Kendon MC Trailer

[Bulldog9]

Looking at a Kendon MC Trailer, is a 2005.

Never heard of them before, but looking at about $750. Looks like is about $2500 new. Any feedback on this model

[NWrider]

Looks like a good price.  I've been using them for years both single rail and a two rail converted to a 3 rail -- they track well and the tortion axle works great.   The single rail is a 1998 bought used and the 2/3 rail is a 2007 purchased new.

[MotoG5]

Had a two rail for many years and it was a great trailer. Sold it to my grandson this year and it's still in use. Never had any issues other than simple maintenance and tire replacements.

[usedtobefast]

I had one of their 3 rail, kind of more dirt bike oriented vs. large street bike purpose.

My only complaint ... for mine, when you fold it and stand it up, it is then too tall to then roll into the garage.  That was a real bummer.  I had thought I would stand it up outside in the driveway and then push it into the garage ... but nope ... got to roll it fully into the garage in "normal trailer mode", then fold it, and then stand it up.  So I basically need like a full cars worth of space to push it in and stand it up. 

My garage door opening is a normal standard size. 

[grebmrof]

I had an early single rail version, I wasn't impressed with it.  While it does fold up, I thought it still took up too much space in the garage.  Mine was hard to load by myself as it did not have additional plating for dismounting after riding it up on the trailer.  I bought it used, sold it a couple of years later, felt renting a UHaul MC trailer was a much better choice and it trailered much better that the little Kendon.  New these puppies are expensive.  UHaul's cost under $20/day, they haul great.

[Motormike]

I've had two of the dual-bike Kendon's over the years.  They make a good trailer for what it is.  I could (with some effort) stand mine up against the wall in the garage.  Just be sure to get a real Kendon, and not one of the many import knock-offs out there made from "Chinesium!."

[dxhall]

My earlier post on Kendons:

I have a Kendon single rail trailer.  I’ve used it a bunch, including a trip from Denver to Minnesota to pick up a CalVin.

The good:  (1)  pulls well with torsion bar suspension and full size wheels. (2) stores easily in regular sized garage.


The bad: it is VERY hard to load and unload full size bikes by yourself.  This is because, as the bike goes up the ramp, you reach a place where your feet can’t reach the ground, and there’s no trailer under you.  You can overcome this problem when loading by riding fast enough up the ramp to balance the bike upright.  Unloading, though, there’s no way.

I’ve been using a 4x4 piece of 3/4 plywood as a ramp.  This is better, but I think loading and unloading without help is asking for trouble.

[pehayes]

I have the two-rail stand-up.  The little stand-up wheels are too soft and will flat spot and rupture if you leave it standing for long periods.  Easy enough to change out new wheels, just a nuisance.  I eventually found some harder wheels and that seems to have cured it.  I just towed two V11-EV from San Francisco to Montrose, CO and back.  Never a whimper.  Regardless of what the seller tells you, consider adding the cost of quality replacement tires.  They fail by age, not by mileage.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Motormike]

Good advice about the tires.  I put the spare under mine as soon as I got it.  Loading and unloading.  I always used two large boxes or cinder blocks or similar on each side of the ramp to have a place to put my feet as I backed the bike off the ramp while sitting on it.  The trailer is pretty low, so easy enough once you got the hang of it.  Of course, I was using it for relatively light weight sport bikes.  Never tried it with a Gold Wing or anything like that!

[CT Dharma]

UHaul's cost under $20/day, they haul great.

What he said, plus you don't have to store it, register it or put tires on it.

[egschade]

UHaul's cost under $20/day, they haul great.

What he said, plus you don't have to store it, register it or put tires on it.

I have an 8 ft landscape trailer with ramp and chocks that works fine for local towing. For longer distance stuff I also rent a U-Haul motorcycle trailer.

[Bulldog9]

Thanks for the feedback. I am definitely in the Uhaul club, been doing it for years for local quick use. This just popped up from a buddy, and would fit my long term plans for after retirement and out X country camping journeys.

[jumpmaster]

My earlier post on Kendons:


The bad: it is VERY hard to load and unload full size bikes by yourself.

I’ve been using a 4x4 piece of 3/4 plywood as a ramp.  This is better, but I think loading and unloading without help is asking for trouble.

+1.  I've been "enjoying" for several years the results of herniating a disc when I lost it halfway up the ramp while trying to load a Harley Road Glide Ultra alone on my 2-rail Kendon.  I should have just let it drop, but instead I held it up until my next door neighbor could run over & help me.  I'd successfully loaded & unloaded a somewhat lighter Harley Softtail several times & that bike at least once by myself.  As the investment firms usually state - "Past performance does not predict future results".  There are fairly sturdy-looking ramps from www.discountramps.c om (& others, I'm sure) @ $400 - $1,000+, but that's not worth it IMO unless you are planning to use the trailer several times a year.

[Scott of the Sahara]

I have the Kendon wide trailer that is perfect for hauling the Ural. Easy to  load and unload. We also used it to haul my Moto Guzzi and my friends Harley across the state for a multi day ride. My only complaint is it is too wide. (although perfect when hauling two road bikes)
Mine sits in the yard, I do not fold it up.

[Motorad64]

I had an older Kendon Stand-Up I bought from a neighbor for $1000.   Sold it to a local brit bike guy and have regretted ever since.  Easy to use, well made and rode well with either 1 or both bikes on.   Slightly low deck for parking lot egress, but made it easy to load.   Great feature to fold up and tuck against a wall.  Hubs with grease fittings, good quality wheels/tires and hardware.

Only thing I'd have preferred, and they now seem to have, is a spray dodger and lockable storage box for gas tanks, etc.