Weight of Trailer ?

The enclosed trailer will be heavier. Get brakes if you plan to go that route.

Bumpyroad wrote:

OFDPOS wrote:
Thanks for the wisdom replies , I'll double check again , buy my understanding is its the 3000# mark when brakes are required on trailers.
Now if it has dual axles then I believe at least one axle is required to have brakes.

I'm sure they've done there homework (designing) the 3rd trailer Aluminum notice the tongue ? its a straight one piece no A frame until it goes under the front which when I looked under the front it immediately goes into the A frame set up. Plus the top priced trailer DOESN'T come with a spare , so that will be another $$$ to get a spare tire and mount?

AHH decisions decisions lol

I certainly wouldn't let having to buy a spare tire influence me against a trailer I desired.
bumpy

Sometimes I think I'm worse than a woman making her mind up LOL Please don't take offence anyone...

Won't get into details on the Can-Am Commander I bought used other than for personal reasons I sold it. Gut feeling leave it at that.

Now to really throw a wrench into the mix I'm now looking at either a new Can Am Commander 2015 left over same size OR can get a Polaris 900XC Trail and it would fit inside an enclosed trailer which I've really always wanted to keep the Harley clean, and out of public view while parked on trips. In the past just had a smaller trailer with sides .
I would spend a day washing , detailing 3-4 coats of wax then load it up in the trailer only to get where we were going to and now the bike is covered in dust/dirt/bug juice...
The Commander is too tall to fit in a normal 6.5X12 enclosed trailer, would have to get a taller one and that of coarse steps into a whole new price range...
I've seen quite a few used enclosed trailers on CL all the time.
Think if I go with the Commander I'll get #3 trailer
If I go with the Polaris since its almost a foot and a half shorter and can easily chop the rear of the cage I can go with an enclosed trailer with a ramp door...

Decisions decisions lol

OFDPOS wrote:
Thanks for the wisdom replies , I'll double check again , buy my understanding is its the 3000# mark when brakes are required on trailers.
Now if it has dual axles then I believe at least one axle is required to have brakes.

I'm sure they've done there homework (designing) the 3rd trailer Aluminum notice the tongue ? its a straight one piece no A frame until it goes under the front which when I looked under the front it immediately goes into the A frame set up. Plus the top priced trailer DOESN'T come with a spare , so that will be another $$$ to get a spare tire and mount?

AHH decisions decisions lol

I certainly wouldn't let having to buy a spare tire influence me against a trailer I desired.
bumpy

Thanks for the wisdom replies , I'll double check again , buy my understanding is its the 3000# mark when brakes are required on trailers.
Now if it has dual axles then I believe at least one axle is required to have brakes.

I'm sure they've done there homework (designing) the 3rd trailer Aluminum notice the tongue ? its a straight one piece no A frame until it goes under the front which when I looked under the front it immediately goes into the A frame set up. Plus the top priced trailer DOESN'T come with a spare , so that will be another $$$ to get a spare tire and mount?

AHH decisions decisions lol

I have one similar to the one in your middle link. It' 6 feet wide and 10 feet long. I use it for everything. I did put 1/2 inch plywood sides on it. I use clamps so they can be removed easily. I've carried about everything imaginable with mine, but mostly my 700 series John Deere tractor with snow blower and LOTS of fire wood.

Towing with a 3500 duly, it's like its not even there, so another 500 pounds would make no difference with my truck. I feel no difference with the tractor loaded or empty trailer.

Looked at your 3 options, the first (link) has the lowest payload, second is in the middle, and 3rd has the highest payload. Middle link is the lowest price (and that price is about right. I paid about $1200 for mine a couple years ago in Central Indiana.

Functionally, for what you are wanting to transport, the 3rd is really the best for you, and here's why I think so: The 3rd trailer does not have side rails. Man handling your motorcycle and CAM, you'll appreciate NOT having sides to work around. Unless you plan to haul dirt or gravel, the sides really add very little value (especially #2). That's why I put plywood sides in, I haul all that firewood, and don't want it rolling off.


But #3 is a better fit for you (in my opinion). After you load your "toys", you'll no doubt loading additional equipment. 1975 pounds (middle trailer) will fill up VERY fast. A payload of 2230 pounds gives you MUCH more latitude .... but you have to weigh the issue for the price. BUT once you purchase it, I don't think you'll ever regret it.

I don't know about the trailering laws in California, but in Indiana, brakes are not required on a trailer less than 3000 pounds. My trailer does not weigh near 3000 pounds. But if I put something on my trailer and THEN the total weight of trailer and contents was more than 3000 pounds, and I don't have brakes, I'm actually breaking the law. That 3000 pounds is not just the weight of the trailer, it's the weight of the trailer and everything on it. I don't have scales, but I try to do my best to not over load the trailer. So even when hauling firewood, I don't stack the trailer to the brim! I KNOW the overall weight would be over 3000 pounds, and my trailer does not have brakes.

So, REALLY, this is something you REALLY need to ask and find out about too. What are the "brake" laws in your state? If anything like Indiana, and you plan to carry more than (.... say that 3000 pound limit), you really need to think about brakes.

Here again, I don't know he laws in California. If brakes are required on all trailers, regardless of size, then the trailer will come manufactured with brakes. But you really need to ask this question and get an answer before you purchase.

Good luck...
My vote: #3 for your needs.

My vote: #2 for my needs.

My little trailer has d-rings at each corner and stake pockets every 2'. I never used the pockets, but the rings are always used.

Having brakes isn't a bad thing, if the trailer has a blow out or isn't loaded correct and it gets squirrely behind you the brakes wil let you bring it back in line and stop safely.

OFDPOS wrote:
....Only draw back no sides for later hauling other stuff...

That reminds me. Unless you have an easy way to do it, have your dealer install plenty of D-rings on both sides. Its much easier to have them weld some on before taking it home.

Yep that's why the single axle trailers are rated at 2990# no brakes required under 3000# ;)
No salt/chemically treated roads around this area. Just a sand mix on I-80 going over the passes during the winter months... Which I wouldn't be out towing in that kind of weather...

That's alot of money for the one nice Aluminum trailer $3100 Pus fees !
But it sure is slick with the ramp that slides in the rear out of the way.
Only draw back no sides for later hauling other stuff...

I have a small but beefy flat bed trailer with 15" wheels and a 3500 lb axle. Even though it is only 5.5x8, it is about 700 lbs empty and has no side rails. Your biggest concern will be break over angle of your Harley at the ramp transitions and sufficient width for your Can Am to clear the wheel wells. Large wheels will tow better and be easier on the bearings than small wheeled trailers. Depending on CA laws, you may need brakes on the trailer for the amount of weight you plan to tow - My state does not require brakes on trailers tagged under 3000 lbs.

I tow up to 2000 lbs with my VW TDI and can feel the difference between 1000, 1500 or 2000 lbs. Towing the same trailer with a mini truck or larger, I could not feel the difference. I think you should go with the aluminum trailer for corrosion prevention more than weight savings in your case. If you live in an area where you will be pulling it through salted or chemically treated roads, the aluminum one will require less upkeep. My trailer does not have brakes and I can feel the push on the VW and mini truck when decelerating, but not on the bigger vehicles - You may want to look into simple surge brakes to save your FJ brakes.