How to trailer your bike?
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 503
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From: Dallas, Tx
How to trailer your bike?
I have a couple of questions about trailering my bike out of town? I would be using a flat general purpose trailer going 1300 miles round trip pulling it behind my Tahoe. Should I use a cover while towing the bike? Any special ways of strapping a Softtail down? Since we do not own a "Motorcycle trailer" should I worry about rock chips if the bike is not covered while trailering? If I was to use a cover would I have to worry about scratches from the cover flapping in the wind? I may be able to get access to a "Motorcycle trailer" so if their is a high chance of damage from using the general purpose trailer I may push hard for this option. Thanks!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
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RE: How to trailer your bike?
When I sold my last bike, the new owner came from New Mexico (I'm in TX) with his flat bed trailer. He bought a wheel chock, and 4 tie-downs. He bolted down the chock on the front (bottom of trailer was wood) and used the tie-downs (2 on the front handlebars 2 on the rear swingarm). He had a tarp, but I was worried about it scratching the paint, so we wrapped the bike in sheets 
and then covered the remainder with the tarp.....(the tarp had holes on all sides to strap to the trailer) It worked out great and he called me the next day and said everything was perfect.
Make sure you have all the tie downs equally TIGHT!!!! Do one side at a time and move around the bike...then go back and tighten! Also, keep the kickstand down (but the bike straight up)...just added protection...hmmm...keep bike in 1st gear too, and not neutral.....
Hope this helps and I am sure you will do just fine!
Also, U-Haul makes a motorcycle trailer that is high on the front and sides (also an area for the wheel to go)...just another option to consider...
Good Luck!
and then covered the remainder with the tarp.....(the tarp had holes on all sides to strap to the trailer) It worked out great and he called me the next day and said everything was perfect.Make sure you have all the tie downs equally TIGHT!!!! Do one side at a time and move around the bike...then go back and tighten! Also, keep the kickstand down (but the bike straight up)...just added protection...hmmm...keep bike in 1st gear too, and not neutral.....
Hope this helps and I am sure you will do just fine!
Also, U-Haul makes a motorcycle trailer that is high on the front and sides (also an area for the wheel to go)...just another option to consider...
Good Luck!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 1
From:
RE: How to trailer your bike?
You have less chance of getting rock chips while it is on your trailer then while riding it. Unless of course you have some weird trailer the aligns your bike behind your tires. Your vehicle will catch any rocks and actually protect your bike. I would never tarp it as you chance marring the paint. It is no different then riding it......
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch, MS.
RE: How to trailer your bike?
Says....
Don't wrap it in a tarp.
Place & secure a piece of plywood in the front of the trailer, the width of the trailer and about headlight height.
Use ratchet style straps that are in very good condition, and shop rags or towels.
2 straps above the bottom triple tree, one on each side - secured at the 10 & 2 position at the front corners of the trailer
2 straps on the down tubes, secured at the 9 & 3 position on the trailer
2 straps on the swing arm each side, and secured at the 5 & 7 position at the rea corners of the trailer.
2 straps on the rear wheel secured at the 9 & 3 position at the tail-end of the trailer
Make a small wooden box from 2x6's or stacked 2x4's approx 15 inches long and 10 inches wide and cover the top with either foam rubber or carpet. Two milk crates will work, but you will need to cut them down to fit beneath the bike.
With the bike up on the trailer, slide the carpet covered box underneath the engine area.
Begin to ratchet the bike down at all strap points a little at a time until the bike is upright and verticle and the frame is securely touching the box..
Some have the bike in gear - some have it in netural
Be sure to check the straps regularly, but surely within the first 3 to 5 miles.
There is no such thing as TOO many ratchet straps.
Don't wrap it in a tarp.
Place & secure a piece of plywood in the front of the trailer, the width of the trailer and about headlight height.
Use ratchet style straps that are in very good condition, and shop rags or towels.
2 straps above the bottom triple tree, one on each side - secured at the 10 & 2 position at the front corners of the trailer
2 straps on the down tubes, secured at the 9 & 3 position on the trailer
2 straps on the swing arm each side, and secured at the 5 & 7 position at the rea corners of the trailer.
2 straps on the rear wheel secured at the 9 & 3 position at the tail-end of the trailer
Make a small wooden box from 2x6's or stacked 2x4's approx 15 inches long and 10 inches wide and cover the top with either foam rubber or carpet. Two milk crates will work, but you will need to cut them down to fit beneath the bike.
With the bike up on the trailer, slide the carpet covered box underneath the engine area.
Begin to ratchet the bike down at all strap points a little at a time until the bike is upright and verticle and the frame is securely touching the box..
Some have the bike in gear - some have it in netural
Be sure to check the straps regularly, but surely within the first 3 to 5 miles.
There is no such thing as TOO many ratchet straps.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,537
Likes: 21
RE: How to trailer your bike?
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER tie straps around your handlebars.......
Have seen too many know it all's bend the bars at the risers and hammered the bushings out of shape from overstressing the strapping.....
Use the reinforced portions of the frame to bear the brunt of the support.....
Use the fork lowers at the fender mount as an anchor point, the frame at the bottom of the neck, frame at swing arm pivot point are also great points to anchor your straps to.....
And don't leave the full weight of the bike on the sidestand (if you don't have a chock).....
Blackoak gives the best scenario for open trailer loading.... Great advice and it is on the cheap....
Have seen too many know it all's bend the bars at the risers and hammered the bushings out of shape from overstressing the strapping.....
Use the reinforced portions of the frame to bear the brunt of the support.....
Use the fork lowers at the fender mount as an anchor point, the frame at the bottom of the neck, frame at swing arm pivot point are also great points to anchor your straps to.....
And don't leave the full weight of the bike on the sidestand (if you don't have a chock).....
Blackoak gives the best scenario for open trailer loading.... Great advice and it is on the cheap....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,273
Likes: 7
From:
RE: How to trailer your bike?
you also do not want to bottom out the front shock tubes by cinching down too tight. when you release the bike. release the front first, put down the jiffy, then release the right rear strap letting the bike come over onto the jiffy. the remove left rear strap.
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