How to Tie Up a Bike on a Trailer
If you plan to haul a motorcycle on a trailer, it needs to be tied down correctly to keep it from moving during transport. This is important not only to prevent damage to the bike, but to prevent an injury or accident if the motorcycle should come loose from the trailer during transport. By securing the motorcycle properly with quality tie-down straps, your bike should arrive safely and in good condition at its destination.
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Things You'll Need
- Trailer
- Motorcycle rail/wheel chock combination
- Electric drill
- Half-inch drill bit
- 4 half-inch threaded tie-down hooks
- 4 lock nuts
- 4 large washers
- 4 tie-down straps
- Motorcycle ramp
Instructions
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1
Install a combination motorcycle rail/wheel chock onto the bed of the trailer if it is not already so equipped. The rail keeps the wheels of the motorcycle from moving forward or side to side. Follow the directions with the rail to secure it to the trailer.
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2
Install tie-down hooks on the trailer. Drill holes through the bed of the trailer at each front corner with a half-inch drill bit attached to an electric drill. Push the threaded end of a tie-down hook through each hole and secure it with a large washer and a lock nut tightened with an adjustable wrench in a clockwise direction. Drill two more holes and install tie-down hooks in the same fashion in the trailer bed at the sides where the rear wheel of the motorcycle with be positioned when loaded.
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3
Place a hook of a tie-down strap into each tie-down hook at the sides of the trailer where you will be able to reach them from a sitting position on the motorcycle.
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4
Place a motorcycle ramp at the end of the trailer and push or ride the bike onto the trailer, keeping the wheels in the rail. Allow the front wheel of the bike to rest against the chock at the front of the rail.
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5
Attach the straps while sitting on the bike. Place the hook in the strap to the side frame member of the motorcycle on each side and tighten the straps.
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6
Dismount the bike. Place two more tie-down straps on the tie-down hooks at the front of the trailer. Place the hook on the other end of the straps on each side of the motorcycle handle bar, being careful not to get the strap tangled in brake or clutch cables. Tighten the straps evenly until the front suspension compresses.
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7
Check your work. Make sure the motorcycle is sitting straight and even. Make adjustments to the straps if the motorcycle is leaning. Shake the bike to ensure there is no movement. Tighten the straps further if there is any movement when the bike is shaken. Remove the motorcycle ramp from the trailer.
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Tips & Warnings
Use heavy-duty straps rated at 600-pound test load and 200-pound working load for dirt bikes. Use straps rated at 2400 test load and 800 working load for heavy street bikes.
