Your thoughts on Best way to strap bikes to a trailer

[Shunt]

Evening All,

I know trailering isnt what this is all about, But, Needs must. It trailer the bikes with us or dont take them. :sick: So on a trailer they go.

I`ve just about finished adapting said trailer. I needed the tracks to be further apart to fit our bikes on it (xtz750 and a Gs650)

I`m now thinking of the best way to strap them down. All i normally do is to take the front straps forward and the back backwards.

Question is ive read about and some say not to compress the suspension??? Which is not how I`ve always done it. I usually compress the suspension about 3/4 on the front and abou 1/2 on the back.

Anyway Cheers fro reading me dribble on, How does everyone else do it? :whistle:

[redbikejohn]

you need to put a stopper between the tyre and mudguard - on dirt bikes anyway. this is to stop the suspension being under constant force if you strap it down tight.

not sure what to do on a bike with a close fitting mudguard. no opion but to pull it down tight i suspose.

i saw a metal thingy to stap the rear wheel in place so copied it at home - works well.

[Tink]

I do the same compress the front slightly and pull it to the left near stand, then pull it to the right slightly at the back end, never had one fall off or go over yet!!

[Redmurty]

Last time I used a trailer (Not out of chioce :pinch: ) it had a bump stop for the front wheel and the the guy just strapped it from the frame and sub rame from the side. It worked really well and the bike never moved even at 90 as I had to point out to the driver.

cheers Spud

[ANDYdk]

IF front wheel drops in a well, just 2 rachet straps around each side down from the handlebars and tighten evenly, then quick piece of rope around back wheel holding that down. Simple and 5 mins and your off.

If no well put some blocks each side of wheel to achieve same aim.

I have trailered many, many miles like this with no problem

I have read this and will try again

A rachet strap down and forward slightly from throttle side of bars likewise on clutch side. tighten evenly to compress suspension a little, small rope around and through back wheel to stop it moving forward or back.

[Mad Cow]

I don't strap from the handlebars I it is possible to bend them if you get too enthusiastic with the ratchets.

I thread straps round the forks just above the lower yoke and make sure they strap to the trailer forward of this point to pull the bike forward into the wheel loop.

I don't actually use ratchets any more but Lock Straps which use a cam buckle. These are more than adequete although I usually play safe and put some ratchet straps at the rear (off the pillion footpeg loops) I don't use tie downs with hooks but rather continous loops so that the suspension flexing can't cause them to fall off.

When transporting my CCM I use a fork saver but don't on other bikes with low mudguards and have never had any problems (I took my F800GS to the Lake District and back this way over 500 miles and had no problems)

[Mickdb1]

My bikes get tied down by the wheel rims to the trailer at back and front
then straps are on slight tension to keep it vertical Tied at the headstock/bars joints - never at the bar ends - they can turn
I also put a little strap around seat to frame so it dont blow off/fall off
DONT FORGET TO TAKE THE KEYS FOR THE BIKE :silly:
not quite done this twice !!!!!!!
HTHY

[ANDYdk]

yes, obviously do not crank the ratchet straps like you are holding a tank (or incredible hulk ) down.

Thought that would be common sense but maybe it's not so common :woohoo: :woohoo:

[wayne roome]

Just two ratchet straps from the lowest section of the handlebars is required. If you are uncormfortable with that just add another over the rear to stop in 'jumping out' over rougher roads. i only use two and have done thousands of miles with bikes on trailers

[Shunt]

Excellent B)

All this has put my mind at rest.

Cheers All