Hauling your motorcycle

[lk2rd]

I like the Pit Bull Trailer Restraint but, I don't like the price.  I'm working on a homemade version.  I think I will buy their latches for around $45 since making them would be time comsuming.

[LawnmowerRG]

Well I pull a trailer a 10k+ a year. So trailers dont bother me.

A good wheel chock is really nice.

If you are putting one in a truck make sure the ramp is secured to the truck. I saw many bikes that had been dropped when I worked on bike. They started up and kicked the ramp out.

Then when unloading make sure you leave the bike in gear (engine not running) and use the clutch as a break. The front break will usually be mostly useless. Main thing it will do is make the tire slide. The result many times is that it goes sideways away from you and falls off the ramp, or ends up laying on its side on a wide ramp.

[DachshundUberAlles]

I can tell you guys don't race. Put a set of eye bolts to hook the tie downs, either in the truck bed or trailer rails, and haul away. Been doing it for years with just truck beds and towing both open and enclosed trailers, M/X and roadrace, and never tipped one yet. The most important thing is to NOT SKIMP when it comes to buying the tie-downs. There's a reason ANCRA costs a little more...

Oh, and +1 on the PITBULL trailer restraint. Simple, effective, and worth every penny.

[SpeedyR]

love my Kendon trailer. I would rather trailer my dirt bikes than ride them places. well till it turns to dirt!!

I just got back from trailering my 950 and 450 out to colorado. Jetta TDI and the two bikes, worked like a charm and still got around 30mpg with a full car and both bikes out and back.  Photos from Cottonwood Pass, just over 12k' between Buena Vista and Taylor Park Reservoir in Colorado.






easy to get the bikes on it, folds up when not in use, and just a smooth, lightweight trailer package.

my only comment is to get good tie down straps. IMHO you really should have ones that use carabiners, not hooks. when you hit a big enough bump, the hooks will unhook and your bike goes for a ride of it's own. I have some really nice KTM ratcheting tie downs that I use in the front and then use some more basic ones in the back.

also tie down the front wheel so it can't move side to side or anywhere. keeps things locked down solid.

I also have a VersaHaul hitch mount if I'm just taking my 450 somewhere. I haven't tried to put the 950 up there (450lbs), I think that would scare me on any type of twisty or bumpy roads. Plus I can ride the 950 more places than I would the 450. :)

[lostinbama]

The pitbull trailer restraint system is the way to go. Yes it's pricey, but if you haul regularly, it's worth every cent.


I need to order another floor plate for my creeper van, but in the mean time I've got a Baxley chock I throw in there when I haul in it.

[Al Goodwin]

.Ballast.


.And if I ever need to haul the big bike...I guess it'll be on this trailer.
.

[IceCold4x4]

Sketchy but it was quite stable and dint have any give. 

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[Nice Goat]

Sketchy but it was quite stable and dint have any give. 

You have more guts than I do.  I would never even attempt that!  :o

[IceCold4x4]

Sketchy but it was quite stable and dint have any give. 

You have more guts than I do.  I would never even attempt that!  :o

Oddly enough it was very stable.  I jumped all over it for 5 min to be sure.

[jrou111]

I've got a 3 rail trailer that I bought for $400 a few years ago. It's hauled many bikes, including a KLR, TTR, and a KTM 400 all at the same time.



I also have a Harbor Freight hitch hauler that I paid $80 on sale for. It's hauled a ton of bikes too. I think the heaviest though was only ~350lbs (DR650)

[springer]

Sketchy but it was quite stable and dint have any give. 

You have more guts than I do.  I would never even attempt that!  :o

Oddly enough it was very stable.  I jumped all over it for 5 min to be sure.

Personally, I would want something more better.

I have this one and it is easy to set-up(straps secure the ramp to the tailgate/bed of the truck via the bumper. This insures the ramp will not slip back when loading/unloading.), wide enough so you can walk beside the motorcycle, and folds for ease of storage.
$149.00 is not a bad price;
http://www.amazon.com/Lund-602004-Bi-Fold-1500-Pound-Capacity/dp/B000A7BMKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443563235&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+ramps+aluminum

I have used this type, not sure if it is this brand but looked similar.
$119.99

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XK9MW8G?psc=1

At $97.59, this one looks like a deal;

http://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Max-5500-4045-Weight-Folding/dp/B001NYTEP4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1443563235&sr=8-2&keywords=motorcycle+ramps+aluminum

[IceCold4x4]

Sketchy but it was quite stable and dint have any give. 

You have more guts than I do.  I would never even attempt that!  :o

Oddly enough it was very stable.  I jumped all over it for 5 min to be sure.

Personally, I would want something more better.

I have this one and it is easy to set-up(straps secure the ramp to the tailgate/bed of the truck via the bumper. This insures the ramp will not slip back when loading/unloading.), wide enough so you can walk beside the motorcycle, and folds for ease of storage.
$149.00 is not a bad price;
http://www.amazon.com/Lund-602004-Bi-Fold-1500-Pound-Capacity/dp/B000A7BMKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443563235&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+ramps+aluminum

I have used this type, not sure if it is this brand but looked similar.
$119.99

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XK9MW8G?psc=1

At $97.59, this one looks like a deal;

http://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Max-5500-4045-Weight-Folding/dp/B001NYTEP4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1443563235&sr=8-2&keywords=motorcycle+ramps+aluminum

I'd completely agree.  However due to odd circumstances that's what was available at the time.  Also notice the very shallow angle.  A real ramp is on my list of things to buy.  Problem is that's an 8k list for a 2k dollar bike.

[Gam]

I have a trifold aluminum ramp to run them up and off my truck.  It's almost as wide as the truck bed when unfolded, I can run bikes up on it and back them off by myself without worrying about going off the side, the klx and xt225 at least, I would want some spotters for the KLR, but never had a reason to put it the back of the pickup.

[Sagebrush]

I've only trailed a large bike once when it broke down in Tellico Plains, TN. I have two 3500 dually trucks and its a pain to bed load. I put my ST1100 in a 2wd 3500 truck and said I would never do that again, unloading it was scary even with the heavy duty long trifold ramp. I would load a DR650 or something like that in a 2wd though, just nothing bigger.

My 4x4 3500 dually brought my DL1000 home after a stator failure. I just had my folks pick up a U-Haul motorcycle trailer in Gadsden, not expensive, easy to use, fairly painless. Spent more on diesel fuel than the trailer by far.

I think I'm going to put a Condor chock in my 12' Haulmark work trailer though, just haven't gotten around to it. It needs anchor points too, I have some E-Track laying around. That will save me a little money for having to rent something, I already have the Haulmark, the hardware for tie downs and the chock though. If I didn't have the stuff laying around I wouldn't bother, the U-Haul option is better than letting a trailer sit and sit with the tires rotting. I hardly use my little Haulmak, probably blow an old Chinese tire if I used it. I finally broke down out of state and of course teh trailer was not road ready, U-Haul motorcycle trailer rental worked fine though. Beats a heavy bike in the back of my truck any day.

[Ryanbroome]

I've done the truck bed thing and the trailer thing and found they both work well but we prefer to use mamas car. It saves gas and it's easier to back up.