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Trailering Ideas

RPGR90s

Active member
Hello there, My wife and I are thinking of renting a house in SC for a few months to escape the Michigan winter and I want to bring my 2024 R1250RT. The plan would be to trailer it down (end of January) and ride it home (end of April).

I know U-Haul has motorcycle specific trailers, but we also want to bring our two bicycles and assorted motorcycle gear.

Without talking to U-Haul yet, does anyone know if their enclosed trailers have a front wheel chock? Or can one be used?

Just trying to brainstorm to see what one-way options are out there that any of you have used??

Thanks very much,

RPG
 
Enclosed trailers DO NOT have front wheel chock. I suggest you go visit a UHaul and look at the enclosed trailer to determine if you can use a separate front wheel chock. I know you state "Without talking to UHAUL, although I am not sure why you want to avoid talking with UHaul.

Better question is what vehicle do you plan on using to make this trip? UHaul MC trailers, might work if you strap the bicycles to the inner railing of the trailer as well.
 
First, what are the capabilities of the intended tow vehicle? U-Haul will be asking as well.
If there is a match, a piece of plywood on the floor can act as a base to construct the needed wheel chock(s) and tie-down points.
The plywood should be as wide as the interior of the trailer and “deep” enough for all of the front wheel(s) to sit on. Plenty of tie-downs would then be used along with the possible “packing” the extra gear between the bikes adding periodic checks along the way as you stop for your own rest.
HTH
OM
 
First, what are the capabilities of the intended tow vehicle? U-Haul will be asking as well.
If there is a match, a piece of plywood on the floor can act as a base to construct the needed wheel chock(s) and tie-down points.
The plywood should be as wide as the interior of the trailer and “deep” enough for all of the front wheel(s) to sit on. Plenty of tie-downs would then be used along with the possible “packing” the extra gear between the bikes adding periodic checks along the way as you stop for your own rest.
HTH
OM
The plywood and chock is a good idea.
One year we were at a rally in California and a rider's bike broke down and he had to rent a Uhaul box truck.
There were no low tie down points and plywood with a chock was discussed.
He did not have a long way to get home so he decided on a lot of rope and some extra anchors screwed to the inside.
I was concerned the side rails were not bolted clear through the side of the box but it all worked ok.
For a long haul I would go the plywood and chock route in a enclosed trailer.
I didn't get any pictures of the completed project.
1733445427708.jpeg
 
U-haul enclosed trailers have a metal floor. You can engineer a solution for the wheel chalk or tarp the open trailer. Both will accommodate more gear, bicycles etc.
 
U-haul enclosed trailers have a metal floor. You can engineer a solution for the wheel chalk or tarp the open trailer. Both will accommodate more gear, bicycles etc.
The plywood concept works on a metal floor as well. If it was my trailer I would be just screwing needed tie-down equipment right to the floor. Direct attachment is very common.
Personally, on an open trailer, I would not tarp anything painted that I wanted to stay painted...
Along with this excellent piece of advice, an open trailer at this time of year, :eek
Salt, slush, maybe rain will take its toll.
OM
 
The plywood concept works on a metal floor as well. If it was my trailer I would be just screwing needed tie-down equipment right to the floor. Direct attachment is very common.

Along with this excellent piece of advice, an open trailer at this time of year, :eek
Salt, slush, maybe rain will take its toll.
OM
I remember one winter seeing two bikes on a open trailer and they were almost completely white from salt.
 
Did not see it mentioned. From personal experience U-Haul Does Not rent motorcycle trailers for one-way trips, local trips Only. However after my RS broke down in Evansville, IN I rented a trailer to haul my bike back to TN and was unexpectedly provided a motorcycle trailer. Don't know why, but didn't question them. You too might get lucky!! However after strapping your RT down it might be difficult to also tie down your bicycles.
 
The plywood concept works on a metal floor as well. If it was my trailer I would be just screwing needed tie-down equipment right to the floor. Direct attachment is very common.

Along with this excellent piece of advice, an open trailer at this time of year, :eek
Salt, slush, maybe rain will take its toll.
OM
Be careful with this. I had my VFR in a chock bolted to a piece of plywood in a 5 x 8 trailer and when I went around an off camber corner - slowly even - over it all went, all bolted to the plywood, which broke. I'd suggest some kind of frame under the plywood or a double sheet of 3/4". It may provide a strong position for the eyes or DRings you attach the tie downs to.

Design with the potential of a tipping motorcycle toppling the chock and break the mounting structure in mind.

A little home engineering, a chock and a trip to the lumber yard oughta work fine.
 
For a one way trip and a ride back, I'd look hard at shipping. Have used Haulbikes before with good results.

 
Thanks everyone for the excellent replies and suggestions. I would be towing with a 2019 Ford Edge ST (V6 Twin Turbo, 335hp, 385ft. lbs. of torque). It has a Class II hitch from the factory and is rated to tow up to3500 lbs. It pulls my Inboard Ski Boat with ease, so I don't think towing power is an issue. My concern with U-Haul is only with an enclosed trailer and no wheel chock and tie down points. Sounds like some of you have the same concerns and have figured out some interesting solutions. I'll check out HaulBikes as well.

Thanks again, much appreciated.
 
With this new information, I can suggest a 3000lb (2990lb) enclosed trailer- if you can. Very versatile, easy to modify and can be used for many things when not moving your bike.
Relatively inexpensive in initial cost, usually not extra insurance cost, usually under 3000lbs- no title expense.
Just a thought.
OM
 
With this new information, I can suggest a 3000lb (2990lb) enclosed trailer- if you can.
OM
Won't that put him over his towing limit.
If he ends up close to 3,500 pounds total, should he have trailer brakes?

My Equinox can tow 3,500 pounds but only 1,000 without trailer brakes.

Edit: Oops the 3,000 is probably the GVWR, not the weight of the trailer :)
 
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Won't that put him over his towing limit.
If he ends up close to 3,500 pounds total, should he have trailer brakes?

My Equinox can tow 3,500 pounds but only 1,000 without trailer brakes.

Edit: Oops the 3,000 is probably the GVWR, not the weight of the trailer :)
Yeah-
For example-
They can be very plain or quite well appointed.
OM

1733594015036.jpeg
Specs-
VIN:5YCBE1010PH001522
Condition:new
Year:2023
Manufacturer:Arising
Model:Enclosed Trailer 5 X 10 Ramp 2990 Axle All Tube
Floor Length:10' or 120.00"
Width:5' or 60.00"
Height:6' or 72.00"
Weight:990 lbs
GVWR:2990 lbs
Payload Capacity:2000 lbs
Axle Capacity:2990.00 lbs
Color:Two_Tone
 
RPG,

Uhaul has a 5’ x 9’ open utility trailer with spring loaded ramp that is available for one way rentals. SOME of them have the built in wheel chock (if you request early enough). The sides are much taller than the motorcycle trailers. You could easily strap (and lock!) one bicycle to each sidewall with the motorcycle in between. Your riding gear can go in the tow vehicle. There would still be plenty of room in the trailer for anything that is properly packed (boxed or wrapped to protect from rain and theft).



I’m assuming you are bringing a bike rack to get your bicycles back home when your wife drives your car back. I also assume that you can’t use the bike rack while towing.




:dance :dance:dance
 
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but we also want to bring our two bicycles
When we used to have a pickup I had front fork clamps on a board to hold the bicycles in the bed. You can mount a clamp on 2 different 1x6 boards and place one bicycle on each side of the RT. If you get a enclosed trailer you might have to loosen the handlebars and turn them 90 degrees and you might have to remove petals.
The clamps I have are for forks with drop outs.
1733848518996.jpeg

1733848554078.jpeg



If your bicycles have thru axles you need something like this
 
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