• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

trailer size for 2 bikes

uraniaclio

uraniaclio

Pain Kills
Joined
Feb 1, 2006
Location
Oakland
Moto(s)
03 Vespa Piaggio LT, 03 SV650 trackbike, 04 DL650, 06 D675
Name
Crom
I was looking at U-haul trailers for my upcoming track day. I need to haul 2 bikes. What size would be appropriate? 6 x 12 or 5 x 8?
I'm thinking 4 x6 might be too narrow. Or is it okay for a 250 and 675?
 
you can jam 2 bikes in a tiny ass trailer if you try hard enough (like, the size of a full size pickup bed). Just look for tie down spots on the INSIDE of the trailer if its partially enclosed and make sure there are enough if not. Also, don't go in with a bumper ball expecting a trailer - those assholes...
 
paroxysm said:
Also, don't go in with a bumper ball expecting a trailer - those assholes...
Click to expand...

Say it in English? What's a bumper ball?
 
Not sure what the differential cost is, but not likely too much. Much easier to load a larger trailer, and less likely to damage the bikes in transit or loading. I would get the larger. 5 x 8 minimum. If not too much more, get the 6 X 12.
 
Be wary of the load rating for the smaller trailers. It's not worth an accident to try and save a few bucks. Go fo rthe 5 x 8 at the very least. It'll be easier to load and safer to pull.
 
For reference, I can put two litre-class bikes and a ton of gear in the back of my 4x8' truck bed. The bikes never touch, but I've got a bunch of tie-down points in the bed and a well-developed system for loading, unloading, and tying down. HINT: lateral stability is important! I run a tie-down from the frame to the side of the truck, so the bikes can't fall inward and bang into each other.

I'd suggest that 7' is about the minimum for length, especially if you're planning to use any sort of wheel chock up front. U-haul trailers generally suck as far as tie-down points are concerned; a Baxley sport chock will take much of the drama out of transport...
 
fubar929 said:
For reference, I can put two litre-class bikes and a ton of gear in the back of my 4x8' truck bed. The bikes never touch, but I've got a bunch of tie-down points in the bed and a well-developed system for loading, unloading, and tying down. HINT: lateral stability is important! I run a tie-down from the frame to the side of the truck, so the bikes can't fall inward and bang into each other.

I'd suggest that 7' is about the minimum for length, especially if you're planning to use any sort of wheel chock up front. U-haul trailers generally suck as far as tie-down points are concerned; a Baxley sport chock will take much of the drama out of transport...
Click to expand...

I know this has been covered before but I can't remember. A better place to rent bike-specific trailers?

Thank you.
 
fubar929 said:
a Baxley sport chock will take much of the drama out of transport...
Click to expand...

+1.

If you are going to be hauling bikes with any regularity (especially with rented trailers), a Baxley is highly recommended. The location of tiedown points will be less crucial because the Baxley will take care of 90% of the lateral stability.

Furthermore, it will be useful even off the trailer -- in the garage, or in the paddocks.

I love 'em so much, I own 3 of em! And I currently only have one bike! :laughing
 
uraniaclio said:
I know this has been covered before but I can't remember. A better place to rent bike-specific trailers?
Click to expand...

I don't know of anyplace that's especially good. U-haul rents a motorcycle-specific trailer, but it's only good for one bike. The ramp on the one I rented was pretty short. I couldn't get my CBR600F4 into it without removing the fairings, parking with the wheels in a ditch, or using my own ramp. You may run into similar problems with other trailers, so leave yourself plenty of time to get everything loaded.

You best bet might be to try to borrow SportChocks from somebody on BARF. The other thing I've seen work, especially if you have a long trailer and a swingarm that accepts spools, is to put the bike up on a rearstand while it's in the trailer. Seemed a bit dodgey to me, but I have a buddy that's done it for years without a problem. Says he gets much the same stability from his Pitbull stand that you'd get from a SportChock...
 
fubar929 said:
I don't know of anyplace that's especially good. U-haul rents a motorcycle-specific trailer, but it's only good for one bike. The ramp on the one I rented was pretty short. I couldn't get my CBR600F4 into it without removing the fairings, parking with the wheels in a ditch, or using my own ramp. You may run into similar problems with other trailers, so leave yourself plenty of time to get everything loaded.

You best bet might be to try to borrow SportChocks from somebody on BARF. The other thing I've seen work, especially if you have a long trailer and a swingarm that accepts spools, is to put the bike up on a rearstand while it's in the trailer. Seemed a bit dodgey to me, but I have a buddy that's done it for years without a problem. Says he gets much the same stability from his Pitbull stand that you'd get from a SportChock...
Click to expand...

I do have a pitbull rear and perhaps one sport chock so I think that might solve my problems if I can do that. Man...I might have to rent the trailer for 1 extra day just to practice loading and unloading bikes. :)
 
uraniaclio said:
I do have a pitbull rear and perhaps one sport chock so I think that might solve my problems if I can do that. Man...I might have to rent the trailer for 1 extra day just to practice loading and unloading bikes. :)
Click to expand...

Which track day are you going to? You might be able to get someone that's been to a bunch of days to swing by and help with loading or check your setup or whatever...
 
fubar929 said:
Which track day are you going to? You might be able to get someone that's been to a bunch of days to swing by and help with loading or check your setup or whatever...
Click to expand...
Got that covered. 'm going to Keigwin's novice school. Quasi888 was nice enough to take me under his wing and even offered to let me borrow a chock. I think I'll buy one since I'll need one for the future anyway. I'm such a newb. Exciting times though.
 
Great. Just found out my option is pretty limited due to the type of hitch my WRX can take. Need class II for the larger trailers but I think my WRX can't tow more than 2k so class I is what's available. Bummer. Guess I'll be riding the 250 for both days. :(
 
Sorry I took so long to get back, but a "bumper ball" is a hitch mounted to the bumper of a truck. My Blazer has a tow package (1993) and has a "bumper ball" rather than a frame mounted hitch. I've towed bikes a few times w/o any problems (with the trailer anyway! :) ) but UHaul wouldn't rent me one.
 
Silversix said:
Why not just rent a small box-type van? I don't know the cost difference though.

http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.aspx?equipment=truck-10

They have a built in ramp and you don't have to hassel with a trailer.

Just a thought..............................
Click to expand...

Ohhh....The 675 might see the track after all. Tie down points inside? Anyone trying hauling bikes in these vans?
 
the vans usually have plenty of tie down points and you should be able to get the bikes in there withough a problem. When you go to pick the van up just make sure when you do the pre trip check it has all the tie downs, they are notorious for tearing out
 
uraniaclio said:
Anyone trying hauling bikes in these vans?
Click to expand...

No. The $0.89/mile charge usually kills the deal unless you live within a few miles of the track. If you can arrange to drop a bike down in Mountain View, I'll be happy to put it in the truck and haul it to the school. Let me ride the 675 for a few laps and you might convince me to offer door-to-door service :teeth

PM me if you're interested.
 
fubar929 said:
No. The $0.89/mile charge usually kills the deal unless you live within a few miles of the track. If you can arrange to drop a bike down in Mountain View, I'll be happy to put it in the truck and haul it to the school. Let me ride the 675 for a few laps and you might convince me to offer door-to-door service :teeth

PM me if you're interested.
Click to expand...

I'm almost certain I'll just be tracking the 250 this time. :(
But I'm sure I'll see you on the tracks again on my 675 in near future and you can take it out for a few laps. By then, I might even be ready to try a 750 too. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top