Hauling an 1800 across country

[bstig60]

I am making a cross country move in a couple of weeks and am renting a Uhaul enclosed trailer for the 1st trip. I am taking my 2003 Goldwing and another smaller bike. Is there anything in particular I should be aware of? Should I put it on the center stand in the trailer, secure it on the side stand or just secure it with the tie downs straps. The Uhauls don't have chocks, so I will have to rig something. I have some ideas about that. Suggestions would be welcome.

[AZgl1800]

I am making a cross country move in a couple of weeks and am renting a Uhaul enclosed trailer for the 1st trip. I am taking my 2003 Goldwing and another smaller bike. Is there anything in particular I should be aware of? Should I put it on the center stand in the trailer, secure it on the side stand or just secure it with the tie downs straps. The Uhauls don't have chocks, so I will have to rig something. I have some ideas about that. Suggestions would be welcome.

never, ever, haul a bike on the sidestand. you will break the frame or something else.

preferably use a front wheel chock, and then use short looped straps that go over the lower triple tree. You need two of those. bring the loops around together and then use a tie down strap thru those loops to an eye-bolt to the front at about 30 degrees to each side.

Do not tie anything to the crash guards. use a single tie down strap from left side to right side of the trailer, you loop it once around the rear tire/wheel. That prevents the bike from moving, period. The front tie downs will secure the bike from moving forward/backwards.

If you have room to carry two bikes at at time, you must tie each down separately the same was as described. I am thousands of others have used this method and never once had a problem.... ( if the straps don't break )

[Red Ron]

If you don't have a chock, run a strap over the left side of the top of the triple tree and to the front left corner of the trailer. Do the same over the right side of the triple tree. Also remove the side covers to access the frame. Run straps from the frame on each side of the bike. Also, I run 2 more from the frame on each side where the rear crash bars attach to the frame (as stated never tie to the crash bars; they are made to be pushed on not pulled on). This is a total of 6 straps and may seem like overkill to some. But, I have had several straps break and if there are 2 more on that side of the bike it isn't as much of a factor. I have towed wings in this manner probably 30 to 40 thousand miles over the years and never had a problem. Also I would suggest that you try to get the rental place to grease the hubs if you are going several hundred miles.

[raven41951]

Being an authorized U-Haul Dealer and a Goldwing owner, I can tell you that U-Haul's biggest van trailer, the 6x12 tandem axle (the RV), does not have sufficient door height (only 50") to load a 'wing into it, nor does it have a ramp and you can't rock the bike into it. They do have a 6x12 (open) Ramp Trailer (RT) and the newer models have a wheel chock (basically a V-nose welded into the front face) built in. Both have rings to tie down a bike, however I would not trust the rings in the van trailer (RV). If you are going with U-Haul, I would recommend the Ramp Trailer for hauling a bike. Check them out at uhaul.com

You could also buy (yes, buy) a Carmate or Haulmark 6x12 single axle with tie downs and a condor wheel chock for about $4,000, which is not quite twice the cost of a cross country rental. Once at your destination you could sell the trailer to recoup some of your cost or use it as a garage for your wing. This can be towed behind any U-Haul over the road truck as they all have a 2" ball and 4-wire flat connectors (most newer models also have a 7 and 4 wire combo socket). Local trucks like cargo vans do not have trailer hitches.

As stated, do not use any stands, side or center when transporting a bike (don't ask me how I know). Use straps to the tie down rings or rails. If you have concerns about hooks on bars they also have helper straps that protect the painted and/or plated surfaces.

I hope this helps and good luck on your move.

[AZgl1800]

Both of the following posts are excellent precautions.

it is very hard to put everything one should know in a single post, it becomes so long, the reader skips over it and goes to a single or two line post... thereby missing very important info.

My personal bike trailer is a home built, no track, flat wooden bed. it has two vertical Angle Iron upright bars just wide enough for the front tire to slip in. I use a tie strap and wrap around the wheel and the uprights about twice, and snug it down hard.

The first post I made describes what else I do.
I have used "safety straps" as others mentioned, but I usually don't because I replace my straps with new ones after a few trips, and I don't buy the cheap ones. As soon as I see some frayed marks on the tie down straps, they go into the milk crate for general purpose tie downs when hauling stuff. not a bike. Attached is a picture of my "bike trailer", it gets used for everything under the sun. The floor is 2x8" pressure treated wood, and coated with Thompson's Weather Seal.

Now shown is the special ramp for the bike to run up onto the trailer, it has a double purpose, it has angle iron on one end that locks into the floor of the trailer to keep it from sliding off while loading the bike, then it is picked up and slides down into angle iron slots and becomes a tailgate.

.

[bstig60]

Thanks for all the reply's... Some great ideas here. Interesting I didn't get a notification!
It is rainy season in California and I have some stuff that shouldn't get wet and some things that might tempt some joker at night while I am stopped at a hotel in my 6x12 open trailer. Getting the GW into the enclosed trailer isn't a problem, I have ramps and I plan to remove the windshield. As for buying a trailer, I have looked into that. I can get a 6x12 single axle for $2500 or so, but the trailer won't be needed when I get to Florida. So I would have to sell it and probably take a larger loss that the cost of renting a 6x12 enclosed from U-haul.. Funny that U-haul is the only company that rents trailers for 1 way moves.
BTW: My move will be done in two stages, the first one gets the bikes and some other stuff down there and will occur next month when my house closes escrow... the second stage will occur next April or May and gets all my stuff and will involve a 20 foot truck and I will pull my open trailer behind it with whatever I can't get in the truck... ATV, Lawn mowers and such stuff... So, for the moment, I will maintaining two homes for a few months..

[Red Ron]

Thanks for all the reply's... Some great ideas here. Interesting I didn't get a notification!
It is rainy season in California and I have some stuff that shouldn't get wet and some things that might tempt some joker at night while I am stopped at a hotel in my 6x12 open trailer. Getting the GW into the enclosed trailer isn't a problem, I have ramps and I plan to remove the windshield. As for buying a trailer, I have looked into that. I can get a 6x12 single axle for $2500 or so, but the trailer won't be needed when I get to Florida. So I would have to sell it and probably take a larger loss that the cost of renting a 6x12 enclosed from U-haul.. Funny that U-haul is the only company that rents trailers for 1 way moves.
BTW: My move will be done in two stages, the first one gets the bikes and some other stuff down there and will occur next month when my house closes escrow... the second stage will occur next April or May and gets all my stuff and will involve a 20 foot truck and I will pull my open trailer behind it with whatever I can't get in the truck... ATV, Lawn mowers and such stuff... So, for the moment, I will maintaining two homes for a few months..

What part of Fl you going to? I bought a home in Edgewater, FL on the East coast about 7 years ago and we finally retired from up north and moved down here last year.

[bstig60]

I'm buying a place in Port St. John, a Cocoa address. My son and family live in Rockledge. I lived in Jupiter for about 13 years back in the 80'-90's and moved back to California because of family. I have always wanted to move back to Florida and am glad its finally happening.

[Red Ron]

You are about 40 miles south of me. I ride across Merritt Island (couple of miles from your backyard) quite often and stop and view the manatees. Maybe we can meet up for a ride after you get settled. There are about 3 different groups of Wing riders here. The Prowlers are extremely active this time of year.

[bstig60]

That would be great. I look forward to meeting new people and doing some serious riding in Florida...

[raven41951]

Couple of things to remember when renting a uhaul. The one-way rates are based on several factors including the work load to your destination and from your starting point. The beginning and end of months are the busiest times and one-way rates are higher. Try to stick to mid-month. Stay away from holdays, graduations and popular vacation times as the rates are higher. Busiest times are Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day. Usually, making a reservation a few weeks in advance yields higher rates too. If you can make it a month or more in advance you should get a better rate. Lock your rate as soon as possible and you change change the date usually without chargenif you need to. You can cancel the reservation up to 24 hours ahead of your scheduled pick up without charge.

U-Haul builds their own trailers and they are solid as a rock. The 6x12 tandem axle also has inertia braking so you don’t need electric brakes. The slowing of the tow vehicle creates pressure on a hydraulic cylinder that operates the brakes. If you can, check to see that the wheels rotate freely. I have seen a few instances where the brakes were dragging and really doing a number on fuel mileage. As they are rental equipment, some renters have no regard for the equipment and novices can’t back up and they sometimes bend the hitch or even the main shaft of the trailer which affect the proper operation of the brakes. U-Haul has made a concerted effort over the last eight or so years to upgrade all of their equipment so you shouldn’t have a problem, but I wanted you to be aware.

Sorry for the length but just trying to give you info to help your move. Good Luck

[eklimek]

In one of the above responses was the admonition to not use the side stand while trailering.

Has anyone had a misadventure doing that?

[raven41951]

Yes. I was lucky, only a hole in the plywood floor of the trailer, because it was strapped down properly (other than the stand).

[bstig60]

Couple of things to remember when renting a uhaul. The one-way rates are based on several factors including the work load to your destination and from your starting point. The beginning and end of months are the busiest times and one-way rates are higher. Try to stick to mid-month. Stay away from holdays, graduations and popular vacation times as the rates are higher. Busiest times are Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day. Usually, making a reservation a few weeks in advance yields higher rates too. If you can make it a month or more in advance you should get a better rate. Lock your rate as soon as possible and you change change the date usually without chargenif you need to. You can cancel the reservation up to 24 hours ahead of your scheduled pick up without charge.

U-Haul builds their own trailers and they are solid as a rock. The 6x12 tandem axle also has inertia braking so you don’t need electric brakes. The slowing of the tow vehicle creates pressure on a hydraulic cylinder that operates the brakes. If you can, check to see that the wheels rotate freely. I have seen a few instances where the brakes were dragging and really doing a number on fuel mileage. As they are rental equipment, some renters have no regard for the equipment and novices can’t back up and they sometimes bend the hitch or even the main shaft of the trailer which affect the proper operation of the brakes. U-Haul has made a concerted effort over the last eight or so years to upgrade all of their equipment so you shouldn’t have a problem, but I wanted you to be aware.

Thanks for the advice. I will do my best to check that out. Will have to jack it up to check, but that's not a problem. One concern I have is the wheel bearing grease. I will ask the techs to check this out, but I don't know what kind of response I will get..

[AZgl1800]

do NOT leave the side stand down.

you can cause damage to the bike's frame, or punch a hole in the floor of the trailer.

the bike needs to be vertical so that the bike's own suspension absorbs the road shock.

ie, tie the front down with the triple tree, and only use a single strap around the rear tire secured to both sides of the trailer... that will prevent the bike from moving and the no damage will occur.

do NOT tie off to the crash bars, nor put a strap across the seat/frame....
that prevents the rear suspension from absorbing the shock loads.

[raven41951]

I did the rest but you're darn right. The stand went right through the plywood, and it wasn't even resting on it as I neglected to swing it up. Luckily no damage to the frame.

[Snowmoer]

Here is a free standing wheel chock that I use in my toy hauler. With a 20% off coupon the price can not be beat for the amount of time you need to use it. You will just have to figure out how to tie it down for side to side movement in the trailer. I have clamps that I use to secure it to the floor tie downs in my trailer.

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotiv ... 97843.html

[AZgl1800]

I am going to take my already acquired wheel chock, and mount it on a piece of 3/4 plywood.

Positioned so that the wheel points at a corner of the plyboard.

then place that plyboard at the front left hand corner of the Toy Hauler garage.

Then pull the bike up into the chock, it will lock the tire and hold the bike until I can get the triple tree loops tied to Tie Downs.

No way, can it go anywhere that way.

The rear wheel will have a single tie strap wrapped around it and secured to left and right.

Good to go, no holes bored into the garage floor.... a good thing about that, there is a big gasoline tank right below where the bike will park. The gas is for RV a/c generator. It also has a separate fuel pump and gas hose to refuel my bike.