EASYLIFT HYDRATRAIL IN EUROPE

[John745]

I've had a hydrotrail for 8 years with a motorbike on it and traveled over 20,000 miles with in on. Only problems I've had is tyre wear is higher than normal and had to have some welding done as the roads in Italy were terrible. Never been stopped or asked questions by the law.
I would purchase again if I didn't have one, great when you head down the wrong road as you just select reverse and allow for the extra length do jack knifing as it goes where you do.
Just make sure you use six straps to hole the bike on.
Will be using it again this year in Spain, but has been used all across Europe.

Hope this helps you.

 

[Silver-Fox]

How dirty does the bike get if the weather is poor when towing ?

Depends if you have mud flaps fitted or not.

Not that bad in my opinion ?

 

[ADJF]

I am in a bit of a predicament. I have a small classic motorcycle, the greatest bike in the world the Honda C90 Supercub, which we will be taking across Europe this summer, France, Switzerland, Italy possibly Greece. Sometimes I ride the bike whilst my wife follows me in the motorhome. I want tailer for it. Last year I used a Dave Cooper bike rack but it’s right on the limit of the rear axle weight and a nuisance to load. My choices are Hydrolift, side load trailer (an Armitage or CMB trailer, or even a collapsible MotoLug.

Every option has a merit but also a disadvantage. I’m torn on which one to select. There could be times when the bike is off the vanand there will be a time as we will have the van parked upfor a couple of months so a collapsible or stackable side load has advantages. I just don’t know what to choose. Help?????

 

[Vic]

ADJF, if it helps, the Hydratrail breakdown into several parts so it too can be stored easily.

 

[Lucky]

I am in a bit of a predicament. I have a small classic motorcycle, the greatest bike in the world the Honda C90 Supercub, which we will be taking across Europe this summer, France, Switzerland, Italy possibly Greece. Sometimes I ride the bike whilst my wife follows me in the motorhome. I want tailer for it. Last year I used a Dave Cooper bike rack but it’s right on the limit of the rear axle weight and a nuisance to load. My choices are Hydrolift, side load trailer (an Armitage or CMB trailer, or even a collapsible MotoLug.

Every option has a merit but also a disadvantage. I’m torn on which one to select. There could be times when the bike is off the vanand there will be a time as we will have the van parked upfor a couple of months so a collapsible or stackable side load has advantages. I just don’t know what to choose. Help?????

I'd avoid the MotoLug after owning one. They are incredibly heavy (if you intend to carry one dismantled) and should not be towed if not loaded.

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[TheTwoOfUs]

Something to bear in mind is that if you are just overnighting and the pitch isn't long enough to fit on without uncoupling the trailer then you will have to unload the bike first. With a side loading trailer you don't have to. I had a Hydratrail and now have an Armitage SLT which I prefer.

 

[ADJF]

Many thanks. I am on the look out for a good Armitage or CMF. I’m trying to find a good used model

 

[prb]

I've had a hydrotrail for 8 years with a motorbike on it and traveled over 20,000 miles with in on. Only problems I've had is tyre wear is higher than normal and had to have some welding done as the roads in Italy were terrible. Never been stopped or asked questions by the law.
I would purchase again if I didn't have one, great when you head down the wrong road as you just select reverse and allow for the extra length do jack knifing as it goes where you do.
Just make sure you use six straps to hole the bike on.
Will be using it again this year in Spain, but has been used all across Europe.

Hope this helps you.

Not sure what mileage you are getting out of tyres, but when I picked mine up from Loughborough, the inventor/builder advised me to make sure the friction bands were as stiff as possible but still able to turn or they would "feather" in use and wear the tyres more quickly.

 

[nar53]

Hi Has anyone here used this trailer with an Piaggio MP3 scooter? I've been in touch with the manufacturer and he says he's built a three wheeler version, in fact he sent me photo's of it.

 

[Vic]

Always found Anthony (builder and designer of Hydratail) both helpful and caring. Only sold mine as we now have two dogs and even I will have problems carrying them an a scooter.

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[tonyidle]

Hi Has anyone here used this trailer with an Piaggio MP3 scooter? I've been in touch with the manufacturer and he says he's built a three wheeler version, in fact he sent me photo's of it. View attachment 367350

I'm struggling to find the third wheel ..........................

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

I had one for use with my MP3 scooter. Worked reasonably well with our Frankia, however when we swapped to a Dethleffs the long rear overhang and light chassis meant that the trailer was unable to lift the scooterso we sold it and bought a side loading Armitage.

 

[nar53]

I had one for use with my MP3 scooter. Worked reasonably well with our Frankia, however when we swapped to a Dethleffs the long rear overhang and light chassis meant that the trailer was unable to lift the scooterso we sold it and bought a side loading Armitage.

H'mm thats interesting & not something I would've thought about. We have an old (95) 7mtr Chausson on the AlKo Chassis. We currently pull a Toyota IQ behind us on an A Frame (Sorry A Frame Haters) but now that our teenage son doesn't want to travel with us anymore we want something more compact & easier to handle. Due to my mobility problems we do need alternative transport otherwise we'll have to throw the towel in & go tin tent but neither of us want to do that.

Any idea why the long overhang makes the trailer unable to lift the MP3, which I know are heavy?

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

The MP3 we have is the 500cc which weighs 260kg. When trying to jack it up, due to the position of the jack there is a tendency to lift the back of the van which is probably lighter than the trailer+scooter. It wouldn't even get it off the ground. As I've also pointed out elsewhere if you want to disconnect the trailer from the van you have to unload the scooter first. With a side loading trailer you don't.

 

[nar53]

The MP3 we have is the 500cc which weighs 260kg. When trying to jack it up, due to the position of the jack there is a tendency to lift the back of the van which is probably lighter than the trailer+scooter. It wouldn't even get it off the ground. As I've also pointed out elsewhere if you want to disconnect the trailer from the van you have to unload the scooter first. With a side loading trailer you don't.

Thank you. A lot to think about. we probably won't make a decision for a while at least not until this virus stuff has calmed down.

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[jongood]

The MP3 we have is the 500cc which weighs 260kg. When trying to jack it up, due to the position of the jack there is a tendency to lift the back of the van which is probably lighter than the trailer+scooter. It wouldn't even get it off the ground. As I've also pointed out elsewhere if you want to disconnect the trailer from the van you have to unload the scooter first. With a side loading trailer you don't.

I'm well practiced in reversing trailers but surely the shortness of a side loader would make it very difficult.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

A reversing camera is a must but with care it is not a problem.

 

[nar53]

I'm well practiced in reversing trailers but surely the shortness of a side loader would make it very difficult.

I'm pretty much the same, big trailers no problem, but little short trailers that I can't see are a nightmare.

 

[nar53]

A reversing camera is a must but with care it is not a problem.

I fully agree, a reversing camera is a big help but it can still be very difficult with a short trailer.

 

[jongood]

I fully agree, a reversing camera is a big help but it can still be very difficult with a short trailer.

And pretty useless in the dark or if the sun is on the screen.

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[TheTwoOfUs]

And pretty useless in the dark or if the sun is on the screen.

That applies to any trailer. At the end of the day, if you can't reverse, you can't reverse

 

[jongood]

That applies to any trailer. At the end of the day, if you can't reverse, you can't reverse

I disagree on two counts:

1, a hydratrail is self steering
2, A shorter trailer is much harder to reverse than a longer one, I should know I regularly drive 44 tonners and pull all manner of smaller trailers.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

As you and I both know, the longer the "tractor" unit and the shorter the trailer the more difficult it is to reverse but not impossible if done with care. I'm sure that as a driver you will never have had to abandon a reversing procedure, that was my point.
As regards lack of light I find that the rear+reversing light give me enough illumination.
Having had both I find that the advantages of a side loading trailer exceed the single advantage of a Hydratrail.

 

[NewboyNB]

Got one in the garage at home which will probably appear in the classifieds section soon because we’re not using it (assuming I get my arse in gear). Will come with complete replacement spare wheel unit, a spare wheel, loading ramp etc.

Let me know when and if please? Picking up my 'new to me' Charisma next week.... Will be handy for the GSA

 

[prb]

Let me know when and if please? Picking up my 'new to me' Charisma next week.... Will be handy for the GSA

assuming he meant a Hydratrail, best check the capacity. My Easylifter is only rated to 250 kg. I think your GSA might top that.

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[bigtwin]

assuming he meant a Hydratrail, best check the capacity. My Easylifter is only rated to 250 kg. I think your GSA might top that.

As long as he doesn't put fuel in it he should just about be ok! ?

Ian

 

[Tigertom]

Hydratrail getting a pasting on ‘face ache’ , Hymer owners group reporting problems and failures!

 

[Ninjabob]

https://m.facebook.com/groups/811018195582470?view=permalink&id=3958256274191964

 

[Tigertom]

Ninjabob, I’m not sure but I think your link to Facebook won’t work because it’s a members only group.

 

[tacr2man]

New post on another uk forum , about a catastrophic failure when carrying a couple of e bikes .

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