hauling bikes without chocks

[madmud]

I'm going to pickup my new trailer tomorrow and have been brainstorming how to haul 3 bikes. I'd like to keep the floor open for other things and don't want to put a bunch of holes in the floor. My plan is to mount a 2x4 across the trailer 6-8 " above the handle bars, and using tie downs to hold the bikes up putting enough pressure on the bikes to keep from falling but not lift the wheel off. I realize the bikes may rock back and forth a few inches but i don't think it's a big deal. The 2x4 will be removable as I'll have a bracket for it to drop into on each side of the trailer. for 3 bikes I'll use 2 2x4 and put the 3rd bike in backwards. If this works a guy could put some plywood across the 2x's and have a shelf for light items. The trailer is a 6x12.

Am i crazy or does this sound workable???? ?

[06crf_er]

Sounds crazy to me. Most tie downs work on pressure pushing against them to accomplish the "holding" affect. I would imagine you'll get a lot more sway back and forth than you think be not putting this downward pressure on the bars.

How about trying some of these little guys. Much more inconspicuous than a bunch of eye hooks everywhere. You'll never notice them until you need 'em:thumbsup:

[Chickenhauler]

First off, IDK if a 2x4 is going to be that strong-especially when you're tying 2-3 bikes to it.

Second, placing it above the height of the bars sounds odd-you're going to be applying forces that will lift the bike, rather than secure it down.

There are removable chocks available, and also ones that flip up/down and when not in use, are flush with the floor.

http://www.kmtparts.com/catalog.asp?prodid=477976&showprevnext=1

http://item.express.ebay.com/Vehicle-Parts-Accessories_Motorcycle-Parts-Accessories__24-Motorcycle-Trailer-Flip-up-Wheel-Chock-Recessed-NEW_W0QQitemZ200199074935QQihZ010QQddnZVehicleQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQadnZMotorcycleQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQptdiZ2863QQddiZ1168QQcmdZExpressItem

[akfreerider]

They make chocks that are removable.. They have a bracket that bolted to the floor and the chock attaches to the bracket.. The 2x4 idea sound crazy.. I can see a pile of bikes waiting for you when you get to your riding area.. gas spilling everywhere, bent levers, handle bars tangled in spokes, etc

[kjr247]

I use removeable chocks and Northern carries an eyebolt tiedown that can be removed when not in use. KJR

[hawkster]

Many times I've hauled bikes in my pickup with no chocks but the tie downs attached low. It usually works good. But once at low speed I hit a sharp edged bump and my bikes front tire cocked sideways loosening one strap. This could have bee a major problem at road speed. I would suggest tie downs used with downward pressure and something to locate the front tire adequately like a tie down or a bed buddy. The bed buddy actually does both and I believe I will get one for my truck this year.

[Kreskin]

I didn't want permanent chocks on the floor of my enclosed so I looked at removable chocks but didn't care for that set up either. We routered in the d-rings like shown above flush with the floor and put the bikes on a stand with turnbuckles hooked to the footpegs. No bike movement whatsoever and as an added bonus I'm not worried about the suspension being loaded for extended periods on long trips.

[Valerie]

EZ Chocks are the slution you are looking for. They work awesome!!!!

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455077

[coktm]

I'm going to pickup my new trailer tomorrow and have been brainstorming how to haul 3 bikes. I'd like to keep the floor open for other things and don't want to put a bunch of holes in the floor. My plan is to mount a 2x4 across the trailer 6-8 " above the handle bars, and using tie downs to hold the bikes up putting enough pressure on the bikes to keep from falling but not lift the wheel off. I realize the bikes may rock back and forth a few inches but i don't think it's a big deal. The 2x4 will be removable as I'll have a bracket for it to drop into on each side of the trailer. for 3 bikes I'll use 2 2x4 and put the 3rd bike in backwards. If this works a guy could put some plywood across the 2x's and have a shelf for light items. The trailer is a 6x12.

Am i crazy or does this sound workable???? ?

I would worry about the side load denting the walls of the trailer. The trailer walls are not as strong as they might appear.

CoKTM

[ndyz250F]

In my trailer, I have it set up so that i have my bikes on top of their stands and then tie them down from the footpegs to a floor D-ring identical to one posted earlier. Since the bikes are elevated on their stands there is no pressure on the suspension and you dont need chocks. 3 D-rings can tie down 2 bikes when you set them up in a line.