I have only had to trailer my bikes three times in the past 6 years - all because they were not operational. Each time, the towing cost was very expensive just because I live so far from the nearest dealership or repair shop. The bed of my truck is too short to tow the new Rocker, but I do have a hitch on the truck.
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If I need to tow the Rocker for repairs, I am told that a flatbed trailer is better than a rail trailer. I am looking to this group for recommendations and experiences, and other tools (tie downs, chocks, etc...) that might also be needed.

 

whats wrong with the rocker

 

This past weekend, my dad towed his bike about 500 miles, and I towed mine about 250, and we met to go for a ride.&nbsp\\; He rented a uhaul open flatbed trailer, and I hauled mine on a Diamond C trailer, specifically designed for hauling motorcycles.
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The biggest thing that I found was that the chock was probably the most important thing on my trailer.&nbsp\\; With the chock, and only two tie-downs, I would have felt comfortable pulling the bike as far as I was going. Without the chock in his trailer, a tie-down at each corner was absolutely necessary.&nbsp\\; The diamond C trailer comes with it built in, but they're pretty easy to find on ebay, so you could just mount one to a typical flatbed.&nbsp\\; A friend of mine has a nice covered trailer, that has mounting points for chocks all over it, and detachable chocks, which is cool, but a little overboard for most people.
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Next thing was the "soft-ties"&nbsp\\; You can get them at Walmart, but I'd recommend the HD ones (like $7 for a pair).&nbsp\\; They seem like much better construction (they're 2 in wide, versus the 1 in you can find at wally world, and a much thicker nylon).&nbsp\\; These are much better than the tie-downs with the built in loop, because those seem like they're trying to pull themselves apart.
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For the tie-downs, buy the strongest 1 in. ratcheting ones you can find.&nbsp\\; I've been really disappointed everywhere I've looked, and really haven't found anything better than the HD ones.&nbsp\\; I've used both the ratcheting ones, and the pull tight kind, and I think you can get it way tighter with the ratcheting.&nbsp\\; If you go with the 2 in. ones, it's a much bigger PITA to keep all the excess wrapped up so it won't flap around and ruin your paint.&nbsp\\; If you're not handy with knots, get a bag of long zip ties to hold all of the extra material, as far from your bike as possible.&nbsp\\; If you are handy with knots, loop the excess between the hook on the trailer, and the ratcheting mechanism, and then tie it off with a couple of half hitches.
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Get the front of the bike tightened down so tight that there isn't ANY play in the suspension (I loop the soft-ties around the handlebars, where they connect to the triple tree, to get the biggest triangle I can).&nbsp\\; It helps to have a friend bounce on the front suspension as you're tightening it to make sure that it's all the way down.&nbsp\\; You don't want to hit a rock and have so much play that the strap comes loose.
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I'd agree that a flatbed trailer is probably better.&nbsp\\; I've never used a rail trailer, but it has to be easier to be able to ride the bike onto the trailer and put your feet down, then to have a buddy help you walk the bike up the rail.
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Uhaul:
http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.asp...pentrailer-5x9
Diamond C:
http://www.diamondctrailers.com/trai...-4mt-l10cs.htm
Non-ratcheting tie downs:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Soft Ties:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
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+1 on the tire chock.

 

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Nothing at this time - just preparing for worse case

 

I just finished a 4X8 flatbed trailer and put tie downs and a wheel chock on it.&nbsp\\; All Harbor Frieght stuff. Total cost was under $460.&nbsp\\; I do have a 8.5 by 20 enclosed trailer for three bike and camping.&nbsp\\; But the truck gets 10 mpg towing it.&nbsp\\; Wht the little trailer, I can use my wifes Hylander for hauling to the dealer at 22mpg.



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