Towing and tying down the S10

Skytower

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Norfolk, VA
I'm going to have to tow mine back to VA in the next few months. Will probably be using a 6x12 enclosed U-haul trailer, and getting a Condor wheel chock. I'm curious as to how others get it done
 

HeliMark

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Unless you are going to put other stuff in the trailer, why not use the motorcycle trailer that U-Haul has? I have used it several times, and it is nice with the tiedown rings.
 

Ronzo

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Ontario, Canada
Chock is good idea and as mentioned, uhaul has trailers specifically for motorcycles if that is all you are towing. They are lower and ramps are long for easy loading with plenty of tie down points.
Be mindful of the enclosed trailers height as well.
I always leave my bike in gear when towing as well.
 

Eville Rich

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Will you be able to attach the Condor chock to the enclosed trailer floor? I have Condor chocks and currently use them in my utility trailer, which has 15 inch solid aluminum sides. I do not bolt the chocks to the trailer floor, but have them pressed against the front wall of the trailer. This holds the bike upright. Then I strap the bikes down to d-rings that have installed at the perimeter. This has worked fine and keeps the center of the trailer free of bolts or other protrusions that would get in the way of hauling or removing other stuff. It does mean the weight of the bikes are very forward and create a tongue weight issue, so I'm changing up my strategy but it works.

Otherwise you will need to secure the Condor chocks to the floor. I would not use these chocks without tying to the floor unless you can also have the front of the chock firmly pressed against a trailer wall, with the force of straps keeping the bike/chock combo tied down.

Eville Rich
2016 S10
 

Checkswrecks

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We've moved a couple of bikes in those boxes and they work well IF you are careful to keep the tires from being able to slide sideways. The tie-down rails work better with straps than ropes. Stand the bike vertically and put the side & center stands up.
 

Skytower

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I have other cargo to haul, and will probably be doing it in during the winter. NY-VA.
I'm planning to attach the Condor to a couple 2x6 boards to keep it centered side to side, and tie off the bike to the walls.
I have to check my bike's actual height. The claimed height is 56", and the 6x12 door opening is 58". It's going to be tight. Might have to take off the windshield.

Other than ratchet straps, what other attachment gear are you guys using?
 

Alexander

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Kansas City
Other than ratchet straps, what other attachment gear are you guys using?
I like attaching those "soft loop" straps to the bike itself -- you then attach ratcheting straps to the soft-loops. Keeps the metal hooks of the ratcheting straps away from the bike.

Not sure how much more I could add other than common sense suggestions you probably already know. On long trips like the one you're facing, I think it's mostly about finding good solid mounting points on the bike that won't rub and damage anything, strapping it down sufficiently to keep the front tire from hopping out of the chock and the rear tire from walking sideways, re-checking your straps after a few miles and routinely during the trip to make sure it's all okay, etc.
 

Kurgan

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Dec 11, 2015
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SE Michigan
I towed a pair of S10's from Pennsylvania to North Carolina and then up to Ohio using an open trailer.

Chocks were placed at the front wall of the trailer and the front wheels popped in. 2 soft tiedown straps off the lower triple clamp/fork tubes and Ancra straps to the front corners of the trailer. Nothing crazy tight, just snug it down so the forks compress maybe 1-1/2" max. For the rear, soft ties off the rear of the large passenger grab handles and about the same tension, just to keep them from hopping around if the trailer hit some good potholes.

The bikes didn't move an inch.
 

Sierra1

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Joshua TX
I got these last September: AUGO Heavy Duty Soft Loops –Pack of 6-1.5” x 17” Tie Down Anchor Straps for Use w/Ratchet Strap Hooks – 3000Lb Load Capacity & 10,000Lb Break Strength – Great for Motorcycle, Bike, Roof Rack, Etc -- $12.95

soft loops.jpg soft loops a.jpg I personally wouldn't use the crash bars as an anchor point. But they'll loop around about anything, and attach to ratchet straps.
 

magic

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WISCONSIN
I use a J&S wheel chock and 4 tie downs. The front ones go on the crash bars (Altrider). The rear ones attach to the passenger foot peg mounts.
I tighten these straps by hand compressing the suspension about halfway, No problems. I have the wheel chock bolted through the floor in my 6x12 enclosed trailer.
 

Skytower

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Norfolk, VA
J&S wheel chock
Eventually, I'm getting an enclosed trailer with e-track. The Condor chock has an adapter that allows it to attach to the e-track, or use in the garage.

I like the Fat Straps. Probably going to get the ratcheting version.
 
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