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Hey Everyone,
Well, we finally got moved back into our house in St. Augustine last Thursday. Now we're just wading through unopened boxes until everything gets settled. Glad to be back in FLORIDA again!
Have to head back up to Charleston to finish up with work and trailer back my 2011 Road Glide Ultra this coming Saturday. NOW, since I've never hauled a bike with a trailer before, AND I know everyone here is opinionated
, I would appreciate your "seasoned" advice on how to properly tie down my bike and get it safely back to St. Augustine 
. I'm going to be towing the 5'x9' U-Haul trailer (with ramp) I've rented with my F-150. I already have 8 ratchet straps with hooks, just do not know how and where to properly secure them to the bike. I also have a front fork stand that I got from Harbor Freight to set the bike into to keep it upright in the trailer. Thanks - Bill
Well, we finally got moved back into our house in St. Augustine last Thursday. Now we're just wading through unopened boxes until everything gets settled. Glad to be back in FLORIDA again!
Have to head back up to Charleston to finish up with work and trailer back my 2011 Road Glide Ultra this coming Saturday. NOW, since I've never hauled a bike with a trailer before, AND I know everyone here is opinionated
, I would appreciate your "seasoned" advice on how to properly tie down my bike and get it safely back to St. Augustine . I'm going to be towing the 5'x9' U-Haul trailer (with ramp) I've rented with my F-150. I already have 8 ratchet straps with hooks, just do not know how and where to properly secure them to the bike. I also have a front fork stand that I got from Harbor Freight to set the bike into to keep it upright in the trailer. Thanks - Bill
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 22
From: right down from the FloraBama
Attach your straps to the frame in such a manner as to not pinch lines and cables or allow the straps to chaff the bike. Anything the strap touches will get burnished; paint, leather or chrome.
The important thing is to immobilize the front wheel in an upright position. If the front wheel stays upright the bike can't fall over. The best way to do this is to use a wheel chock that "locks" the front wheel in place. (Condor, Baxley and others)
Next strap your wheel to the chock. If the wheel stays in the chock and the chock is bolted down, the bike can not fall over. Folks often blame strap failure for their bikes falling over in a trailer when the more likely cause is the wheel hopping out of the chock.
I would use 4 straps in the front and 2 for the back. The back straps do not keep the bike from falling over, just keep the rear from wandering, no need to over-tighten.
Don't compress the forks too much. Some folks think you can't damage the fork seals by over-tightening with ratchet straps. I disagree, I've seen in happen. A work around (I don't do this because i have a Condor chock and think it's overkill) is you add a block just under the frame (away from oil lines, etc). This will relieve pressure on the forks when strapping to the frame.
Lastly, double check your straps after the first 1/2 hour of towing. If it's an open trailer and you encounter rain, your straps will stretch and loosen. And check your hubs for overheating every time you stop for gas.
Good luck.
The important thing is to immobilize the front wheel in an upright position. If the front wheel stays upright the bike can't fall over. The best way to do this is to use a wheel chock that "locks" the front wheel in place. (Condor, Baxley and others)
Next strap your wheel to the chock. If the wheel stays in the chock and the chock is bolted down, the bike can not fall over. Folks often blame strap failure for their bikes falling over in a trailer when the more likely cause is the wheel hopping out of the chock.
I would use 4 straps in the front and 2 for the back. The back straps do not keep the bike from falling over, just keep the rear from wandering, no need to over-tighten.
Don't compress the forks too much. Some folks think you can't damage the fork seals by over-tightening with ratchet straps. I disagree, I've seen in happen. A work around (I don't do this because i have a Condor chock and think it's overkill) is you add a block just under the frame (away from oil lines, etc). This will relieve pressure on the forks when strapping to the frame.
Lastly, double check your straps after the first 1/2 hour of towing. If it's an open trailer and you encounter rain, your straps will stretch and loosen. And check your hubs for overheating every time you stop for gas.
Good luck.
Last edited by fishheadsaid; Aug 6, 2013 at 10:37 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 22
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Welcome home, Bill! 
Now for the bike...I heard if you bolt the straps to the gas tanks...
Just kidding!
Uhaul does rent motorcycle trailers with the chocks for the front wheels allready bolted in the trailer. I heard you strap the tire to the chock and the bike stays upright. Uhaul has an instruction sheet for their trailer. I agree with the 2 previous posts, strap the back also.
Check into it.
Now for the bike...I heard if you bolt the straps to the gas tanks...
Just kidding!
Uhaul does rent motorcycle trailers with the chocks for the front wheels allready bolted in the trailer. I heard you strap the tire to the chock and the bike stays upright. Uhaul has an instruction sheet for their trailer. I agree with the 2 previous posts, strap the back also.
Check into it.
Last edited by Thundermug; Aug 6, 2013 at 05:47 PM.
Fish - Hadn't thought about strapping the front wheel to the chock. Good thing I asked before I tried to figure this out on my own. Thanks.
I've seen the U-haul trailers up close and the only "chock" they seem to have is an indentation in the very front for the front wheel to sit in. I figure the stand I have should work Ok. I'm going from Charleston to St. Augustine so hopefully I can strap it down tight enough so it won't move too much on me. I'd rather just ride it back but can't afford a rental car to get up there.
Thanks again.
I've seen the U-haul trailers up close and the only "chock" they seem to have is an indentation in the very front for the front wheel to sit in. I figure the stand I have should work Ok. I'm going from Charleston to St. Augustine so hopefully I can strap it down tight enough so it won't move too much on me. I'd rather just ride it back but can't afford a rental car to get up there.
Thanks again.
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