View Full Version : OMO Trailer and car buying advice
Looking for a car and a trailer for track days but also to carry mine and the Mrs' bike away for weekends so needs to be able to carry a V Strom and an SV650.
Any recommendations for a car and trailer?
Got a budget of about 9k for both but ideally would like to spend less.
And before it get's mentioned I know a van would be better but I don't want a van as it's going to be my only transport.
Cheers
Vans are alot nicer than they used to be.
Quite alot drive like cars.
But you struggle to get a single bike in a Ford Connect.!!!
Needs to be tall for the V storm.
Trailer: Do you have space to store a full size trailer, or is a collapsible one better? There are a number of companies who make ones which fold down/dismantle small enough to put in the boot. So when you leave the trailer unattended its out the way and isn't going to get nicked (at home or away)
I should have space to store the trailer but the collapsible ones do look good, not seen any 2 bike collapsible trailers though.
I've driven many a hire van so I know how good they are. Still don't want one though lol.
Very good make, high payload capacity and also converts to a single bike trailer
http://www.motolug.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=47
car golf turbo diesel around the 1.9 or a mondeo with same size or larger diesel. basically any of the family hatch type cars will do for trailering.
what ever trailer you decide make sure its got loading ramps. if you think it will break then it will. also dont forget the ant-shimmy bar or hitch.
andrewsmith
22-07-15, 08:05 PM
Van conversion
Sent from my D2303 using Tapatalk
A lad at work has a Mercedes Vito and gets a couple of bikes in it for track days. Mind you, I would imagine getting the Strom in would be a headache...
It's a nice compromise though between a van and a car. Perhaps one of the other variants of mpv/minibus where the seats are removable when you need to transport bikes...
I had a look at the covetable van car thing they are mega bucks!!!
Balky001
22-07-15, 08:37 PM
I have an Erde single bike trailer. Their 2 bike trailer is OK but I'd go for the 3 so you can put the bike in the middle if needed. The only thing with Erde is the accessories a quite pricey and the supplied wheel chock is rubbish. OK if there is always 2 of you. I bought the longer loading ramp and the rocking wheel chock that makes up part of the rail, it is very good.
I do like the look of this one but not used myself.
http://www.trailertek.com/52/motorcycle-trailers/trailertek-tripletek-motorcycle-trailer/
I did have a 3 bike trailer made a few years ago for about £700. It was so heavy and had a ramp made for another £200, might be an option. Although heavy the noseweight was minimal. I'd wheel it one handed with two bikes loaded no problem. The Erde nose weight is really heavy so just be careful, especially as some cars only take ~50kg nose weight.
I tow with a Hyundai Tuscon diesel. Cheap, reliable and can take the weight. MPG is OK (uses US gallons on the dash computer so add 20%) but it is unrefined and not the best for comfort. Just make sure you get a car with decent weight
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/best-cars-towing/1201988
I'd get a van though if I had space/money :):D
We sell the Erde range at work. Your closest depot would be Northampton. The Erde three bike has a higher gross weight and load capacity than the two bike. It runs 13 in wheels instead of 10in.
Mr Speirs
22-07-15, 09:18 PM
In terms of a car what about a VW Touran or Sharan or Seat Alhamabrarbaba?
I've been looking at them as they are economical, large and the seats completely remove leaving a flat floor to carry anything you want in the back/lay a mattress down and kip in overnight if you arrive the day before on track days.
You can pick a fairly decent one of these up for anything between £2.5k for high mileage to £5k for a medium mileage. Leaving plenty for even a nice box trailer or just a two bike trailer leaving you loads of cash left over.
Problem is I am a tart, hence the TT I had before and I want a nice car.
I drive the car every day and will only be doing 6-10 track days a year so still want something that's nice to drive.
Initially I was just going to get an A3 as it's pretty much the same as the TT but they are so expensive for what they are. I'll have a look at a Golf but I think they are even more overpriced than the Audi.
I've had a look at a Mazda 6 today, it's big enough to sleep in the back but still a pretty nice car and you get a lot of toys for your money but I've heard the diesel engines are unreliable and the petrol ones are rare in anything but poverty spec.
Maybe have a look at something crazy like a 540 touring, 15 year old 4.4l v8s with 200k miles on are cheap to run yes????
Those trailers are a lot more expensive than I was expecting, I thought I'd get something half decent for £200!
Na your TT was expensive.
The trailers small change in comparison and will keep its value better.
Get a top speck Scoda Estate.
We get that comment a lot about the price of trailers. We do get used ones pop up from time to time.
Specialone
23-07-15, 12:54 PM
What about a nice blinged up pick up truck? Mitsubishi or Toyota?
7755matt
23-07-15, 01:31 PM
Second on the Skoda Estate - Octavia VRS :-)
Nice vrs spec. Reasonable estate size.
Competent engine.
Better than a pikey pickup truck ;)
Be careful with the VRS, some tow bars won't fit. Also be aware some sport models won't have a tow bar available for them (we sell tow bars as well as trailers)
Can you enlighten us more
A lot of tow bars are designed around standard models. For example Ghia, SE etc. When you get up to higher spec models such as Titanium X Sport, M-Sport, S-Line etc then bumpers change and some times clearance between the ball and bumper is not enough for the trailer hitch to fit. It's usually things like Focus STs where there is no approval to tow so you won't even get a bar for it. There are various companies who do bars so you will be able to find one that fits. Then you need to choose between fixed flange (don't giggle in the back) fixed swan neck and detachable. Then you have to consider if the vehicle has pdc as a fixed bar may be detected by the sensors and give a false warning.
Sent from my Kindle Fire
Thanks for all the advice, I've mostly ignored it ;)
Put a deposit on this earlier. Should be up to the job, has a genuine removable towbar :)
Now to sort a trailer!
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Nzk4WDEyMDA=/z/EAoAAOSwyQtVrCkl/$_57.JPG
Cool, no problem. Can still offer advice on trailers
Sent from my Kindle Fire
Cool, no problem. Can still offer advice on trailers
Sent from my Kindle Fire
Advise away, i know a bit about cars but zero about trailers.
The Motolug looks good but it's expensive. Being able to fold it away would be useful but probably not essential.
Any other suggestions?
We only do the Erde range, so my experience is only with those models.
Oh can bus.
You going puca BMW for the electric kit.
I put a nissan unit with swan neck on the pulsar. Its a fixed one but easy to get to the two bolts that hold the swans neck.
And the electronics is also OE kit.
It's already got an oem BMW removable bar with electrics
yorkie_chris
24-07-15, 03:38 PM
Ask seggons, he's got a nice collapsible 2 bike trailer
Car sorted
Trailer Sorted
Suggestions on best way to secure the bike to the trailer needed now
Thanks :)
Wheel hoop and ratchet straps
atassiedevil
29-07-15, 09:45 AM
I always use these.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQfuetjrNQs
Get them from costco, and they handle my VF1000 Bol D'or (245kg) and VF1100C (246kg) fine.
I tend to strap the front footpegs forwards, and stick it in gear with the suspension under compression, and maybe a single strap across the seat to compress the rear suspension. Mak sure you tie both brakes on as well, helps stop it moving around. Not had any issues in nearly 1000 miles of towing various bikes of various sizes, and i've even used these to tow a car on occasion.
I bought my blue ones from screwfix . No Costco round theses parts
Mr Speirs
29-07-15, 04:01 PM
If you can get hold of one:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-trailer/motorcycle-trailer-tie-down.htm
The tyre down system looks good but it's expensive and I'd be a bit worried about damaging the tyre.
Will take a trip to Costco take a look.
Mr Speirs
29-07-15, 06:29 PM
The parts that contact the tyre as far as I remember are flanged away from the tyre so no straight or sharp edge contacts the tyre.
Used one on my track bikes for ages and it was perfect. I only use the back but didn't have the chock system.
I ended up making my own crude motolugger out of box steel. Easy if you know how to weld. Actually easy even if you don't haha.
Which I could use a tyre down and a couple of ratchet straps and it was secure. You could use it with just ratchet straps too.
I spent a lot of time searching for good ways to strap a bike easily, quickly and reliably and a tyre down kept looking like the best option.
Or a motolugger...but that's proper money!
Balky001
29-07-15, 06:54 PM
those rear tyre ties are good as the suspension can still work whilst you wheel is secure but I can't use them due to my twin exhausts being in the way.
I have the bar straps, a wheel chock (it pivots and locks the wheel in place) and I run a decent ratchet strap through the rear foot pegs to take the bounce out. Don't over ratchet the front and leave it compressed for ages, you can blow your fork seals (I know this!!). There is nothing worse than looking in the rear mirror only to see a car behind you and no bike
Dan at work uses this
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/images/library/product/large2/05/051710099.jpg
It's not that confidence inspiring tbh but ment for the job.
But he only had a NC30
Got there in the end. First bought a 2 bike trailer but the channels were too narrow for the tyre so ended up opening the wallet and getting a motolug.
Bring on the track days!!!!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zwiqZ3_N_uMbQyh8f2zsmk0t74YjJTLhRQlvx4ffkdCM=w1161-h653-no
Specialone
23-08-15, 06:14 PM
You can get a dirt bike now and come play with us :)
Mr Speirs
23-08-15, 07:46 PM
What track days you doing Lenny?
Fancy Silverstone 18 or 19th Sept?
What track days you doing Lenny?
Fancy Silverstone 18 or 19th Sept?
Unfortunately I've left it a bit late to get everything sorted, I'm taking the V-Strom to the alps in September so that'll wipe out most of my spare cash. Silverstone might be a bit boring on a 400 as well.
I've also noticed a large pool of oil under the CBR so that'll need looking at as well.
I'll hopefully get one in during October, maybe Mallory.
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