Hauling Two Bikes

[Astrofox]

I just bought a 6 x 12 enclosed trailer for hauling my and my wife's 1000 and 650 from western Canada to Nashville for our honeymoon. I just brought the trailer home and I am not sure how to tie them both down, or if it is even possible to fit two bikes in this size of trailer. If anyone has any experience in this, could you let me know.

Thanks.

[roger123]

I guess it depends on where/how the tie-downs are set up but that seems like a big enough trailer. Maybe try put one in facing forward and the other facing aft? That usually gives more room to work with.

Be careful with an closed trailer as if the bikes fall you may drive several hundred miles without knowing it:mad: I've heard of that happening before.

[cuda_killer]

get a few big eye bolts and big washers, and put tie-downs where you need them?

[henerythe8th]

I'd recommend adding a couple of the front wheel cradles that are available from Harbor Freight or similar. Attach them to the floor of the trailer in the appropriate locations so that you have something to at least pull the bike against so that the forks can be somewhat compressed.

Have you ever tied a bike down before?

[mikefryman]

I had one of those 6X12 trailers the installed floor tie downs looked weak. I would put in your own. If you could afford them there are some good front wheel mounts that could be attached to the floor.

This is just an example I don't know the brands.

http://www.shop4motorcycletrailers.com/wheelchocks

Mike

[Chewy]

Pingel wheel chocks....I've been using them for years in my enclosed trailer and they're not very expensive and best part of all is that they are made in the U.S.A.

[Kieth]

Skip all of the eye bolts, floor d rings and go straight to the E Track.
E Track is available for $20.00 per 10' section one can place it strategicly along the floor and then using nylon D rings which can be placed anywhere in the E Track one can tie anything down.
Be sure to tie the E track to the crossmembers of the trailer with long self tapping screws. I recently added this to both of my trailers and even use the Harbor freight wheel chocks (I modified them to allow there placement anywhere on the E Track) makes for a very versatile system. Another hint from a trailering fool, secure the bikes down via the front end and then by the pegs, this keeps one from over tightening the front tie downs and knocking out the seals in the front forks.
If you have questions I can post pictures to my smugmug account. Kieth:devil_16: ps
If you want some cheap pingles I will take 30.00 each for them but I would suggest the Harbor Freight ones for $39.00 each on sale, they are a lot better and I do not care where they are made. The Pingles are crap compared to the Harbor Freight ones........Kieth:devil_16:

[Kieth]

here is a link to some pictures, If you want versatile this is it. Kieth

The D rings are not shown but they clip into the e track to allow one to tie a bike down any where it is needed, this means one can miss bodywork, tie down to pegs, etc.

http://www.kieth.smugmug.com/gallery/5592145_Rn2zZ#343100184_8BkK6


I hope this works....

[Astrofox]

I bought some e-track with the trailer, but I don't know where to put it. I have to stagger the bikes so it lookes like the straps for one bike will hit the other bike. I am tempted to buy some 'Sport-Chocks' but they are $350 each at the bike shop that stocks them. I wish there was some way of tying bikes in without compressing the suspension.

[Kieth]

go to Harbor freight they have the big garage type of self locking wheel chock for $79.00 the ones shown on my trailer were 39.00 on sale. place the e track down 1 in the center the other 2 on the outside of the trailer floor. If you get the large Harbor freight wheel chock face one bike forward on the right hand side front of the trailer and back the other bike in on the left side. this means the handle bars will not overlap. you might have to devise a way to keep the wheel chock from moving on the rear facing bike call me 918-446-2245 and we can talk about it. Kieth

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97841
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96349

[SCraig]

No help on tying down the bikes but I am in Nashville if you need anything while you are here. (615) 417-8898

[Dorzok]

take a look at www.ezchock.com might give you some ideas.