Trailering
#1
Trailering
So, I have to trailer my Heritage Softail to town in this cold weather. U-haul has a trailer that has a narrow V notch in the front made specifically for motorcycles. The trailer has multiple D-rings for tie downs, but I have not been able to find a really good video on youtube regarding tying down a Harley, or other big bike. There's one on tying down a V-rod, and some other sport bikes, but nothing in the size or shape of a softail, or road king, etc.
Anyone know of a link or got some tips?
Anyone know of a link or got some tips?
#2
There are a million videos out there...some better than others. But every bike and trailer are different when it comes to the specifics...you just have to determine what will work for your bike in the space available given the tie down points. Here's my 2 cents after decades of towing race bikes, dirt bikes and other bikes on open trailers...but my way isn't the only way...it just works for me.
In general, be sure to pull the bike forward (not just sideways) and down (compress the forks a little...about half way) with the tie downs so the front wheel doesn't come out of the "V notch" (or chock) when you accelerate. Stand the bike up straight in first gear...don't use the side/jiffy stand. I also tie the back end down (again puling a little forward if possible) so it doesn't bounce around on the trailer.
There are all sorts of tie downs...different ones work better with different bikes. Usually some combination of 4 tie downs (I prefer Ancra) and 4 soft ties will work with almost any bike and trailer...depending on the available tie down points on the trailer and bike. That's about the best I can do without seeing the bike on/in the trailer and seeing the tie down points. Again, it's not the only way...just the one that works for me. Good luck with it.
In general, be sure to pull the bike forward (not just sideways) and down (compress the forks a little...about half way) with the tie downs so the front wheel doesn't come out of the "V notch" (or chock) when you accelerate. Stand the bike up straight in first gear...don't use the side/jiffy stand. I also tie the back end down (again puling a little forward if possible) so it doesn't bounce around on the trailer.
There are all sorts of tie downs...different ones work better with different bikes. Usually some combination of 4 tie downs (I prefer Ancra) and 4 soft ties will work with almost any bike and trailer...depending on the available tie down points on the trailer and bike. That's about the best I can do without seeing the bike on/in the trailer and seeing the tie down points. Again, it's not the only way...just the one that works for me. Good luck with it.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
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Tying down a bike is fairly simple and straight forward regardless of the size and weight of the bike.
Make certain you have a chock for the front wheel, or something to push the front wheel up against. This will prevent the wheel from vibrating to the right or left, hindering the tie downs effectiveness.
Attatch a tie down strap to the left and right handlebar. Pull out, down and forward at a 30 degree angle, pulling the front wheel hard into the chock or up against a stop. Have someone sit on the bike and push down hard to compress the forks nearly all the way or as far down as you can. Sinch the tie downs as they are pushing down on the forks. You want to pull down and forward as hard as you can. The front is the main concern. The back is only tied down to keep it from bouncing up and down. Don't pull the bike backward with the rear tie downs. Only tie down to keep the rear from bouncing left and right.
Make certain you have a chock for the front wheel, or something to push the front wheel up against. This will prevent the wheel from vibrating to the right or left, hindering the tie downs effectiveness.
Attatch a tie down strap to the left and right handlebar. Pull out, down and forward at a 30 degree angle, pulling the front wheel hard into the chock or up against a stop. Have someone sit on the bike and push down hard to compress the forks nearly all the way or as far down as you can. Sinch the tie downs as they are pushing down on the forks. You want to pull down and forward as hard as you can. The front is the main concern. The back is only tied down to keep it from bouncing up and down. Don't pull the bike backward with the rear tie downs. Only tie down to keep the rear from bouncing left and right.
Last edited by Thumper09; 11-10-2014 at 10:54 PM.
#5
Get that front suspension compressed down as far as you can. If you have the security system on your bike, make sure it is in transport mode. They have padded straps so that the chrome does not get messed up.
#7
I have used this same trailer when I HAVE to trailer. done it 50 miles ...done it 1000 miles. The V up front is ok. Key is to get good compression of forks...try to get rear wheel between the raised rails in floor...and if traveling more than 40-50 miles us 4 straps for sure 2 front and 2 rear. On the 1000 mile trips I check it at every stop...and with OL and baby thats pretty frequent...lol.
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#9
Like always Never tie your bike down with the handlebars,they break.Not every time but they break.Think about it. An 800 lb bike tied down to the weakest piece of steel tubing on the bike pulling it down to bottom of the suspension when you bottom the front end out probably with a cheap *** Home Depot strap.I've seen bikes laying on their sides with broke,bent handlebars from tying them down like that.Seen directionals break off leaving the bike laying in a ditch on the side of the interstate.
You can do it but I don't recommend it. Towed thousands of miles transporting bikes and always tie down the front at the fender mounting bosses and the rear swingarm. Let the bikes suspension work for you especially a heavy bike.More than one way of doing it but the handlebars is not one of them.
You can do it but I don't recommend it. Towed thousands of miles transporting bikes and always tie down the front at the fender mounting bosses and the rear swingarm. Let the bikes suspension work for you especially a heavy bike.More than one way of doing it but the handlebars is not one of them.
#10
Thanks all. I actually went to Avalanche Harley and bought the tie down rings made specifically for the Heritage. They bolt onto the same place as the removeable windshield hardware. Haven't picked them up yet. It's been too dam cold to haul that thing to town anyway.
but, thanks again for all the help. Great forum.
but, thanks again for all the help. Great forum.
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