maxum1989
Vancouver Canada
Full Member
Joined: 03/29/2006
View Profile
|
Hello, I'm new to the toyhauler part of RVing and was wondering about securing a dirt bike for travel. Is it better to pull the tie down straps to the point where there almost isn't any more more travel in the suspension or leave it a little loose? Now, when I say loose, I know I don't want it flying around back there, but, should the bike be bouncing a little, or as solid as a rock? Thanks
|
24fb freedom
littlerock,ca
Full Member
Joined: 04/03/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
On my quad, the rear strap I run over the swing arm in front of the tires. On the front I run the strap over the tirs.This way your not compressing the suspension so strap them down tight On bikes use one strap over the rear swing arm tight,and two on the front handlebars
to balance the bike(not to tight).
|
spooner55
las vegas nv.
Full Member
Joined: 01/02/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
hello. well what i just learned was, take a piece of 4x4 and put in front of the frt wheel. take the tie-down and pull them almost bottoming out the forks. have done this three times now and not one of my three bikes have moved an inch. good luck, there will be more answers to your question than just mine so hang in there..
'06 f-150 4x4
'07 WW SL FB1900 Billet
.jpg)
|
Smilodon
Titusville, FL
Full Member
Joined: 09/19/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
maxum1989 wrote:Hello, I'm new to the toyhauler part of RVing and was wondering about securing a dirt bike for travel. Is it better to pull the tie down straps to the point where there almost isn't any more more travel in the suspension or leave it a little loose? Now, when I say loose, I know I don't want it flying around back there, but, should the bike be bouncing a little, or as solid as a rock? Thanks
The general theory is that you shouldn't pull the tiedowns until the suspension is nearly fully compressed. It can damage the suspension/fork seals, and puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the tie-downs and tie-down points unnecessarily.
Of course, you don't want it loose enough the the straps can "bounce" loose when you hit a bump. I tend to have mine pretty solid, but that doesn't take anywhere near full compression. The bike won't move on it's own, but you can push down on the bike and still have some travel.
Smilodon
V V
|
SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/14/2003
View Profile
|
I chock the front wheel and compress the suspension with the tie-downs far enough that the bike won't bounce on it's own going over normal bumps in the road.
If you use buckle straps, knot them as the excess strap exits the buckle so they don't loosen up on you, especially if you're hauling in an open trailer in the rain. Or, just use ratchet straps instead of buckles.
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
LoadNGo service body
69Bronco ATC250R CR500
20' BigTex flatbed carhauler
B&W TurnoverBall g-neck Curt Magnum rr DrawTite ft
HD springs Rancho9000s Bilsteins poly sway bushings
285/75-16E BFG AT on 16x8 Stocktons
4.56's & Lock-Rite rear
|
|
|
Vulcanmars
Naples, FL
Senior Member
Joined: 10/18/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I've always used two straps on the front with "soft ties" on the handle bars, compressing the the forks to 50%~60% of travel. I run one strap through the rear wheel or swing arm, snug but not banjo tight to keep the rear end in place.
I've done this for years on both street and dirt bikes.
Mars
06 Rage'n FA3005
04 V10 F250 SDCC 4X4
Pullrite SG 16K
1st TH 02 Keystone Tailgator
|
paul turner
Bakersfield
Senior Member
Joined: 01/12/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
|
Quadhauler
USA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/16/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Great solution right here Bolt It On
|
Lake Laurashawn
Carlsbad CA
Full Member
Joined: 02/10/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I use four tie downs on each bike/quad and do not pull them too tight. There is one at each peg / handlebar for the bikes and one at each side of the front / rear bumpers on the quads.
Never once had an issue and I always use a ratcheting style tie down with a locking ring to the D-Ring on the floor of the trailer. If there is a good bounce in the road, the hook won't come undone from the floor with the locking ring.
I use the High Roller Stay Lock tie down - great buy for the security and flexibility of not compressing down the suspension all the way.
Lake
2001 Chevy 2500 8.1/Allison 4:10 Crew Cab Long Bed
2004 Weekend Warrior 5'er
|
Smilodon
Titusville, FL
Full Member
Joined: 09/19/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Quadhauler wrote:Great solution right here Bolt It On
I've got one of those and can't recommend it enough if it fits your needs...
Still have the same issue of how tight to tie things down though.
|
|
|
