Trailering Bikes
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Winston-Salem NC
Just dont try to cover the bike in any way to protect it, my buddy tried covering his bike and towing and ended up rubbing everything dull paint, chrome, etc, dumb mistake. Just clean her up when you get there. The salt will eat up any aluminum in a second so dont wait on the cleanup if you get salty or wet roads.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
Just dont try to cover the bike in any way to protect it, my buddy tried covering his bike and towing and ended up rubbing everything dull paint, chrome, etc, dumb mistake. Just clean her up when you get there. The salt will eat up any aluminum in a second so dont wait on the cleanup if you get salty or wet roads.
Regarding salt spray -- seems to me that if you're on the road anywhere during adverse weathr, unless you know for sure there's no salt applied you'd better assume it is and clean accordingly.
Regarding bike covers -- seems I've seen advertised some cover or wrap for a trailered bike that is guaranteed to protect against road hazards(?); of course, probably costs as much as the trailer (or maybe the bike!).
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
Some good points raised, especially about salt spray. If I ever trailered our bikes from wintery NJ to a warm place for a riding vacation I can't imagine what the bikes would look like by the time we got there.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
About salt spray....we have that here in daytona along the beach.
I use a bike wash called "Renew" that is sold at our local Harley dealer.
It states on the bottle that is has 'salt neutralizer'. I wash my bike with that.
Could you also spray down your bike with bike wash, tow it to orlando (or where ever the 'salt spray' stops) and then rinse the bike off?
I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as you rinse it first thing.
chuck
I use a bike wash called "Renew" that is sold at our local Harley dealer.
It states on the bottle that is has 'salt neutralizer'. I wash my bike with that.
Could you also spray down your bike with bike wash, tow it to orlando (or where ever the 'salt spray' stops) and then rinse the bike off?
I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as you rinse it first thing.
chuck
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 1
From: Lake County FL
Trailered with open trailer many times, never an issue. Took some company show bikes to Sturgis and back from NY on an open and had no problem. Bikes didn't get that dirty either. I was surprised.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 861
Likes: 1
From: NW Louisiana
Trailering is good when it is necessary. My last tow was to Sturgis 2700 miles round trip with no problems. I carry a duplicate spare tire, Fix A Flat, Tire Repair Kit and small jack. Keep the bearings greased and the tires properly inflated, bike secured and you should have a good towing experience. I only covered the bike at overnight stops but never underway. The trailer rides so close to the rear of my 4Runner that I never experienced any rock damage. Rain was never a problem.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
Well, NO ONE else seems to wanna post it, so:
SILLY YUPPIE, TRAILERS ARE FOR BOATS !!!
(YET another reason I ain't NO yuppie)
SILLY YUPPIE, TRAILERS ARE FOR BOATS !!!
(YET another reason I ain't NO yuppie)
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Does the trailer have "stake pockets". I have a short (about 18") front wall on my trailer to shield against rocks from the truck tires. It also blocks alot of spray. I also have 2x12 ramps that mount in stake pockets to make side walls. They help block some spray too. Do not cover the bikes, the cover will flap and cause damage.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 723
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Florida
a couple of years ago, trailered mine about 3k miles and a lot of rain. Bike looked like crap when unloaded but a quick wash fixed all that. Looking into getting a toy-hauler for the really long trips when time is short.