Ace Foldable Single Rail Motorcycle Trailer Owner Review
2023 ж. 23 Мам.
28 333 Рет қаралды
Can a little single rail motorcycle trailer that only weighs 300 pounds and folds up for easy garage storage really go the distance? Here's a review of the Ace Single Rail Motorcycle Trailer.
• Ace trailer: theusatrailerstore.com/ace-si...
• EV Rider website: evrider.tv
• EV Rider on Facebook: / evriderfl
• EV Rider on Instagram: / evriderfl
• EV Rider on Twitter: / bortzinjax
Thank you for the review! Super helpful. Needing an extra person is a bummer though.
Thanks for the review
Thanks for this! I’m going with Ken Dom as a result. Sure it’s more, but it really addresses all the cons you presented.
THIS THE TRAILER I WANT
Just pulled mine from Tennessee to Utah but mine has footboards so someone can ride it up and sit on it while the other straps it
Great review! Thank you for sharing. I had considered this trailer, but after your review, I'm not so sure.
Yea, it's got a very limited use case.
Great review. You couldn’t pay me to use this trailer. Many years ago I had a simple 1 bike trailer that had a transverse leaf spring. Absolutely brilliant design. Wish I still had it. Rigid trailer is a total no go for me. Thanks again for the excellent review.
Great point, no suspension and the front chock doesnt do anything! It's a nightmare waiting to happen.
Great review. Very well thought out and perfectly worded thank you. By the way what a beautiful bike. Ots my forst time seeing this bike and ima look it up because im currently on the market for a bike especially a hyper naked bike.
Thank you!
tbh Would worry a bit about to much weight upfront. My choice was rather a Motolug HDE (from UK) since my EV is limited in pulling weight. Was able to pick up my new Indian Chief Dark Horse with it all by myself. No extra ramp needed. Easy to take apart in short time without tools too. British product sold in netherland carries up to 450kg. Still had the same experience bc such lightweight trailers all lack a real suspension. 🖖
the audio is nostalgic to the 90s audio of the crt tvs. great video by the way.
Since that video was recorded I have replaced my audio gear. Unfortunately I have several videos that were produced when my former Synco wireless lavs started failing. I think you'll find my current videos have much better audio.
Thank you for the review! I knew this trailer wasn't for me as soon as you mentioned needing two people to load and unload, however I did watch the entire thing. It's disappointing that Trailer in a Bag can provide a locking wheel chock but Ace can't. As an aside, I sure hope you were able to ride the Cherohala Skyway while you were in that area...much better road and you can really open up the throttle!
Looking at a map I thinking I rode the Cherohala Skyway but didn't realize that was the name of the road. Such a wonderful area! Back to the Ace, since I shot that video I found another KZheadr that did manage to fit a traditional chock on his Ace. I wrote to ask about it but didn't hear back.
@@EVRider glad you were able to hit the Cherohala Skyway! My avatar was taken on that road. It's my absolute favorite! Hopefully that KZheadr gets back to you because I would love to see how it was done.
@@EVRider I would be interested to know what the chock was that he used as well.
@@gregl4068 I went looking for the video again, figuring I could at least throw a link in these comments but I've been unable to find it using the same search terms I used previously.
Enjoyed your review, thank you. My bike weighs 375 lbs. with a 54" wheelbase. I'm wondering if I can fit a locking chock to the front of the trailer. What is the length of the main rail when configured for traveling, i.e. without the ramp?
I'm out of town so I can't measure the length of the main rail. My best guess is once you count the two supports in the front of the rail you wouldn't have more than about 12 inches to work with for a chock but you could try looking up the number of the USA Trailer Store to see if they can specifically answer your question.
Hi EV rider thank you for the video! At what speed did you travel? How bumpy was the ride?
On interstates I never exceeded 68 and generally went 65 mph or below, depending on traffic and the condition of the road. The ride was very bumpy since the trailer doesn't have a suspension.
Amazing review
Thanks!
Could it be modded to lock into the front wheel?
I think it probably could. If you weren't concerned about the folding storage profile or were willing to go through the disassembly hassle you could probably attach a traditional wheel chock, although that front fork is very short so it would be tight fit.
Question: Did you ever think about installing (parts of) a SteadyStand upfront, so the Zero stays upright by itself before you buckle it up?
Yes, I did consider replacing the Ace's chock with a traditional one but didn't attempt it for the following reasons: 1.) Portability. That was the #1 reason I got the trailer. I needed a trailer that folded into a smaller space than its competition to fit in my garage. If I were to put a chock on I'd have to remove it each time or it wouldn't fold. 2.) I'd still need a 2nd person to spot me while I do the trailer wheel step-over. A taller person with a smaller bike might be able to do the step-over without risk but the odds are too great of messing up & dropping the bike on the step-over for me at 5' 8". 3.) The Ace's front fork/tube is short & narrow so it would also be a challenge finding a chock that would fit.
Perhaps, if you change that front stop with a real wheel chock he won’t need two people to hold the bike up. You just chalk it up and tie it down. You can get one @ cycle gear
I did see 1 video, which I can't find anymore, where a rider managed to fit a real chock on his. I thought about doing that but then I wouldn't be able to fold/store the trailer in the very limited garage space I have without removing the chock each time. Plus, with the wheel step over, I'd still rather have a 2nd person spot me so I decided against pursuing that idea. In a perfect world I'd get a larger trailer like a Stinger or Kendon but their larger fold-up footprints didn't work for my storage situation & of course they're significantly more expensive.
Just weld a plate on for the kickstand to sit on and you don't need a second person. Put a pre determined length strap on the kickstand side then pull the bike over from the right and strap thar side. I load my bike on a flat trailer with no wheel chock that way alone and it works.
To weld a plate into place would defeat the trailer's easy storage since it would interfere with the fold points. If storage/cost isn't an issue there are better overall options out there. The beauty of the ACE is its tiny fold-up footprint and barebones weight. But sure, with modifications it could become a one-person loading proposition.
@EVRider there's got to be room to figure out some kind of way to mount a plate. Even some form of clip on. However if your satisfied with how it works then why change it.
My bike is 850 pounds. No can do. Great review!
I agree with you. No way I'd trust the ACE with an 850 pound bike.
Nice review! Do you know how that price would compare to renting a uhaul trailer?
Thanks for the compliment Will. A Uhaul motorcycle trailer costs about $15 per day to rent and weighs about 600 pounds. The Ace in my review costs about $1,400 new but you can occasionally find gently used ones for sale on places like eBay and Facebook Marketplace for much less. I bought mine used. Here's a video on Uhaul's motorcycle trailer: kzhead.info/sun/e8WoldSxmniXmZE/bejne.html
I found this trailer for $577 with free shipping for the next few days. Could you not put some 2x6 runners on the side to let the kickstand down until you get it strapped?
I don’t know how to share a link or send a picture in comments. I googled ace motorcycle trailer and a site called Seasonal Marts came up with the sale price. The site you mentioned also came up with a price of $1377. Same trailer plus shipping was around $200. Hope this helps somebody.
Concerning the price you quoted, make sure its a legit website before ordering. I also saw the Ace listed at a rock bottom price but the site (different than the 1 you mentioned) had a high fraud score. In my case, I bought my Ace from a private seller. Concerning the runners: I considered the runners that the USA Trailer Store offers but they looked too short to reach my bike's kickstand unless I stopped well short of the chalk. The Ace runners would also force an awkward step up that I'm not personally comfortable with. Another possibility would be riding the bike up and then placing your feet on the boards, again not something I'd personally be comfortable doing since you have exactly one shot at getting it right or you'll tip over. Here's a link to the Ace running boards: theusatrailerstore.com/ace-motorcycle-trailer-running-board-kit/ If someone opts for homemade runners, make sure they are secured properly and the wood or other material will support the weight of you and your bike and won't damage the trailer's integrity at the fastening points. I'm conservative when it comes to loading my motorcycle. I've seen too many bikers on KZhead end up falling over when they lost control or balance.
@@EVRider Good points.
I think you’ve sold me on this one. I need a trailer for a dirt bike that I can store and not leave out in our driveway. Although this is more than I probably wanted to spend it certainly worth not hearing my wife complain about a trailer in the yard.
500 lb bike, would love to know the tongue weight you had there!
I don't know the answer to that although I can tell you my hitch is rated at 200 lbs. tongue weight.
I have the same trailer and perfectly can load and unload my heavy FZ1 by myself.
Wow, I'm impressed. How in the world do you strap it down without a helper, or did you manage to find a small enough aftermarket wheel chock that holds up the bike? If so, please share a link to it.
How would this work for a Honda trail 125?
I would think it would be fine for a bike that small. Just keep in mind even with a small bike like that you'll still need someone to hold it up while you strap it down.
Did those very wheels come with it ?
Yes.
Great pictures of how it folds up for storage!!!! Seriously that is supposed to be on of the biggest features of this trailer and you don't even show it. what a waste!
I'm not sure I understand your comment. A demonstration of how it folds up for storage begins at 6:04 into the video.
What is the speed rating on the tires?
The one I have came with a set of Load Stars, with the phrase "high speed" on the sidewall and speed rating of "W," which according to Ace's manual is a maximum speed of 168 mph, although obviously with a trailer like this - or any trailer - you should never exceed your state's stated trailer speed limit.
So I am 5'7" and my VTX1800 is somewhere around 900 lbs. I doubt even with my 5'1" wife's assistance I could load or unload my bike on that trailer. With my ramp system, I can load and unload my bike into the bed of my pickup by myself.
Agreed. I wouldn't attempt to load or haul a 900 lbs. bike on the Ace, as I noted in the video. I'm only hauling my 498 pound Zero about once or twice a year, and always with my wife along to help with loading/unloading. I got it because it was the only trailer I could find that would fit in my garage. Trailers like the Stinger and Kendon stuck out too far in their folded upright positions for my limited storage space. I wasn't willing to have a vehicle sit outside to make room for a trailer and I'll never tow my sport tourer with it. I have a SUV as opposed to a pickup so your solution wasn't an option for me.
Its been 8 months, how is this trailer treating ya?
Right now it's sitting in the garage but I plan on using it next to tow the Zero to Electrics at the Dragon again in April. Details: evrider.tv/make-plans-now-electrics-at-the-dragon-2024/
Another con. I've used this trailer twice. First time, all the bolts that hold the fenders snapped off and the fenders broke off and got destroyed. I installed new fenders with larger stronger bolts and on the second tow the steel brackets that the fenders are bolted to tore off and the fenders and lights were destroyed again......
Oh man. That makes me nervous. I haven't noticed any issues with mine. I'll be sure to do a careful check the next time I tow with it
@@EVRider it's not a matter of will they break, but when. They will break. This is a design flaw. I've been taking with the company and they're trying to claim that a motorcycle that's to big or the trailer not being level while towing will cause the fenders to break off.....nine of these are my situation. Then they said that there must be something wrong with how I use the trailer........yep that's it, using the trailer going cross country from Florida to North Carolina, ND from North Carolina to Nevada is the issue. All of the forces and shocks from the roads go directly into the brackets and bolts on the fenders. They need to be lighter or spring mounted. As I said, it's a design flaw.
Hell and NO. None of that is worth the risks of a spill you take to just load a bike & good luck with that on a country road!!! ☠
51 seconds into the review and deal breaker. The fold up Stinger is a much better choice. Uses a Condor wheel chock.
The Stinger looks like a great option but let's not forget it costs more than twice as much ($2,999 vs. $1,379) and takes more space to store. I also considered the Stinger but didn't have the room to spare in my garage and I couldn't justify the additional cost for how seldom I tow a motorcycle. For those interested in a Stinger, here's a link to the product page: stingertrailer.com/product/stinger-folding-trailer-xl-112/
Got one of these. They are super super sketch. Fea like the bike is going to tip over. Haven't been brave enough to go very far with it
I've never felt like mine was going to tip over, but when towing I drive very conseratively. Given it has no suspension it really requires you to drive at or below the speed limit and give yourself plenty of manuevering space to either slow down or change lanes to avoid as many ruts in the road as possible. Having no suspension is one of the big tradeoffs with this trailer.
So, only slightly more coal was burned to provide the electricity to charge your car, when towing the bike…..
Sounds like you're not familar with the nation's current and transitioning energy mix. Likely little or no coal was used to power that trip. Natural Gas is currently the nation's largest fuel source for the nation's utilities at 43 percent in 2023. Renewable energy is next at 23 percent in 2023 and quickly rising, while coal is quickly falling (15.9% in 2023). Sources: Statista, U.S. Energy Information Administration. For example, my local utility (JEA) demolished its coal plant while adding solar and nuclear. I'm writing this post with electricity generated by rooftop solar.
Too many CONS!!
For me what tipped the scales was its tiny storage footprint. Options like the Stinger and Kendon were just too big to fit in my two car garage while still managing to fit 2 cars, 2 motorcycles, lawn gear, bicycle and the usual odds and ends in.
@@EVRider: Yup. Good point. But after much thought, the fact you need 2 persons to load, and no suspension would make most people nervous on any trip over say 30 miles! A heavy bike like one that’s worth like $25,000 or more can’t be trusted on there. So it’s probably good for a dirt bike or occasional trip for service at the dealer. Thanks for the review!
@@michaelfrascati7610 Yea, it's definitely not for everyone & I agree, it's better suited for infrequent, short-distance towing on smooth roads. For those with more space & more $$ there are definitely better alternatives out there.
It looks like you gave an autistic kid, a milk crate full of straps, and told him to tie the bike up for ransom.
i am based in uk i would love this whats the make many thanks colin
It:s called the Ace Trailer. Here's a link: theusatrailerstore.com/ace-single-motorcycle-trailer/