Tips for long distance trailer'ing

[JuanPablo]

All, I will likely be towing my bike across Aus shortly. I'm after some recommendations for quality tie downs and a fork chock thing (Do they exist for road bikes?) and where to purchase.

Any other tips from people who do a bit of trailer'ing around would be appreciated too.

Ta.

[jules_1972]

Go see Craig at Motorcycle Pitstop.

[Scoundrel]

All, I will likely be towing my bike across Aus shortly. I'm after some recommendations for quality tie downs and a fork chock thing (Do they exist for road bikes?) and where to purchase.

Any other tips from people who do a bit of trailer'ing around would be appreciated too.

Ta.

You could probably make a fork chock thing of a bit of wood to suit your bike, but I'd question the need for one, just make sure the front end is secure with a bar bra or similar, but with enough slack to allow the forks to work during travel and tie the front wheel to the wheel channel. Two tie downs from the pillion pegs to points on the trailer floor and you'll be set.

[filbert]

Trailermate and tyredown will cost a bit but remove a lot of the hassles loading and unloading and nearly all of the travel risks like rubbing paintwork, bending parts or loosening straps and bouncing etc

[JuanPablo]

Thanks for advice all. I'd never heard of the trailermate, it looks the goods.

I'd never heard of the bar bra either, and I'm still not sure what it is because a google search took me here. and I haven't made it out yet.

[filbert]

Tyredown is my preference over straps, chocks, bar bra etc by holding the tyre down it leaves suspension free to move and unless your tyre goes flat it shouldn't work loose

[Scoundrel]

Yeah a tyredown would be the go unless your bike has bodywork or mufflers that would get in thew way of fitting it.

[Miss Behave]

You could just ride it across and save yourself the hassle

[shan]

What sort of trailer, I wouldent want an exposed front end being so close to the car, some sort of protection might be in order

[Smiffy]

Just be prepared to clean all the bugs off your bike when you get there...takes a long time, and lots of elbow grease. It seems that they manage to get swept over the car and straight into the bike :/

[chew]

You could just ride it across and save yourself the hassle

"Shudder", but in saying that, everyone should do it once.

Nothing quite like reading "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" laying in the middle of nowhere waiting for the boys to bring your repaired tyre back.

[JuanPablo]

Go see Craig at Motorcycle Pitstop.

Thanks Jules and everyone else. Saw them today, got a La Corsa branded 'thing' identical to Trailermate for $145. Well made etc etc.

Got some eyelets and some steel plate from Bunnings to bolt some tie down points and 'the thing' to the floor of the trailer, all set.

[Gonzo]

Just be prepared to clean all the bugs off your bike when you get there...takes a long time, and lots of elbow grease. It seems that they manage to get swept over the car and straight into the bike :/

You can fix this.

Get an extra large roll of glad wrap from the supermarket and tightly wrap the shitter out of the front end of the bike.

Make sure it’s nice and tight so that it doesn’t flap and scuff anything. Add a soft towel over delicate bits if you want, and a bit of extra tape to keep it in place.

When you get to where you’re going get a pair of scissors and snip it off.

I’ve done this a few times and it works a treat.

[Paraletic]

thats a great idea with the glad wrap...

i highly recomend a 'tyre down'. all i use is a chanell for the front tyre with a strap around the wheel, and the tyre down on the back. very secure.
you just dont want to compress your forks as it brings along the risk of blowing your fork seals.