivel mount to the tongue to save bending anything if I were to drop it in a parking lot. It towed like it was on rails for many years. Been to Key West, Sturgis, New England and Canada with all the camping supplies I would ever need. My cousin finally bought the entire outfit in the early 90's and it is still on the road to this day. Wish I could have found a small camper like you have but what I built worked great for it's time. Good luck in all your future travels!

 

Here in Canada we are already paying more than 5.00 per gallon and our dollar is now above par.

 

this is amazing and meticulously engineered

 

What is?? Welcome to the fourm.

 

Thank you, and to answer your question the above youtube link.

 

I am still not sure what you are talking about, but don't worry about it. In the future use (Quote). Like I said don't worry about it, happy to have you here.