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Jul 25, 2011 | 10:51 AM

BucksBike

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 175

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From: Bucks Co PA

Trailer Advice

Any ideas on what would be the smalest size double bike enclosed trailer for hauling a Sportster and Dyna Low Rider? How much room is needed in addition to the width of the bikes? I've trailered boats but have no experience with hauling bikes. If I'm remembering correctly my tow vehicle (a 2008 Sport Trac) has about a 7,500 load rating.

Jul 25, 2011 | 11:02 AM

YeOldeStonecat

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Joined: Oct 2010

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From: Along the shoreline in SW FL

Bars and saddle bags and if you have engine guards will have a major factor in this...but most utility trailers will be fine for width. If it's tight, you could stagger them a bit to clear the bars. Check the capacity in weight of the trailer. I'd want the headroom of a trailer rated for 2,000 lbs. My Dyna is about 690 lbs. Yours should be similar. You sporty a bit lighter.

For side by side ...I'd want wheel chocks for both bikes, instead of relying solely on 6 straps per bike if you didn't have chocks.

*Compress front shock about 1/2 way...never fully.
*Strap on each side of bike holding left/right balance of rear of bike.
*spring line optional..depending on what type of wheel chock you have. Basically to keep bike from launching forward into your car/truck during a panic stop.

Jul 25, 2011 | 11:45 AM

oldairboater

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Joined: Jan 2008

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From: Republic of Texas

A 12x6 will hold two bikes staggered. It is tight. A 14x7 will hold them better staggered. Dual axles pull better than single axles but you wear tires faster. Trailer brakes help, especially when you have a light tow vehicle. Always use wheel chocks or docks and straps rated for your bike weight. Tie down loops should be fixed to the floor of the trailer through more then plywood. There are more opinions on the right way to tie down a motorcycle than there is room for fleas on an elephant's ***. My opinion is never tie down the bikes solid and use six to eight straps per bike the allow the bikes to work some on their suspension. Never leave anything rubbing paint, and handle bars are not strong tie off points. Never leave the kickstands down and I don't like to leave my bikes in gear.

Jul 25, 2011 | 12:13 PM

lgenf

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Joined: Jun 2011

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From: Boca Raton, FL

are you set on only enclosed?

Jul 25, 2011 | 12:37 PM

Sharknose

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Joined: May 2006

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From: Midwest

You can often save width by backing one of the bikes on.

Jul 25, 2011 | 01:10 PM

BucksBike

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 175

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From: Bucks Co PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgenf

are you set on only enclosed?

I'm sorta locked into a enclosed since I want the trailer to do double duty as storage for the destination.

Jul 25, 2011 | 01:51 PM

brenn

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Joined: Aug 2008

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From: Kentucky

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucksBike

I'm sorta locked into a enclosed since I want the trailer to do double duty as storage for the destination.

Yeah, I've been thinking about getting one, because it could do double duty for camping, and let me take a 1,200 trip with my wife and her Sportster in 1 day, instead of the 3 she'd want to ride it.