Need Trailer help

[GeoBoy]

We are thinking about getting a scooter/Vespa to run around with when on the road. We usually rely on campground shuttles or take the camper with us when touring. Currently we have a paddle sport trailer that we bring with us if we plan on paddling our 12’ solo canoes, it also carries our mountain bikes and is light enough to move around by hand.
If we get the scooter, we would like to carry our canoes and maybe our mountain bikes. So what size, length x width, single axle or tandem, what height and what features/options. I really like the Featherlite brand and quality.
We are in our mid-sixties and have ridden motorcycle in our younger years, is this scooter thing nonsense at our age?

[sonuvabug]

GeoBoy, first, you need to determine what you want to do with a scooter and this will determine the size of scooter that will fill your predicted needs and riding expectations. It sounds like the two of you will be on the scooter at the same time. That generally rules out anything below a 150cc scooter.

You also mention touring ... that could mean an hour away or a full day's journey round trip. If that's the case, you won't always have the luxury of using secondary or tertiary roads and you'll want something that will be comfortable for both of you over that distance. At minimum, you'll need a 250cc scooter that is capable of carrying both of you at say 60 mph.

We tow a single axle (rated at 3,500 lbs. with electric brakes) 6x10 enclosed cargo trailer behind us in our truck camper set-up. We have two larger maxi-scooters in it (a 600cc Honda Silverwing and a 400cc Suzuki Burgman) as we both ride. The cargo trailer also carries all of our camping gear (6 chairs, large propane camp stove, full tool box and accessory boxes, all motorcycle riding gear, oil and related stuff, mosquito net gazebo, even firewood etc. As you can imagine, we pack it pretty full and the total weight of the trailer (around 1400 lbs. empty) is about 3,200 lbs. fully loaded (weighed at a weigh station). The two scoots alone are 600 and 500 lbs. respectively.

We're considering adding a roof rack to transport a canoe and plastic kayak. That would put us pretty close to the GVWR for this trailer. Right now, we do not worry about what and how much gear we put in the trailer ... it can handle anything we throw at it because we know we're below the maximum weight rating. In our jurisdiction, if you go with a tandem trailer, it is subject to annual safety inspection and licensing fees ... the 3,500 lbs. class, single axle trailers are not.

Given what you described and to answer your question, I would look at single axle (you truly do not need a tandem axle set-up), with good D rated tires (C would probably do depending on how much weight you carry), rear ramp door access trailer, with electric brakes that is rated at 3,500 lbs. (a standard rating for these trailers). A side "man door" is also nice for easier day-to-day access to grab things you've schlepped along.

My recommended specs are a 6x10 or 6x12 V-nose (mine is a bull nose front but I bought it used). It should be tall enough to stand up in (mine is about 3" short for me ... again I bought it used so had no choice ... my bruised scalp wished I hadn't). You can have aluminum racks added to the roof to carry your watercraft and if it were me, I'd add a passenger side awning running the full length of the trailer. This is good for an additional seating/snoozing/working area (for scooter maintenance etc.) and ideal for parking your scooter under in the bright sun or on rainy days.

Hope this helps.

[Bedlam]

Scooters under 50cc typically do not need driver endorsements. The shorter wheelbase and smaller wheels make them less stable than motorcycles but are great transportation in the city or slower roads. I carry an 1000cc sport tour, 150cc scooter and occasionally a 70cc scooter as a toad.

I would suggest getting an enclosed trailer so the things you bring are out of view from theft and out of the weather. Your water toys will determine the length you need and can be suspended on your walls or ceiling. My suggestion is to match the width to the camper so you can see it behind you without needing cameras or extended flags. A tandem axle trailer will track better but is overkill for the weight you are carrying. Regardless of the number of axles, get trailer brakes on all the axles to help slowing.

[burningman]

It sounds like you’re easily in single-axle territory, and that’s nice because single axle trailers are a whole lot easier to maneuver around by hand, they don’t fight and resist turning.

All I’ve got to say about the scooters-at-older-age thing is go for it if you feel you can handle spilling the thing at some point. The older I get, the less I risk breaking myself!

The other option is getting electric bike motors. They work really well and are great for campgrounds because they make virtually no noise.

[TxGearhead]

I would look at an aluminum trailer, single axle, torsion suspension, folding tailgate. Aluma brand looks interesting. Get a rack welded up that looks like a football goal post. Mount it to the top "rails" of the trailer. Put the canoes/kayaks up there. Scooters and whatever else below on the trailer.

[kerrlakeRoo]

The scooter can weigh as little as 200 lbs or as much as 350 depending on size and model.
If you are both small to average sized folks, you can get little 50cc models from any number of manufacturers that will weigh 200 or less and carry one person at about 25 to 40 mph on level ground.
A step up would be a 125cc about 50 lbs heavier, will carry will carry 2 small to average sized folks at up to 40 or so, a single person up to 55 or so.
Bigger 300cc and up are basically Motorcycle sized and water cooled, 350 lbs and up.
A honda ruckus type (minibike look) will be about 60" long, others closer to 66-70"
Honda, Suzuki, Vespa, Original scooter, Yamaha are the premium brands.
Kymco, SYM, and Lance are one step down. And the Chinese clones follow the pack.
Prices range from $700 or so for chinese, to $1800 for the mid grades, and $2500 and up for the premium.

[Kayteg1]

I have 1 of those frame trailers that I bought at Harbor Freight for $160, but 25 years ago. It is 1000 lb rated, but sounds like you don't need more?
I upgraded the tires to heavier ply and this year used the trailer to move sculptures around my garden. Although it was only couple hundreds ft, the heavier sculpture is estimated over 3000 lb.
I check HF site and seem they don't have them at the time, but you can call local warehouse and check.

[Lwiddis]

Enclosed utility trailer that fits everything. Or canoes on top of the trailer? Won’t need to be too long that way. Eight footer should do it. Nothing is nonsense at our age. You want to try it, do so!