Best way to tie down when trailering??
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: London ON Canada
Best way to tie down when trailering??
In Jan we are trailering 6 bikes to Phoenix, we are going to bolt wheel chocks to the floor and use tie down straps. The fellow who owns the trailer sayes its best to not pull down on the shocks let the bike float on its springs, but Ive always pulled down the whole bike so theres no movment. Anyone have thoughts? Its going to be a 34 hour drive. Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
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From: Billings,Mt.
Chocks will help alot.
When I trailered my Road Glide,I placed extension straps around the crashbar and down tube then connected rachet straps out and forward to pull the bike into the chock.Also had a couple straps at the rear to prevent the bike rearend from sliding.
If you do a search here,theres many threads about trailering.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Daytona, Fla.
Bikes that can bounce will put slack in the straps. That *can* lead to a loose bike in the trailer. You don't want to see the damage that can do!
Two pair of straps on the front, one pair on the rear for each bike. Each strap to it's own tie down point (two straps on one point are useless if the tie down point fails). If you can't stand to compress the suspension, put some support under the frames & tie 'em down *tight*.
Two pair of straps on the front, one pair on the rear for each bike. Each strap to it's own tie down point (two straps on one point are useless if the tie down point fails). If you can't stand to compress the suspension, put some support under the frames & tie 'em down *tight*.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 410
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From: Central North Carolina
I know this is going to get some disagreement, but I use ratchet straps on the handlebars, connected to hog ties (soft ties) and pull the front forks down about half-way. The front wheel is in a Pingle chock. Then, I use straps on the saddlebag bars to secure the rear. I've trailered bikes this way for 15 years with no problems. It is a bad idea to crank the front forks down much more than half-way as this can damage the fork seals.
A while back, I inquired at the dealership about how they recommend securing the bike. They said that every bike that comes in or that they ship is secured in this manner.
A while back, I inquired at the dealership about how they recommend securing the bike. They said that every bike that comes in or that they ship is secured in this manner.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: The Burgh
In Jan we are trailering 6 bikes to Phoenix, we are going to bolt wheel chocks to the floor and use tie down straps. The fellow who owns the trailer sayes its best to not pull down on the shocks let the bike float on its springs, but Ive always pulled down the whole bike so theres no movment. Anyone have thoughts? Its going to be a 34 hour drive. Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 484
Likes: 38
From: DE
Check out Condor wheel chocks. You roll the front wheel into chock and only tie down rear of bike, pulling down and foward on the rear floor boards, or foot pegs,or the top of the swing arm on softails. I have trailered this way over 5000 miles and the bikes don't budge. Check their website.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2009
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I agree with Guitar, I've been to florida (from ohio ) and back several times with the bikes secured this way with no problems. the only thing different is I add an extra set of tie downs somewhere on the front just in case 1 strap may come lose... Ive also seen dealers put the bike on a trailer with the kickstand down and strap it that way....I dont agree with that at all...
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
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From: Pacific Northwest
I know this is going to get some disagreement, but I use ratchet straps on the handlebars, connected to hog ties (soft ties) and pull the front forks down about half-way. The front wheel is in a Pingle chock. Then, I use straps on the saddlebag bars to secure the rear. I've trailered bikes this way for 15 years with no problems. It is a bad idea to crank the front forks down much more than half-way as this can damage the fork seals.
A while back, I inquired at the dealership about how they recommend securing the bike. They said that every bike that comes in or that they ship is secured in this manner.
A while back, I inquired at the dealership about how they recommend securing the bike. They said that every bike that comes in or that they ship is secured in this manner.
No disagreement here, I use ratchet straps and do almost exactly the same, with one exception: I made some blocks from some short 2x6's (2x4's will also work) that I place beneath the lower frame tubes as forward beneath the bike as possible. These allow me to pull the frame down to where the bike can't move up and down at all. Then strap the rear of the bike and it will never move.
This works great and takes less strap tension.
Also note: pulling the forks down cannot blow a fork seal no matter what anybody tells you. If that was true you'd blow the seals every time you hit a large bump.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Mass
I know this is going to get some disagreement, but I use ratchet straps on the handlebars, connected to hog ties (soft ties) and pull the front forks down about half-way. The front wheel is in a Pingle chock. Then, I use straps on the saddlebag bars to secure the rear. I've trailered bikes this way for 15 years with no problems. It is a bad idea to crank the front forks down much more than half-way as this can damage the fork seals.
A while back, I inquired at the dealership about how they recommend securing the bike. They said that every bike that comes in or that they ship is secured in this manner.
A while back, I inquired at the dealership about how they recommend securing the bike. They said that every bike that comes in or that they ship is secured in this manner.
...that IS the correct way to do it...doesn't mean it can't be done other ways, but that is pretty much the standard way...you should NOT try to compress the front-end by ratcheting it till it almost bottoms out...this can blow the leg-seals easily...half-way down is fine in a chalk-block..use the rabbit-fur soft-ties around the handlebars, and maybe one tie-down for the back just in case, it can be hooked around a rear passenger foot mount, but if you chalk the front and tie it down correctly, you don't really need the back one, it's just extra peace of mind...
I have tie-down points on my frame that I bought from a vendor, just as others have posted, I ratchet the front about 1/2 down then secure the rear, I have straps with the fuzzy stuff to protect the finish on the bike, not to mention the straps I use are probably 2x stronger than they need to be, better too strong than too weak.