Living in Minnesota is somewhat a pain in the *** - there is some nice riding to the north and also in wisc. but to get to the really good stuff like CO, NC, MT,CA, etc., I have to travel quite a distance. My brother and I take a 10 day trip annually and have ridden the bikes to CO and NC, etc., but we are tired of wasting several days just getting to our destination and back.

We are thinking of going in half on a trailer for hauling our bikes but I am wondering how it works. For instance, if we trailered to the coast of CA and wanted to take a couple days to ride up and back down the coast, where do you park the truck and trailer while your gone?

Any other tips?

Thanks

 

but if you haul your bikes- you are still "wasting" time at the wheel, trying to get there.

ship the bikes to somewhere and fly out to meet them

My Pal in Canada sometimes leaves a bike with me in the winter and flies in, rides, flies out.

as for trailer, I've seen enough break free of the tow vehicle, or loose a tire and roll-- dual axles, with brakes are a must

Mike

 

I typically leave my Jeep & trailer at my starting hotel, 99% of the time the manager is okay with that. Just make sure you lock the receiver and hitch. I use a Kendon Dual Big Bike trailer, its light & compact but a pain in the *** to load 2 dressers on.

 

I know Walmart allows RV's to use their parking lots. I would assume if you asked the store manager they would let you park there. Most if not all have camera surveillance so that would be as safe a place as any. Only other ideas would be like a KOA camp ground or storage facility.

 

Campsite, Short term storage, Walmart parking lot...Have done all these and your are gonna love this option...despite what peple say, Ive been riding for 43 yrs. ..long rides to a destination have their place and time , other times "time is the factor" and the trailer with shared driving time gets you there quicker; and you are fresh to enjoy what the destination has to offer.. Scooter

 

+1 Agreed...my wife & I took a spur of the moment trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway and had no time to take a slow leisurly ride down there. Thus, pulling the bikes @ 80 mph worked at great.

 

I live in MN and a bunch of us go on a trip out west every year in the spring. I drive the truck hauling the bikes and the rest fly and we start in Vegas. We use a casino there for the beginning and end nights of the trip and they let us use their parking lot while we're gone. They have security and for the past 6 years we've been doing this we've had no problems. One year we started and ended in Albuquerque and there we parked at the Harley dealer. It takes me just short of 36 hours to get the bikes to Vegas from the Twin Cities. It works great. Doing the math on fuel costs, it's a wash. Time wise, saves a ton and we get more time for the good stuff rather than pounding down the boring interstate.

Next year we're considering NoCal so we'll probably use Reno as the starting point. No sense driving the truck all the way into to Cali.

 

Dropping a truck/trailer is no problem at all. As others have said, check with your first motel, it usually guarantees them a second night when you get back. Walmart, etc. are possible, but I'd check with the local bike dealer to see if he had room on his lot. You can also poll members of your favorite online groups. A lot of us would provide space. Another method I've seen is buy a good size enclosed trailer. Set it up with folding bunks, lights, etc., & stay at campgrounds in the area you want to ride. It's a camper when the bikes are out, & cheap/safe storage on the days you don't come back.

 

Lots of great tips - thank you! I feel much more comfortable about the idea of trailering the bikes on those long-distance trips.

 

The HD dealer and campground ideas are good. Somebody from here helping even better...who knows a safer spot than a local?

I'd avoid the Wal-Mart plan. In most towns Wal-Mart is located in the highest traffic and therefore high opportunity for crime area in the city. Surveillance cameras won't prevent theft....just let you know when it was taken.

Hope you have a great trip!