Tag-A-Long "wheelless" trailer

ben721364 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-02-2010, 04:05 PM

This is a Cool Custom Trikes Tag with Caliente Red (2008 GL1800 color) bags and rear fender. See what it looks like on the Cool Custom Trikes website. Mine is more rigid and stronger than the factory assembled unit in that I added light weight aluminum bracing and stiffeners.

Perfect for GL, BMW and Stallion trikes. It provides space for a small cooler and all that light weight bulky stuff that you want to take along but don't now have room! This is an excellent alternative to a trailer if you don't have to haul the kitchen sink. It will allow you to pack lots more "stuff including a cooler without the worry and hassle of backing a trailer. CCT sells the Tag for $1095. Buy mine for $750. OBO.

Because of the size, it would probably be expensive to pack adequately and ship. If you are within riding distance of Austin, TX. Come on down and we will bolt it to your hitch receiver. An added benefit/safety feature is that will double your rear lighting/visibility.
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oleman69 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-02-2010, 05:30 PM

If I can get them loaded here's some pic's of our tag=a=long that I built last year

ben721364 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oleman69

If I can get them loaded here's some pic's of our tag=a=long that I built last year

Nice. The principle is basically the same as the Tag. The Tag offers weather proof storage in the side cases with room for a cooler out of sight in the center compartment plus additional brake, tail and stop lights. The whole unit complements the trike's appearance. Take a look at the Tag on the red Stallion and on the maroon GL1800 trike. Honda and Harley Davidson Trike Specialist with Motorcycle Trikes from Motor Trike, Stallion, Champion, Mystery Design

Greydog · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010, 10:46 AM

Wow!! That's a pretty slick idea!! The guy that wanted to buy my take-offs backed out of the deal so I think I'll try to design something similar using my saddlebags. They're already painted to match so it won't hurt to try!!! Possibly mount the bottom of the bags to something similar to drawer slides so they could stay tucked up close to the rear of the trike when riding but could be slid rearward for easy access to open the trunk door. I was looking over my dealers trike when I was in the shop last week. He lost the use of his legs and has his Tour-Pac mounted on slides so it can be slid out of his way to make mounting and dis-mounting the trike easier. That set-up woukd be perfect for what I have in mind!!

ben721364 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greydog

Wow!! That's a pretty slick idea!! The guy that wanted to buy my take-offs backed out of the deal so I think I'll try to design something similar using my saddlebags. They're already painted to match so it won't hurt to try!!! Possibly mount the bottom of the bags to something similar to drawer slides so they could stay tucked up close to the rear of the trike when riding but could be slid rearward for easy access to open the trunk door. I was looking over my dealers trike when I was in the shop last week. He lost the use of his legs and has his Tour-Pac mounted on slides so it can be slid out of his way to make mounting and dis-mounting the trike easier. That set-up woukd be perfect for what I have in mind!!

Something you might want to consider is that a Tag, using light weight high strength steel will still weigh from about 27# up unladen. The slides would add weight and probably require a heavier frame. Depending on the door on your trike, you might not need the slides. I simply drilled an additional hole in the draw bar and moved the Tag about about 4" which leaves plenty of room to access the trunk on a Roadsmith. I added a couple 3/4" x 1/8" braces across the front (between the side cases) and covered them with foam pipe insulation. This strengthens the Tag, makes the weatherproof toneau cover fit tighter and most importantly protects the trunk lid from chafing or scratching when the trunk is open. Without this and other light weight bracing, the side case lids are hard to latch and keep latched. Problem solved.

Mine weighs under 30# and can hold a lot of bulk including a cooler, cover, rain gear, dirty laundry, tools, etc. I took my time building it and think I achieved very good results, if I do say so.

ben721364 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 03:50 AM

Bump. The deal fell through...

1550vt · #7 (**permalink**) 05-15-2010, 06:32 PM

I made my on cargo carrier out of aluminum plate and used a stock Harley Ultra tour pack rack, but you don't really need the rack. You can machine holes and openings for straps. etc.

I have a 1-1/2 inch receiver hitch and used a section of 1-1/2 inch aluminum bar as the backbone and a sheet of 14 x 20 flat .250 aluminum plate. It's all welded-up and I admit looks and works pretty darn good too.....and cost a BUNCH less that 1,000 big ones. Weighs less than 15 pounds.

Anybody wanting to see can PM me and I'll shoot some pictures. It comes in mighty handy when I don't want to pull the trailer. I don't have any to post here, but I will make some if anyone wants to see.

ben721364 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-15-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1550vt

I made my on cargo carrier out of aluminum plate and used a stock Harley Ultra tour pack rack, but you don't really need the rack. You can machine holes and openings for straps. etc.

I have a 1-1/2 inch receiver hitch and used a section of 1-1/2 inch aluminum bar as the backbone and a sheet of 14 x 20 flat .250 aluminum plate. It's all welded-up and I admit looks and works prey darn good too.....and cost a BUNCH less that 1,000 big ones. Weighs less than 15 pounds.

Anybody wanting to see can PM me and I'll shoot some pictures. It comes in mighty handy when I don't want to pull the trailer. I don't have any to post here, but I will make some if anyone wants to see.

I had something similar made by Rivco as I recall. It cost about $150 as I recall. It was an excellent cooler rack and could be used to haul other 'stuff' in good weather. The Tag-A-Long does however offers several advantages including weather proof storage (side cases) and additional lighting for safety/visibility. It also complements the lines of the motorcycle.

1550vt · #9 (**permalink**) 05-16-2010, 07:26 AM

I agree Ben and I was not knocking your deal. Those other ones you mention that I have seen are rather flimsy. Mine was built to slide right into a receiver hitch and could be built as big as you think you could get away with. A regular auto cargo-carrier would work as well, but they are all much too large and weigh too much. I can stand on mine and jump up-n-down. It's a LOT stronger than some of those other smaller ones that have a bracket that bolts on the end of the ball hitch. It's just a simple option for when you need to stick another "something" on your bike and like you said...is rather plain and inexpensive....relativity speaking.

We can put 40-50 pounds of "stuff" on it and never know it's there and it only weighs a few pounds. I can just yank the pin out of the receiver and carry the whole rig into the motel.

Calman · #10 (**permalink**) 05-16-2010, 10:13 AM

I recenlty had a hitch manufactured for the Shadow as well as a hitch rack. Knowing my limitations, I specified the rack be 24"x18" (hold small cooler, sleeping bag, tent) from "diamond aluminum". Reason I specified the size and material is that (1) rack (even when loaded) does not obstruct the tail/brake lights and (2) the material is naturally reflective day or night.

Really comes in handy on weekend trips where the GF packs a "few thing" short of her closet.

1550vt · #11 (**permalink**) 05-17-2010, 07:09 PM

OH yes...I really love mine too. I have a trailer, but all that means is my bride can just pack more junk in there. We use the trailer for the 2-3 week trips and the hitch-rack for 2-3 day trips.

I had searched-n-searched for one already made, but they were all too big for my taste. I almost purchased a stainless steel model built for that little Chrysler PT Cruiser, but I thought it would still be too large. I am attaching a picture of mine and it is not as large as the one you had built, but I am happy with it. It to is aluminum and all welded, except for the rack. Weighs around 10-15 pounds.