Trailering question...
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 602
Likes: 12
From: Ma.
Trailering question...
Have an 06 Fatboy that I have to transport for a dyno tune on a fresh 98" upgrade. Has anyone ever used a 5x8 cargo trailer from Uhaul? The closed in one. Picking it up today so I can load and go. Just curious if anyone used one of these. Couldn't pass up the offer. Thanks in advance for any replies...
Last edited by fatboy1729; Jul 14, 2014 at 05:11 AM. Reason: added info...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 529
From: Lethbridge, Alberta Canada
Agree - 8' trailer is way short. Zero tolerance for bumps moving the bike
Also, more importantly, to hold a bike securely on a trailer, you need tiedowns, and the front tiedowns, to secure it PROPERLY, should go FORWARD of the bike.
The GOOD setup for trailering a Harley includes:
- at least a nine foot, preferably ten foot trailer
- Low deck height (makes it easier and SAFER to load & unload the bike)
- a proper front wheel chock (the $200 kind) to hold the bike upright while you tie it down (you do NOT put a bike on its sidestand for a trailer trip!!!)
- Trailer brakes (for decent stopping distances and so trailer does not jackknife on panic stops)
- WIDE ramp (at least 30 inches wide, preferably more) so that you can easily put your feet down when loading and unloading, and especially when unloading!
- SHALLOW ramp angle, so the bottom of the bike is not torn up or even worse stalled on the ramp-trailer joint when loading or unloading
- "Soft" devices where tiedowns attach to front end of bike, to prevent abrasion damage as the trailer bumps down the road
- Super strong tiedowns that don't stretch on bumps, allowing the bike to move, with reliable heavy duty ratchets to tighten and reliably release
If any of the above are missing, you WILL regret it.
Jim G
Also, more importantly, to hold a bike securely on a trailer, you need tiedowns, and the front tiedowns, to secure it PROPERLY, should go FORWARD of the bike.
The GOOD setup for trailering a Harley includes:
- at least a nine foot, preferably ten foot trailer
- Low deck height (makes it easier and SAFER to load & unload the bike)
- a proper front wheel chock (the $200 kind) to hold the bike upright while you tie it down (you do NOT put a bike on its sidestand for a trailer trip!!!)
- Trailer brakes (for decent stopping distances and so trailer does not jackknife on panic stops)
- WIDE ramp (at least 30 inches wide, preferably more) so that you can easily put your feet down when loading and unloading, and especially when unloading!
- SHALLOW ramp angle, so the bottom of the bike is not torn up or even worse stalled on the ramp-trailer joint when loading or unloading
- "Soft" devices where tiedowns attach to front end of bike, to prevent abrasion damage as the trailer bumps down the road
- Super strong tiedowns that don't stretch on bumps, allowing the bike to move, with reliable heavy duty ratchets to tighten and reliably release
If any of the above are missing, you WILL regret it.
Jim G
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 789
Likes: 4
From: Utah
Uhaul has a motorcycle trailer. Not enclosed, but cheaper than the one you are looking at. That's what I used when I originally purchased my bike in Feb. over 200 miles away. Had to wash the bike when I got home, but I would have done that anyways.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 914
From: Omaha
I use an open 4X8 trailer to trailer my Heritage.
With a wheel chock and tour pack on I have to install a 2X4 between the drop down ramp and the trailer so that the bike has room to move.
An enclosed 8' trailer will not work unless it's an 8' "v-nose" trailer which typically has around 9' 6" of floor space in the center.
With a wheel chock and tour pack on I have to install a 2X4 between the drop down ramp and the trailer so that the bike has room to move.
An enclosed 8' trailer will not work unless it's an 8' "v-nose" trailer which typically has around 9' 6" of floor space in the center.
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