cruisin66 Posted March 3, 2017 Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 Has anyone used a swivelwheel trailer behind their 5er to carry a motorcycle or golf cart? I'm interested in any experiences from people that have done so. Specifically issues with weight, tail swing, and towing in states that restrict triple towing. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberly Posted March 3, 2017 Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 Following Quote Kimberly Flores, Trail Boss and Wagon Master Jesse Flores, Coxswain, Shotgun Shipmate Wagon mates: Cinnamon, Mini Schnauzer 2017 F350 Lariat Dually 2018 Keystone Fuzion 371 Toy Hauler LovetheRVlife.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjhunter01 Posted March 3, 2017 Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 (edited) I have been towing a swivel trailer for 4 1/2 years now and it allows me to take a motorcycle with us (1800 Goldwing, now 1300 VTX). We tow this behind our 34' Cameo fifthwheel and with a Chevy crewcab and full box gets us to 61' length. We have been full timing and been back and forth all over the USA, including 3 months in CA and 3 winters in FL and up the East coast and never once been stopped or questioned by a LEO on the setup. The swivel is considered a camper frame extension, so a licenses plate is not required, just move your camper plate to the back of the swivel trailer. The 8" load range D tire is hard to find from a dealer, so I carry 2 spares. With the Goldwing at 950 lbs, the tire would last 2500 miles, whereas the VTX at 550 lbs the tire last about 3500 miles. Our trailer is tapered at the rear, but you do have to watch the tail swing out on tight turns. I would suggest a rear mounted camera to monitor the trailer and it's load, also a tire monitor system. A battery golf cart might be a bit heavy for a swivel trailer, gas should be OK load wise. I searched the country on CL and found our used swivel trailer for half price. Greg Edited March 3, 2017 by gjhunter01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisin66 Posted March 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thanks Greg I have a 40ft trailer and my total length is about 59ft. I was looking at either the swivelwheel 58 or 58DW (8ft wide x 5ft deck.) I downsized from a BMW LT 900 lb to a BMW K1600GTL 700 lb. I figure my overall length to be in the 66 ft range. The model you have is longer and no longer made. Is yours a single wheel? Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirakawa Posted March 4, 2017 Report Share Posted March 4, 2017 Several years ago I was interested in the Swivelwheel for the rear of my fifth wheel. I called the company in Katy, TX and asked them many questions. I asked whether it had to be licensed as a separate trailer. His answer was that in some states it did but in others it did not. He gave the example of his home State, Texas. He said that Texas considers the Swivelwheel a separate trailer and must be licensed as such. This may have changed. Quote Everybody wanna hear the truth, but everybody tell a lie. Everybody wanna go to Heaven, but nobody want to die. Albert King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted March 4, 2017 Report Share Posted March 4, 2017 Florida also considers it a separate trailer and illegal to pull behind a 5er. However, I have seen plenty of out of state 5ers pulling them and never seen one stopped by LEO. I considered getting one, but was too worried about the stresses on my 5ers frame as well as finding a good hitch to mount under there. Here is one brand not often mentioned on forums.; http://www.toy-tote.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjhunter01 Posted March 4, 2017 Report Share Posted March 4, 2017 Our swivel is a single wheel, the dual wheels only carry a couple hundred pounds more load, but you now have 2 tires to worry about. The swivel trailer weighs 450 lb empty so with a Goldwing loaded the total trailer weighs in at 1500 lbs of which half is carried by the 8" tire and the other 750 lbs carried by the hitch. I have always kept a close eye on the hitch welds and any signs of camper frame sagging, none so far. I have added a photo of the swivel as currently parked for 2 months, I keep the wheel off the ground to prevent flat spots. I also have a picture of the under side hitch I made showing the two swivel mounts welded directly to the hitch frame. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srchiefic Posted April 13, 2019 Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 Does anyone know where you can obtain the swivel wheel assemblies to use to manufacture your own swivel wheel trailer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
accumack Posted April 13, 2019 Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 11 hours ago, srchiefic said: Does anyone know where you can obtain the swivel wheel assemblies to use to manufacture your own swivel wheel trailer? A few years ago i built a swivel wheel carrier. No one would sell the assemblies so I built my own. Quote 2011 Berkshire 390-rb-40, upgraded tires and front axle airbags, 2012 Jeep Wrangler 2 door, Blue Ox baseplate and BlueOx aladdin tow bar, Blue Ox Patriot brake system, wiring run through right frame rail and homemade led taillight bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted April 14, 2019 Report Share Posted April 14, 2019 Funny I should run across this post today. I just ran across an old swivel wheel trailer in the back lot of a trailer dealer. This is an idea i have been thinking about for a while now. I have a phone call to make Monday morning. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aknavy Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 On 4/12/2019 at 7:50 PM, srchiefic said: Does anyone know where you can obtain the swivel wheel assemblies to use to manufacture your own swivel wheel trailer? I bought one of these after I had a wheel bearing cost me the spindle on my old axle. Was due to poor maintenance. This axle is solid and over engineered for the rating he gives it. I've got about 15k trouble free miles with it, and I have about 900 pounds on the axle, give or take, depending on the day. https://axlesandmorebyjoellc.com/ Quote 2001 VNL 660 2018 DRV Fullhouse JX450 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsinc Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 I have seen that website before. A bit pricy for me. I have a friend who built a similar device with the platform, ran out of $ before he could get the proper certs to sell on open market. His wheel assembly uses an air bag. Nice option for load balancing. Gotta get my hands on one to try it. He has a bunch in his yard, brand new, just sitting. Quote Marcel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 On 3/3/2017 at 10:25 AM, gjhunter01 said: I have been towing a swivel trailer for 4 1/2 years now and it allows me to take a motorcycle with us (1800 Goldwing, now 1300 VTX). We tow this behind our 34' Cameo fifthwheel and with a Chevy crewcab and full box gets us to 61' length. We have been full timing and been back and forth all over the USA, including 3 months in CA and 3 winters in FL and up the East coast and never once been stopped or questioned by a LEO on the setup. The swivel is considered a camper frame extension, so a licenses plate is not required, just move your camper plate to the back of the swivel trailer. The 8" load range D tire is hard to find from a dealer, so I carry 2 spares. With the Goldwing at 950 lbs, the tire would last 2500 miles, whereas the VTX at 550 lbs the tire last about 3500 miles. Our trailer is tapered at the rear, but you do have to watch the tail swing out on tight turns. I would suggest a rear mounted camera to monitor the trailer and it's load, also a tire monitor system. A battery golf cart might be a bit heavy for a swivel trailer, gas should be OK load wise. I searched the country on CL and found our used swivel trailer for half price. Greg It seems like it is going through tires a bit fast. Why do you think this is? I would think that they are not like W speed rated tires with super soft compound. As long as a golf cart could fit I would think you would be fine. Standard Golf Cart – dry weight 600 lbs. At least this is what Google comes up with. Quote 2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear 2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 If a guy could find an aircraft tire that fits they stand up to torture pretty good... Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsinc Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 15 hours ago, rynosback said: It seems like it is going through tires a bit fast. Why do you think this is? I would think that they are not like W speed rated tires with super soft compound. As long as a golf cart could fit I would think you would be fine. Standard Golf Cart – dry weight 600 lbs. At least this is what Google comes up with. I would think that load weight would be the most impactful thing to tire wear, then perhaps if there is NO suspension, that might cause some bouncing and that could attribute to tire wear also. I would also think that the double wheel would fair better on tire wear over the single wheel. I find that this is similar to tire wear on my work truck. Dually with a service bed. Others seem to replace tires at 30K miles, I have over 50K miles on mine and still not ready for change. BUT, I do monitor tire pressure, watch my loading, dont over load the truck and drive at below speed limit. Maybe as I have gotten older and spent $ on things that cost me, I have learned a few things about how to become more EFFICIENT. Quote Marcel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
accumack Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 I think the biggest factor is the small diameter wheels that are used also bias ply tires I remember before radial tires 8,000 to 10,000 was the norm for wear. Quote 2011 Berkshire 390-rb-40, upgraded tires and front axle airbags, 2012 Jeep Wrangler 2 door, Blue Ox baseplate and BlueOx aladdin tow bar, Blue Ox Patriot brake system, wiring run through right frame rail and homemade led taillight bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adventurous squirrel Posted October 9, 2021 Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 (edited) Does anyone have an issue with too much pivot on a swivelwheel trailer with steep driveways or hills? We have two dirtbikes loaded sideways to the pickup and during the transition to the hill our handle bar looks like it will hit on a steep incline? Edited October 9, 2021 by Adventurous squirrel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Burkett Posted October 10, 2021 Report Share Posted October 10, 2021 Check out the Freedom Hauler, it attaches to the frame of the trailer, steers with the trailer and you can get it with a pivot for going over uneven terrain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapperdan Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 If you get the chance go on You Tube and check out Watts on Wheels. Those folks have been pulling a Freedom Hauler behind their fifth wheel for a few years. There's a segment where they show hooking it up to their RV and all that entails! Spoiler alert, it aint easy. 😆 I think the nicest feature about a swivel carrier is that you can back your unit up no problem. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjhunter01 Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 (edited) The only problem I have had with too much swivel is when backing up down over a sharp drop off (end of a camp site pad). With the swivel axle turned 180 deg, the back of the trailer will drop low enough to scrape the licenses plate. I'm still using our trailer after 9 years FT and never had any legal issues. My latest tire has lasted 8k miles which is now only loaded to approx 600 lbs. I haul my bike front to back to allow the bike suspension to work as designed. Edited October 11, 2021 by gjhunter01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adventurous squirrel Posted October 17, 2021 Report Share Posted October 17, 2021 thank you everyone for your replies. We will check out the suggestions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted October 25, 2021 Report Share Posted October 25, 2021 On 10/9/2021 at 7:57 PM, Larry Burkett said: Check out the Freedom Hauler, it attaches to the frame of the trailer, steers with the trailer and you can get it with a pivot for going over uneven terrain. I second this. I have a friend that got one. We were out in Idaho last summer. He went straight to the factory to get it installed. Very knowledgeable people there and a real slick set up. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poohbear Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 Thanks all for the info. Been looking at the CruiserLift double wheel model to carry a 48v golf car. Torn between these or small trailer double towing. I've asked on some other sites but not much response from actual users. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefneon Posted December 2, 2021 Report Share Posted December 2, 2021 On 10/9/2021 at 7:57 PM, Larry Burkett said: Check out the Freedom Hauler, it attaches to the frame of the trailer, steers with the trailer and you can get it with a pivot for going over uneven terrain. Howdy! looks like Idaho Tote has changed their name or sold out to a new owner. I had a Idaho Tote for years. Used it to carry a Yamaha Rhino side by side later a Smart Car. They are very well constructed and made. We towed ours all over the country including Canada and Alaska. Had a law enforcement look us over a few times and never questioned it being a double tow. ” Happy Trails “ Chiefneon Quote "Class of 2007 Fulltimer's" Gary & karen Smoochie & Michaela (fur babies) 2018 Chevorlet 3500 HD/LTZ 2L Custom Hauler 2014 Heartland Cyclone 4000 2016 Smart Car Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Burkett Posted December 3, 2021 Report Share Posted December 3, 2021 Idaho Tote changed their name, same company same manufacture facility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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