Doug, I get that to...I call it a BRAIN FART.

Hey Dennis, I created my Trailer Plan in a program called "PhotoShop"
This frame was designed for the "Thule Sidekick Box". If I had it to do all over again I would reduce the width by 2", this would bring the sides in closer to the box and also reduce the overall weight.
I would also like to point out that your trailer tongue length as
measured from the axle forward should be between 1.5 & 2 times the width of your axle wheel center's. This will stop any fish tailing and your trailer will follow like a dream.

Good Luck With Your Project

I have several friends who pull some pretty large trailers with their Goldwings, one of them has a 500lb camp trailer. The big 'Wings handle the loads well though I wonder about the load on their brakes with a 500lb. trailer and riding two up.
There are a couple of reservations I'd have with trailer hitches such as those shown on this thread though. First off it looks like there's only one little bolt carrying the tongue weight in shear, that's the bolt on the lower right side. That one is going to get some pretty high shear loads on it due to the fact that the hitch is riding on an unsprung part of the scooter. Sudden shock loads can be pretty high. The only other reservation I'd have is the fact that the cross over tube is also going to have some torque loading due to the fact that only the right side, that lower bolt, is holding the hitch up. Other than thre point hitches on tractors the only trailer hitches I've seen used on automotive applications all attached to a part of the vehicle that was suspended by the vehicles suspension system, not on the unsprung parts.

regors, thank's a bunch for your drawing. That will come in handy to me and alot of other people on this forum if they decide to go this rout. One more thing I need to ask you about is the trailer suspension. What did you use?

Thank You very much

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exavid, Thank's for your observations. The shear bolt (6mm) was a concern of mine also. I replaced it with a hardened bolt and the rest of the hitch should just be fine the way it is.

DennisB

I really have no doubts your hitch will serve it's purpose well. I tend to overbuild things anyway, if I'd built the thing the bike would have to have dualies on the rear end.

Dennis, I used Torsion Axle's which gives you independent suspension,
I picked them up from a company in Texas they where the lightest rated one's that I could find, rather pricey but I made up for that by getting the Thule top box for less than half price.

Hi regors, Thanks for getting back with me. I've been looking at torsion axle's but never found a pair that would be light enough duty for this application. Texas is just South of my location and would be a nice drive and a great state to visit again.

Did you install a utility light in the inside lid of the Thule box?

Hi MaxB,

On the Harbour Freight trailer, did you find it necessray to change the tires out to a higher rate of speed type? Where they the 8" or the 12" tires. If they where the 8" how did they do?

Hi Bill, Yes I can but I'm not there at this moment.

The axles I used were adjustable by adjusting the angle between the arm and the axle mount. Straight up rated for 500lbs, on maximum angle 325lbs.
Either way works great for me.
My tongue weight is 15lbs loaded.
Load your trailers carefully.

I would like to take this moment to thank all of you for your sharing and your contributions of knowledge and experiance to this subject.

We all get a little smarter and wiser when good people like you'll help one another to get projects completed.

I know I will be referring to all this great information as time goes by.

Thanks again,

Dennis,
I looked at all the "pros & cons" your hitch looks good to me. If you have
very small trailer like the ones pictured, should be o. k. I like your last coments
about us as a people. I think the Lord gave us the ability to reason and to
think. Not just for a hat rack..............
Old Dave

Dennis B I'm new to the foreum and i was looking for info on hitches for the swing I'm building a trailer to sleep in hard sides about 250 lbs to pull with my swing, I want to do a 20 western states ride of about 6000 mi in 20 days as a retirement trip, my design is aerodynamic and i'm a retiring truck driver so i understand about braking, and weight, i know honda does not recommend it thats their problem. But for years I've seen 250 helixs pulling trailers on the interstate. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Oldtrucker,

First...Welcome to the forum. Best one on the internet, I like to think and that's because of all the great people we have as members.

I'm no trailer pulling expert but it sounds to me that weight (or the lack of) and balancing the load to get it off the hitch is the key. 15 lbs. no more.

If you get the time, post some pictures of your rig. I'm sure alot of people would like to see it.

DaveR

Check this link. Exploring its links might give you some insight into camping trailers behind a bike.

http://silverwing.org/cgi-bin/topic_show.pl?tid=444

Hi Oldtrucker,

If you need a hitch, let me know and I will build one for you. $190.00 and I pay for the shipping.

Besure to check out the Perfect Connector adapter for your trailer lights.

http://www.silverwing600.com/silver-wing-accessories-modifications-f5/the-perfect-connector-for-led-lights-hook-up-t992.htm

Hello Dennis I wouuld like to purchase one of the trailer hitches and light connector. How do we transact this transaction.

Hi Chief Rider,

Thank's for your interest. I just sent you a PM on theordering details.

I'd kinda like to have one of these hitches on my swing just as a "rear bumper". Chromed and with no ball, I think it would look cool and be functional as well.

Hi Thom,

The hitch would work well as a bumper. I just wish I could chome plate stuff, that would look nice.

Any updates on the hitch?

Mike, Do you want one for your scooter? If Yes. I would need to look at shipping charges to your home.

It'd be nice, Dennis.
I was interested to know how it was 'wearing'.

Fit's like a glove.