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What's your hauling/trailer/towing setup?

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3.9K views 31 replies 12 participants last post by  drummer92  
#1 ·
This season I'm going to be roadracing and supermoto, so there's going to be alot of driving and hualing bikes. Right now I've got a Nissan frontier with a 5' bed. It's my daily driver but I'm starting to look around for other options. My biggest qualms with it are the small bed size (I'd like to be able to close the tail gate), and the V6 which really needs to be wrung out to go at quicker highway speeds which puts my MPG around 16 combined. Granted I've got 33" tires and a 2" lift, but I'd trade that for a V8 that isn't quite as taxed on the highway while getting similar mileage. Plus it's a manual which is great for off-road, but starts to get old for everyday use

I've been all over the map looking at possibilities, to include some vintage stuff like this:
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I'm not a huge fan of trailers because of the space they take up when not in use, plus maneuvering a trailer around can be a hassle. BUT, they really cant be beat when it comes to space. There's also the lightweight, non-enclosed trailers that even a passenger car could tow.

I'm leaning toward a bigger truck or a box van. What's everyone else using?
 
#3 ·
I like to put in my truck bed with a 9' ramp it is pretty easy (high F-250). I'm not at all interested in the 55mph trailer speed limit here! Last track day I helped a guy load his Panigale into a van, damn tight but it worked great!
 
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#9 ·
Half-fast Rider said:
But if you insist,...
http://www.wagonmaster.com/
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Very cool site. I'd want to be able to put the bike in the back though. http://www.vintage-vans.com/ This site has tons of classifieds that had me really considering an older camper for awhile. But again, the maintenance hassle probably isn't worth it.

Of course, the sprinter is way cool, but it's pretty pricey. I saw this Nissan Caravan which is so goofy that I like it. Can't find to much info on it though.
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#8 ·
I've got a flat bed trailer set up (lightweight, easy to haul around, can move it by hand) and an older Land Rover Disco. Makes for nice packing, and I can fit (barely) in the back of the LR so it's a built in, rain-free sleeping space which is awesome. I can lay down foam for pads, pack all my crap in, go to the track, unload, and there's my bed! :thumbsup:

I wouldn't mind a newer/fancier set up, but this gets the job done and does what I need.
 
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#10 ·
I don't really see your dilemna to be honest. Most people would kill for your setup. You're still getting 16mpg with your bike in the bed which is pretty good. A V8 would get about the same. Additionally, you have a 5 speed so that makes it even better for towing, generally. Okay, so you have to put the tailgate down, big deal. Does your Nissan run fine? If so, why bother changing? You have a decent setup in my eyes, but I suppose some people can never be pleased.
 
#11 ·
16mpg combined is translating to about 13 on the highway when hauling. If I was getting big V8 power in everday use, I could deal with it. Sure, the V6 isn't gutless, but for that kind of mileage, that's comparatively pretty weak.

It's also a 6 speed. Any incline or thoughts of passing necessitate a 1 or even 2 gear change. Again, this starts to get old pretty quick.

The added security of a tailgate being closed and locked would be pretty handy. It's not too hard to cut any sort of lock and download a bike, and while a locked gate wouldn't be theft-proof it would add some assurance.

I'm gonna be living out of this thing at the track nearly every weekend this summer. I hardly see spending time trying to refine my setup as a waste of effort. And not that I need to defend this part, but everything I've looked at would have to be a dead trade or even cheaper. Right now I've got a "fun" truck that's also my work truck for my job. I'm thinking I should go for something more practical for hauling bikes (ie. no need for 33"s and locking diffs anymore).
 
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#12 ·
officerleroy said:
16mpg combined is translating to about 13 on the highway when hauling. If I was getting big V8 power in everday use, I could deal with it. Sure, the V6 isn't gutless, but for that kind of mileage, that's comparatively pretty weak.

It's also a 6 speed. Any incline or thoughts of passing necessitate a 1 or even 2 gear change. Again, this starts to get old pretty quick.

The added security of a tailgate being closed and locked would be pretty handy. It's not too hard to cut any sort of lock and download a bike, and while a locked gate wouldn't be theft-proof it would add some assurance.

I'm gonna be living out of this thing at the track nearly every weekend this summer. I hardly see spending time trying to refine my setup as a waste of effort. And not that I need to defend this part, but everything I've looked at would have to be a dead trade or even cheaper. Right now I've got a "fun" truck that's also my work truck for my job. I'm thinking I should go for something more practical for hauling bikes (ie. no need for 33"s and locking diffs anymore).
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Boom! Great arguments. I thought you were getting 16mpg hauling your bike. I was thinking to myself, "that's fantastic!". Okay, okay, you win :grouphug:. I have a new 6 speed Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and haul two bikes on a heavy a$$ trailer and can totally relate. Sixth gear, well doesn't even get used and I have 3.73's. Most of the time is spent in fifth if it isn't too hilly, often times down shifting to fourth.

Perhaps an older Tundra (damn things hold their value though)? I'm personally a fan of the Ecoboost F-150, but it sounds like you're trying to spend less.

Regardless, good luck! Let us know what you go with!
 
#13 ·
I usually use a 2010 Tundra with an 8x12 enclosed trailer. Sorry, no picks of the rig. I've used a hitch hauler and may use that a lot more this summer to cut down on gas/toll $. Last fall I loaded a couple bikes in the back of a borrowed Sprinter and took it on a road trip. That was by far the best way to travel. Less fuel than my truck and trailer, less tolls, better ride and more comfort.



 
#17 ·
trouble. said:
...borrowed Sprinter and took it on a road trip. That was by far the best way to travel. Less fuel than my truck and trailer, less tolls, better ride and more comfort.
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Yup, Sprinters FTW. While I'm still debating if I could have a van as my sole vehicle, vans in general get a nod just because of the "free, no-rain sleeping area" as someone said. It sure beats my usual set-up (again, my bed is too small to even sleep in....waaahhh poor me....)
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I'm seeing alot of lightweight flatbed trailers, seems to be a pretty smart solution.

And you're dead on about Tacos and Tundras holding their value. Crazy. I test drove a tacoma but they're a good 40hp less than the frontier, and in my area the sticker price is what you pay, no dealing at all. What really has my attention is these new small displacement turbo diesels like the Dodge 1500 EcoDiesel. 28 mpg highway!!! I can't even imagine what that must be like. The rumors about a 5.0L turbo V8 from Cummins in the next gen Titan, seriously have my interest :eek:oh:
http://blog.caranddriver.com/next-gen-nissan-titan-could-be-a-real-player-with-new-diesel-v-8/

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#15 ·
Hard to see it here but this is my Street Triple in the back of my Avalanche.

The tailgate is pretty high so its a lot easier to load if I find an embankment or terraced area for loading and unloading.
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#20 ·
#21 ·
I recommend staying away from an open-bed truck. It's not just the bike; it's the tool boxes, boxes of parts, gear bag, etc., you'll be hauling. It's unlikely somebody can boost your bike in the minute or two you run into the gas mart to buy a drink, but anyone walking past can reach into the bed and grab a toolbox and be gone.
 
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#24 ·
If I'm in a hotel overnight with the bike in the bed (only did this once) I'll back up to a wall or fence so the only way to get the bike out is over the side.
 
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