Hey Folks,
Need your advice on trailering my bike. I have an 04 Fat Boy, and I just purchased a tilt utility trailer on which I installed wheel rails, tie down eye-bolts and a front wheel chock. I plan on hauling the bike around six hundred miles mostly interstate but also through two or three major cities along the route. So what sage advice can you give regarding tie-down points, number of tie-downs, loading and unloading, things to look out for and things to do or NOT to do. Any advice is appreciated as I have never transported my bike this way before. Thanks !!

 

Well for one, don't try to ride up on the tilt trailer. I did and you won't enjoy the experience. Get a good long ramp. If your chock has a lockin pivot, it's very difficult to get a big bike out. I tie down with ratcheting strap, two front, one in back keep tension pulling back on the tire. I run a locking cable tru the frame. Pulled my x-bones to Ohio from spokane wa. and back at freeway speeds with no problems.

 

First, go to the store and get yourself some good straps! They also sell these soft straps, They are a thick strap with loops at the ends of them, you wrap those around the forks (they will not scratch) and then you hook the ratchet strap to that! Wheel chock is key, if the forks can't turn the bike will not fall!. Make sure you use 2 straps for the front, just watch brake lines and what ever else so you dont strap around them. strap the front down so the front suspension compress about a 1/4 way maybe a little more. You can tow a bike this way, i have done it, but it never hurts to throw one or 2 straps in the back. Just make sure the bike is straight and check it when you get on the road every so many miles or hours.

Happy haulin!

 

I always tie down the sliders where the front fender bolts up.It lets the bike's suspension work freely.A piece of fleece cloth or microfiber towels keeps from damaging chrome or powder coating.Compressing the forks any will lead to premature wear on your dust shields and oil seals.Not to mention adding to the bounce effect of the trailer especially one running springs.Not as noticeable if your trailer has torsion suspension. A tie down on each side at the rear on the swing arm will keep the bike straight on those unseen bumps along the way.Adding a tie down around the front wheel to the chock is added insurance.Been trailering for years with out an issue this way. Good rule of thumb is tongue weight should be 10-12% of total loaded trailer weight.That alone will make your tow a lot less exciting.G.

 

Compressing the forks a bit will not hurt anything, and you'll need to compress them at least a bit to get it secured properly. You just don't want the forks bottoming out is all. A good trick is to put some wood under your frame with just an inch or so of clearance. You can then tighten the straps until your frame bottoms out on the wood. That'll keep the suspension from moving if you hit any big bumps (that can cause straps to come loose), but you won't risk damage to your fork seals.

When i've had to trailer, i've run straps off each side of the triple trees, and then a strap off each end of the swingarm, just to keep the rear end from sliding over if I hit a huge bump.

 

I totally agree. Maybe just me but every time I have tried to ride mine up on my Kendon or any trailer, not a good experience. Now I find place to reduce the incline with long ramp and walk it up and down. Experience counts even for old farts with hard heads.

 

Don't the bike run? sorry someone had to throw that smart a$$ comment out there

 

Get some good/better Ratchet straps (4). Loop the straps around whatever your attaching to and hook the end of the strap to itself. On a Fatboy front there isn't much to hook to, you may have to attach to the handle bars but stay inward nearest the risers or handle bar clamp on each side. Use two in the front and two on the back. For the rear, it would be good if you could remove the seat and hook the upper frame. Attach to the trailer ahead of the bike and out for the front straps and for the back, out and to the rear. Pull it tight till the springs compress some, Keep it in neutral and check often.

 

Check out a Frame Lock System they work great I will never use tie downs or chocks again. Go to http://www.framelock.com/ They also work get in shop so bike does not tip over.

 

ride it the only time my bikes see a trailer is if they break down...I believe HD sells a shirt that says trailering is a disease....just saying