Long distance trailering?

[offcenter]

A friend is contemplating trailering his GL 1800 behind his car, across the US.
He mentioned putting a bike cover on it to keep it clean.
My thought is that the cover will scuff the paint and windshield from the constant flapping in the wind.
(I wonder if the cover would even survive the trip!)
Has anyone here trailered a Wing like this?
Did you cover it? How did you keep it clean during the trip?
If you covered it, what kind of cover did you use?
Discuss?
Thanks guys.

[tfdeputydawg]

Absolutely DO NOT use a cover on an open trailer, you will ruin the paint.
No way to keep it clean on an open trailer.
With the concerns your friend has, he should use an enclosed trailer
Don't know of many cars that could pull a trailer anymore????

[Viking]

Plus one on deputydawg's thoughts. I totally agree. Tow it in an enclosed trailer. A GL1800 will just fit in a 5 X 8 V nose trailer, but not in a 5 X 8 that is not V nose. That is the smallest trailer you can do the job with. Better would be a 6 X 10. Always put a front wheel chock in and then stabilize the rear wheel as well. These bikes do not do well if they are towed lying down.

[DenverWinger]

All the wind flapping would likely shred the cover, too.

I bet you could cover the windshield and front of the bike with kitchen "Cling Wrap", pull the wrap off and the bugs come with it....

[Joe in SD]

I’be trailered bikes from South Dakota to Virginia and back a couple of times. Open trailer with no cover. Front chock and rear tire strapped to the sides are a must. As well as straps to keep them upright. I had no problem other than a few bugs on the windshield. Ride safe. Joe

[Ghostman]

There was a couple some years ago on the forums,cant remember if it was this one or another. They trailered a gl1500 home with a cover and the cover basically beat the bike up. From the wind whipping it around it scratched and beat up the paint and finish on the bike. Ive trailered one on an open trailer and looked at it with the opinion like its no different then riding it . The only difference I found is if you go through rain it gets a little more dirty being behind the tow vehicle.

[AZgl1800]

I’be trailered bikes from South Dakota to Virginia and back a couple of times. Open trailer with no cover. Front chock and rear tire strapped to the sides are a must. As well as straps to keep them upright. I had no problem other than a few bugs on the windshield. Ride safe. Joe

I do the same, wash bugs off the windscreen when I get there.

Planning just such a trip from Okieland to Dayton, OH come April to spend a couple weeks with my son.

[offcenter]

Thanks guys. I've passed your responses on to my buddy.
He's got the idea now. No cover.

[jasonmartin]

I will be trailering my 13 F6B from Indiana to Florida on a open Kendon trailer in early January and back again April. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about using shipping shrink wrap to cover as much of the bike as possible to minimize the amount of snow and salt I am likely to have to drive through.
I am looking at this product in particular to wrap with and maybe using S100 corrosion protection on certain areas.
Any advice, input or suggestions will be appreciated.

[WingAdmin]

If you do wrap it with anything, I would make sure it is shrunk so that there is NOTHING loose at all. If anything is not tight and flaps in the wind, it will cause major damage to the paint.

[jasonmartin]

Yep I learned that from reading about others mistakes, That's why I was planning on the thin stuff they use to wrap pallets of boxes with. I will look into seeing if a hair drier will tighten it up after installation.

[landisr]

Yep I learned that from reading about others mistakes, That's why I was planning on the thin stuff they use to wrap pallets of boxes with. I will look into seeing if a hair drier will tighten it up after installation.

Please let us know how that works out.

Ron in AZ

[Solo So Long]

If you're that worried about a few bugs and a little dust, put a heavy coat of auto wax over all of it, and don't wipe it off. When you get to the destination, spray the bike down.

Myself, I don't really worry about it. You get more bugs riding than you do with it on the trailer.

[jasonmartin]

I am trying to avoid all of the snow and salt that they use on the roads up here in Indiana.

[landisr]

I am trying to avoid all of the snow and salt that they use on the roads up here in Indiana.

I don't blame you.