Securing Bike on a trailers

[Paul_F]

I know that the trailering question has come up frequently before, but my question is, is it necessary to compress the forks down big time with straps if one has strapped and locked the front wheel into a wheel lock?

The only time that I used my trailer, it was for a short trip to the local bike shop. I placed the front wheel inside the angled metal track and tied the front wheel down to rings on the steel frame at the front of the trailer as well as strapping the forks to trailer rings to the right and left of the wheel rings. The sides of the bike were strapped to the metals rings on either side of the trailer. The rear wheel was strapped through the floor and around the beam of the trailer. The forks were firmly strapped, but not massively compressed. The bike got to the local shop safely.

Yesterday I bought a front wheel lock for the trailer. I realize that compressing the forks prevents the bike from bouncing around, but since both wheels will be tied down, is it necessary to massively compress the forks with the trailer arrangement that I have?

[kbasa]

I know that the trailering question has come up frequently before, but my question is, is it necessary to compress the forks down big time with straps if one has strapped and locked the front wheel into a wheel lock?

The only time that I used my trailer, it was for a short trip to the local bike shop. I placed the front wheel inside the angled metal track and tied the front wheel down to rings on the steel frame at the front of the trailer as well as strapping the forks to trailer rings to the right and left of the wheel rings. The sides of the bike were strapped to the metals rings on either side of the trailer. The rear wheel was strapped through the floor and around the beam of the trailer. The forks were firmly strapped, but not massively compressed. The bike got to the local shop safely.

Yesterday I bought a front wheel lock for the trailer. I realize that compressing the forks prevents the bike from bouncing around, but since both wheels will be tied down, is it necessary to massively compress the forks with the trailer arrangement that I have?

I just compress them enough that they retain constant tension on the straps. You don't want the trailer to hit a bump, the forks compress, tension is lost and the bike falls over, the off the trailer.

[DarrylRi]

The reason to compress the forks is so that any movement through the bike's suspension won't loosen any of the straps holding it in place and allow the bike to fall over.

For example, the way you've described your previous trip, if the forks were to compress, it would shorten the distance from your strap points on the sides of the bike to the side rings, and those straps would loosen. If the bump were strong enough, the bike might fall over at that time.

[crazydrummerdude]

Again, if they arent compressed pretty well, it'll allow it to dip down in a bump and cause slack in the strap. Even if you have wheel lock things, it's still a good idea to compress them, because you can "never be too safe."

I haul dirtbikes up to my familys property several times a year, and I compress things pretty well. That way I know they're not going anywhere. Strap the front wheel(s) forward, the handle bars down and forward, the frame on both sides, and the back to the back. If I have multiple bikes, I'll usually put a strap through each rear wheel and wind it around the wheel, do the same to the next one, and attach it to the far side of the trailer.

Better safe than sorry.

[wmubrown]

I know that the trailering question has come up frequently before, but my question is, is it necessary to compress the forks down big time with straps if one has strapped and locked the front wheel into a wheel lock?

The only time that I used my trailer, it was for a short trip to the local bike shop. I placed the front wheel inside the angled metal track and tied the front wheel down to rings on the steel frame at the front of the trailer as well as strapping the forks to trailer rings to the right and left of the wheel rings. The sides of the bike were strapped to the metals rings on either side of the trailer. The rear wheel was strapped through the floor and around the beam of the trailer. The forks were firmly strapped, but not massively compressed. The bike got to the local shop safely.

Yesterday I bought a front wheel lock for the trailer. I realize that compressing the forks prevents the bike from bouncing around, but since both wheels will be tied down, is it necessary to massively compress the forks with the trailer arrangement that I have?

Having just done this for a long trip, and posting the story:

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1477

I tightened the straps so the forks compressed about 3 inches. The straps will work a little loose as you drive, so check them at stops, compressing the forks will help take up the little slack that can develop. Also, the rear straps should pull the bike forward, into the chuck, also! Securing the rear straps so they pull backward defeats pulling the bike forward and down into the chuck.

I had tears in all four of the original straps by the time I was on the return trip home because the trailer manufacturer used 'L' shaped steel rails which are a bit rough on the straps. I suggest minimizing strap contact with the metal rails if possible, or wrap a towel around the rail where the strap will contact it.

[HexST]

If you use the BMW recommened way of tying down the bike you don't compress the suspension. If you have a bke where you can't use the BMW method I just compress them a liitle bit and have never had a problem. Most at my friends that ratchet the front end down end up with blown fork seals.

[crazydrummerdude]

If you use the BMW recommened way....

Which way is that?

[hondarider]

I've hauled dirtbikes around in the back of my trucks for years at a time with only two front straps...I've hauled full dressers cross country and sport bikes as well...I've compressed the front suspension every single time and have never had one incident of blown fork seals...as mentioned previously, if you don't strap down tightly enough, the straps can go slack on a bump and come unhooked...I had that happen once on an antique machine that I was trying to be delicate with...then it gets ugly...of course, if you put enough straps on, you don't have to compress anything...just make your bike look like that Gulliver guy when the Lilliputians tied him down and you'll be good to go:thumb

[dbrick]

Which way is that?

The way I do it. :laugh

The idea is that you don't compress the suspension at all: you strap both ends down by tying the wheels or the lower ends of the fork legs. The straps have to be tight, but then all you're stressing in doing so is the wheel bearings (and that only if you connect to the fork legs. If you fasten to the wheel-and-tire combo itself, there's no added stress on the bearings.) The bike then just floats on its suspension above the immobilized wheels. Remember that the wheels should be fastened so that they cannot slide sideways on the trailer floor.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

If you compress the forks too much the seals will blow on the fork legs, maybe not after one or two trips but maybe the next or on a long trip. Even the Condor wheel clamp guys are careful to tell you to compress about 30%-40% max of the travel of the fork only to allow some bump absorption and avoid hydraulic damage.

Many opinions about this stuff, however you will be the one paying for the damge...just use good judgement is all.

[wuli959]

Which way is that?

http://www.secondwindbmw.com/PDFs/generaltiedown.pdf

this is also a good summary http://davidebsmith.com/cycle/trailer/TieDownR11xxRT.html

[hondarider]

If you compress the forks too much the seals will blow on the fork legs, maybe not after one or two trips but maybe the next or on a long trip. Even the Condor wheel clamp guys are careful to tell you to compress about 30%-40% max of the travel of the fork only to allow some bump absorption and avoid hydraulic damage.

Many opinions about this stuff, however you will be the one paying for the damge...just use good judgement is all.

Yeah...I suppose that I've never cranked down past the 50% mark...that would be kinda extreme...