The box dimensions are
57 3/4 inches
long, 28 inches wide, and 18 inches
deep. It comes carpeted inside. There is a
rack on top that will support up to 200
pounds with a shoe box lid to keep
moisture out. Included with the trailer is
a swivel hitch which normally would
cost $160.00. I am presently using the
swivel hitch as I am not too fond of
leaning the bike and the hitch ball
rotating in the coupler.
The motorcycle itself needed a trailer
hitch so I opted for one that bolted to the
frame. I then had to mount a plug and
play wire harness that provided electrical
to the rear of the bike. Then a conversion
harness was needed to go from a five pin
to four pin connector set up to match up
with the trailer wiring.
Now it was time to lay everything out
that I would take to a race and see if I
could get it packed properly keeping in
mind that my goal was to get 30 to 40
pounds of tongue weight for optimum
pulling. Obviously, my 10x10 canopy
stayed behind however I was able to load
up three gas boats, my chair, ice chest,
fuel, tools, two (2x4 foot) tables, and my
support equipment odds and ends. And I
had not even put anything in the saddle
bags of my Gold Wing.
Now I was concerned about gas
mileage and could I get to the next gas
station on those long hauls. I was really
fooled. Normally I get 33 to 35 miles per
gallon with normal driving (what is
normal on a motorcycle?) Pulling the
trailer and using the cruise control on the
highway and through the mountain
passes, I got 35 to 40 mpg. I was quite
surprised to say the least.
I am very happy with the trailer so
far. It packs well and pulls well. Heated
grips, heated seats and reverse on the
motorcycle make the ride much more
comfortable. However, like with most
trailers, it needs more lights
.
PROPWASH
14
March 2015
District 20 Happenings
(Continued from page 13)
doing well against some of the best racers
in the country.
We also had a NAMBA National
Champion in David Santistevan winning A
MOD Tunnel at the 2014 Nitro and Gas
NAMBA Nationals in Washington.
The future is bright around the Rockies
and I can not imagine racing with any other
group of boating family then in District 20.
So bring on the 2015 season! Happy
boating everyone.
Another Budget Trailer
By Al Waters
NAMBA Executive Secretary
You may recall a few years a go I wrote an article about an enclosed 5 x 8 trailer
and what I did to it to hold six boats, canopy, ice chests, support equipment, sound
system, lighting, and have both 12 volt DC and 110 AC capability.
Many people know that I am an avid Honda Gold Wing rider and like to travel.
Unless it rains, it is my main mode of transportation. I knew that there would be times
where I would like to go camping and would like a little more packing room than the
customary saddlebags and tail trunk. So I thought to myself, why not work it out
where I could go to a boat race and utilize the space a trailer would provide.
Space is always a concern and making sure that the amount provided inside the
trailer was a priority as gas boats are not getting any smaller. I still have a ways to go
on maximizing the trailers interior and every time I load up, things seem to end up in
places other than where they were the previous trip. So I keep pictures on my cell
phone of each trip depending on which boats I take so I can properly maximize the
space provided. If I ever win a trophy, I will cross that bridge when I get there.
Motorcycle trailers come in different lengths, different heights, different
capacities… and different price ranges. After a very long search, I opted for an
Lumina XL from The USA Trailer Store at a price of $1500.00 with free shipping.
The trailer I selected is all aluminum diamond plate with black aluminum siding. It has
12 inch wheels with 6 ply tires (we will see how long those last). There is 18 cubic
feet of cargo space and weighs in at 190 pounds.
David Santistevan (c) won his first
NAMBA Nats Championship along side
Eric Bourlet (l) and Joe Monohan (r)
All loaded up and ready to go. Two gas monos inside with two tables and sport hydro
on top held down by a cargo cord
