Trailer to bike trailer conversion ?

[stewie]

Might sound like a stupid question but Ive just bought a 6ft x 4ft aluminium trailer with a 400 kg load capacity, its predominately going to be used for my landscaping buisness but I would like to be able to offer a bike transporter service, so what would I need to add to the trailer to make it a goer ? Im planning to convert it into a box trailer with enough height to be able to walk in plus have some tie down loops in the floor, do I need anything else ?
Thanks

[the white rabbit]

Hoop or securing mechanism for front wheel to sit in? Could be made removable. But otherwise no, people who shift them in vans just use tie downs and ratchets.

[barwel1992]

hmm wheel slots and straping points maybe adjustable wheel slots if you could make them and thats about it realy

[stewie]

Hoop or securing mechanism for front wheel to sit in? Could be made removable. But otherwise no, people who shift them in vans just use tie downs and ratchets.
Yep, sorry thought of that one should have added it but thanks :)

[stewie]

Would a winch be a bit ott ?

[barwel1992]

hmm not realy as bikes can be a pain to get on to a trailer but depends how high off the floor the trailer is, if its say tranny van floor height then could come in handy if its controlable enough so you dont have to push it up the ramp

but if its a low down trailer then no point

[stewie]

hmm not realy as bikes can be a pain to get on to a trailer but depends how high off the floor the trailer is, if its say tranny van floor height then could come in handy if its controlable enough so you dont have to push it up the ramp

but if its a low down trailer then no point
Cool,thanks. the trailer has landing legs to keep it steady if required when loading, tbh I'd be more inclined to stick a loading ramp on it and raise that instead of messing about trying to load a bike onto an angled trailer. Just kinda want to offer a good service, not be a cowboy etc

[Wideboy]

i used to use a paddock stand, strap up the front brake and racket the bike down

now use a van in the same manner

[barwel1992]

well in that case go with the loading ramp, we met the bloke i got my bike off half way and his trailer was a propper bike one but dident have a loading ramp had to use a bit off wood so a loading ramp would be just the thing

[stewie]

Cheers guys, thats a bit of food for thought, mates rates all round then :D

[barwel1992]

lol could have done with you last week althogh you are a bit far away, would have saved me some money for the 14mile recovery trip ... (cost £100):smt107

[-Ralph-]

You'd need to put the bike in diagonally, or you'd need to have the back of the bike hanging off the trailer.

The SV overall length is 6ft 8', so the bike will defo hang off the back of a 6ft trailer. What matters though is the distance from front of front wheel, to centre of rear wheel, if this is more than 6ft (and I don't know if it is) you'll need something to extend the trailer bed and hold the rear wheel if you want it in straight.

Other than that consideration, all you need is ratchet tie down straps and one of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTORBIKE-FRONT-WHEEL-SWIVEL-CLAMP-FIT-TRAILERS-VANS_W0QQitemZ360213827522QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Mo torcycle_Parts?hash=item53de6acfc2#ht_2060wt_939

Though two 6ft lengths of 3x2 bolted to the floor of the trailer to run the wheels between, along with a couple of ratchet straps, will do exactly the same job.

[stewie]

lol could have done with you last week althogh you are a bit far away, would have saved me some money for the 14mile recovery trip ... (cost £100):smt107
£100 ? Id have done that for £98 ;) not cheap though are they ? I do a bit of landscaping and charge a fair rate, tell em up front how long it will take and the approx cost, if it takes longer its still the same price, if I do it quicker I charge em less, invariably they are happy to pay the quoted rate so I do ok, cant stand these rip off merchants, :toss: the lot of em.

[stewie]

You'd need to put the bike in diagonally, or you'd need to have the back of the bike hanging off the trailer.

The SV overall length is 6ft 8', so the bike will defo hang off the back of a 6ft trailer. What matters though is the distance from front of front wheel, to centre of rear wheel, if this is more than 6ft (and I don't know if it is) you'll need something to extend the trailer bed and hold the rear wheel if you want it in straight.

Other than that consideration, all you need is ratchet tie down straps and one of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTORBIKE-FRONT-WHEEL-SWIVEL-CLAMP-FIT-TRAILERS-VANS_W0QQitemZ360213827522QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Mo torcycle_Parts?hash=item53de6acfc2#ht_2060wt_939

Though two 6ft lengths of 3x2 bolted to the floor of the trailer to run the wheels between, along with a couple of ratchet straps, will do exactly the same job.
Yep thought of something to hold the front and poss something to hold back in place as well, thankfully got a mate who could fabricate all these as well, mates rates for you as well :D

[Sir Trev]

Would a winch be a bit ott ?

What part of a bike could you attach a winch cable to? Each bike is a different shape and I think you'd struggle to find something suitable, especially for faired bikes.