Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Strapping down to a trailer, what's best?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 03-27-2017, 10:13 AM
ORradtech's Avatar
ORradtech
ORradtech is offline
Outstanding HDF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,172
Received 371 Likes on 321 Posts
Default Strapping down to a trailer, what's best?

I have a chock mounted and run a strap through the wheel to the front of the trailer. I use soft ties to the handlebars and to the tour pack mounting frame to the four corners of the trailer.
I have come to dislike this method. I have done the usual interweb searches and seen many different ways but wanted to see what the forum does for theirs.
My current leaning is towards the Kury front tie down points but not sure for the rear.

If it matters the bike is an 07 Ultra Classic.
 
  #2  
Old 03-27-2017, 11:10 AM
bradn's Avatar
bradn
bradn is offline
Road Master
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Davenport, IA
Posts: 1,205
Received 216 Likes on 174 Posts
Default

I run the strap around the forks just above the fender bolts, and then simply wrap a strap around the rear tire/wheel to keep the ***-end from moving around. It is not recommended to tie down so you have to compress the shocks, as you can blow the seals.
 
  #3  
Old 03-27-2017, 11:20 AM
rollonfreebird's Avatar
rollonfreebird
rollonfreebird is offline
Tourer
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Ne MS
Posts: 455
Received 93 Likes on 67 Posts
Default

I use a simple method, tie the handle bars down then run a strap thru the back wheel, I only put pressure on the forks when I'm transporting, never had any issues, no blown seals or horror stories just a simple method
 
  #4  
Old 03-27-2017, 11:25 AM
todd-67's Avatar
todd-67
todd-67 is offline
Ultimate HDF Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: OH
Posts: 6,899
Received 3,405 Likes on 1,593 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by bradn
I run the strap around the forks just above the fender bolts, and then simply wrap a strap around the rear tire/wheel to keep the ***-end from moving around. It is not recommended to tie down so you have to compress the shocks, as you can blow the seals.
^^This... That is exactly what I do. The handle bars are the worst place to tie down to as they can slip in the mounts and loosen the straps until they come off. Watched that happen to my brothers bike.
 
  #5  
Old 03-27-2017, 12:10 PM
Rob175's Avatar
Rob175
Rob175 is online now
Road Warrior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Lincolnshire, IL
Posts: 1,454
Received 639 Likes on 390 Posts
Default

You definitely don't want to secure the front so as to compress the struts....as another said, the best way is to secure with soft ties around the very lower portion of the front JUST ABOVE THE FENDER FASTENERS but below the compressible portion of the struts.
 
The following users liked this post:
Mr Fixit (08-15-2017)
  #6  
Old 03-27-2017, 12:25 PM
ORradtech's Avatar
ORradtech
ORradtech is offline
Outstanding HDF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,172
Received 371 Likes on 321 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by bradn
I run the strap around the forks just above the fender bolts, and then simply wrap a strap around the rear tire/wheel to keep the ***-end from moving around. It is not recommended to tie down so you have to compress the shocks, as you can blow the seals.
I've seen that method. While it doesn't compress the front shocks it does leave a dynamic load on the trailer which doesnt thrill me either.
I have towed by tying to the handlebars for years and have never had a seal issue. Maybe because I don't try to fully compress the shocks? Also, there are many videos from HD dealers that say to use soft ties on the handlebars.
As for the rear I'd prefer hard points to strap to rather than the wheel.

Thanks for the responses so far. Please keep them coming.
 
  #7  
Old 03-27-2017, 12:34 PM
giacomo56's Avatar
giacomo56
giacomo56 is offline
Road Warrior
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ft Myers FL
Posts: 1,521
Received 184 Likes on 145 Posts
Default

For 50 dollars i bough the hd fork tie-downs.....i trailer with a "5 point" strapdown system....the two rear are attached on the frame so the back-end doesn't shift on me....never had an issue...also I tape down the wratched sets on the straps, i did have one open up on me, just once.
 
The following 2 users liked this post by giacomo56:
cass (05-29-2017), Mr Fixit (08-15-2017)
  #8  
Old 03-27-2017, 12:36 PM
Architect's Avatar
Architect
Architect is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 7,755
Received 4,917 Likes on 2,561 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by todd-67
^^This... That is exactly what I do. The handle bars are the worst place to tie down to as they can slip in the mounts and loosen the straps until they come off. Watched that happen to my brothers bike.
This is the best way for my two cents plus it works on all different kinds of bikes. Did the handle bar thing in the past, they move, rotate, screw up your riser bushings etc. Do not recommend that method at all. If you want the front end partially compressed, find another location below the riser bushings.

Rear is just for side to side and a little insurance in case a front strap gives up on you. I use the rear floor board mounts, maybe not the best but at least it is direct to the frame. I do not like the idea of using the sissy bar or tour pak mounts. Good luck.
 
  #9  
Old 03-27-2017, 01:44 PM
KCFLHRC's Avatar
KCFLHRC
KCFLHRC is offline
Ultimate HDF Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Jayhawk Country
Posts: 8,039
Received 1,300 Likes on 780 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by rollonfreebird
I use a simple method, tie the handle bars down then run a strap thru the back wheel, I only put pressure on the forks when I'm transporting, never had any issues, no blown seals or horror stories just a simple method
Yep, the old blown fork seal myth. Never seen it happen either.
 

Last edited by KCFLHRC; 03-27-2017 at 01:57 PM.
  #10  
Old 03-27-2017, 02:23 PM
sixguns's Avatar
sixguns
sixguns is offline
Grand HDF Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SW Washington State
Posts: 3,799
Received 1,458 Likes on 755 Posts
Default

This is how the factory does it, must work pretty well. Kinda puts the blown seal myth to rest too!
 
Attached Thumbnails Strapping down to a trailer, what's best?-20161123_142616.jpeg   Strapping down to a trailer, what's best?-20161123_142322.jpeg  

Last edited by sixguns; 03-27-2017 at 02:27 PM.
The following users liked this post:
Mr Fixit (08-15-2017)


Quick Reply: Strapping down to a trailer, what's best?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:31 AM.