U-Haul and Trailering a New Bike

[rob-mg]

I'm in New York City. Later this month, I have to pick up a new Moto Guzzi about 600 miles away, also in the northeast, and trailer it here.

I'm going to rent a U-Haul trailer, which gives me two options. I can rent a dedicated, but uncovered, motorcycle trailer, or a covered trailer, but the latter doesn't come with a chock.

Two questions.

My gut feeling is that I should rent a covered trailer, just to protect the bike's finish, but what do I have to do to secure the bike in the trailer?

Second question. Am I over-reacting and just as well off renting one of U-Haul's motorcycle trailers?

The difference in price between a covered and motorcycle trailer is about $10 per day, which in this situation is insignificant.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[BMWDavid]

Get a Baxley sport wheel chock and tie it down in the covered trailer. I prefer covered over open trailers.

[Kev m]

The wheel chock isn't necessary by any means.

Just tie down the front and rear with some decent nylon straps.

To some extent I prefer an open trailer. You can at least see if a strap has come loose.

Years ago some truck drivers I knew rented an enclosed trailer to do to Daytona. When they got to FL they found one bike lying in top of the other.

[Dilliw]

I really like the motorcycle trailer.  Single load/unload, lots of tie points, and the built in wheel chock is very nice.  It pulls easy with my Mazda3 too.

The Tenni coming home a few weeks ago:

[fatbob]

Uhaul covered trailers do not have good robust tie down points. In fact they are pretty lame.  I'd use the open bike trailer myself.

[rob-mg]

I really like the motorcycle trailer.  Single load/unload, lots of tie points, and the built in wheel chock is very nice.  It pulls easy with my Mazda3 too.

The Tenni coming home a few weeks ago:

Thanks.

So I'm going to do this on highways at the tail end of winter, which means lots of salt on the road and probably a fair amount of debris.

When you've used the motorcycle trailer, have you been concerned at all about your bike being hit by stones, etc? Or does the solid floor prevent that?

[Guzzistajohn]

I'd rather use an open trailer and see what's going on. Get some good quality tie downs and some soft straps, they're like figure 8's made of nylon strapping. They'll help you hook a tie down  anywhere without scratches. Strap her down front and back and tie the front wheel to the rail. I've hauled dirt and street bikes thousands of miles with no problem but I really prefer my Toyota truck

[Dilliw]

Thanks.

So I'm going to do this on highways at the tail end of winter, which means lots of salt on the road and probably a fair amount of debris.

When you've used the motorcycle trailer, have you been concerned at all about your bike being hit by stones, etc? Or does the solid floor prevent that?

I have never had any damage and I guess I've never really thought about it.  It would most likely be something that my car would throw at it if anything and I doubt the Mazda is a big stone thrower.  The day above was 200 mi on I 85 and that highway is in terrible condition for parts.

[Dilliw]

I'd rather use an open trailer and see what's going on. Get some good quality tie downs and some soft straps, they're like figure 8's made of nylon strapping. They'll help you hook a tie down  anywhere without scratches. Strap her down front and back and tie the front wheel to the rail. I've hauled dirt and street bikes thousands of miles with no problem but I really prefer my Toyota truck

Soft straps visible on the Griso.  They do work well.

[rocker59]

In my experiebce, the dedicated moto trailers are local only. No one way town to town rentals.

I'd buy the Baxley Chock and be prepared to modify the enclosed trailer with tie down points. Or, bolt the Baxley to the floor.

I have used the uhaul open trailer and it wasn't bad. Only problem was the local only rule I ran into at several places.

[rob-mg]

I really prefer my Toyota truck

Unfortunately, I'll be doing this with a Toyota Hybrid Highlander. Any chance of borrowing your truck :)

[SED]

Last couple of times I rented an enclosed uhaul and tied the bike UP    - the rationale being that if it was going to fall I wanted the lines holding it up, not pulling it down.  The enclosed u-haul trucks have loops and rails up high that make this easy.  Both were light bikes however - Guzzi Monza and CB160.

The guy selling the Guzzi thought I was really weird.    

[rob-mg]

In my experiebce, the dedicated moto trailers are local only. No one way town to town rentals.

As far as I know, you're right - there are no one way rentals on the motorcycle trailers. If I go the motorcycle trailer route, the trailer will be rented in New York and returned in New York. For 600 miles return, the cost is fine.

[Guzzistajohn]

Unfortunately, I'll be doing this with a Toyota Hybrid Highlander. Any chance of borrowing your truck :)

Sure! I'd love a trip to New York! Can we go mcsorleys ale house in Manhattan and quaff a couple??

[rob-mg]

In my experiebce, the dedicated moto trailers are local only. No one way town to town rentals.

I'd buy the Baxley Chock and be prepared to modify the enclosed trailer with tie down points. Or, bolt the Baxley to the floor.

I have used the uhaul open trailer and it wasn't bad. Only problem was the local only rule I ran into at several places.

Interesting. If U-Haul's position is not just that the motorcycle trailers can't be used one way, but also have to be used within x miles of where they are rented, that would decide this.

I suspect that U-Haul just doesn't want to deal with one way rentals of motorcycle trailers, and just wants the trailer returned to the point of rental, but if I'm wrong, it will mean renting a covered trailer.

[Two Checks]

Trailers are for boats!
It doesnt matter what type of trailer is used. Just tie it down properly.

[rob-mg]

Much obliged for the references to the Baxley chock. I wasn't aware of it, and while it's an expensive solution to this one-time trailering, it's really interesting beyond my immediate need.

[Guzzistajohn]

Major overkill.

[rob-mg]

Major overkill.

Maybe. Last time I needed to move a bike by trailer, the trailer had a wooden floor to which we nailed a couple of short lengths of 2x4 (or maybe a bit larger, can't recall).

U-Haul probably won't take kindly to me doing something like that to one of its covered trailers.

This thread has been an education, and very helpful with options.

[PJPR01]

I've rented an Open Uhaul trailer several times in the past before buying a dedicated trailer, and while they generally seem to be required to be returned to the point of rental as they seem to be owned by each location individually vs. the trucks, there is no limit on where you can take them to, as long as they are returned.  That trailer pictured will weigh about 800 lbs, tons of tie down points and easy ramp to ride up.  Presumably the vehicle towing can manage that weight plus the bike (already wired as well for the 4 pin electrical harness?).  If concerned about stones or salt, you could use some soft blue packing blankets also available at Uhaul and strap them over the bike and tie them down with a few harnesses...that material should not rub paint or cause any abrasions.

One really nice item to consider if you have the time to obtain one is a Canyon Dancer (obtainable at Motorcycle Superstore or other online stores), it makes securing the front very easy and stable, and then an individual strap on each side on the rear thru a grab handle.  It's a nice piece of kit and not expensive...

Enjoy the trip!

[canuck750]

This is not kosher with U-Haul but I have rented a small cube van and loaded several bikes into the back. No trailer to contend with, just unload the bike(s) before you drop the van off.

[Moto Fugazzi]

I just went thru this last year. I rented the motorcycle trailer from Milwaukee to Memphis and back. No issues, and if you're worried about damaging you're new bike on the trailer, just think what will happen when you're riding it on the street. In other words, don't worry...it will get pock marks and what not from regular use.
Ken
P.S. A trick I learned to trailering is to take the front right tie down and wrap it around the front brake lever and handlebar (squeezing the lever), which keeps it from moving front to back.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  If you use the open bike trailer, I would, after loading and tying down, hose the whole bike except saddle, with WD40.  Just hose it until it drips off everything.  This will give some protection from the winter conditions and you can wash off the WD40 when you get home.  When the WD liquid evaporates, it will leave a waxy coating
 That can be removed with soap but will protect during the trip.
 Or just take the bus and hose yourself with the WD 40 and ride it home.  My choice.

[John Ulrich]

I just got back from dragging a bike to AZ for a couple of months and back.  Sure it got a little dirty but it cleaned right up.  Forget about wrapping...I tried stretch wrap and tape on the way out but it ripped off very quickly.  I used blue painters tape to keep stuff out of the openings.

Coming home I went thru no slush....dry roads for three days!  I did shrink-wrap the controls to keep the slop out of those.


This lasted for minutes...don't waste your time wrapping!


This is what it looked like 3 hours later..........

[Kev m]

One possible compromise is that uhaul has some open utility trailers with a low load height/loading ramp, but relatively high front and side panels that offer a decent degree of protection.

[Madtownguzzi]

I have this wheel chock from Harbor Freight mounted on my trailer and it works very well. http://www.harborfreight.com/1800-lb-capacity-motorcycle-standwheel-chock-61670.html I have used it also in the back of my pickup mounted to a sheet of 3/4" plywoood which would work well with the enclosed trailer. It has its own tie down points for the front but I would still secure all four corners in the trailer. After you get the bike home you can use the chock mounted on the plywood for upright parking in your garage.

[motoTommaso]

The open U-haul works good and the price is right.  I'd be more concerned about a proper set of tie-downs and straps.  Find an industrial rigging place or google "cargo control" in your local area.  They can show slings and chokers and point you to some good tie-downs.  You can't go wrong with Ancra.  Stay away from the Box Store brands like Keeper.  Don't use any hooks (even if plastic coated) on the bike itself use the chokers.  Remember that the chokers can abrade the paint so either keep them clear of the paint or pad them with terry towels or something soft. If you can't find any chokers then "gear slings" from a climbing store are way stout enough.

Study John Ulrich's tie down scheme.  It even looks like he taped up the excess straps to keep them from flapping in the wind.  Sometimes you can hear the straps "singing" as you drive.  If you get this, just put a couple of twists in the straps and that will keep them from vibrating like guitar slings.

Check your load often and keep an eye on tire pressures (tow vehicle and trailer).  Good Luck!

Tommaso

[Perazzimx14]

As long as the trailer has something for the front wheel of the motorcycle to butt against, can carry the weight and is long enough any trailer will work. All you need it two 1" ratchet straps and you can trailer it 1 mile or a million. Its only a big deal if you make it one.

[Zoom Zoom]

One of my friends rode his wee strom around a couple years ago when the weather was nice. Salt dust caused much corrosion which took him a lot of time to correct. We had a few nice days here and there where I saw several bikes out and about this winter. Literally clouds of salt dust billowing up behind cars and trucks.

My 2 cents: Unless there is enough rain to wash off the roads for the entire distance, I would look into an enclosed trailer. Finding anchor points inside one may not be a hard as you think. Go try to check one out in advance to see what options you have.

John Henry

[swordds]

I have used the U-Hual open trailer several times including when I picked up my bike new. I  think the open trailer is great. Unless you plan to park your bike in your living room and never take it for a ride on the road then you are being overprotective IMO. I have 2 1973 Peugeot PX-10 bicycles. One belonged to my wife who became to ill to ride it shortly after purchasing them, so that bicycle is in pristine condition. The other has been my only bicycle both for weekend group rides and for daily 24 mile round trip commuting to work for 30 years in every type of weather conditions. The pristine bicycle is pretty, but the the other bicycle has the patina of use that no artist could recreate. "It carries the reminders" of all those years and all those rides. So my opinion - get your bike and don't try to keep it pristine, start right away to change it from a pretty bike into a masterpiece of time and use.