Topic: Motorcycle Hauling to Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Read 401 times)

Puzzled · « **on:** February 09, 2012, 05:35:29 pm »

Motorcycle Hauling to Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Florida.

I will be departing from PA the morning of Friday March 9th and leaving Florida Sunday March 18th (dates are flexible). The cost is $345.00 per spot for FX style bikes (narrow no bags) and $395.00 for touring bikes (Baggers and bikes with saddlebags, saddlebag brackets etc. this includes if you remove them and want me to haul them down). Price is for round trip, paid in advance. I have all the necessary wheel chocks, soft straps and tie downs. I'm insured and licensed as I have been in business 22 years in the Pocono's. I prefer the drop off and pickup of your motorcycle at my facility in East Stroudsburg but would consider picking up and delivering your motorcycle from your facility at an extra expense. If you intend on flying into Daytona Beach I can store/haul your basic riding gear in the trailer so you don't have to lug it through the airports. Keep in mind you will have to get your gear from the trailer to your room.

I will be unloading the motorcycles Saturday morning the 10th on A1A in Daytona Beach Shores (the motorcycles may be available the evening of the 9th). Arrangements can be made if you need a later pickup of your motorcycle. I will be loading to depart from Daytona Beach Saturday evening March 17th (flexible). I like to leave early Sunday for the long haul home.

References available upon request. I've hauled 100-120 motorcycles to the various events over the years. Not a single issue, KOW. Everything from custom choppers to stretched sport bikes, it all fits in the trailer.

Tow vehicle is a 2008 Ford diesel.
Trailer is a 2008 Pace.

Puzzled · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2012, 09:44:00 pm »

Is anyone heading on down?

I originally had seven bikes for the trailer. One backed out, two I have not heard from since receiving their deposit. So it looks like four bikes as of now which means I may be able to take the little trailer. I've dropped a bunch of listings so I'm hoping I pick up a few more bikes to cover the trip.

Dave · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2012, 10:46:09 am »

i really need to start indulging in this type gig.. go get em' puzz..

Puzzled · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2012, 03:02:59 pm »

Just after I posted my last reply I heard from the folks who gave me a deposit. I'm back up to six bikes now which means I'll be taking the big trailer. That leaves room for four more bikes, time to get hustling......

Since I don't have anyone going down with me I'm going to change my room from the cottage on the beach to a discount place off of the beach. I've stayed here before and I usually can pull in with the trailer without to many troubles. The place on the beach requires disconnecting and pushing the trailer into a space which I can not do by myself.

Fuimus · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2012, 02:39:21 am »

Damn wish I could go, have fun buddy

Puzzled · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2012, 07:18:12 pm »

I just added a V-Rod to the trailer. The woman is from South Jersey which will work as I am picking bikes up in Philly next weekend. This will save her a ton of travel and gains me another bike to haul.

I received a call today with a possible Bagger haul. This is a 50/50 chance of it happening. They were looking to to see if I was going first. Now they are flight and room hunting.

One more and it is a good trip with 9 bikes.

I have a bid in on one bike on U-Ship. It is currently a one way haul however round trip was possible depending on price.

Puzzled · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2012, 08:07:20 pm »

My U-Ship bid turned into a round trip. U-Ship gets a pretty penny for their service. On a $500 bid they get $77 netting $423. Than again without them I wouldn't have access to the loads.

Puzzled · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2012, 12:38:33 am »

What a turn of events. While working on securing the the U-Ship customer which I had to decline I picked up three more bikes on Wednesday and than a fourth on Thursday. I'm now at capacity with 11 bikes. One (mine) may have to go in the bed of the truck.

With that said I may be able to still pick up the U-Ship bike. I also received an email from someone looking to have bike(s) hauled. I also have two more local bikes possibly looking to go. If I can score 4 more bikes I'd run a second trailer down. While not very cost friendly as I'll have to run two trucks I'll be able to take care of a few more customers. My bud would take my other trailer with four bikes in it as well as his own in the bed. I'd have him take my bikes as well as two bikes of people we know locally. The rest I'd haul in the big trailer. I'm not really enthused to have to take two trailers but if I have to......

Sure could use a stacker trailer this trip........

cw1 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2012, 01:02:37 am »

Ah get a longer trailer, grinn.

Puzzled · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2012, 01:10:07 am »

It looks like I can get a 36' tag. That would give me room for 14 bikes....

Puzzled · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2012, 01:21:54 am »

40' aluminum.....

cw1 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2012, 12:36:06 pm »

The 40
trl. , looks sweet, sure is long.

Puzzled · « **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2012, 01:03:19 pm »

The cost difference between a 36' and a 40' isn't worth it as I only gain 1 bike. The 36' is something I'll look into. The final cost coupled with what I can get for my 08 28' will determine what I do. The down side is my 08 is Pace's hi end trailer and I like the quality (Just read Pace closed its doors this year, bummer) which may be hard to find in a new trailer. Haulmark will build a 36' as well as a few of the lesser known companies. Reading the specs on the new trailers it appears they are building them as cheap as possible and everything is an upgrade. On one site I had just as much into the options as the base price of the trailer. I'm not talking fancy laminates or benches either just extra wall and roof supports (16" as opposed to 24", H beam as opposed to U shaped, etc.). I'll order one with 9 rows of E-track in it to match my current setup!

cw1 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 26, 2012, 11:19:22 pm »

Have you tried Horton Trailers, they are like 30 miles from me and are giving some great deals and a good trailer.
CW

Puzzled · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2012, 02:18:15 pm »

I started to pick up and receive bikes yesterday. I have the first 6 loaded as tight as I can get them from front to back. I have 5 more to go in the trailer and I'm not certain it is going to happen. I HAVE had 11 in the trailer before however they were a wide assortment of sport bikes. This time around they are Harley's and cruiser's. I'm forced to leave my Bagger home and take the Buell just for the space (no big deal).

My bud John is going to Florida with me which will help with the driving as well as the loading and unloading of the bikes. What this now presents is I have 12 bikes to haul. We are ok with one in the bed of the truck. What we are thinking is that I'll end up with 2 in the bed of the truck. I searched yesterday for pics of 2 motorcycles in the bed. My tool boxes present somewhat of a challenge as they have a 49" inside opening width. It looks like one will have to face forward and one will face backwards. Now this is if I can't get 11 in the trailer.

Thinking big as usual I went back and looked at new trailers online again. A goose neck is the way to go except those tool boxes again. I called my fabricator buddy and asked about extending/stretching the goose neck. He feels this would not be a problem if I decide to go this route. Going goose would increase my weight capacity however it may not be worth it in the end based on gcwr. Adding that much more trailer may negate the capacity capabilities.

It looks like a tag trailer can weigh in at 12500
Total payload truck/trailer is 15700
My combined weight can be 23500
A goose can weigh in at 16900

A 36' tag loaded would have me close to the vehicles max combined weight limit. There may be no reason to go goose as I'm approaching the max of the vehicle with a tag and the goose may not allow me any more bikes in the trailer. What to do........ Watch next March I'll be empty!

Puzzled · « **Reply #15 on:** March 04, 2012, 02:30:52 pm »

Quote from: cw1 on February 26, 2012, 11:19:22 pm

Have you tried Horton Trailers, they are like 30 miles from me and are giving some great deals and a good trailer.
CW

Hurricane Trailer in GA seems to be one of the few building a 36'. They look to be decent trailers when I compare it to my current Pace. I'd order it the same way as my 28' just with 5 rows of E-track in the floor this time.

I don't know if I want to sell the 28' or keep it, hell I own it! Trailer parking behind my house will have me looking like a storage facility.

Puzzled · « **Reply #16 on:** March 04, 2012, 02:56:01 pm »

After reading several reviews Hurricane Trailer would be a gamble. IF they build your trailer you have a 50/50 chance of getting a good one. IF you get a good one, it is a good one. If not good luck. The complaints on the net are plentiful. Think I'll look elsewhere.....

cw1 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2012, 12:08:48 pm »

I didn't know there was that much demand for hauling bikes to events, must be a good profit in it, hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Too bad you couldn't get another trailer and have a friend pull it down with you, more bikes and more money, just thinking out loud.
Wonder if a double decker trailer would be worth it?
Anyway, you have a great trip to there and be safe.
CW

Puzzled · « **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2012, 02:18:59 pm »

March Daytona is usually a good trip. Since we are in the North East we usually are dealing with snow and cold so the guys are looking to get out and get some rinding in the warm weather. Also a lot of people just don't have the time from work or equipment to travel to the events when two days is spent traveling. I offer an option, fly in, fly home. As of now I've been hauling their gear, I'm going to have to re-work that part as I'm taking enough crap to fill another spot.

A double decker (stacker) would be nice however any gain in capacity would be negated in fuel! I was looking at them and dam they stick up hi above the tow truck. I'm guessing I'd double my fuel bill.....

The same goes for a second trailer, it takes 3 bikes just to cover the trucks expenses. Than you have to deal with showing up in Florida and figuring out where your going to park two trucks and two trailers. This is still a viable option if I were to work out the logistics. A 9 place trailer would be nice. It may be tough filling two trailers though (not this year).

Looking at it from all angles a longer tag trailer economically is my best bet. It is not worth it for me to invest in anything larger than what I can use legally with the truck I have. My next jump up is a mini Freightliner and as much as I'd like one I have no practical use for one outside of hauling twice a year to Florida. Sure I could expand and start hitting the other events, than that would be like work! It is also my understanding I need to carry a medical card when towing over 10K private or commercial.

Puzzled · « **Reply #19 on:** March 05, 2012, 02:22:42 pm »

Quote from: Dave on February 12, 2012, 10:46:09 am

i really need to start indulging in this type gig.. go get em' puzz..

You have been saying that for a few years now. Get yourself a trailer and drop some adds on Craig's List and in the local free papers. It sure is nice to go on vacation and get paid to do it. Yes you have to work some. With the loading/unloading and picking up/delivering of the bikes I put anywhere from 15-20 hours in. Granted it isn't all at once so it doesn't seem so bad.

Puzzled · « **Reply #20 on:** March 07, 2012, 03:33:05 am »

I got a gift today, the two boulevards turned into sport bikes! Whew.... this will make loading easier as I'll have the room needed to fit the five remaining bikes to go in the trailer. One other one will go in the bed of the truck, probably mine. Crisis avoided......

wolf · « **Reply #21 on:** April 07, 2012, 02:00:05 am »

How did this all turn out Puzzled? And YES we want pictures.

Puzzled · « **Reply #22 on:** April 07, 2012, 02:35:28 am »

Eleven bikes in the trailer and one in the bed. I'm guessing I was weighing in close to 23K combined weight. The truck pulled it without a problem. I pulled a consistent 9MPG at 75+ which I was OK with. If there were a down side it would have to be the braking. The truck could use a whole lot more brake. I'm going to go with some Hawk pads all the way around as the stockers are still on there now. I blew a tire on the trailer on the way back in the Carolina's somewhere. When it went it tore up the fender skirt. There was not much I could do about it while on the road so I beat it down and called it done. I think the tire must have been low in air or picked something up off of the road. I was bale to straighten the fender skirt out with some mandrels and dead blows.

cw1 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 07, 2012, 11:39:55 am »

Glad to see you made it back safe, guess you had a great time, huh! grinn.

Dave · « **Reply #24 on:** April 07, 2012, 12:58:28 pm »

you are right.. i do need to get offen my ass.. my truck runs great, so pulling a lil' trailer like that aint no step.. like you, i see braking as an issue.. ford makes 2 sets of pads.. use the heavy duty pads , they are much better than what comes on the truck ..

Puzzled · « **Reply #25 on:** April 07, 2012, 01:43:33 pm »

The Hawk pads I'm looking at are are for towing. I'm guessing they have great initial bite where as a race pad needs heat and they work better as they get hotter.

wolf · « **Reply #26 on:** April 07, 2012, 02:25:51 pm »

Maybe an upgrade in the trailer brakes would help you out as well.

Puzzled · « **Reply #27 on:** April 07, 2012, 02:57:35 pm »

Quote from: wolf on April 07, 2012, 02:25:51 pm

Maybe an upgrade in the trailer brakes would help you out as well.

That is something I'm unfamiliar with but I am open to the option.

wolf · « **Reply #28 on:** April 07, 2012, 08:55:22 pm »

Do you have electric are hyd. brakes on it?

Puzzled · « **Reply #29 on:** April 07, 2012, 09:09:30 pm »

Electric brakes on the trailer. The truck has the Ford brake controller built in which is super smooth as it pulses the signal preventing the trailer from locking up like a standard aftermarket controller. I'd be curious if there are better brake shoes for the trailer wheels.

Plain and simple I was at the max weight of the truck. Although it handled it very well a little extra would have been nice to have had it been needed.

This puts the notion of a bigger trailer to rest as I can overload the truck with the trailer I have now. A step up would be a big commitment on my part and would require me to book more events which at this point does not seem like a worthwhile investment. I'll stick with my current setup and upgrade the components a little to better suit my needs.

In all seriousness it was some work getting those bikes in and out of the trailer, twice. I spent a fair share of time running to and from the trailer loading and unloading bikes for customers. It was nice to cover my trip but it wasn't without some work. I had four different groups of customers which all came and went at different times.

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