Friend had a good deal

[jc1300]

Now for some fun stuff ... mom came home from her hair dresser ... perm or some such and as she was leaving, she sent me a pic of her hair dresser's new puppy ... this little girl is so cute, but, you always want to call her ... him. She looks just like Hooch of Turner and Hooch fame. She's a mastiff and will be a BIG GIRL. Mom's hair dresser has a male that looks just like her ... her plan is to breed them ... hmmmmm .... wonder if there is a new friend for Harley in my future ... LOL ... if a Mastiff was in the rear seat, I'm guessing no one would mess with the Fat Bottom Girl.here she is:

View attachment 73494

Two things Fuzz...and understand, the trailer looks terrific and I'd be proud to put it behind my Trike....But Wow...What a lot of work! lol

And if you put a mastiff on the bike....I would be you in the Puppy Palace and the Mastiff up front!

jc

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Two things Fuzz...and understand, the trailer looks terrific and I'd be proud to put it behind my Trike....But Wow...What a lot of work! lol

And if you put a mastiff on the bike....It would be you in the Puppy Palace and the Mastiff up front!

jc

I had a Gladiator Doberman that rode on the back seat of my 65 sporty ... he would stay with the bike and nobody messed with it :Shrug: ... that was his bike ... I think a mastiff would fit in the passenger seat of the tri, especially if I move the tour pak back ... not sure many hotels would allow her ... but ... we'll see.

Okay ... so ... new business ... Since i had the diamond Plate off ... and the car carrier off ... I did paint the rest of the frame (it's just rattle can, maybe this winter, I'll do it in powder coat). I pulled it out of the garage and walked around it. Yep, the wheels started to turn ... what can I say. Since I am gonna use the action packers, I really don't need the diamond plate (I have a new project for the bike trailer that I really could use that on). So ... I set the car carrier on the trailer and loved the look, so, I bolted it down with the J bolts. Yep, this is how it was meant to be.



So ... this is how the State Patrol will "inspect" it.

As it sits ... I have right around $200 in it, that includes some additional rattle cans, the bearing set, and the diamond plate. Probably cost me more in inspection fees and registration.

I think the thing I'm gonna like the most .... I can leave my "Normal Trip" stuff in their respective action packer (Coffee Pot, Cold & Hot Weather gear, Other stuff I like to take) ... and it will stay clean and I'll know where I put it ...

 

[MDO]

Looks great Fuzzy. Very nice job.:goodjob:

 

[Rmitchell55]

Fuzzy

One thing about mounting your spare on the bottom of the tongue, a number of years ago I was with a group of bikes going to a rally for a Kawasaki Vulcan group. One of the riders was pulling a small trailer with the spare mounted facing down. Going across I-40 in New Mexico the spare tire fell off, hit the roadway and centered punched an 18 Wheeler right in the radiator. Was not cheap.

 

[radismukes]

Fuzzy

One thing about mounting your spare on the bottom of the tongue, a number of years ago I was with a group of bikes going to a rally for a Kawasaki Vulcan group. One of the riders was pulling a small trailer with the spare mounted facing down. Going across I-40 in New Mexico the spare tire fell off, hit the roadway and centered punched an 18 Wheeler right in the radiator. Was not cheap.

Hmmmm safety chain......

 

[jc1300]

Hmmmm safety chain......

Always Old School:

 

[CrystalPistol]

What I read was that the road to the Ark was damaged by flooding and the owners of the Ark were in a wrangle with their insurance company about it. The Ark itself was not damaged and it is open. Friends of ours were up there just last week.

Great news, thanks. It's a trip we are planning too in early fall.

 

[1dn5up]

Trailer spares

You folks should think of using a multi lug doughnut as a spare. Then you could use it on the trike to at least get to point B :Shrug: At least 4 out of 5 wheels are covered.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

The spare is held on with fender washers and a 3/8" steel u-bolt, the same u-bolt many trailer manufactures mount their spares with, and nylock nuts ... as is every bolt on the trailer ... except the lugs that hold on the wheels. The nylock nuts are tightened to the point that the sidewall of the spare is acting like a spring to keep pressure on them. I think I'm good. The jeep I traded in a year or so ago ... had just two lugs holding the spare to the rack on the back. Remember, every nut on this trailer will get checked before every trip.

I think the only way to be safer, would be to wrap it it in bubble wrap and leave it in the garage ... ... I refuse to live my life on those terms.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Talk About a Scam

So I go as directed to the DMV to get a temp plate so I can "legally" bring the little trailer to the State Patrol on I70 to get my State inspection since I built it from a kit and not a "professional build". Cost was $7.08. That gets me a 2 day temp ... yep ... only good until 7/5/19. What a scam.

The state inspection costs $20.00. I got a form that tells me what the "Inspection" will look at.

1) All lights are functional. All the lights work as designed.

2) Does it have safety chains. It has two.

3) If over 10k GVW, does it have appropriate weight markings. I think I'm good. I could put all 4 trailers I own, my truck, my trike and mom's car on a scale and I couldn't get close to 10k ... without the diamond plate ... I can lift the little trailer completely off the ground ... I think it weighs probably 100# max.

What happens after I get the State Patrols approval, I get to make another appointment with the DMV to get them to verify the VIN assigned and the paperwork the State Patrol fills out (nominal charge for that, $7.08 again) then I have the right to purchase plates and pay the state excise tax.

It's a good thing I have both hands firmly on Government T$tts squeezing for all I can ...

 

[jc1300]

It's a good thing I have both hands firmly on Government T$tts squeezing for all I can ...

Well hell Alan....I thought it was gonna be a pain in the Butt to get this done.....Wow....jc

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

The Saga Continues

Okay so this morning I had an appointment with the State Patrol to inspect my little trailer.

Twenty years in the Military has taught me well how to deal with "red tape". I left my house at 7 am for an 8:30 appointment (it's a 25 minute trip). Plugged the address I received in the confirmation email into Mr. GPS ... opps ... the address is in the middle of a pasture. Hmmm ... headed to the Loma State Patrol weigh station on I70 (the address in the email is in Loma). The officer was very nice and told me the inspections are done on the West Portal.

Onto I70 west for 500 feet, and I was there. They had a big sign that said VIN inspections here. I didn't park there because I was there for a road worthiness inspection as per the DMV forms.

An officer came out and asked if he could help me. I explained that I needed a road worthiness inspection and had an appointment.

He rebuked me for not following the signs. I calmly said I was sorry, but, there was no sign guiding me to were I needed to be. He said, the VIN exception and the road worthiness inspections arte the same things.

I calmly replied that maybe they should change their sign to say "VIN/Road Worthiness Inspections" or just "Inspections".

He asked me if I have had anything to drink this morning? I replied, yes sir, coffee. He said you know what I mean, I'm talking alcohol. I said that never crossed my mind. I don't drink and since it is 8:05 in the morning, I had no way of knowing that was what he meant.

He orders me to get between the cones as per the signs and he'd be right with me. Okay, the sign says park between the cones on the line and remain in the vehicle. So I did.

He comes out with another officer with a clip board and asks to see my paperwork. I ask if I can get off the trike to get it out of the trunk. He looks at me incredulously and asks why I would ask that. I just pointed at the sign. He was getting a little frustrated with me ... but, I remained calm. He says fine, get the paperwork. I do, and handed him what the DMV gave me. He hands me back all but one of the forms. He tells me to start the bike. I do. He goes to the front of the trike and looks at the VIN. Then he tells me to hit the high beams.

I do and tell him, I'm perfectly okay with him inspecting the trike, but, I'm here for the little trailer in the rear ...

He says, "Really, I have to inspect that?" I said, "Sir, these are not my laws, but, I believe in giving onto God that which is God's, and giving onto Cesar, that which is Cesar's."

He says, " What does that mean?" I said, "Just that i'm doing my best to obey both the laws of man and the laws of God".

He looks at the little trailer and tells me he has no idea where to start. I handed him back a form the DMV gave me, that I originally gave him and he gave me back, which talks about verifying the lights work, proper safety chains, tire tread satisfactory, and weather or not max weight DOT tags are required.

He says, okay, guess we should check the lights, we do, he says yep, two safety chains, new tires and then he says "How do I know the GVW on this trailer. I hand him the Chinese title that came with it. It shows the GVW at 1200#, DOT markings don't come into play until 10K# ... pretty sure he could tell just by looking that it was less than that. He hands me back the paperwork, except the form he originally needed and asks how I plan to pay, check or cash. I ask him who the check needs to be made out to. I hand him the check and he says I'll be right back.

About 10 minutes later he comes out with two forms and tells me I'm all set. I ask him if he is aware that the email the State Patrol sends out confirming required appointments and giving the address leads folks to a pasture? Again with the incredulous look, so i show him the email and he says, I'll get that fixed, there is no address here, just the west portal in Loma, of the State Patrol.

I thank him and head out. Of course, I'm heading west on I70. Had to go 2 miles west, exit, reverse direction and then head back to Grand Junction, about 14 miles.

I decided to go get my plates, thinking the 5th of July should be a slow day for them. It was. But, it still took 45 minutes for the same clerk that issued the $7.08 temp two day plate to figure out how to get where we need to be. Total cost for the plate, registration, and new VIN tag, $57.57. So total cost for all the red tape, $84.65.

So one would think I was legal now ... right ... right ... right?

Nope, had to go home, grind off the old VIN plate (tack welded onto the tongue) and screw the new VIN plate on. Of course, the old VIN plate was huge and the new one is small, so I needed to paint the area behind the old VIN plate. Then screw the new one on. (I was told the new one had to be screwed on)

Old grounded off, screw holes made for the new:



Area painted and new plate screwed on.



Only thing left to do ... was to swap out the new legal plate for the temp.

Wheeeew ... the little trailer is ready to roll. I named her the little girl.

As an "oh by the way" ... the little girl handled really well, even empty and at 75 mph. I was surprised that there was no bouncing ... apparently taking the little leaf off the springs was a good thing.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Bet your legs are tired from jumping thru the hoops

Glad you got it done:clapping:

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Bet your legs are tired from jumping thru the hoops

Glad you got it done:clapping:

The sad thing, a friend of mine has a little homemade with an aluminum "box" on it he wants to sell ... It is already registered ... so ... no hoops ... LOL ... but, like you say, it is finished. Now to enjoy it.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Remember I talked about the little homemade my buddy has ... he called me today and said he needed to get rid of it ... If I wanted it ... we could deal. What the heck ... I'm retired, I have all the time in the world

I went and looked at its ... looked really familiar .... same 40" x 48" Harbor freight trailer I have, except, it has 8" wheels. I asked him how much ... he wanted $300, I paid $175.









I wanted to get some pics outside ... but it started to rain on my way home so these will have to do.

There are two options available to me:

1) Remove the box from his trailer and put it on mine, that would give me the 12" wheels with new bearings, etc and my foot which is way better than the homemade one he made.

2) Remove the axle and fenders from my trailer, put them on his, giving me the new wheels and axle, and putting the foot on too. Since they are identical trailers, except for the wheel size, all the holes are on both trailers for both axles ... it would be about 10 bolts to swap everything over. I think this may be the option I take.

Whichever path I take ... my new plates and registration will work on either. I would simply swap out the tongue on either to keep my "VIN" and plates.

The pieces left over will be trashed ... The spare will go into the box, along with the RotoPaX 2 gallon can.

I was concerned about the weight of the box. With it on the trike ball, I can lift the entire thing off the ground ... guessing maybe 150# ... it pulls like a dream and I'm sure it will pull much better with 12" wheels.

I'll know more tomorrow when I get it off the ground and see how the box is mounted. More to follow.

 

[paws]

I like the bulldog ornament..

What’s the purpose of the orange bungee strap thingie on the inside?

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I like the bulldog ornament..

What’s the purpose of the orange bungee strap thingie on the inside?

The bull dog was taken from his Fathers Mack truck ... I offered him to take it off, but he said his dad loved ii on that trailer and he would of wanted it to stay. I told him I'd be proud to have it stay and if I ever took it off, he would get it back.

Not sure what the bungies are for, he said he used them to tie down a cooler he carried in the trailer. The trailer has 1" insolation in the sides, floor and three inch in the roof (styrofoam). He said he could put a cooler full of ice and food in there and it would stay cool for a week (the cooler full of ice, placed in the trailer).

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

One more thing about the box, I forgot.

His grandson works at "all metals", a metal fab and welding shop. John bought the aluminum, cut and bent it to where he wanted it. Hid grand son did all the welding. This thing is very strong ... there are lots of tie downs inside and outside the "box".

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Update

Well as is my norm, I couldn't wait until tomorrow. The sun came out and it's over 90*, but, I had to know if the frames where identical. So I lifted the box trailer up and did some measurements ... easy peezy they are identical.

I have decided, since the box trailer has the floor insulation built in, I'm gonna pull the axle off the new one. and the foot and move them to the box one. I will also "tighten up" the wiring under the box trailer, I hate hanging wires ... even a little bit. I think I may also do some rubber undercoating. There is some wood holding the insulation up and I'd want to protect it (1/8" drawer liner, it's in good shape, but won't be after a few good rains.

So, bright and early tomorrow, I will be swapping the axles and feet. It's gonna be sweet.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Axles Swapped

Okay, so 6 am I was out there swapping out the axles and springs, feet, safety chains, and spare. I'm really glad that i decided to swap things out. The axle on the box trailer had a broken centering pin on one side. This allowed the axle over time to move about an inch on one side. Not sure this would cause an "out of safe" condition, but, probably over time might have. These pins are like $1.50 and take about 20 minutes to change out, which I'll do.

Okay, so by ten o'clock, it was getting a tad hot. I still need to swap out the fenders. The ones for the 8" wheels look pretty silly with the 12" wheels. And, on a big bump when loaded, it could cut into the the tire.

I decided to do a test ride to see how it pulled with the 12" wheels and at 75 mph. Do you know it's there? Maybe a little. No drag, no swaying, I'll probably need to pump up the air shocks on the trike on a trip that I pull it on. I got up to 85 in Utah and it felt very stable, so i'm good. Did a little over 100 miles, about 80 at highway speeds. Filled up when I got back and got 34.86 mpg ... I can live with that. I did pass one of those three trailer FedEx trucks. I hate those things. They are all over the road in the best of circumstances. Anyway, they generate lots of unstable air around themselves. The trailer did fine while passing, but, I was very cautious.

All in all, I think this little thing will make doing longer rides way more comfortable. Seems the older I get, the more "stuff" I think I need to bring. CPAP, Coffee Pot, Computer, Clothes and of course, Harley "Stuff" (My Dog, not the bike ... LOL).

Here it is from the left side:



More from the front:



Closer look of the fenders:



Here it is hooked up to the Trike:



While I was working on the trailers, one of my neighbors came by and asked what I've been doing with the "little" trailers. We talked for awhile, and then he asked what I'd be doing with the one with 8" wheels. I told him I'm not sure as of now. He told me he might be interested in the one with the 8" wheels. I asked why. Apparently his mother who lives in Utah needs a small one to put her electric mobility scooter on when she comes to visit him. He looked it over and said he has a ramp that would work, but it would need a floor. I showed him the diamond plate and he said he'd like first shot if I sell it. I told him I was thinking about $200, but, for his mom I'd go $150. He said sold. So, as soon as I get mine done, I'll get it all back together. Win Win. He's not on a big hurry, so he wrote me a check and said she won't be coming until August. Again, Win Win.

Tomorrow I will swap out the little fenders for the ones that go with the 12" wheels.

A pretty good day for Alan.