Trailering my baby
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 65
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From: Miami, FL
Trailering my baby
Let me apologize ahead of time if this is not teh right area to post this question. Heading up to Sturgis and I will be trailering (go ahead and take the shots), my buddy can't go extended distance do to bad knee. Question is, and I know its a mixrd debate, the best way to tie done the bikes on a two bike trailer with wheel chocks for such a long haul? Also, I've tried preparing for the trip mainly the trailer (great shape) with a good spare, jack, extra tie downs, lights. Anything the trailer gurus can offer that might be unforeseen?
Maybe a planned gathering for whoever is heading up might be an ideas...
Thanks in advance,
RoadKing06
Maybe a planned gathering for whoever is heading up might be an ideas...
Thanks in advance,
RoadKing06
RE: Trailering my baby
IS IT AN ENCLOSED TRAILER?
TIE DOWN 2 FORWARD STRAPS (GET RATCHET TYPE) IN A FORWARD DIRECTION. NOT STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE SIDES. THEN 2 REAR STRAPS IN A REARWARD DIRECTION. THEN ONE ON LEFT SIDE MIDDLE AND RT SIDE MIDDLE TO FRAME. MAKE CERTAIN FRAME AREA (WHERE ALL HOOKS ARE) IS THE STRONGEST SPOT ON THE TRLR.
MANY YEAR TRAILERING MCYS.. TIGHTNESS OF STRAPS NOT THAT IMPORTANT. DO NOT USE THESE "DIRT BIKE" TYPE TIE DOWNS. THEY WILL SLIP. USE ONLY RATCHET TIE DOWNS.. U WILL NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS.. DONT BE OVER CONCERNED.
PS: WHEEL CHOCKS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM . IN FACT I HAVE TRAILERED DRESSERS WITHOUT ANY WHEEL CHOCKS! SEE U IN STURGIS
TIE DOWN 2 FORWARD STRAPS (GET RATCHET TYPE) IN A FORWARD DIRECTION. NOT STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE SIDES. THEN 2 REAR STRAPS IN A REARWARD DIRECTION. THEN ONE ON LEFT SIDE MIDDLE AND RT SIDE MIDDLE TO FRAME. MAKE CERTAIN FRAME AREA (WHERE ALL HOOKS ARE) IS THE STRONGEST SPOT ON THE TRLR.
MANY YEAR TRAILERING MCYS.. TIGHTNESS OF STRAPS NOT THAT IMPORTANT. DO NOT USE THESE "DIRT BIKE" TYPE TIE DOWNS. THEY WILL SLIP. USE ONLY RATCHET TIE DOWNS.. U WILL NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS.. DONT BE OVER CONCERNED.
PS: WHEEL CHOCKS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM . IN FACT I HAVE TRAILERED DRESSERS WITHOUT ANY WHEEL CHOCKS! SEE U IN STURGIS
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,440
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From: Columbus,Indiana/ Arecibo,Puerto Rico
RE: Trailering my baby
look at the pictures soos printed on that subject. look for him under the member list, and the list on the right side of the page is his posts. About half way down is what you are looking for. Dan
Stage III
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
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RE: Trailering my baby
Headed to Datona myself . Trailering two bikes 1 SG , 1RK on 7x12 . I use www.lockandloadusa.com .Coast is higher than straps but alot easer for one rider to load and unload. Alot safer for myStreet Glide and buddies Road King both 07s .
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 65
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From: Miami, FL
RE: Trailering my baby
The trailer is open and has a wind barrier to protect the front of the bikes. It has tied down area everywhere. I only use ratchet straps rated at 1500lbs each (probably overkill) Thanks for the replies. I will be making a few local runs to other Florida events before Sturgis, I'll try the suggestions there.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 35
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From:
RE: Trailering my baby
I rarely trailer but when I do I use two sets on the handlebars (or forks depending on the type of bike), one going forward and one to the side because several years ago I let my son take my Bourget in an enclosed trailer and they only used 1 set to the bars. Guess what, one of the hooks, yes the 5/16" type from a well known maker, not the cheap stuff, broke in half. Fortunately the bars would lean on the trailer wall and no damage was done. Since then it's 2 sets on each bike in the front and one set on the rear.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
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From: MA
RE: Trailering my baby
I stay off the handlebars and don't compress my front shocks. I let it ride the suspension. All strap pressure is pulling forward and out into my wheel chock.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 326
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
RE: Trailering my baby
Just a word of caution... make extremely sure that where you hook on to the bike, the hook can't possibly shift into a place that it can get lodged...
Don't ask how I know... lets just say 3 hacksaw blades later, I got my bike off the trailer!
Have fun in Sturgis... went out last year, so doing a different big ride this year... ALASKA!
Don't ask how I know... lets just say 3 hacksaw blades later, I got my bike off the trailer!
Have fun in Sturgis... went out last year, so doing a different big ride this year... ALASKA!
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 38
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From: cleveland, ohio
RE: Trailering my baby
I HAVE TRAILERED WITH AND WITHOUT WHEEL CHOCKS, THE CHOCKS ARE NICE BUT NOT NECESSARY. a GOOD RATCHET TYPE STRAP IS RECOMENNDED. sOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE IT COVERED ,LOTS OF GOOD ADVICE ON THIS FORUM. jUST CHECK YOUR STRAPS WHEN YOU STOP FOR GAS. aLSO GOING TO STURGIS , WILL RIDE UNLESS 18 YR OLD SON WANTS TO RIDE THEN WE WILL TRAILER, ITS HIS FIRST YEAR WITH HIS LICENSE