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I want trailer two Roadkings from St Louis to FL (6 one way trips a year). I am looking at a non-enclosed 6'3"x12. If I pull the first bike up diagonally followed by the second diagonally, does it provide a better use of the space?
Never in my life did I see bikes trailered diagonally.....unless you would put them head to foot and foot to head...i would worry about weight distribution....and strapping them down....whats the issue with side by side? I trailer 2 bikes all the time but i bought a Kendon... Great trailer and even better that it stands up out of the way.
You have a 12' trailer. A Road King is 8' long from fender tip to fender tip. You should be able to stagger them straight ahead with ease. Assume that there will be some "give" in the tie-down straps. If the bikes are 1" apart at some point while sitting on the trailer they'll bump each other when you're moving. The time I had to trailer 2 bikes (Electra Glides) I moved one of them back so its handgrips were about even with the middle of the fuel tank of the other bike. There was plenty of space between them for their entire length.
Also, one word: "Wheel chocks." OK..that's two words, but you get the idea. I bought a couple of the Harbor Freight jobbies. Inexpensive and they work fine. Bolt them to the trailer floor and you're good to go. They fit both my old 2005 EG and my new 2015 EG. Caveat - Ya gotta really yank to get a heavy bike out of the wheel chock. I put one on my table lift and at first thought I wasn't going to be able to get the dang bike out of it! I'd pull back and the bike would get about halfway out and then roll back into the chock. I would then emit numerous curse words. After a few tries I figured it out and it's not a problem now. My technique is to pull up and back real hard, and when it starts to roll back into the chock I apply the front brakes and hold it there. I regroup while holding the brake and do it again, releasing the brake at the moment I start to pull. I can inch it out that way. After 2 or 3 pulls it rolls right out.
If you have a back rest, use your legs and butt to push out of a wheel chock. I never pull on my bars. Rock it back and forth and about the 3rd rock just push it backwards with your legs and ****. There is a little art to it, but it is easy to master the technique. I'm old, arthritic, bad knees, two herniated disks, and don't work out anymore so I'm getting weaker than "pond water" and I can do it with ease. Oh, and that's in my little enclosed trailer that I can't stand all the way up in as well.
If you put them on diagonal that mean when you accelerate and brake that then weight will be on the straps. If you have to make a hard stop you will pop the straps. In line the straps are just balancing the bikes actually and they are working pretty hard with all the bouncing and wiggling going on. Momentum, ever have that bike lean over while stopped and you have to stand it back up. Now get that momentum going at 55-75 mph those straps can't handle that.
I am towing a single at least twice a year and slightly further than you. I did tons of research on the best trailer. Used to have a small enclosed.
As has already been stated you need the Aluma model that is built for hauling two heavy bikes. I am using the Aluma and it is the best open mcy trailer out there IMHO.
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Another Trailering Question (non-enclosed)
