Using a trailer with tailgate down with 5' bed

I'm looking to haul 2 motorcycles across country. I own a smaller Harbor Freight 4x8 trailer. It can fit 1 motorcycle with no issue, but I'd be concerned about weight limits and space if I were to put 2 motorcycles on it.

I'm thinking of putting one in the bed of the truck (straight, not diagonal), which would mean I need to leave my tailgate down. Does anyone see any issue with me pulling my trailer with the second motorcycle on it while my tailgate is down?

I'd think that this wouldn't be an issue, but would love to make sure I'm not making a dumb mistake.

FWIW, I have no side rails on the trailer. Only things that would be vertially in the way of possibly hitting the tailgate would be the motorcycle itself/ratchet straps on the motorcycle's front fork.

I would think that shy of a near jack-knife situation, I would have no concern with contacting the tailgate.

Thoughts???

 

I’ve hauled dirt bikes and other things in the bed with the tailgate down. Just make sure it’s securely tied down and get used to not having your backup camera.

 

What size tires on that little trailer? Little tires do not like interstate speeds for any length of time. Tailgate down is a non issue but wheel bearings on a trailer with little tires would definitely be my top concern.

 

i've hauled 2 road bikes on a HF trailer, from NY to Florida and back. no problem. just make sure your bearings are properly greased and you're fine.

 

I have the smaller tires that come stock on the little harbor freight trailers (12" if my memory serves me correctly). I do lube up the wheel bearings before every trip really well. I've done quite a few long hauls with the trailer on highways with no issues. Pretty sure the tires are rated for 55 or 60mph. I usually just hang out in the slow lane when on the interstate and hang around 60-65mph. I did do a different setup for the wheel fenders and have more clearance on them....I have also considered putting slightly larger tires on the trailer to help with this.

 

Do you by chance have any photos of how you fit both road bikes on that trailer? I'm curious how they both fit and how you did your ratchet straps. I kinda assumed 2 bikes would be too heavy for the trailer.

 

Add the weight of the bikes and compare it to the data plate on the trailer.

 

i'm afraid i don't have photos. i don't know what bikes you're hauling but i had a 1st gen FZ1 (which is not a light bike) and an SV650. i staggered the wheel chocks so the bars weren't on top of each other and otherwise got them as close together as i could. HF used to sell some outriggers for the front of the trailer which put your front strap points a little farther outboard for greater stability. i forget what the rating is for the trailer, but the two bikes were well within the rated weight. certainly under 1000lbs. it really worked just fine and i can promise you i wasn't doing 55 all the way down the east coast.

 

having said all that, if you don't need the room in the bed of the truck, i'm sure that'll work too.

edit: scratch that, i really don't know if there'd be a clearance issue with the tail gate.

 

put em both in the bed of the truck n call it good. It will be tight but it can be done.

You can absolutely haul a trailer with the tailgate down just make sure you have clearance when going over bumps / turning, dont wanna hit your tailgate with the trailer.

 

Yeah, one of my bikes is an old BMW Airhead with boxxer style opposing cylinders. As a result, the bike is a bit wide. I've seen many photos of folks with 2 skinny sport bikes on the same trailer I have.....I'm not so sure I could squeeze a second bike on there and not have issues. I just figured with me having a truck bed, tossing one bike up in the truck and one on the trailer would actually be an easier solution and would also cause less stress on the small trailer.

Thanks for everyone's replies!

 

Put the smaller bike in the truck bed, diagonal, and close the tailgate if possible.