Trailer tie-down question

[Partsguy19]

I have to trailer my bike for a trip. My question is how snug should I pull the front down? I thought I read someplace not to go very tight or it might blow the shocks? On the other hand, I thought I heard to pull it down tight..

Any help would be great.

 

[buccs40oz]

i always pull mine pretty tight so it pulls the front down a little. than i always use some on the back as well. just try it out. you will make your own call when you think it is good for you. so you feel good about it

 

[moopie]

I've only trailered the bike once so keep in mind that I don't have alot of experience. Hubby sat on the bike to keep it upright and compress it a bit while I ratcheted down a strap on each side of the handlebars. I can't say how far the forks were compressed but it didn't seem like alot. I just ratcheted till I couldn't anymore and then made sure the bike felt secure. I think we stopped once about 100 miles later and they needed tightening up a bit more. The rear was not tied down and did move around some so I would suggest going ahead and securing the back as well. Hubby made sure to also sit on the bike when loosening up the straps.

 

[Fred]

My rule is to get the bike tight enough that you can rock the bike and the whole vehicle will move instead.

You won't hurt the forks so long as you don't bottom them out. They're designed to be compressed all the way down, so take them less than all the way down and they'll be OK.

Fred

 

[MRGM]

I take quite a bit of slack out of the forks, but I won't leave it tied down that tight overnight. I'll loosen it up, and then retighten the other day.

 

[sideshow_downs]

My rule is to get the bike tight enough that you can rock the bike and the whole vehicle will move instead.

You won't hurt the forks so long as you don't bottom them out. They're designed to be compressed all the way down, so take them less than all the way down and they'll be OK.

Fred

This is the same way i do it too. I hale literaly traveled all the way around the country with it in the back of my truck. Just whenever you stop check the straps they will losen themselves over the trip.

 

[RyanK]

My rule is to get the bike tight enough that you can rock the bike and the whole vehicle will move instead.

You won't hurt the forks so long as you don't bottom them out. They're designed to be compressed all the way down, so take them less than all the way down and they'll be OK.

Fred

Same here...It takes a long time and lot sof heat to hurt the springs holding them compressed.

 

[Erci]

Lots of great info here: Hauling on a trailer - Ninja250Wiki
One thing not mentioned in there is Canyon Dancer. I use it and it works amazingly well:

 

[Hellgate]

I'd recommend two ties in the front, two in the back and crank them down. As others have said will loosen up especially when new as they will stretch out a little. They will also stetch out if they get wet. No big deal, just check them from time to time. Be sure to use a wheel chock too. The suspensoin of your trailer will soak up the bumps.

The Canyon dancers are very nice, or you can use the Ancra soft ties. I like Ancra the best because they use a very strong webbing, unlike the Home Depot Chinese ones.

 

[Jim Karam]

I've towed thousands of mile for tens of years, so just tighten the forks down about half their travel. I'd also suggest that you also tie down the rear, e.g., I strap to the passenger pegs, but tie them a bit to the front so that those straps also drive the bike into your chocks or equivalent.

I've used canyon dancers without a problem, but on our bike, it's even easier just to loop the straps over the lower triple tree clamp. That removes any loading from the bars and/or throttle assembly.