Greaser's tips for towing cheap: The tale of Trailer Swift

There’s a lot of good information in there, maybe so much that you’re not sure this whole trailering thing is for you. As a follow-up to Lemmy’s piece, I’d like to share my real-world first experience with trailers. Hopefully you’ll learn what I did: It’s easier than you think, and more affordable, too. Overall, I find myself using my setup to haul dirt bikes pretty frequently. I’ve also moved street bikes, mostly for friends, and I like helping them out when I can. In the end, we all ride more, and that’s what it’s all about, right?

Before you tow, you’ll need to assess your vehicle and explore your hitch options. I happen to own one of the vehicles Lemmy called out as being suboptimal: a two-door Jeep Wrangler. While the Jeep can take a Class III hitch, I took his advice and sought out the lightest trailer for my needs. 

Like many of you, I wanted to occasionally move a couple light motorcycles, or one bike of any size. I also hoped to find a trailer that could also haul stuff besides bikes now and then, since the Jeep doesn’t have a whole lot of cargo space. Now, I’ve jammed all kinds of inappropriate stuff inside that Jeep, from a 48-inch wood lathe to a Suzuki GS850L. Fun, but dumb. There was surely a better way.

But trading the Jeep for a truck was not an option I’d seriously consider. (I like the Jeep too much!) My solution? A small, used utility trailer. With a little modification, my setup is a pretty capable moto mover, and it didn’t cost me much at all.

Greaser’s cheap trailer

My tagalong, known around the office as “Trailer Swift,” is nothing fancy. It’s just a five-by-eight mesh-floor utility trailer sold by Tractor Supply Co. New, it retailed for around $700. I picked up this 2016 example for $300 from a coworker, plus a few bucks for the title transfer. (You’ve seen this trailer before in the “How to Do a Motorcycle Track Day” video and article.) A trip to the local notary took care of all the paperwork. Not long after, I had a plate and a title in my name. I thought this part would be a little more complicated!

Prefer trailers with titles. While laws vary from state to state on this stuff, it's least painful to just find one with a title and get on with your life. Trailers don't have many moving parts, so finding a good one shouldn't be too hard. Check the frame, tires, hitch, and floor. You might also have brakes to test. Feel for play in the wheel bearings, and ask if they've ever been serviced. It's a trailer, not a rocket.

Depending on your area, you might be able to find a similar trailer to mine for around $300-$500. If not, the infamous Harbor Freight trailers ($500 and less, new) can be made to haul motorcycles with a few mods. There are plenty of moto forum threads out there discussing those trailers. Regardless of what you purchase, know your state’s titling and registration laws for trailers before buying. Or, you can head over to your local U-Haul, etc. and rent a trailer for cheap. It would take quite a few trailer rentals to add up to the purchase of one trailer, so that’s one way you could look at this if you don’t plan on trailering often.

Setting up the Jeep

I got a spare Class III ball mount with an appropriate amount of drop from a friend for the low price of free, then added a new ball. I already had the hitch installed from when I was only using my hitch-mounted moto carrier. I also installed stronger rear leaf springs (one leaf more than factory) to replace my clapped-out stockers. Other than that, I just needed a little wiring to connect the trailer’s lights to my Jeep’s, and I was in business.

Learning to hitch the trailer wasn’t hard at all. Between Lemmy’s article and a few YouTube videos, you should be ready to go. If you have a quiet parking lot nearby, take your vehicle and trailer out for some practice, especially when it comes to backing up.

Modding the cheap moto trailer

One of the first things T-Swift received was a plywood deck. Now, a mesh floor is usable for bikes. Plywood is nice to have, and it supported the next mod: wheel chocks. You don’t have to get fancy ones. Basic chocks will do. I used some really nice Pingels, because this trailer isn’t just used for moving motorcycles, and they were already kicking around the garage. By simply sliding in and out of mounting plates, the Pingel system makes it easy to switch from bike duty to a plain utility trailer again. Yes, the chocks and mounting plates cost more than the trailer. As I said, you can add chocks for a whole lot less money.

Three mounting plates and two chocks can be configured to fit one large bike or two small ones. Eye bolts are mounted through the frame and plywood for strapping down the bikes. Pro Taper’s cam lock straps are the best I’ve ever used, and I’d recommend them to anyone.

Another mod was a motorcycle lock and chain. When the trailer isn’t being used, it’s chained to a pole so it can’t be rolled away without a fight. I feel that this is enough security for where I keep the trailer. That same chain can be used to secure the trailer to the vehicle while I’m out riding, or to lock a bike to the trailer when making a stop on the road.

Bonus mods: a latch pin (also called a safety pin) on a chain so I can’t lose it, and a bottle opener for post-ride refreshment at the campsite.

Future mods

My trailer needs just a few things to be perfect. A carrier for the spare tire is very high on that list. So’s a small cargo box for storing the security chain and other bits. A humble ammo can would do.

I’d also like to add flush-mount anchor rings. The eye bolts are not bad, but I think my bikes would be even more stable if the straps were splayed out a bit wider. A quick and cheap upgrade would be maybe four flush-mount anchors bolted to the frame through the floor. Just flip ‘em down when not in use.

Finally, I’d like to add some lighting for loading bikes at night. Whether these lights mount to the Jeep or the trailer, I’m not sure. Even magnetic shop lights might do the trick. Packing up after a day of riding is just easier when you can see what you’re doing. Phone flashlights don’t cut it, in my experience.

A trailer alternative to consider

If you only need to move one lightweight motorcycle, there’s always a hitch-mounted motorcycle carrier. These are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and they don’t require any plates or paperwork. This is what I used before I had a trailer. I personally only use the hitch-mounted carrier for a dirt bike or a light street bike.

So trailers are pretty great?

If you have the space, the money, and a need for moving bikes, definitely consider a trailer. I would rarely ride my dirt bike if not for this little tagalong. As I look to do more track days next year, my trailer will play a key role there, too. And if that’s not enough to convince you, Hi-Viz Brian is currently using it to give me a plush leather armchair he doesn’t want anymore. We’re talking about the Hi Viz Brian here.

Call me a Trailer Swift fan.