Trailering Tips?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 10
From: Chicagoland
Trailering Tips?
OK, before you start in with the "Trailer Queen" stuff, the trailer was not my first choice, but I'm glad I'll still be bringing the bike...
I'm heading from Chicago to SD this summer and I'm renting a u-haul motorcycle trailer. I've never trailered a bike before (I have driven with a cargo trailer) so any tips would be appreciated. I've been gatherinfg info from the net, but I'll take all the input I can get. Any tips about tying down?
And just FYI - "MY" motorcycle vacation turned into a "family" vacation (hence the trailer), but at least I can still ride when we get there!
I'm heading from Chicago to SD this summer and I'm renting a u-haul motorcycle trailer. I've never trailered a bike before (I have driven with a cargo trailer) so any tips would be appreciated. I've been gatherinfg info from the net, but I'll take all the input I can get. Any tips about tying down?
And just FYI - "MY" motorcycle vacation turned into a "family" vacation (hence the trailer), but at least I can still ride when we get there!
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 861
Likes: 1
From: NW Louisiana
RE: Trailering Tips?
Check to see if the U-Haul trailer has a front wheel locking Chox. If it does it will make it a lot easier to load and unload the bike, you will only have to driveon or push on, step off the bike and tie it down front and rear. As a minimum check tie-down straps and trailerat every gas stop. Make sure you have a spare tire and jack in case of a flat or a tire plug repair kit and a way to pump up the tire in either event.
I have a Kendon single bike trailer and I just installed the drive on chox so I could handle it all by myself. And yes, I also will be trailering my Deuce to Sturgis. Plenty of time to ride when I get there. Only thing that will stop me from trailering to Sturgis will be if the gas prices go through the roof.
I have a Kendon single bike trailer and I just installed the drive on chox so I could handle it all by myself. And yes, I also will be trailering my Deuce to Sturgis. Plenty of time to ride when I get there. Only thing that will stop me from trailering to Sturgis will be if the gas prices go through the roof.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 948
Likes: 2
From: s.w. mi./daytona
RE: Trailering Tips?
make sure you get one with wood floor ....screw a couple of 2x4s on each side of wheel with deck screws and a battery drill than cut 4 smaller 2x4s maybe 16" long and screw them in front and behind the wheels on top of first boards ..so bike is cribbed in ...the hard thing is findingplaces to tie your straps to....once we drilled holes and put eyebolts with big washers in floor....make sure eye bolts are welded closed. i have seen them open up if not welded....dont tell u-haul you plan on putting a bike in it... some dont want gas transported in them
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
RE: Trailering Tips?
Don't overbind the suspension. Bike needs to move a little otherwise you blow out fork seals. Duct tape all hooks--that way if they slack during a rocking motion the hooks don't drop off. Tie the bike down with enough straps that the trailer could be turned upside down and the bike would stay in place. Do not strap across painted areas it will scuff and dull the paint. I usually try to tie off on the chrome to floor.Check bike often. I was told not to leave the kick stand down ---it will punch a hole in the floor bouncing or break off. Loosely tie down the kick stand side first--then tighten down the exhaust side pulling bike up off of the kick stand then put kick stand up. Take your time and don't drop your bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 1
From: Lake Jem FL (pop 35)
RE: Trailering Tips?
Uhaul has a Motorcycle specific trailer. It is all metal and has a wheel groove the length of the trailer. If you want something enclosed, you have to get a cargo trailer. The have their own pro's and con's.
The pro of an enclosed trailer is just that, enclosed... if it has a wood floor, you can bolt in a chock and the trailer will have tie down points along all the walls if not, bolt them in the wood deck. I agree with mslater tho, don't let Uhaul know you are transporting a bike in it.
The open bed motorcycle trailer is built for a bike, but it is open and the wheels are small that will not allow you to go very fast on the highway. If I remember right, they were 12". That would suck on that long haul.
Have you looked into the cost of buying a flatbed trailer? I got one for about $650, new. 5x8' with 15" wheels and rails. If you are gonna spend near what it would cost you to buy one, you may want to buy one an sell it when you are done.
If you go with the flat bed, the lift up ramps are wonderful Air Brakes........ I take mine off and use a bike ramp that I strap down when I get it all loaded up.
I own a place in the mountains of NC and we head up there several times a year. Wife, 2 boys, 3 dogs...I fully understand the whole deal about the Family vacation and the need to trailer.
The pro of an enclosed trailer is just that, enclosed... if it has a wood floor, you can bolt in a chock and the trailer will have tie down points along all the walls if not, bolt them in the wood deck. I agree with mslater tho, don't let Uhaul know you are transporting a bike in it.
The open bed motorcycle trailer is built for a bike, but it is open and the wheels are small that will not allow you to go very fast on the highway. If I remember right, they were 12". That would suck on that long haul.
Have you looked into the cost of buying a flatbed trailer? I got one for about $650, new. 5x8' with 15" wheels and rails. If you are gonna spend near what it would cost you to buy one, you may want to buy one an sell it when you are done.
If you go with the flat bed, the lift up ramps are wonderful Air Brakes........ I take mine off and use a bike ramp that I strap down when I get it all loaded up.
I own a place in the mountains of NC and we head up there several times a year. Wife, 2 boys, 3 dogs...I fully understand the whole deal about the Family vacation and the need to trailer.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
RE: Trailering Tips?
Take a look at the trailer for any possible problems.I have seen more than one on the side of the road.In fact just last week I saw the license plate holder fall off in front of me.
Some of Uhauls equipment has been around for decades!
Some of Uhauls equipment has been around for decades!
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Joe Kucinski
Banned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 2
RE: Trailering Tips?
I have both kinds. One enclosed and one not. I don't like trailering it makes me nervous. I use the non enclosed trailer for same day purposes and the enclosed on for overnight for obvious reasons. No one knowns whats in it and it can be locked:
here is photo of the enclosed one:
http://www.haulmark.com/php/products...model_id=70119
here is photo of the enclosed one:
http://www.haulmark.com/php/products...model_id=70119
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
RE: Trailering Tips?
I used to think that my bikes in my enclosed trailer were safe at night and in parking lots. Too much trouble to get into and thieves not knowing whats inside. Read newspaper story---thieves stole truck ---Cops find truck and trailer --motorcycles gone.