Trailering Tips?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 107
From: Santa Clarita, So. Cal. & Bullhead City, Az.
RE: Trailering Tips?
I've got a flat bed and tow 4 bikes sometimes. Don't cheap out on tie downs! I use 2" wide ratcheting tie downs, 4 on each bike. I prefer an open trailer, you can see the bikes and if a tie down comes loose....they do. keep 60% of the load forward. Not enough tongue weight and the trailer starts swaying. The one I have has electric breaks so I can stop the swinging.
Good Luck, drive conservatively, you shouldn't have any trouble.
Good Luck, drive conservatively, you shouldn't have any trouble.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 499
From: Alberta
RE: Trailering Tips?
BEFORE you even hook up to a trailer, check some stuff:
1. Tire tread condition. Uneven wear may indicate alignment/bearing problems
2. Tire pressure
3. Grab a wheel a give it a couple of good yanks sideways to check for bearing play
4. Lights
5. Match hitch to drawbar height
6. Make sure you've got a wrench to match the lug nuts
7. A junkyard scissor jack from a pickup truck is best for tire changing; easy to store and slides under a low axle; try and get the crank, too. If your tow vehicle has one that will work, good.
I've trailered lots; mostly ATV's and Argo's deep into the bush and all my trailers have bearing buddies; the only way to go...I also keep the tires inflated properly and ensure they've got lots of tread. You're giving up holiday time if a trailer craps out on the road; how much is that worth?
1. Tire tread condition. Uneven wear may indicate alignment/bearing problems
2. Tire pressure
3. Grab a wheel a give it a couple of good yanks sideways to check for bearing play
4. Lights
5. Match hitch to drawbar height
6. Make sure you've got a wrench to match the lug nuts
7. A junkyard scissor jack from a pickup truck is best for tire changing; easy to store and slides under a low axle; try and get the crank, too. If your tow vehicle has one that will work, good.
I've trailered lots; mostly ATV's and Argo's deep into the bush and all my trailers have bearing buddies; the only way to go...I also keep the tires inflated properly and ensure they've got lots of tread. You're giving up holiday time if a trailer craps out on the road; how much is that worth?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 10
From: Chicagoland
RE: Trailering Tips?
This is the trailer they have (if it's the same one I get). It's motorcycle-specific and looks like it's got the channel for the wheels.
http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.asp...ing-motorcycle
http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.asp...ing-motorcycle
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,235
Likes: 6,171
From: Black Hills
RE: Trailering Tips?
Here's an inexpensive way of positioning your bike in a trailer. You can pick up scrap 4x4's at a construction site. Screw the 4x4's in from the bottom, leave a gap for the kickstand to swing on the right side, a 2x4 across the front for the tire, then screw the plywood to the floor of the trailer. Once strapped down the bike can't move forward or side to side. SD riding is great, especially in the Black Hills.
[IMG]local://upfiles/21477/DE64586A9EFD4E2AB903C41DC39CB1A6.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/21477/DE64586A9EFD4E2AB903C41DC39CB1A6.jpg[/IMG]
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,235
Likes: 6,171
From: Black Hills
RE: Trailering Tips?
ORIGINAL: rizzo
Here's an inexpensive way of positioning your bike in a trailer. You can pick up scrap 4x4's at a construction site. Screw the 4x4's in from the bottom, leave a gap for the kickstand to swing on the right side, a 2x4 across the front for the tire, then screw the plywood to the floor of the trailer. Once strapped down the bike can't move forward or side to side. SD riding is great, especially in the Black Hills.
[IMG]local://upfiles/21477/DE64586A9EFD4E2AB903C41DC39CB1A6.jpg[/IMG]
Here's an inexpensive way of positioning your bike in a trailer. You can pick up scrap 4x4's at a construction site. Screw the 4x4's in from the bottom, leave a gap for the kickstand to swing on the right side, a 2x4 across the front for the tire, then screw the plywood to the floor of the trailer. Once strapped down the bike can't move forward or side to side. SD riding is great, especially in the Black Hills.
[IMG]local://upfiles/21477/DE64586A9EFD4E2AB903C41DC39CB1A6.jpg[/IMG]
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