KymcoForum.com
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mscmkr on April 01, 2014, 12:00:16 AM
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Hey everyone, I have given up on buying a used truck for now and I'm going to the "trailer the bike" idea. I bought a nice little trailer from Harbor Freight and ordered a hitch for my Scion xB, yes I said Scion xB, and I'm going to start trailering my bike to the places I have been wanting to ride since I bought it. I was wondering if you kind folks can give me any advice on this like where I can get a chock that will fit the tire on my Like? Also, where are the best tie down points on my bike? I had the bike delivered when I bought it and the lady put the ties on the grips. Im going to need to tie down the front and the back so any suggestions for both would be great. Also, any other tips and tricks would be fantastic. And if anyone has pics of there scoots on there trailers that would be wonderful!
thanks everyone and ride safe, mscmkr
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I also sold my truck and bought a trailer when I retired. Harbor Freight has a reasonably priced front wheel chock that can be bolted to your trailer. Then get some ratchet tie straps. Usually can get 4 for less than $15. Another help is two straps 16-18" long with loops sewn on each end. Loop these around your handlebars just inside the mirror or light switch modules, then hook the ratchet strap
End into the other looped end. Pick up some tie down rings that are connected to mounting plates. Place the plates on each side of the trailer slightly ahead of the front bike axle. You want to compress the shocks slightly and pull the bike slightly forward. Shake the front of the bike to check that it's
Solid. My trailer has an expanded metal floor so I installed a length up the center of the trailer floor.
Before I installed the front chock, I trailered a 450# bike 300 miles with the rear strapped down too.
The rear end kept creeping sideways off my composite deck center board. Pulled it with my BMW 328
And my gas mileage dropped from 23 to 15-16 mpg. Have an X3 now, but haven't towed it yet.
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I have bought a trailer from home depot, a 5 x 10 foot,. for my tractor and snow blower,. and I will use it for the scooter , I was thinking of two 2 x 10 boards screwed to the floor to keep the scooter from moving side ways when it bounces , and well tied down with rachet straps from the handel bars, and the rear end over the top box mount plate,. my trailor does not have shocks, so it bounces a lot, so i am thinking to tie the wheels nice and snug, this would be for long trips,.
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When I had a trailer (which I now have sold) I built a front wheel chock similar to this one and it worked very well.
How to Build A Motorcycle Wheel Chock & Transport your Bike Securely (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NklTtk8MuEM#ws)
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If your trailer has an expanded metal floor, you definitely need 2x10's, deck boards or whatever to distribute the weight because the metal will deteriorate quickly from point loading...
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Scooters with bodywork around the handlebars are much more difficult to tie down, unless you use a Canyon Dancer Bar Harness. A little expensive (about $30 at Motorcycle Superstore) but works very well and makes it simple and secure. I resisted buying one, but after seeing how well it works I bought another.
http://www.canyondancer.com/Products.aspx (http://www.canyondancer.com/Products.aspx)
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Canyon Dancers work great. When I needed a tow, the Tow Company used them . I have a larger set for my DT 300i and Hubby has the smaller size for the People S 250 .
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When the dealer talked me into buying a Canyon Dancer to secure my scooter for the ride home, I thought he was just trying to make a sale. I didn't know any better. But it really is good. You only need to secure the handle bars. That was in the back of my little Nissan pick up. If I trailer it, I will use it.
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Hey everyone, thanks so much for all the great info. I am going to be picking up my new GT300i this weekend and trailering it home. I do have another question. Do you tie the bike down on the center pegs or leave the bike on its tires? From what I'm seeing on YouTube it looks like it's better just on the tires.
Thanks again and ride safe, mscmkr
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Do not use the center or side stand. Best on just the wheels.
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The newer Canyon Dancers are really nice...they have plastic " cups" that fit over the bar ends with looped ends that are hooked by the front tie-downs.
Karlu
Las cruces, nm
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The 'Canyon Dancer,' is a must have for the handlebar tie down point. Use the grab rail with soft nylon rope for the upper rear attachment points. Use a rope to tie the front wheel to the front of the trailer or build a wood chock or purchase one. I also run a tie down strap through the rear rim attached to the sides of the trailer.
Remember, you can never over tie the scoot but you can under tie it.
I use 3/8 inch nylon rope available at any hardware store.
Sam:)