Tying down a Tri in enclosed trailer

[Zammy]

When we picked up our new trailer yesterday, I did the criss-cross thing with the straps on the eyes that stick down by the shocks. However, I also noticed that the straps were in contact with the mufflers as they came across to opposite sides, don't think that is a good idea for a long haul. The front wheel was not a problem with the chock installed as I went through the chock and the wheel to opposite corners also.

I'm thinking perhaps to go through the wheels instead of the built in tie downs, I left the trike in 1st gear with the parking brake on, it didn't move at all but we only had about a 40 minute drive, any suggestions are certainly welcome.

 

[Sully]

I don't think I would leave in first gear. :Shrug: Too much bouncing around :Shrug: might jam up the gears. Use the parking brake for sure. You have a rear bumper? Tie it down from the mounting brackets on both sides. The front wheel chock should hold it in one place, just need to secure it from sliding to one side or the other in the rear end. Keep us posted on what works best.

ThumbUp Have a good trip.

 

[njtrike]

I tie mine down using the engine guards and passenger foot boards. I also strap the front wheel to a wheel chock and set the parking brake. I would not put it in gear as you can damage the transmission. Also don't forget to set the security system into transport mode or you will run the battery down on a long tow.

 

[woody]

When we picked up our new trailer yesterday, I did the criss-cross thing with the straps on the eyes that stick down by the shocks. However, I also noticed that the straps were in contact with the mufflers as they came across to opposite sides, don't think that is a good idea for a long haul. The front wheel was not a problem with the chock installed as I went through the chock and the wheel to opposite corners also.

I'm thinking perhaps to go through the wheels instead of the built in tie downs, I left the trike in 1st gear with the parking brake on, it didn't move at all but we only had about a 40 minute drive, any suggestions are certainly welcome.

That sounds like what I did and we put just over 700 miles on the trip. I do put mine in transport mode. something else to look at is the cross braces under your trailer, mine were not very thick and a couple of years ago I hit a really rough spot on 285 around Atlanta and bent one cross brace but now I put a 2x8 under each rear wheel to distribute the weight across more braces and have had no more trouble.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

My 2 cents

Years ago, I was in Daytona during the trailer week craze.....
Numerous long distance bikers were unloading their bikes and having carburetor flooding problems. I was adjusting the floats for them. I figured that the way they strapped the motorcycles down made them too rigid and that bouncing change the float level in the carb. Fuel injected bikes didn't have this problem.

My dad came from Daytona to visit me in VA and he strapped his bike by the handlebars with soft ties. It killed the riser bushings.

Well from then on I started strapping them down so that the bike suspension could work. At least in the front.

On a trike, I use soft-ties through the spokes of the rear wheels. You can just pull them to the side if you have the room and don't have to deal with the muffler problem.

 

[Zammy]

Thanks for some ideas gentleman, my straps have the soft ties built in so we'll see how that goes. I never even thought of where to tie it down other than the eyes under the frame, duh, we'll get it figured out. My parking brake holds just fine, lots to learn from this upcoming trip, I've heard it go both ways about leaving it in gear or not, more reading to do, lol.

 

[Casper]

Chock in front, straps over the fender mounts inside the front legs, lets the suspension work as it should.
as for the rear, I also use the wheels as anchor points and crisscross the straps to keep the TG from sliding.

works for me anyway.

 

[HDB0B]

Remember "transport mode" or pull the main fuse when trailering or you will arrive with a dead battery ..... regardless of where your fob is located!

 

[hog driver]

tie down

When we picked up our new trailer yesterday, I did the criss-cross thing with the straps on the eyes that stick down by the shocks. However, I also noticed that the straps were in contact with the mufflers as they came across to opposite sides, don't think that is a good idea for a long haul. The front wheel was not a problem with the chock installed as I went through the chock and the wheel to opposite corners also.

I'm thinking perhaps to go through the wheels instead of the built in tie downs, I left the trike in 1st gear with the parking brake on, it didn't move at all but we only had about a 40 minute drive, any suggestions are certainly welcome.

leave your key fob with the bike in the trailer when you trailer the bike. If u don't the alarm system will activate as the trailer rocks, and it will flash the bikes lights and run down the battery in the bike... I found this out the hard way!!

 

[HDB0B]

leave your key fob with the bike in the trailer when you trailer the bike. If u don't the alarm system will activate as the trailer rocks, and it will flash the bikes lights and run down the battery in the bike... I found this out the hard way!!

I've had friends with fob at cycle and the battery still drained. Transport mode is so easy a cave man can do it! epper:

Bob

 

[Trent]

Put it in Neutral.. The rocking will continually make the innards move slightly if it is in gear. Why cause un-needed wear.

 

[Gleeg1962]

Transport Mode?

I have a 2013 Tri Glide. What exactly is transport mode? I haven't trailered mine yet.
Gary Griffith

 

[HDB0B]

I have a 2013 Tri Glide. What exactly is transport mode? I haven't trailered mine yet.

Gary Griffith

No FOB ... no worries. You should be OK.

Bob

 

[Rollin Thunder]

NEVER trailer any Bike in gear. Hard on the trans just use your tie downs and chock the front tire ! Lesson learned yrs ago ALSO DO NOT COVER ANY BIKE inside or outside of the trailer ! OR you will rub the clear coat off of it. I seen it too many times working with a Motorcycle painter.

 

[groutman]

biker bar

anyone ever use a biker bar i thought of getting one for my tg

 

[Zammy]

We're ready to roll in the morning for Maggie Valley, bike seems secure, in neutral and in transport mode. And it finally quit raining here in our area of Florida.

 

[BikerMama]

We're ready to roll in the morning for Maggie Valley, bike seems secure, in neutral and in transport mode. And it finally quit raining here in our area of Florida.

Loved Maggie Valley! Awesome riding there for sure!

 

[BikerMama]

leave your key fob with the bike in the trailer when you trailer the bike. If u don't the alarm system will activate as the trailer rocks, and it will flash the bikes lights and run down the battery in the bike... I found this out the hard way!!

Leaving the key fob in the tour pak of our '07 and the '11 worked but when we traded it for the '14 it did not! We got home and the battery was dead of course, took it to our HD mechanic back in IL, he charged the battery and no more problems...till we hauled back to our winter home in AZ. Yep dead battery again! So, lesson learned, that used to work but now with the newer trikes you just better use the transportation mode!

 

[Zammy]

Transport mode worked just like it was supposed to, had a live trike when we got here, lol. Now to remember to do it again when we leave on Saturday morning!

 

[bigfish_Oh]

Remember "transport mode" or pull the main fuse when trailering or you will arrive with a dead battery ..... regardless of where your fob is located!

pulling the fuse will not help, or did not for me going to Sturgis, I was dead when I got their and alarm screaming when i tried to start, never screamed on the road i guess?

I put 2 floor d rings in line(offset a little) with the hoops under the frame and use 2 - 3/8 long hook end turn buckles for the rear and 1 strap on the front tire to the floor(I'm putting a new floor in with e-track and chock)