Open trailers & protecting your bike...
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,505
Likes: 380
From: Florida
Open trailers & protecting your bike...
Just curious how those of you with open utility trailers protect your bike while towing it. Yes, I know our bikes were meant to be ridden. However, I've got a chance to pick up a 5 x 10 trailer from a neighbor for next to nothing but it's an open trailer. Not able to consider an enclosed trailer since I am doing my HQ 95 kit very soon. The price is great on the trailer but I'd like some INEXPENSIVE options for protecting the bike when and if I'd need to trailer it.
BM
BM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
RE: Open trailers & protecting your bike...
I have seen some covers that fit over the bike that a lot of folks use. They are typically made of a nylon exterior and a flannel interior to avoid scratches to the paint. I have a friend that uses one for his BMW and is pleased with it. I suppose that the goal would be to have it stretch pretty taut over the bike so that it doesn't flap in the wind. I commonly see them in the bike magazines, but don't have first hand experience with them.
The HD Parts & Accessories Catalog shows several that might be of interest - I'm looking at last year's catalog and they start on page 829 in the Maintenance section. The page numbers are probably different in the current catalog.
The HD Parts & Accessories Catalog shows several that might be of interest - I'm looking at last year's catalog and they start on page 829 in the Maintenance section. The page numbers are probably different in the current catalog.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 3
From: N/W Pennsylvania
RE: Open trailers & protecting your bike...
A lot of prople build a bulkhead on the front of there trailer to keep stones off and keep anything flying. back and distroying something, and like the good pastor said they get a good cover....Jer
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
RE: Open trailers & protecting your bike...
If the trailer has stake boxes or a utility rail you can make a set of short sides from wood. That'll protect from most road debris even though it's not *really* necessary. If you can't fashion the sides just use it as is, & clean the bike when you get where you're goin'. Never cover a bike with a flexible cover while you're towin' it! A few million tiny rubs from even the softest fabrics at 70 mph over 1000 miles *will* remove paint! It's cheaper & easier to wash a little road dirt off at the end of a trip than it is to repaint.
If you haven't towed before, always use at least two sets of straps on the front of the bike with each of the straps anchored to *separate* anchor points. No number of straps are any good if they are all attached to the same point & the anchor fails. Also use ratchet style straps only on hard points. They'll break handlebars & bend/break bolt-on parts because you don't realize how much pressure you're puttin' on 'em.
If you haven't towed before, always use at least two sets of straps on the front of the bike with each of the straps anchored to *separate* anchor points. No number of straps are any good if they are all attached to the same point & the anchor fails. Also use ratchet style straps only on hard points. They'll break handlebars & bend/break bolt-on parts because you don't realize how much pressure you're puttin' on 'em.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: N.C and N.Y
RE: Open trailers & protecting your bike...
Just make sure your tow car or truck has mud flaps Keeps the rocks from jumping up And make sure you keep the bike faceing forward,So yourwindshield dont blow away ,if a removeable one leave it off Two sets of good straps When you get where your goingwipe off the bugs
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
RE: Open trailers & protecting your bike...
ORIGINAL: Jinks
A few million tiny rubs from even the softest fabrics at 70 mph over 1000 miles *will* remove paint! It's cheaper & easier to wash a little road dirt off at the end of a trip than it is to repaint.
A few million tiny rubs from even the softest fabrics at 70 mph over 1000 miles *will* remove paint! It's cheaper & easier to wash a little road dirt off at the end of a trip than it is to repaint.
If you cover the bike,dirt/dust will still get inbetween the cover and bike.Any cover will rub with the wind blowing it around.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Open trailers & protecting your bike...
If it were me I wouldn't cover the motorcycle at all. Why chance F**king up the paint??? One other thing, you might want to make sure the wheel bearing on that trailer are in good shape. If it's older or even newer and has be sitting around for awhile I wouldn't go to far from home unless I knew that the axle bearings were in good shape. My Dad bought a trailer that was new and six months later he and my mom trailerd their RK from WashingtonState to Des Moines, Ia and he didn't get 1000 miles from home before one of the wheel bearing failed. That set them back a day.....Just something to think about....
Good luck..........
Good luck..........
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Open trailers & protecting your bike...
Well first a good trailer hitch is a must.
Also good brakes on the trailer. the kind that will
apply automaticallyif the trailer becomes disconnected
from the bikes hitch.
1. harder for a thief to steal the trailer
2. stops the trailer from running over you if you aren't
riding fast enough to stay ahead of it.
Had a catalog and brand name for the brakes but can't find it,
will look around
Also good brakes on the trailer. the kind that will
apply automaticallyif the trailer becomes disconnected
from the bikes hitch.
1. harder for a thief to steal the trailer
2. stops the trailer from running over you if you aren't
riding fast enough to stay ahead of it.
Had a catalog and brand name for the brakes but can't find it,
will look around
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Joe Kucinski
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 734
Likes: 29
From: Arkansas Ozarks
RE: Open trailers & protecting your bike...
I hauled my metric cruiser on a open trailer once on a 400 mile trip. The bike was so nasty and filthy when I got to my destination that I swore I'd never haul one in an open trailer again. I went ahead and bought an enclosed trailer and it's been the best thing since sliced bread. Not only is an enclosed trailer great for hauling the bike fully protected,it's a handy garage and securestoreage container when you get to where you're going.
It's just my opinion, but if someone gave me a open trailer I wouldn't haul my bike on it . . . but obviously a lot of other people do so just fine.
It's just my opinion, but if someone gave me a open trailer I wouldn't haul my bike on it . . . but obviously a lot of other people do so just fine.