Ratchet straps

[Slags]

I am planning to trailer my bike up to Toronto Canada next month. My plan is to rent the motorcycle trailer from Uhaul near me. I have some old rachet straps from my dirt bike days but I dont want to rely old $20 rachet straps to hold down my expensive bike. Any recommendations and tie down suggestions are always appreciated.

 

[Eville Rich]

Rhino USA makes a set that seem pretty good. I have that plus one other brand I can't remember. I only used the Rhino once so far, but did the same thing with the U-Haul trailer. They have a soft loop to protect the various bits. I tend to be OCD about tying down so used four plus regular ratchet strap the the rear wheel. Had no issues going from Wisconsin to Texas.

Take the soft tie around the triple tree and watch for any interference. I can't recall what I did for the rear of the bike, but somewhere on the frame should be fine. Just give them all a bit of tension to compress the suspension and don't compress too far.

Eville Rich
2016 S10

 

[Sierra1]

I'll echo the soft loop straps. Amazon has them at great prices. As far as ratchet straps go, I just use Harbor Freight's. They have various load limits, and I've never had one fail. Used them and the soft loop straps to tie down the Tenere, FJR, and R6 in a U-Haul trailer.

 

[StefanOnHisS10]

Got soft loops around the crash bars combined with decent (but inexpensive) ratchet straps.
Different bike below but you get the idea

 

[SkunkWorks]

I would also clarify with U-Haul that you plan to take their Trailer out of the Country and Back in across the Border..............Don't want any hang-ups or be Detained at the Customs checkpoints without the proper paperwork.

 

[OldRider]

Whatever straps you use, I would advise to put two pair of straps on the front. I've seen several bikes fall over because they only used one strap on each side and a strap failed.

 

[Wymbly1971]

Not much I can add except experience. Like others have said, soft straps with ratchet straps around crash bars at front, panniers at back, forks half compressed. Be sure not to let the straps touch on anything that can abrade them.

My ratchet straps and soft straps came from Amazon. They're 1-1/2" wide and rated for 1000 lb working load.....are way overkill I'm sure. I had no trouble at all hauling my bike 1200 mile round trip.

If there's a wheel chock, running the straps from the back (top of pannier racks forward to the front of the trailer deck works surprisingly well (backup set from crash bars also forward). I never wouldathunkit, but TenereGuy showed me...and we went another 1200 mile round trip doing that.

 

[Dneprrider]

When buying ratchet straps look for straps with snap hooks. An open hook can sometimes pop out of position and become loose. Otherwise use plenty of tape or tie wraps to secure the open hook so it cannot pop out of place. Happened to me once and never again. Another good option for ratchet straps for the front are those with rubber shock absorbers built in. Sometimes called shockstrap ratchet straps. They help keep a constant load on the front when hitting bumps. With the roads around here potholes are a fact of life.

 

[Slags]

I would also clarify with U-Haul that you plan to take their Trailer out of the Country and Back in across the Border..............Don't want any hang-ups or be Detained at the Customs checkpoints without the proper paperwork.

I did think about that
Great point!
thanks

 

[holligl]

I also go with heavier duty straps. Buy them long than you need and then cut off lengths to make your own loops with water knot connections. I use two large loops around the triple tree (one on each side) and thread the end of the loop through the strap clamp so the strap is doubled. I also use loops to anchor the hook end. (Pull a cow hitch to fasten to the hook.) These will not let go of the hook.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk