Straps for traveling
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,518
Likes: 57,070
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Can't give you a suggestion for the "best" strap but I can tell you to be careful when you're strapping things down. I've been around a loooong time and done a whole lot of packing extra gear. I really pissed myself off when I realized that one of my cords rubbed through the rear speaker pod and made a mess of it on my 92 FLHTCU. Be sure that the straps don't come in contact with anything other than the gear you're tying down ..... just my .02 cents worth Brother !
Last edited by Uncle Larry; Apr 27, 2011 at 09:52 AM.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
Can't give you a suggestion for the "best" strap but I can tell you to be careful when you're strapping things down. I've been around a loooong time and done a whole lot of packing extra gear. I really pissed myself off when I realized that one of my cords rubbed through the rear speaker pod and made a mess of it on my 92 FLHTCU. Be sure that the straps don't come in contact with anything other than the gear you're tying down ..... just my .02 cents worth Brother !
I'm going to go with the ROK straps. It should work with the luggage rack just fine. Still a little confused how I'm going to strap items to the passenger seat. I'm keeping the tour pak on since it gives a nice space to put the sleeping bag and other items. I can see how to get a strap to connect to the lower tour pak braces on my detachable kit...but not sure how to strap up higher to keep the top of anything secure. Anybody got any good pictures?
And, to keep from starting another thread...anybody have a good recommendation for waterproof bags that will protect the sleeping bag and such...that don't cost a fortune? Everything I'm finding is expensive or get bad reviews...something out there has go to work besides putting four trash bags on my items and listening to it flap in the breeze as I ride.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
From: pa
i dont know what you are taking, but i can camp with 2 people and everything but 1 sleeping bag fits in the trunk and saddle bags. that includes clothes rain gear ect...even a small 6 pack cooler for drinks. anything on my back rack gets 2 bungees and the spider web net. doesnt move. if ou want to take a jacket or helmet off, just shove it under the net and ride on.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
From: pa
Thanks for the heads-up, Larry. I'll make sure to double check all my rub points each morning when loading the bike up.
I'm going to go with the ROK straps. It should work with the luggage rack just fine. Still a little confused how I'm going to strap items to the passenger seat. I'm keeping the tour pak on since it gives a nice space to put the sleeping bag and other items. I can see how to get a strap to connect to the lower tour pak braces on my detachable kit...but not sure how to strap up higher to keep the top of anything secure. Anybody got any good pictures?
And, to keep from starting another thread...anybody have a good recommendation for waterproof bags that will protect the sleeping bag and such...that don't cost a fortune? Everything I'm finding is expensive or get bad reviews...something out there has go to work besides putting four trash bags on my items and listening to it flap in the breeze as I ride.
I'm going to go with the ROK straps. It should work with the luggage rack just fine. Still a little confused how I'm going to strap items to the passenger seat. I'm keeping the tour pak on since it gives a nice space to put the sleeping bag and other items. I can see how to get a strap to connect to the lower tour pak braces on my detachable kit...but not sure how to strap up higher to keep the top of anything secure. Anybody got any good pictures?
And, to keep from starting another thread...anybody have a good recommendation for waterproof bags that will protect the sleeping bag and such...that don't cost a fortune? Everything I'm finding is expensive or get bad reviews...something out there has go to work besides putting four trash bags on my items and listening to it flap in the breeze as I ride.
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
i dont know what you are taking, but i can camp with 2 people and everything but 1 sleeping bag fits in the trunk and saddle bags. that includes clothes rain gear ect...even a small 6 pack cooler for drinks. anything on my back rack gets 2 bungees and the spider web net. doesnt move. if ou want to take a jacket or helmet off, just shove it under the net and ride on.
One saddlebag will contain my raingear, leather jacket, gloves, day.night riding glasses, and sneakers when not riding. Other bag will contain my tool kit, 3 day supply of clothes, toiletry items, etc. Misc (such as maps, helmet when not wearing it, food, cookware, alcohol stove, etc) can go in the TourPak. Oh, and whatever I buy for the wife who's encouraging me to go and do this...gotta get her something and store it in the Pak as well
I'm still thinking things out on how to arrange. Remember, it's my first two-week long trip on the bike, and looking for input. Money is tight, so I can't go and buy all new "backpacking quality" gear. So, trying to put the money where it best helps.
Sounds like the net is a good idea, so I'll definitely look at incorporating one of those into the tie-down system. Is " a net is a net", or are their recommended ones for quality that I should be looking at?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 9
From: Colorado Springs CO
I have been using generic straps on my bike and trailer for years and never lost anything. Any sporting goods store like Dicks have various lengths and widths to fit your needs. Buy a dry bag as well to stuff things in that you may end up strapping on the bags/bike. It comes in handy. The bungee's with hooks are bulky are not my first choice of tie down.
As far as quality nets go get ones that have thicker netting and better quality hooks, you will know after looking at the cheap ones. I just bought some good quality ones at a dealer last fall for about 8 bucks on sale. They come in different sizes as well so be aware of the area you want to cover.
As far as quality nets go get ones that have thicker netting and better quality hooks, you will know after looking at the cheap ones. I just bought some good quality ones at a dealer last fall for about 8 bucks on sale. They come in different sizes as well so be aware of the area you want to cover.
Last edited by glide2meetu; Apr 30, 2011 at 07:25 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 35
From: Southern Maryland
local hardware (true value) has some webbing and some buckels. you can custom make your straps. i used them to die down some of my riding gear when i didn't have a trunk. lashed it to my luggage rack. always worked good for me. come in @ 1" wide straps.
Enjoy the trip....Stay Safe!
cass
Enjoy the trip....Stay Safe!
cass
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Joined: Jan 2007
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I did not read all posts...I recently bought RocStraps, but have not used them. They sell them at metric bike shops, but I bought mine at Zellers, I think Wal-Mart sells them too. the ones at the metric shops are for the metric bikes with the little ***** to attach them, the ones I bought have the bungee cord type U shaped thing. The RocStraps are supposed to be very good, and have a buckle you can release. I used bungee cords for years with no problems (8 coast to coast trips), except they wear out.