Box trailers for MX & Track Bikes
Discussion
I've always used vans for the last 20 years whether it be private owned or company motor
However my boy turns 17 next year so I thought best I get something sorted this year and have this race season and next years ready for when he can drive too. Van insurance was expensive near on 20 years ago when I was that age... It's damn right impossible now
Other reasons being I don't really want a lwb crew cab and gone are the days of just 2 of us in the van. I have to cator for my wife, daughter and dad at times hence the 4x4 which the extra seats and comfort
Who currently runs this setup and what size did they go with?
I've had quick look at the vivaro swb van which I currently use and it's 2415 length 1390 width 1818 height
I can't find anything really like that so need some help on what people have found worked best
Thanks
However my boy turns 17 next year so I thought best I get something sorted this year and have this race season and next years ready for when he can drive too. Van insurance was expensive near on 20 years ago when I was that age... It's damn right impossible now
Other reasons being I don't really want a lwb crew cab and gone are the days of just 2 of us in the van. I have to cator for my wife, daughter and dad at times hence the 4x4 which the extra seats and comfort
Who currently runs this setup and what size did they go with?
I've had quick look at the vivaro swb van which I currently use and it's 2415 length 1390 width 1818 height
I can't find anything really like that so need some help on what people have found worked best
Thanks
Watching this with interest.
Currently use a normal bike trailer but a small(ish) box trailer would give the option of keeping stuff together & give somewhere to get changed.
My problem is I use a 'normal' non-4x4 car (330d). Not sure what your events are like but many trials I do have their starts in fields, so towing anything heavy, I'd get stuck.
It'll end up with the van vs trailer debate, speed limits/outside lane on motorways being points etc.
In the end I think it will be outside factors that decide, my situ is about to change and would probably end up with a hot hatch/coupe and a slightly older Peugeot Partner/Vivaro size van as I wouldn't want a 4x4 for the daily commute/parking otherwise.
Currently use a normal bike trailer but a small(ish) box trailer would give the option of keeping stuff together & give somewhere to get changed.
My problem is I use a 'normal' non-4x4 car (330d). Not sure what your events are like but many trials I do have their starts in fields, so towing anything heavy, I'd get stuck.
It'll end up with the van vs trailer debate, speed limits/outside lane on motorways being points etc.
In the end I think it will be outside factors that decide, my situ is about to change and would probably end up with a hot hatch/coupe and a slightly older Peugeot Partner/Vivaro size van as I wouldn't want a 4x4 for the daily commute/parking otherwise.
I used to trials and trackdays. I have had two Brederup single axle box trailers that I towed with a non 4 x 4 car. Can't recall the exact size but could get two trials bikes in or a road bike and generator.
Ideal for trials as it keeps the salt off your bike in winter and you have somewhere to get changed when you get there. You can also throw all of your muddy gear into the trailer. It can be an issue getting parked at a trial and getting on and off a wet field especially with a car and relatively heavy trailer. I would never have been able to get a double axle trailer off half of the fields we used to park in.
A single axle trailer is also easier to manoeuvre by hand if you need to.
With an ordinary relatively low car the extra drag really increases the fuel consumption fairly significantly. Some circuits were a 350 mile round trip and it made a difference. Its no so bad if you have a 4 x 4 or a people carrier as they push the wind over the trailer. My first box trailer had an aerodynamic "nose" arrangement it really made a difference to the fuel consumption.
Single axle box trailers that fit a road bike are not that common I had to travel to buy both of mine.
My trailer had three aluminium angles attached to the walls on the inside. One at the front middle and one on each side about 30cm from the front. Each angle had numerous slots cut in so you could position your fixing straps to avoid road bike body work.
Ideal for trials as it keeps the salt off your bike in winter and you have somewhere to get changed when you get there. You can also throw all of your muddy gear into the trailer. It can be an issue getting parked at a trial and getting on and off a wet field especially with a car and relatively heavy trailer. I would never have been able to get a double axle trailer off half of the fields we used to park in.
A single axle trailer is also easier to manoeuvre by hand if you need to.
With an ordinary relatively low car the extra drag really increases the fuel consumption fairly significantly. Some circuits were a 350 mile round trip and it made a difference. Its no so bad if you have a 4 x 4 or a people carrier as they push the wind over the trailer. My first box trailer had an aerodynamic "nose" arrangement it really made a difference to the fuel consumption.
Single axle box trailers that fit a road bike are not that common I had to travel to buy both of mine.
My trailer had three aluminium angles attached to the walls on the inside. One at the front middle and one on each side about 30cm from the front. Each angle had numerous slots cut in so you could position your fixing straps to avoid road bike body work.
Bit of an update after taking the van dimensions down it would seem a 9x5x5 is the best route. You could run a 8x5x5 but it would be tight unless only road bikes went in
I've got a custom one I think I'm going to get made located in Peterborough
It will have a custom 70lt water drum at the very front for pressure washing and I'll go twin axle for better stability
Also having rear door as a drop down ramp. This all comes under the 750kg unbraked.
The only bit I need to crunch numbers is the total weight Inc two road bikes might be boarder line based on 200kg a bike
For the majority of the time it should be perfect. Anyone else that's done similar please update and I'll put more on as I start getting something built
I've got a custom one I think I'm going to get made located in Peterborough
It will have a custom 70lt water drum at the very front for pressure washing and I'll go twin axle for better stability
Also having rear door as a drop down ramp. This all comes under the 750kg unbraked.
The only bit I need to crunch numbers is the total weight Inc two road bikes might be boarder line based on 200kg a bike
For the majority of the time it should be perfect. Anyone else that's done similar please update and I'll put more on as I start getting something built
Birky_41 said:
It will have a custom 70lt water drum at the very front for pressure washing and I'll go twin axle for better stability
Also if you have a 'V' Aerodynamic front will it not give a little more room inside and you can get away with the shorter model?
Re: horseboxes - aren't they quite heavy as your average nag is somewhat weightier than a motorbike or two (and they smell of pee)?
Edited by graham22 on Friday 16th February 15:52
I have had an Ifor Williams BV105 Box Van trailer, with ramp and barn doors combo at the rear, for the last 13 odd years. I bought it from an Ifor Williams dealer, but I think I could sell it for what I paid for it even now, these trailer are that good. Apparently it weighs 750kg empty and 2700kg and I currently tow it behind 3 Series Touring, it tows extremely well. Dirtbikes, mountainbikes, quads, furniture and whatever, it is just so versatile. But I probably wouldn't tow it fully laden behind the BM no.
That trailer looks good, I used the other half's horse lorry about 4 years ago, plenty of room but what a pile of s
te 
Its only me and the lad that go so i just use the vito. I use nearly all my 100 ltr water but capacity but i am very odd and actually use some of it to wash the thing with a bucket and sponge, just jet washing doesn't clean it. In fact Birkys lads bike is brand new so i would ban the lad from actually riding it
God help me if i buy him the new 250 2 stroke I've been looking at , if i do i might have to run round after him washing the thing
te Its only me and the lad that go so i just use the vito. I use nearly all my 100 ltr water but capacity but i am very odd and actually use some of it to wash the thing with a bucket and sponge, just jet washing doesn't clean it. In fact Birkys lads bike is brand new so i would ban the lad from actually riding it
God help me if i buy him the new 250 2 stroke I've been looking at , if i do i might have to run round after him washing the thing
graham22 said:
Does the water drum really need to be 15 gallons for a pressure washer (I'm sure I don't use anything like that to clean mine). As it's being custom made, can the tank not go under the floor between the axles with remote fill/outlet as per caravanettes?
Also if you have a 'V' Aerodynamic front will it not give a little more room inside and you can get away with the shorter model?
Easily can use 70lt on 1 bike over winter. If there are two mx bikes in there and its a wet race you'll do 100lt. We would clean after practice and depending how sticky the mud is you'd clean between races to keep the weight off. I used to take an old 220lt water drum in my van and could run that half down in winter or on a wet mud raceAlso if you have a 'V' Aerodynamic front will it not give a little more room inside and you can get away with the shorter model?
Edited by graham22 on Friday 16th February 15:52
Typically 60-70 would be enough but I think if I can build it then 100 would be perfect most of the time
Good thinking on where to put it though and something I'll ask if it can be done
I asked about the venue shaped front but that depends on the water storage and how many bikes. One in the middle yes but two on the outsides no it would be the same
He said fitting the water tank with the V front would be difficult so I'll see what design he can come up with. Underneath would make sense if it works for weight distribution. It would tow better too I reckon
mak said:
That trailer looks good, I used the other half's horse lorry about 4 years ago, plenty of room but what a pile of ste
Its only me and the lad that go so i just use the vito. I use nearly all my 100 ltr water but capacity but i am very odd and actually use some of it to wash the thing with a bucket and sponge, just jet washing doesn't clean it. In fact Birkys lads bike is brand new so i would ban the lad from actually riding it
We had a cargo 0813 converted to mx back in the 90s when I raced a few championships. Was great when I was in my teens but crap mpg 55mph and difficult to drive in some places were the down sides. Storing was also tricky. We kept it at my grandma's farm and it got broken intote Its only me and the lad that go so i just use the vito. I use nearly all my 100 ltr water but capacity but i am very odd and actually use some of it to wash the thing with a bucket and sponge, just jet washing doesn't clean it. In fact Birkys lads bike is brand new so i would ban the lad from actually riding it
Can't beat it when at the track though
Looks decent enough idea, and things like Brenderups are good bits of kit. But sadly, most of the people who I race with that have had them have had trouble with bike / trailer thefts. Often they are sued to store bikes in, and when seen being towed, it screams "MX bikes".
Unmarked van, no Fox stickers etc, is the best way IMHO. Although I hear why you're thinking of a trailer insurance wise.
Unmarked van, no Fox stickers etc, is the best way IMHO. Although I hear why you're thinking of a trailer insurance wise.
Bit of an update managed to get a build slot for third week of March rather than May which is current times due to a cancellation
Getting a 9x5x5 in black twin axle ramp rear door, 6 fixing points and 2x50/60lt water drums on either side above the wheel arch for jet washing
Once here I'm going to have a small mini bench & cupboard made at the very front for oils, cleaners and the tool box
Will update with pictures once made. All can be used on a 3.5t license so will be fine for my son to tow next year when he's 17
Getting a 9x5x5 in black twin axle ramp rear door, 6 fixing points and 2x50/60lt water drums on either side above the wheel arch for jet washing
Once here I'm going to have a small mini bench & cupboard made at the very front for oils, cleaners and the tool box
Will update with pictures once made. All can be used on a 3.5t license so will be fine for my son to tow next year when he's 17
Quick update as I just picked it up tonight
Ended up with a 9x5x6.6 so I could stand up in it
2x 70lt water drums either side. I'll have to double check the weight on the side but it's either 390 or 400kg.
Getting a small work bench 400mm deep fitted Saturday along with a cooking hob, inverter and leisure battery.
Hoping on mx race meets and track days it does a good job. Towed fine although the 4x4 felt the weight a bit doing 60-65mph and mpg went down from 31-36 to low 20s
It looks mahoosive in this one but it's really not
Ended up with a 9x5x6.6 so I could stand up in it
2x 70lt water drums either side. I'll have to double check the weight on the side but it's either 390 or 400kg.
Getting a small work bench 400mm deep fitted Saturday along with a cooking hob, inverter and leisure battery.
Hoping on mx race meets and track days it does a good job. Towed fine although the 4x4 felt the weight a bit doing 60-65mph and mpg went down from 31-36 to low 20s
It looks mahoosive in this one but it's really not
Bit of an update... Really just because I excited and chuffed with the results so far
It's 90% done. Still need to wire in the inverter and gas bottle as I couldn't find the regulator so had to buy another off fleabay
Need to mastic all the joins etc and bought matt black spray for the cupboards but actually prefer the wood look so might just lacquer it instead
Has a solar panel all wired up on the roof that runs into some magic box thing that I can't be bothered to work out but basically trickle charges the battery and gives power during the day
The lighting is absolutely brilliant and so neat in the corner all on a switch just by the ramp. Very pleased with the end result
The smaller cupboard is everything power. The bigger right cupboards will be everything bike related
It's 90% done. Still need to wire in the inverter and gas bottle as I couldn't find the regulator so had to buy another off fleabay
Need to mastic all the joins etc and bought matt black spray for the cupboards but actually prefer the wood look so might just lacquer it instead
Has a solar panel all wired up on the roof that runs into some magic box thing that I can't be bothered to work out but basically trickle charges the battery and gives power during the day
The lighting is absolutely brilliant and so neat in the corner all on a switch just by the ramp. Very pleased with the end result
The smaller cupboard is everything power. The bigger right cupboards will be everything bike related
Birky_41 said:
Bit of an update... Really just because I excited and chuffed with the results so far
It's 90% done. Still need to wire in the inverter and gas bottle as I couldn't find the regulator so had to buy another off fleabay
Need to mastic all the joins etc and bought matt black spray for the cupboards but actually prefer the wood look so might just lacquer it instead
Has a solar panel all wired up on the roof that runs into some magic box thing that I can't be bothered to work out but basically trickle charges the battery and gives power during the day
The lighting is absolutely brilliant and so neat in the corner all on a switch just by the ramp. Very pleased with the end result
The smaller cupboard is everything power. The bigger right cupboards will be everything bike related
That looks a good job there Birky lad.It's 90% done. Still need to wire in the inverter and gas bottle as I couldn't find the regulator so had to buy another off fleabay
Need to mastic all the joins etc and bought matt black spray for the cupboards but actually prefer the wood look so might just lacquer it instead
Has a solar panel all wired up on the roof that runs into some magic box thing that I can't be bothered to work out but basically trickle charges the battery and gives power during the day
The lighting is absolutely brilliant and so neat in the corner all on a switch just by the ramp. Very pleased with the end result
The smaller cupboard is everything power. The bigger right cupboards will be everything bike related
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