Strapping down in toy hauler

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Jun 3, 2009 | 12:11 PM

#21

hog95023

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 3,542

Likes: 161

From: Booming metropolis

If you place a bungee cord in the eye of one tie down hook and stretch it to the eye of the opposing hook on the same tie down it will prevent slack in the strap and prevent it from coming off of the bike should it lean or hit a bump and compress the suspension.

Jun 3, 2009 | 02:08 PM

#22

timbo240

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 44

Likes: 0

From: Sarnia, Ontario

to the bars

I've always tied to the bars.
Do recommend using soft straps (from the dealer) this is a short strap that goes around the bar first. Tie down attaches to these and avoids 'snake bite' on your wiring.

As for damage to the bike while going down the road, check this out:

I installed a $100.00 backup camera INSIDE the trailer. (The ones you normally mount to a licence plate for reverse)
Get this.. touch the brakes, the interior light turns on, camera turns on, and you can see both bikes, all the straps, and anything that might have moved in the trailer. Its wireless, so I can tow the trailer with any vehicle and the camera works.. just plug it into the cig lighter. This is GREAT for towing through pothole cities like DETROIT

You should be able to see the camera installed on the rear view mirror of the attached photo's

Attached Thumbnails

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Strapping down in toy hauler-p3100736.jpg

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Jun 3, 2009 | 02:44 PM

#23

skratch

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 20,616

Likes: 4,440

From: anacoco, la

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raventhik

Thanks for all the replys and pics.
Anyone ever block the frame and pull against it?

yep, was taught a long time ago to do this. blocking the frame takes all the stress off the suspension. that way if you hit a bump, you don't 'pop' the bike up and down, causing that strap snap that soos was talking about, and you don't put any stress on the forks, which could result in a blown seal.

i use 3 2 x 4s nailed together, about a foot long. works like a charm.

Jun 3, 2009 | 03:26 PM

#24

cbears

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,622

Likes: 1

From: Topeka, KS

$40.00 wheel dock from Harbor Freight bolted to floor in front of trailer. Ride the bike in, get off, hook harley tie-down straps to highway bars and tie-downs in the floor. Works really well for me. I've got a Road King and an Ultra Classic.

Jun 3, 2009 | 03:39 PM

#25

Our07Ultra

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 1,519

Likes: 2

From: St. Augustine Florida

Pull off the bags and store. Tie off to crash bar, allow lean to jifft stand down side, stagger, secure rear wheel to prevent sliding forward to backwards, wheel dock!!
Towels at near contact points.
several tie down straps.It is a 3 beer job!

Jun 3, 2009 | 03:40 PM

#26

Ultra110

Road Captain

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 516

Likes: 1

From: New Hampster!

Have you actually seen the hardware that is used to put the highway bar on the bike? or the saddle bag gaurds? I would not tie down to these. How are the bikes tied down when they are delivered to the Dealer inside the crate? ( If you ask the dealer for some old straps from the crates they just throw them out. They are very stout ratchet straps with the harley logo. much better than the ones you get at waly world )I have had good luck using 5 straps, 1 around each fork just above the fender mounts and 1 around each side of the rear swingarm capturing the axle. this anchors the bike rigidly on the tires and allows the bike to bounce on the suspension without worrying about strap snap. the 5th ties the front wheel to the chock. This is how the bike rides when you ride it... Many trips cross country, works like a charm. Picked this tip up from an ol trucker that hauled bikes for a living..... just my .02

Jun 3, 2009 | 05:59 PM

#27

timbo240

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 44

Likes: 0

From: Sarnia, Ontario

Heard of a more than a few bent kick stands from tie'em them down with the stick down. You have no idea how much force is on the kickstand when you do that.. its way way beyond its design.

I always double strap the bike.. 2 on each side for the front .. just one on each side for the back.
They say the proper position for the back straps is so they pull the bike towards the wheel stop, not away as most people do. That way if your front straps come loose, the back one pushes the bike forward (into the stop), rather than pulling it back, and forcing it out of the wheel stop and certainly on the floor of your trailer.

I bought a cargo trailer and added the D-ring hooks, all in the frame, with backing plates below the floor.. there's no way they are coming loose. Seen a few trailers with the rings just screwed into the plywood... can't be good.

Jun 3, 2009 | 07:12 PM

#28

Raventhik

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 197

Likes: 5

From: Dayton Ohio

Thanks again for all the ideas.
I put a strip of e track down the middle
and bolted to the frame.
just need to get the bikes in and start strapping and
blocking and see what i like.
Kevin