Hauling a Buddy

Scootin_in_MS · Post by **Scootin_in_MS** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 7:58 pm

Does anyone on here own one of these, and have you tried hauling a Buddy on it? I have one of these, and it works with a Metro, but I'm not sure about a Buddy.

Also, can someone tell me how long a Buddy is from the front of the front tire to the back of the rear tire? How wide from tip of handgrip to tip of handgrip?

My Buddy is coming in next week, and I am considering my pick-up options.

Thanks,
Jody

Beamie · Post by **Beamie** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 10:33 pm

You have to scrutinize the claimed load capacity of those types of haulers because when the load is applied anywhere beyhond the end of your hitch, there is a significant prying effect on your vehicle.

Take a look at the versahaul vehicle listings:
http://www.versahaul.com/vehiclecarrycapacity.htm

The effective center of gravity of the load is the important thing; the picture you posted may extend a different distance than the versahaul, so you need to adjust accordingly.

I was amazed on how much the load capacity of our Tahoe was eventhough our hitch is rated at 600 pounds.

A trailer is the best solution.
Many UHAUL centers rent a motorcycle compatible trailer for less than $20 a day.

ellen · Post by **ellen** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:42 pm

Only have small SUV's. So got a Harbor Freight small utility trailer.
Works with a class 1 hitch.
It's small enough that it can be stored on its side in the garage.
Easily carries 2 scooters with no problem.

Beamie · Post by **Beamie** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:48 pm

Wasn't cheap, but sure is nice that it folds up, stands up and wheels into the corner of the garage on casters.
Also that is goes way beyond paralegal speed limits and I never know it's even there. It's dead stable.

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 1:42 am

all this makes me happy I live less than a mile from my scooter shop, so we got the Buddy home with ease. the downside is I was just at Pride Of Cleveland again today stalking for a creme one.

Lagerhead · Post by **Lagerhead** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:31 am

According to my owners manual the dimensions are listed at...

Overall length-1710mm / 67.375 inches

Overall width-645mm / 25.375 inches

Overall height-1060mm / 41.75 inches

which seem pretty close.

Here's a picture of mine on a trailer that measures 6ft by 4ft inside the rails.

Beamie · Post by **Beamie** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:44 pm

peabody99 wrote:all this makes me happy I live less than a mile from my scooter shop, so we got the Buddy home with ease. the downside is I was just at Pride Of Cleveland again today stalking for a creme one.

But you can't get it away on vacation.

mlstephens · Post by **mlstephens** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:17 am

Beamie wrote: Wasn't cheap, but sure is nice that it folds up, stands up and wheels into the corner of the garage on casters.
Also that is goes way beyond paralegal speed limits and I never know it's even there. It's dead stable.

Excellent option, thanks. Where did you get it, and how much?

Ellen - which model is the Harbor Freight trailer, and did you modify it for the scoots?

ellen · Post by **ellen** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:46 am

mlstephens wrote: Ellen - which model is the Harbor Freight trailer, and did you modify it for the scoots?

The model I bought was the Mini Utility Trailer. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=42708
I also purchased the optional motorcycle rails and a spare tire.
Put the plywood decking to to make it more stable. Also bolted a 6' 2X4 to the front to use as tie downs as it was a bit narrow. But I found these so they will probably be my next purchase. http://www.sportutilitytrailers.com/accessories/MC2.htm

The only thing I really don't like about the trailer are the 8" tires. Thinking about upgrading them to 12".
I've driven this all over the Northeast. But because of the small tires I make sure I try to keep the max speed around 55.
And like I posted before. This thing is so small I just roll it in the garage and prop it up on its side. (2 person job)

mlstephens · Post by **mlstephens** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:54 am

ellen wrote:
mlstephens wrote: Ellen - which model is the Harbor Freight trailer, and did you modify it for the scoots?
The model I bought was the Mini Utility Trailer. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=42708

I've driven this all over the Northeast. But because of the small tires I make sure I try to keep the max speed around 55.

Hmm. I would definitely need more speed capacity. Thanks for the info.

ellen · Post by **ellen** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:04 am

mlstephens wrote:Hmm. I would definitely need more speed capacity. Thanks for the info.

Yeah, its a pain... But its also a blast going on vacation and bringing the scooters! When I make hotel reservations it's almost become second nature to ask if they allow trailer parking

Beamie · Post by **Beamie** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:17 am

mlstephens wrote:
Beamie wrote: Wasn't cheap, but sure is nice that it folds up, stands up and wheels into the corner of the garage on casters.
Also that is goes way beyond paralegal speed limits and I never know it's even there. It's dead stable.

Excellent option, thanks. Where did you get it, and how much?.

Do a search for Kendon for prices, dealers and variations.
Might also try Ebay keeping in mind that they were redesigned to be much lighter a few years ago.

Ours came from a Harley dealer as no local trailer dealers carried them.
Most bike trailers I found were either converted lawn mower trailers or too heavy to handle alone.

Like I mentioned, it's not cheap, but for me it's a life long investment as I keep it inside. I grew tired of having my previous bike trailer sitting around in the yard with metal rusting out and plywood deck rotting and being an eyesore on the property.

After I had to track down a rental trailer to haul a motorcycle, this is a blessing.

It gets comments everywhere I take it.

It's heavy enough to be stable but light enough for one person to handle it.

And it has 14" highway worthy tires; that's important. The optional spare is tucked in under the deck and locked for security.

ctpaddler2000 · Post by **ctpaddler2000** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:35 am

I would like to second the Harbor Freight recommendation. I have one also. If you order from Harbor Freight buy the model with the 12" tires and not the 8" tires. Here is my trailer with my AN400 aboard.

smorris · Post by **smorris** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:20 am

peabody99 wrote:all this makes me happy I live less than a mile from my scooter shop, so we got the Buddy home with ease. the downside is I was just at Pride Of Cleveland again today stalking for a creme one.

I didn't recognize where you were in previous posts. Hi neighbor! I'm out west of you in Avon. I've been to POC a few times and took the MSF ERC class with several of them last weekend. If you wander out this way, drop me a note beforehand and we can meet up!

Steve

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:58 am

smorris wrote:
peabody99 wrote:all this makes me happy I live less than a mile from my scooter shop, so we got the Buddy home with ease. the downside is I was just at Pride Of Cleveland again today stalking for a creme one.
I didn't recognize where you were in previous posts. Hi neighbor! I'm out west of you in Avon. I've been to POC a few times and took the MSF ERC class with several of them last weekend. If you wander out this way, drop me a note beforehand and we can meet up!

Steve

Hi Steve-tell us about the class...cost, what you did (ie jump thru fire ring etc) , where it was etc. I am interested in finding out more . I have not taken the road test yet, just have temps. Now If I could wrestle Buddy from my husband who stole him the moment day we picked him up, I could get a little more practice... (P.S Buddy doesnt go to the suburbs-some sort of phobia, but maybe we'll see you in Cleveland!)

Scootin_in_MS · Post by **Scootin_in_MS** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:15 am

I found this trailer on Harbor Freight. It looks just about right considering everyone's suggestions. All it needs is a piece of plywood, some anchors, and some wheel braces. I'm going to ask my husband to check the pricing in the store in New Orleans near his office. Sometimes they have sales that are better than the ones online...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=90154

Jody

mlstephens · Post by **mlstephens** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:35 am

ctpaddler2000 wrote:If you order from Harbor Freight buy the model with the 12" tires and not the 8" tires.

Are the 12" tire models rated for 75mph?

pocphil · Post by **pocphil** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:07 am

The Kendon trailers are incredibly nice but pricey (We are a dealer). When it comes to capacity and ease of storage and use they can't be beaten.

But....

The buddy is so small and light you really don't need a whole trailer. In fact the Versahaul works so much better and when you're not using it you can slide it under your workbench or put it behind your garage wrapped in a tarp.

http://www.versahaul.com/vh55ro.html

We're also a dealer for them and we can have them dropped shipped to your door in under 2 days.

Remember you need to have a Class III Hitch, not just a box hitch that "looks" like a class 3. Look on the hitch itself, if it isn't stamped Class III get it checked out by your local U-Haul or other trailer specialist.

If you take your mirrors off you'll be surprised what the buddy will fit in:

Honda Element - 2 Buddies
Honda Civic Wagovan - 1 Buddy (passenger seat max forward)
Lincoln Navigator - Leaning slightly
Jeep Commander - 1 Perfectly upright
Checker Marathon - 1 in the back seat...sideways
Toyota Tercel Wagon - 1 upright Front wheel in the rear seat foot-well
Scion xB - 1 tilted and diagonal, but no straps were needed.

Beamie · Post by **Beamie** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:43 am

Scootin_in_MS wrote:I found this trailer on Harbor Freight. It looks just about right considering everyone's suggestions. All it needs is a piece of plywood, some anchors, and some wheel braces. I'm going to ask my husband to check the pricing in the store in New Orleans near his office. Sometimes they have sales that are better than the ones online...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=90154

Jody

You'll see the plywood rot in a year or so if left out in the elements.
Not the best solution.

mlstephens · Post by **mlstephens** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:44 am

Nice list, Phil. Add to the list:

Volkswagen Eurovan, straight up with mirrors mounted

Scootin_in_MS · Post by **Scootin_in_MS** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 12:29 pm

Beamie wrote:You'll see the plywood rot in a year or so if left out in the elements. Not the best solution.

We did get this trailer, and we put 3/4" pressure treated plywood on the floor. It is also foldable, so it stands up, and only takes up about 2 x 5 feet of carport space - fits nicely in front of our Taurus. I don't think the plywood will rot out any time soon, especially since it is out of the elements.

Jody

Beamie · Post by **Beamie** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 5:20 pm

Scootin_in_MS wrote:
Beamie wrote:You'll see the plywood rot in a year or so if left out in the elements. Not the best solution.
We did get this trailer, and we put 3/4" pressure treated plywood on the floor. It is also foldable, so it stands up, and only takes up about 2 x 5 feet of carport space - fits nicely in front of our Taurus. I don't think the plywood will rot out any time soon, especially since it is out of the elements.

Jody

If you cut the plywood, you should treat the cut edges.
Since it's manufactured with waterproof glue between the laminations, the PT only goes in to the first glue line. Exposed cut edges will allow deterioration from within.

Icelander · Post by **Icelander** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:37 am

How far is it possible to lean a Buddy? Also, which side is the carburetor on?

dnpicardy · Post by **dnpicardy** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 3:41 am

You show a picture of a sweet trailer with no info about who makes it or where it is available........

who makes this trailer?

Scootin_in_MS · Post by **Scootin_in_MS** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:47 pm

dnpicardy wrote:You show a picture of a sweet trailer with no info about who makes it or where it is available........who makes this trailer?

Who are you asking?

Jody

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