Securing a Nomad on a trailer

[socwkbiker]

So my baby is out of state visiting my BACA chapter since I moved up here to MO. However, she's coming home with me this weekend when I head down. However, it looks like I'm going to have to break down and trailer her up here. :-[

So, since I've never had to do this before, what is the best way to secure the bike to the trailer. I plan on using ratchet straps so I need to know the best spots to attach them.

Thanks

[ndbigfish]

I used the handle bars and rear crash bars. I collapsed the front end as far as possible while the front tire was against the bed of a p/u.

[Cajunrider]

Jeff, I use all four crashbars only. I also use 2" ratchet straps with soft loops on the crash bars. I snug up the front two straps and then the 2 rear. Then I pull down on the front 2 to load up the front forks at least 1/2 of their travel. I then tighten the rear ones to load up the shocks. Never had a problem on Louisiana highways so they should hold anywhere. My tie downs are at floor level in my trailer so they are not only pulling laterally but down also.

[vulcans2]

Jeff,--I have trailered several motorcycles, including a couple Gold Wings. I loop a soft tie around the lower triple tree and snug them down with ratcheting tie downs so as to compress the forks just a bit. I don't know how strong the rear crash bars on the Nomad are, but I'd be careful how far to tighten them down. I'd also avoid using the handlebars unless you have that device that consists of a nylon tube at each end, fastened together with a strong nylon web strap in between. You slip the nylon tubes over each hand grip, then tighten the center strap. The tubes have a loop that you can hook a tie down strap through then secure each side to a trailer bed tie down point. Otherwise you risk bending the bars. For the life of me I can't remember the name of that handlebar device. I usually ran a long strap, ratcheting tiedown through the rear wheel, giving it one wrap around it, then ratcheting it tight to keep the rear wheel from hopping around. I also would highly recommend some sort of wheel chock at the front. I tried that once without a wheel chock and only got a mile from the house before I noticed a potentially serious situation starting to happen. I went home and cut two pieces of 2.4 and screwed them to the trailer deck to keep the wheel from sliding side to side. Hope this helps.

[macmac]

I use the soft loops too, 4 of them, and 8 ratchet tie downs, 2 per corner. Tape the hooks at the bottom of the straps. The wrong bump in a road can knock a hook loose easy, hence tape.

If possible trap the rear wheel so it can't move sideways, assuming the ft wheel is in a chock.

My trailer has a wooden floor so screwing in a pair of blocks for the rear is no big deal.

Do not crush the suspention completely.

The bike points I use is the bars making sure nothing gets grabbed and in back I cross the soft ties off the sissy bar (stock 1600)

With the soft ties you can get the upper hooks away from paint better, and have the ratchets down at the floor.

I am damnned fussy with 8 ties, but I never dropped the nad yet.

[Cajunrider]

I failed to mention that my front wheel is in a good and solid chock and my ratchet strap hooks are all snap lock. They cant unhook unhook unless you manually pull the latch back. This tie down kit comes in a case with (4) 6' 2" heavy duty ratchet straps and 4 soft loops. I trailered my bike up to Billmac's and the Nomad never budged. The chock came with the trailer and is the one that drops into a slotted receiver that is bolted flush on the floor. I used the 1" straps when I trailered up to the SC Regional in Eureka Springs. I wouldn't reccommend the 1" straps unless you use 2 on each corner. The rear crash bars are very strong although with the 2" straps if you get crazy you probably could spring them before breaking the strap. This is the kit I have but I paid $20 less when it was on sale.

http://www.ramp-master.com/2snhotiedoki.html

[nomadtom69]

When I bought my Nomad last year I used a Wheel chock from Harbor Freight something like this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ADJUSTABLE-MOTORCYCLE-TRAILER-WHEEL-CHOCK-BIKE-STAND-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c18a99cedQQitemZ12067 2853229QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
It locks the front wheel down to the point you can get off without a kick stand down the like they say soft straps and good rachet straps to secure

[Cajunrider]

I have one of the harbor freight chocks that I will mount on a 4'x4' sheet of 3/4" plywood for my garage. I used it on a borrowed trailer for the Eureka Springs rally.

[nomadtom69]

That would be nice if I had that much room I just barely have enough room to slide in beside the wifes Explorer and if she gets the new one she may kick it out in the cold :(

[cactusjack]

And you call yourself a "biker"? Sounds like you're a trailerer to me. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[soldierboy3502]

I picked up a trailer kit from www.powertye.com (http://www.powertye.com) They've got alot of cool stuff in there!!

[nomadtom69]

Cabby have you got that new bike home yet ??? ??? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[jmax5105]

You know, you COULD go get yourself a Harley cover to throw over the nomad and nobody would think twice about it but you might get some funny looks pulling something other than a HD behind you.... I'm just sayin'...

[nomadtom69]

I know the feeling when I drove to SC to pick up my Nomad there were several people looking at the bike wondering why I was not riding it http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[glwilson]

Tie it down from the front and rear crash bars. They are plenty strong enough. I've done it plenty of times and hauled the Nomad several thousand miles without a problem.

Tie the bike down so it stands straight up -- NOT on the kick-stand. You risk breaking the stand-weld; or cracking it. Kick-stands aren't meant to take the beating of having the weight of the bike bouncing on it.

Do not over compress your shocks. There is a big misunderstanding about doing so. Just don't over compress them -- period. No more compressed than you sitting on the bike. (I'll explain if needed.)

Make sure the front wheel is in a chock, or tie it so it doesn't turn from side-to-side, or move backwards. Make it immovable.

Tie your rear wheel from side to side so the rear wheel doesn't slip to one side or the other. Most forget to do that; and you may regret it if the bike does slip some. (I'll explain why if needed.) Just simply run a tie-down around one of your rear wheel aluminum spokes from each side to the same rear tie-downs you use for the rear crash bars.

Check the bike within 10-20 miles of the trip to be sure nothing is slipping. Then you'll check it every gas-stop.

Do not put a cover on it. That is illegal in most states, and is dangerous.

Do not tie a bike the size of a Nomad down by the handle-bars. Just don't do it. Some get away with it; but just don't do it.

Good luck, and may you survive the harassment!

[soldierboy3502]

Cabby have you got that new bike home yet ??? ??? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Not yet bro. If everything everything works by Weds night and the money gets here in time, I'll be taking possession on Thursday the 27th.

[nomadtom69]

Hope everything works out let us know and more pics

[oldbikers]

Tie it down from the front and rear crash bars. They are plenty strong enough. I've done it plenty of times and hauled the Nomad several thousand miles without a problem.

Tie the bike down so it stands straight up -- NOT on the kick-stand. You risk breaking the stand-weld; or cracking it. Kick-stands aren't meant to take the beating of having the weight of the bike bouncing on it.

Do not over compress your shocks. There is a big misunderstanding about doing so. Just don't over compress them -- period. No more compressed than you sitting on the bike. (I'll explain if needed.)

Make sure the front wheel is in a chock, or tie it so it doesn't turn from side-to-side, or move backwards. Make it immovable.

Tie your rear wheel from side to side so the rear wheel doesn't slip to one side or the other. Most forget to do that; and you may regret it if the bike does slip some. (I'll explain why if needed.) Just simply run a tie-down around one of your rear wheel aluminum spokes from each side to the same rear tie-downs you use for the rear crash bars.

Check the bike within 10-20 miles of the trip to be sure nothing is slipping. Then you'll check it every gas-stop.

Do not put a cover on it. That is illegal in most states, and is dangerous.

Do not tie a bike the size of a Nomad down by the handle-bars. Just don't do it. Some get away with it; but just don't do it.

Good luck, and may you survive the harassment!



Jeff you should listen to GL he owns a Harley ;) (sorry GL just couldn't resist)

[glwilson]

Yeah!! That makes me the expert on trailering!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Cajunrider]

Yeah!! That makes me the expert on trailering!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Don't let em get to you Greg......that's why we have enclosed trailers. Nobody can see what we're hauling. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[fish]

On my wife's bike you can see that I have the front wheel in a wheel chock bolted to plywood that is bolted to the floor. The rear wheel is inside a home made wheel chock that is bolted to the floor. It didn't move one bit in on the 200 mile ride home.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg107/fishbreath2008/DSCF1891.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg107/fishbreath2008/2010%20northeast%20rally/DSCF1192.jpg

[schoeney]

Greg Wilson- Is it really illegal to haul a bike covered? I am not sure I understand the logic on that? Of course I don't understand most of what our government does anymore.

As far as a chock...you have plenty of ideas and I do recommend you have a front chock and block/tie the rear.

I made a chock that looks like a ladder laid in the trailer sideways. It has several "chock" spaces in case I want to use it to haul a few bicycles as well.

It is approx 3' a 5'. My trailer is 5 X 10. It is made out of 2 x 4's and it sits across the width of the entire trailer so it doesn't need to be screwed into the trailer (just drop it in and pull it out) as it can't shift left to right because it fits snug.

Good luck!

[Cajunrider]

Greg, the cover can catch a draft beneath it resulting in it flying off into someone's windshield. The same can happen with a tarp covering cargo on a trailer but they are normally secured better than a bike cover with an elastic bottom. I wouldn't want a cover on mine anyway because the constant movement will marr the paint.

[macmac]

A covered bike on a open trailer won't have any paint left anyway. Don't do that!

I fought with my boos about that on a machine we rebuilt. It was brand spankin new powder coat. I drove it at legal limits 80 miles covered as i was told i must after objecting and every edge that cover touched was stripped to bare steel. I knew before I left it would be too.

I had that cover tied 6 ways from sunday and nothing I could have done with that cover on would have worked, and i had foam padding on most of the endes and that was all gone tape and all.

I like Wilsons idea of lashing the rear tire down a lot. And it never occured to me anyone would tie a bike down on it's side stand. Don't

[skeeter]

Fish, like the rear block but can't see how you are securing. Thru angle brackets on side pieces? On Nomad would have to extend far enough to get screw gun past the bags.

[fish]

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg107/fishbreath2008/DSCF1932.jpg
I use the side of a hammer to get the lag bolts started then a short socket and ratchet the bolts in. Once you have the holes in the bed its just a matter of lining it up next time.
I thought about just drilling holes and then dropping a 1/2" pin or bolt down.

[ballast]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gifWhen people look at it on the trailer and say, "That's a good looking Harley you have there."

Just smile and say, "Thank you. It is, isn't it." http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[glwilson]

Schoeney, I believe I am correct on that.

I assume, as Cajun said; that most would not tie it down and it would blow off -- besides -- the paint-job would be wiped out on a long trip if the bike was covered.

Fish, I like that idea. Your rear tires are not going to move from side to side with that setup. ;)

The reason one doesn't want the bike's rear tire slipping to one side or the other is that is puts a good deal of strain on the frame of the bike when it happens.

Take a bicycle and hold the front forks securely and straight upright -- then have someone move the rear wheel from side to side. You'll feel the forks wanting to twist and lean the opposite direction of the rear wheel slip.

With a heavy motorcycle, like the Nomad, this force is multiplied, causing an enormous amount of twisting pressure on its frame.

Some will tell you that the bike can "take it". I prefer not to find out -- especially later when I am riding on it.

Mac... I see bikes tied-down on their kick-stands all the time. With a heavy bike, that just might not work out someday for someone that does it.

Cajun... that's right... I have a covered trailer so I don't have to endure the harassment until I am caught loading or un-loading it http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[billmac]

Jeff, I have trailered my Nomad all over the U.S. and to Calif twice. And yes, I take alot of ribbing from other Nomad owners. Cheryl and I don't like cold, hot, or freeways. That's just how we are. :)

Anyway I learned not to tie to the handlebars. I tie to the crash bars with 2 inch ratchet tie downs. No sense in repeating everything, I totally agree with Cajunrider's advice. I am sure others have good advice too.

billmac

[skeeter]

Thanks for the photo Fish.

[socwkbiker]

Tomorrow morning I'll be heading back north with my Nomad. I'll be using your suggestions and I hope that everything goes good.

[cactusjack]

Cajun... that's right... I have a covered trailer so I don't have to endure the harassment until I am caught loading or un-loading it http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Just load/unload late at night and nobody will know. Oh, wait - they would just assume it was trailered because it's a Harley. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Cajunrider]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

[skeeter]

who woke you up? going to bed now.

[lw]

What they said. . . ;)

Drive safe my friend.

[Cajunrider]

who woke you up? going to bed now.

Had to get up a little early to see Gene off. He's between Longview and Dallas right now. He finally got out of the rain.

[glwilson]

Cajun... that's right... I have a covered trailer so I don't have to endure the harassment until I am caught loading or un-loading it http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Just load/unload late at night and nobody will know. Oh, wait - they would just assume it was trailered because it's a Harley. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[socwkbiker]

I want to thank everyone for their help, especially our resident towing professional GL. LOL! I got the bike here safe and sound, but with a dead battery. So everything is ok and I'm looking forward to getting to ride soon.

[ballast]

Glad to hear it went well.

[glwilson]

Bet you were nervous the first several miles; and just about put a "crook" in your neck trying to watch the Nomad! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif ;)

Glad you and the bike made it safe. ;)

[Cajunrider]

I want to thank everyone for their help, especially our resident towing professional GL. LOL! I got the bike here safe and sound, but with a dead battery. So everything is ok and I'm looking forward to getting to ride soon.

She's just getting even for loading her on a trailer. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[socwkbiker]

She probably is Cajun.