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Tourer
Posts: 537
, FL United States | I have a chance to purchase a used Lark trailer. This trailer is 6’x10’ and is maybe two years old. It has been taken care of. My wife was searching the internet and found an HD forum where a fellow was not pleased with his. Stating that his was two years old and the plywood started to warp. He was told by the company that he would have to put extra screws to secure the plywood and that there was really nothing they could do. There was no mention of how much use it got but the forum writer did say he keep it under the carport. This trailer that I am looking at has around 1,000 miles on it and has some extras already done to it. The trailer is solid with no weak spots in the flooring or the side. I was just wondering if anybody has heard anything about this trailer good, bad or indifferent. Thank you in advance. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 277
Apopka, FL | No experience w/Lark trailers, but plywood flooring can be replaced for $40-50. Pressure treated 2x8's would be better. Or, you could use Diamond plate. If you use plywood, use only MARINE plywood. It will handle the weather. I'm currently trailer shopping too.
Edited by DrDecay 2011-01-23 9:14 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Maybe his HD leaked oil on the plywood to warp it? O.o
I don't see how the trailer company can be responsible for warping plywood after 2 years?
No experience with trailers to answer your question. Do you plan to tow it behind your Vision? :P I asked that question to a HD couple when I worked at Home Depot. Lost that sale. Couldn't resist... | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 669
Peachtree City, GA | I gave up on steel and wood trailers.... Aluma trailer is the way to go - cost a little more but will last forever... | |
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Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska | We've been looking at the Aluma and Kendon trailers. Darn those things are expensive! Just want something that I can pull behind our RV so we can take the Vision with us. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | spursmvp,
Shouldn't you be watching the Spurs vs. Utah game?
Go Spurs Go! | |
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New user
Posts: 1
| If your looking for a good trailer, this is the one I would (will be soon) buy. It is called the "Two-Up" Cruiser/Sport bike trailer from Droptail Trailers (www.droptailtrailers.com)
I have been searching for a long time to find the perfect trailer and I finally came across it. I have spoken to the manufacturer (out of Texas) and they really put some development time and effort into this trailer. I have some unique needs in that I had to meet a specific length requirement because I intend to pull the trailer in tandem behind a 5th wheel. This trailer meets my length needs and has all the bells and whistles anyone could want in an open motorcycle trailer. Check it out. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 444
Bay of Gigs, WA | Last spring I picked up a MAXEY 5X10' tilt bed trailer with 2X8" boards for the floor. The tilt bed has a pin in front that allows it to go down to the ground in the back. There's a 3500 pound axle, but it's rated at 2900 pounds because brakes are required at 3000 here in WA State. It has an 18" rail around three sides, and I use a 2X12" board cut to fit built-in slots for a tailgate.
This thing is made in Texas, and they ship them all over, at least they brought in a stacked up pantload on a trailer to Olympia, WA, to a joint called "Trailer Town." This thing was about $1100 out the door, 15" wheels and all. I bought a Condor to stand the VV up in, and it came with a bracket that I mounted on the bed of the trailer with the addition of some big ol' fender washers and nylock nuts so it wouldn't pull loose, and now, I tilt the trailer back, get a little run at it and drive right up onto the Condor and as the wheel rolls over the rocker to lock the front tire in, the trailer goes over center and >click<, it's loaded. I get off, go up front and shove the pin back in, lock it with the cotter key, throw a strap on each corner of the bike, and it's ready to follow the motorhome to California or wherever. Sometimes it may take a couple attempts, but usually just once get's her in there. Practice makes perfect, don'tchaknow. The rest of the time, the Condor stays in the garage, where it gets used when I change the oil or wash it or whatever.
I like to have folks at RV parks run up going, "Hey Mister! You forgot to put your ramps out!" when I'm backing the thing off the trailer. I just look over blankly and go, "Huh?" about the time the bed tilts and I roll off onto the driveway. Then they mutter, "Nuthin'." and walk away. Hey I'm old here, fun's where you find it.
Additionally, since my Grand Cherokee can tow 5,000 pounds, and the trailer has a weight rating of 2900 (wink wink), and a yard of gravel weighs about 1800 pounds, I sold my pickup truck altogether, and now just have the trailer to do all my gentleman farmer stuff with. And when insurance, sparkplugs, or cold weather comes up, well, the trailer needs none of them, since the insurance on the tow rig covers the trailer. I do believe I've simplified my life, especially not needing to deal with the 6-8 mpg my dually Chevy used to get.
So, Lark or not, check out new stuff at a local utility trailer outlet near you, you'll be surprised at how affordable these things are, especially when you factor in unforseen benefits.
The only downside is the trailer is not covered, but even those go for under 3 grand, with a nice white paintjob and a side door, but then you can't get all those thumbs up when you're tooling down the highway with a spaceship in tow, either.
I heard that in Texas and some other states you can tow a trailer behind a 5th wheel. That's intriguing to me, but not legal here in WA, so I've never seen it done. The semi's tow triples in OR, but I don't know if a 5th wheel and a trailer is legal there or not. Still, a truck, 5th wheel AND a boat or bike in tow, wow, what a hoot. Our Vic, "The Jukebox," is our dingy when we're out, and there's some extra storage available along side the bike on the trailer, but not too much, 'cause it fills the thing more than I expected. The bike and trailer weigh together less than 1500 pounds, give or take, so I don't worry about not having surge or electric brakes, I just anticipate the road ahead and take it easy, haven't had any problems yet, the coach's brakes seem to be able to take care of that much with no trouble. Any more, though, and I'd upgrade, I expect.
GLTY
Edited by rainryder 2011-01-31 6:11 PM
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Lark trailers and others