New Member - Have some newbie questions

[chiefdave]

Hello, My wife and I are both retired from the AF. We have been traveling in our motor home since 2007. We will purchase a Trike within the next six months and have some questions. First, when we purchased our motor home we got about a 15-20 discount on the MSRP sticker. I know that does not happen with a Trike, but what should we expect for a discount? What's considered a good deal? Someone said if you can get the sticker price out the door to include everything taxes, title, and tags is a good deal.

Also, we might consider hauling the Trike in a trailer, anyone have any knowledge of a good open trailer to purchase. Probably looking at aluminum so not to rust.

Appreciate your thoughts and suggestion.

[David357]

Hi Dave to Trike Talk.

You will find there are a lot of knowledgeable folks on the forums to help you out with your questions.

May I suggest that you please make a post in "New Members Introductions" so that members get to know you.

Here is a link to the "New Members Introductions" forum:

New Members Introductions

[rhino 2]

Hello, My wife and I are both retired from the AF. We have been traveling in our motor home since 2007. We will purchase a Trike within the next six months and have some questions. First, when we purchased our motor home we got about a 15-20 discount on the MSRP sticker. I know that does not happen with a Trike, but what should we expect for a discount? What's considered a good deal? Someone said if you can get the sticker price out the door to include everything taxes, title, and tags is a good deal.

Also, we might consider hauling the Trike in a trailer, anyone have any knowledge of a good open trailer to purchase. Probably looking at aluminum so not to rust.

Appreciate your thoughts and suggestion.

Welcome....If you can try to have the dealer wave the Trans and setup fees, That alone can add up to a grand...My dealer doesn't charge for them, As far as coming off of list that depends on a lot of factors, i.e.; Time of year ,Does he have Trikes that he has to unload..?...

Trailers i've had quite a few over the years... And i prefer Aluminum but not for rust, But for weight they tow easier, And if you ever had to move an iron trailer around by hand you'll wish you bought an aluminum one...

[Fearless]

You have an RV take sometime on the internet or old fashion way phone. Go where you can get the best buy you may be surprised what you can save. As for trailers I would if at all possible get an enclosed trailer much more useful on the long term better protection for the trike or anything else you want to take along. Travel safely Fred

[ISP-FL]

Forgive me Dave if I somewhat repeat myself, I responded to your post under the "welcome" section initially.

My thoughts on cheapest way to purchase new would revolve around finding a 2016 still left out there. I bought my black 2016 right before the 2017's came out and stayed under $30,000.

My buddy and I go back and forth on enclosed vs open trailer for hauling our trikes across country. His argument is that it is like having a small garage with him. He can haul a few other things which saves room in his motorhome basement storage. His 7x14 weighs a lot more than my aluminum trailer and won't last as long. It has spring suspension and doesn't ride as good.

I argue that my Aluma trailer can't rust and has a torsion axle allowing it to ride very smooth. It weighs less than 400 pounds so with my trike, spare tire/jack/tools I am still under what his weighs without his bike loaded. There is no way he can move his around by hand. Another up side with my trailer is that I can easily tow my Trike using my SUV. His SUV would really struggle pulling his heavy trailer especially without a brake controller.

There are plus's and minus's for both. Good luck with your decision.

[David357]

Also, we might consider hauling the Trike in a trailer, anyone have any knowledge of a good open trailer to purchase. Probably looking at aluminum so not to rust.

Appreciate your thoughts and suggestion.

My buddy and I go back and forth on enclosed vs open trailer for hauling our trikes across country. His argument is that it is like having a small garage with him. He can haul a few other things which saves room in his motorhome basement storage. His 7x14 weighs a lot more than my aluminum trailer and won't last as long. It has spring suspension and doesn't ride as good.

I argue that my Aluma trailer can't rust and has a torsion axle allowing it to ride very smooth. It weighs less than 400 pounds so with my trike, spare tire/jack/tools I am still under what his weighs without his bike loaded. There is no way he can move his around by hand. Another up side with my trailer is that I can easily tow my Trike using my SUV. His SUV would really struggle pulling his heavy trailer especially without a brake controller.

There are plus's and minus's for both. Good luck with your decision.

If you search some of Trike Talk past threads, you will find lots of information on trike trailers.

I enjoy the Aluma TK-1 Trike Trailer weighing in at about 550 lbs. I pull it easily with a small Hyundai 4 cylinder SUV turbo. I purchased the trailer with the optional electric brakes. The combination handles well in mountainous terrain and open highway speeds.

I keep the trike stored on the trailer in a 2 car garage. The easy access pull-out ramp makes loading and unloading a breeze.

The built in toolbox/stone guard are very functional.

Enjoy the search.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Welcome to the Gang from Western Colorado.

As for buying new, +1 on buying the outgoing model year. Of course, sometimes you miss out on the newer bells and whistles.

A well off friend of mine plays dealers against each other ... Kinda. He has email addresses for dealers (Harley) within 500 miles of his home. He emails them all at once (so they all know he reaching out to others) with his must haves and like to haves. He then includes his gonna purchase accessory list. He sets a time limit and states that the lowest bidder will get a check within 1 day of the deadline. I was shocked at his success. He recently purchased a 2017 Tri Glide with about 3-4k of accessories installed for $31.5k. He had to drive 350 miles to get it, but, still saved a ton.

As for trailers, I modified a 3.5 ton boat trailer to put a trike on. I liked the lower axle (drop) and wider axel. Little bit of work, but, very solid and totes like it's not there. I took my Tri to Nevada last winter and found my dodge ram "sneaking" up to 90 with the trailer. LOL ... after that the cruise was set. Here is a picture or two of the trailer.



The front rails have been filled in with aluminum and make a great rock guard.

[graygoat]

Welcome aboard!

On your trailer question: I have used both open & enclosed. The open ones are easier to tie the trike down while you stand on the ground beside it. They are lighter as well and can be used to haul other things, including bulk dirt, mulch ect. I currently use a 6x10 enclosed v nose to haul the Tri. It is very tight to tie down but it works and is what I had when I went from 2 to 3 wheels. I would recommend a minimum of 6x12 enclosed v nose. I also use it to store ridding mower and other stuff during the winter, so it is a double use for me. The thing you need to remember with an enclosed with ramp door, is that where the cables attach to the ramp door is your narrowest point. So you will want that measurement to make sure your trike will fit.

With either you will want a front wheel chock (I use a Condor with out the clam) and E-trac. I also prefer the torsion over the spring suspension for a better ride.

Good luck to you!

[chiefdave]

Wanted to say a Thank You for your replies. Got a great deal of information on the purchase and trailer. I think my best option is to wait for the 2018 models to arrive and try and work a deal for a 2017 model. I will keep everyone posted on my progress and upload photos after our purchase. I did like the Alumna TK1 trailer.

Thank Again!

[Jack Klarich]

Welcome from JAX FLA

All services and purchases are negotiable IMO