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Old 06-06-2009, 10:44 PM   #1
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A man's first trailer...

...is a special thing. Even if it is just the $399 special from Tractor Supply. Not as sexy as phobe's new enclosed, not as comfy as JetB's new all in one. But it should make it easier for me to show up at a few more events around the country.

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The only hangup in the whole project was that the "divot" that the manufacturer put in the receiver of the hitch, presumably to stop the ball mount from being able to slide in too far, was placed to close to the hole for the pin. The distance from the hole to the divot was less than the distance from the hole to the end of the receiver by about 1/8". I tried a few different ball mounts and they all were the same. I had to go back home and drill out the divot to allow the mount to slide in the last 1/8".

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Old 06-07-2009, 01:31 AM   #2
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Why not shorten the ballmount? I doubt it matters, the pin takes all the load.
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Old 06-07-2009, 11:23 AM   #3
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Looks really good!
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Old 06-07-2009, 01:08 PM   #4
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Put a wooden deck on it.
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Old 06-07-2009, 04:22 PM   #5
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Why not shorten the ballmount? I doubt it matters, the pin takes all the load.

Because it took about 15 seconds to drill out the divot. It would have taken heavy machinery to saw off the end of the ball mount. I tried a few different ball mounts and they were all the same. Meaning any ball mount I ever buy would have to be cut off. By just drilling the hitch once it is problem solved forever.
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Old 06-07-2009, 04:48 PM   #6
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Quote:
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Because it took about 15 seconds to drill out the divot. It would have taken heavy machinery to saw off the end of the ball mount. I tried a few different ball mounts and they were all the same. Meaning any ball mount I ever buy would have to be cut off. By just drilling the hitch once it is problem solved forever.
and you could make another divot yourself if you so choose. just get a small hole cutter and hold it at an angle so not all of it is touching, cut about half a hole and give the thing a little whack to push it in a touch and you're golden.

so should we set another place for you at Grattan
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Old 06-07-2009, 04:53 PM   #7
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and you could make another divot yourself if you so choose. just get a small hole cutter and hold it at an angle so not all of it is touching, cut about half a hole and give the thing a little whack to push it in a touch and you're golden.

so should we set another place for you at Grattan
I wish, I still can't get out of my rotation...if I want to graduate that is.
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Old 07-14-2009, 10:17 PM   #8
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The trailer was awesome and the car was awesome. I could hold 80mph, uphill, 6th gear with the cruise on. No problem. Passing power on the 2 lane highways in Wyoming was also excellent. The SpecV got the job done.


So now I'm having reality check. My little one car garage is seriously short on space with the trailer and two bikes in there. It's going to drive me crazy. Parking space is not an issue and I'd be allowed to park it in a space in the overflow parking in our complex. The overflow parking is directly in front of my apartment. If I look out my front door I'm looking right at it. I figured I could get two really heavy chains and run one through each rim and then the frame. That way someone would have to cut at least two chains and the coupler lock to go anywhere. Seem like an okay plan? Is there anything else I could do?
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Old 07-14-2009, 10:20 PM   #9
 
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Set it on blocks.
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Old 07-14-2009, 10:23 PM   #10
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Set it on blocks.
Just pull the tires? Good plan. I wonder if the complex would create a stink about it then as an "inoperable vehicle."
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Old 07-14-2009, 10:36 PM   #11
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Yeah.. blocks with chains. I could get through chains in 30 seconds so a combo of chain, lock in the tongue, and blocks would make it more hassle than it’s worth. AND/OR insure if for replacement value and forget about it.
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Old 07-14-2009, 10:40 PM   #12
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Nah, just insurance and a hitch lock. If someone wants it, they will take it regardless of what you secure it with.
If they are a casual thief, any little lock will have them move on to the next, easier, target.
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Old 07-14-2009, 11:27 PM   #13
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Nah, just insurance and a hitch lock. If someone wants it, they will take it regardless of what you secure it with.
If they are a casual thief, any little lock will have them move on to the next, easier, target.
Agreed.
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Old 07-14-2009, 11:39 PM   #14
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Dude take it from a guy with a harbor freight trailer with about 100$ in master locks on it ...no one wants it If you leave it sitting around with no locks on it and just really loose lugs, that would be funny though.


I don't know what you've been through with your ins. co. regarding trailers but mine was covered only for the trailer itself when it was attached to the vehicle, on it's own away from the vehicle it was a separate type of policy.
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Old 07-15-2009, 12:49 AM   #15
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Sounds like you need a bigger garage... Any reason you cant tip that sucker on its side? A couple of proper sized wood blocks that are slightly taller then the wheel and fender protrudes on each end and roll it up on its side. I've done it with my 750 pound 5x8 trailer with 2 guys, yours looks alot lighter.
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Old 07-15-2009, 07:51 AM   #16
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Just remember with a hitch lock all you need to do to drive away is wrap the safety chains around the hitch. You don't actually need it to be hitched to take it. Also insurance deductables are usually $500. So $500 trailer/$500 out of pocket still leaves you spending the same.
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Old 07-15-2009, 10:10 AM   #17
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Just remember with a hitch lock all you need to do to drive away is wrap the safety chains around the hitch. You don't actually need it to be hitched to take it. Also insurance deductables are usually $500. So $500 trailer/$500 out of pocket still leaves you spending the same.
That's why I wanted to chain the wheels rather than worrying much about a hitch lock, and you're right on with the deductible. My deductible would be $500 and the trailer was $399.
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Old 07-15-2009, 12:41 PM   #18
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Put the bikes ON the trailer. Put the trailer in the garage.
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Old 07-15-2009, 01:27 PM   #19
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I have a NorthStar for my ATVs with a hitch lock sitting at the end of my driveway. Been that way for quite some time. A good hitch lock will require more than just chains to drag away, and again a casual thief won't have what's needed to take it.
A thief that wants it bad enough to wrap it up and drag it off will take it regardless.
And it's much easier to carry bolt cutters or a battery operated grinder and cut a chain in under 30 seconds.

The deductible on my trailer is $100. If it's stolen, I'll just head over to the manufacturer and pick up a new one. It's just a trailer. Not worth spending a ton of money on thief speedbumps.
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Old 07-15-2009, 08:23 PM   #20
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What about just flipping the trailer on end up against the wall in the garage to save on space? It can't take up that much room that way?
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Old 07-15-2009, 10:17 PM   #21
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Sounds like you need a bigger garage... Any reason you cant tip that sucker on its side? A couple of proper sized wood blocks that are slightly taller then the wheel and fender protrudes on each end and roll it up on its side. I've done it with my 750 pound 5x8 trailer with 2 guys, yours looks alot lighter.
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What about just flipping the trailer on end up against the wall in the garage to save on space? It can't take up that much room that way?
Hey what about flipping the trailer on it's neck upside down in the garage?
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Old 07-15-2009, 10:23 PM   #22
no THIS is the one MrsSilver!
 
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Hey what about flipping the trailer on it's neck upside down in the garage?
Ug.. he stole my idea. Hey, how about I stick your neck upside down in the garage
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Old 07-15-2009, 10:31 PM   #23
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Sounds like you need a bigger garage... Any reason you cant tip that sucker on its side? A couple of proper sized wood blocks that are slightly taller then the wheel and fender protrudes on each end and roll it up on its side. I've done it with my 750 pound 5x8 trailer with 2 guys, yours looks alot lighter.
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What about just flipping the trailer on end up against the wall in the garage to save on space? It can't take up that much room that way?
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Hey what about flipping the trailer on it's neck upside down in the garage?
This was an option I was considering as well. I've even thought about putting a couple pulleys up in the rafters so that I could just hoist it up. I'd have to do a lot of initial rearranging. I already have a bike hanging on one side. A heavy bag and archery target (seamus tool target) hanging on the end, and shelves along the other side. The bike would likely have to be moved.
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Old 07-15-2009, 11:34 PM   #24
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