Motorcycle Trailers + Strapping down + help
Discussion
Hi, just wondered if anyone could offer some advice on strapping down their bikes to a trailer. Its an open trailer so needs to be very secure.
I was thinking 3 straps (one for accross the tank close to the forks) One accross the seat?
I'm not too sure tbh and want to get it right. Its a sports bike by the way.
Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.
thanks
I was thinking 3 straps (one for accross the tank close to the forks) One accross the seat?
I'm not too sure tbh and want to get it right. Its a sports bike by the way.
Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.
thanks
I would advise one strap from each handlebar area (remember to pull your forks down on the suspension as you tighten) and make sure they go forwards pulling the bike towards the front of the trailer and the front wheel brace/groove.
I'd stick another two at the back (a strong bracket near the seat area?), one either side pulling forwards too but not as much as the front ones. Try and get the straps as high on the bike as you can and make sure they can't move with vibrations. Get the straps out as wide as you can too.
Some people only use two straps to hold a bike on, but I have seen one break and for the sake of a few quid I prefer the peace of mind!
I'd stick another two at the back (a strong bracket near the seat area?), one either side pulling forwards too but not as much as the front ones. Try and get the straps as high on the bike as you can and make sure they can't move with vibrations. Get the straps out as wide as you can too.
Some people only use two straps to hold a bike on, but I have seen one break and for the sake of a few quid I prefer the peace of mind!
Edited by srob on Thursday 4th February 18:09
Some straps like these ( Ebay)and the front wheel chock aswell if its not a proper bike trailer. Rear straps somewher quite high to something sturdy like the frame.Rear peg hangers? Flick through the pics below......
http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx...
http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx...
horster said:
Ok.Just to clarify. The straps are the only thing keeping the bike upright? Ive seen on some peoples trailers that there is a small piece of metal from the trailer to the underside of the bike. But if the straps are done correctly, that is all you would need?
Thannks for the tips!
Yep, straps are all you need!Thannks for the tips!
Some people have bars made up to fit a specific bike so that you don't pull down on the suspension when you're attaching the bike to the trailer. We have some for one or two of the bikes but to be honest I don't like the idea of shock loads going through the trailer into the brackets they're bolted to.
Pull down the straps to hold the bike upright so it stand alone, then pull one down on each side in succession and keep checking the bike is still upright by stepping back behind the trailer. Like I said, lots of the off-roaders just hold the bikes on two straps, one either side from the handlebars to the front corners of the trailer.
Keep an eye in your mirror when you're towing and it's worth stopping and checking the straps haven't moved every now and then for peace of mind.
As said, two ratchets at the front, if you have expensive/light clip ons, try and go around the top of the yokes.
You can get strap attachments with well sewn-in loops on them, just for this purpose. Brian James or similar may sell them or at least tell you where to get them, as they supply them with some models of trailer.
Depress the suspension and the fork springs will be constantly tensioning the straps. Make sure there is al least a channel to stop the font tyre slipping left of right, as this will render the straps useless.
If its a flat trailer, put it on the side stand with the front wheel pushed into a corner and onto to the steering stop of the side the stand is on and do the above. It wont go anywhere.
Then one strap through the back wheel. You dont *need* to ratchet the rear down tight, but on a small light trailer, the tendency will be for the rear to bounce a bit, which could upset the attitude of the bike or the front straps. So youre just tying the bike to the trailer. Then the trailer can bounce all it wants.
You can get strap attachments with well sewn-in loops on them, just for this purpose. Brian James or similar may sell them or at least tell you where to get them, as they supply them with some models of trailer.
Depress the suspension and the fork springs will be constantly tensioning the straps. Make sure there is al least a channel to stop the font tyre slipping left of right, as this will render the straps useless.
If its a flat trailer, put it on the side stand with the front wheel pushed into a corner and onto to the steering stop of the side the stand is on and do the above. It wont go anywhere.
Then one strap through the back wheel. You dont *need* to ratchet the rear down tight, but on a small light trailer, the tendency will be for the rear to bounce a bit, which could upset the attitude of the bike or the front straps. So youre just tying the bike to the trailer. Then the trailer can bounce all it wants.
one 5 tonne ratchet strap on the top of one rearset, and another one over the other side. If you ensure they are pulling the bike fwd, you're as safe as houses. No further straps necessary.
The van equivalent is to go from the side of the yoke closest to the middle of the van to the 'internal gutter' (which is about 5 feet up on the inside).
The van equivalent is to go from the side of the yoke closest to the middle of the van to the 'internal gutter' (which is about 5 feet up on the inside).
The way I do it is I run a hook ended strap through the yokes/fork legs so that the strap is between the top and the bottom yokes and the headstock and the fork leg. I do this on both sides.
I then pull the loose end of the strap through the ring in the hook (not the hook itself but the bit which holds the hook onto the strap... its safer) and pull it tight. I usually put a rag around the fork leg/bottom yoke to stop it from getting damaged by the hook, but if you pull it tight the hook normally gets itself out of the way anyway.
Then I take a ratchet end with a hook on it, hook it over the tie down point on the trailer and pull it tight. Then, with a mate holding the bike upright I tighten both straps progressively so that the fork legs are compressed and the bike is upright. I then do the same procedure at the back with both pillion footrest hangers. Once I've done the back, I then recheck the front and I'm happy that the bike is secure. Ideally you'll want a proper motorcycle trailer, but I've done this with a box trailer too.
I then pull the loose end of the strap through the ring in the hook (not the hook itself but the bit which holds the hook onto the strap... its safer) and pull it tight. I usually put a rag around the fork leg/bottom yoke to stop it from getting damaged by the hook, but if you pull it tight the hook normally gets itself out of the way anyway.
Then I take a ratchet end with a hook on it, hook it over the tie down point on the trailer and pull it tight. Then, with a mate holding the bike upright I tighten both straps progressively so that the fork legs are compressed and the bike is upright. I then do the same procedure at the back with both pillion footrest hangers. Once I've done the back, I then recheck the front and I'm happy that the bike is secure. Ideally you'll want a proper motorcycle trailer, but I've done this with a box trailer too.
IforB said:
DING! use these in teh back of the van and on trailer and they are frankly perfect for the job. just need to stabilise the front wheel in a groove or lightly strap the bar ends. Quick and easy...but totally rock solid.
Edited by jp-speed-triple on Saturday 6th February 13:16
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