Enclosed Trailer Trike Tiedown Ideas

[Rosy]

OK, need input on how everyone ties down their trikes in an enclosed trailer.
I do my Hannigan Wing with straps from the "crash" bars to the sides and the trailer hitch to the sides. Strap the front tire down on the chock.
I have been thinking of putting e-track under the tires and tie the tires down to the e-track. This should keep the trike down on the floor and shouldn't go from side to side. What do you think?
Thanks for your input.

Rosy

 

[Livin2Ride]

I would keep doing as you have been. That is the basic way I tie down my HD when I have to trailer it and I've never had it move. The E-Track under the rear tires and strapped would be ok, but I would still have to cross tie off the rear frame just to make sure it didn't move off the E-Track. MHO only.

 

[Rosy]

I just thought when I see a tow truck hauling cars, they have the tire hold down. But, the only problem with my Hannigan would be, can I get the tire hold down over the top of the tire, because the fender is so close to the tire.
Thanks.

Rosy

 

[tfdeputydawg]

FYI, The tip over bars(they are not crash bars!)on a Wing are NOT designed to be pulled down on! That is the worst place to use tie-downs. I learned this the hard way!!!!
It. is best to use soft ties around the lower triple tree, ratchets attached to the soft ties and attached to D-rings or E-trak that pulls forward and down. DO NOT colapse the forks more than a couple inches. This secures the front wheel into the wheel chock and holds the front properly.
The trailer hitch seems a logical place to secure the rear.

 

[Rosy]

Looking at the internet for hauling cars, they have a rubber block which fits on the strap going over the tire. You need three of these block to hold the tire securely. The block have cleats which fit into the tire's rain grooves so they don't slip off the tire. You can buy the complete set up with blocks, strap, and ratchet for about $30. They attach to you e-track, secured to the floor of the trailer.
Again, need to see if I can get the strap over the rear tires on my Hannigan kit.
If I can, it would not put any pressure on the suspension, front or rear.
I heard, one problem tying the hold down strap to your handlebars is, you put pressure on your fork seals and could cause the seal to blow.
Anybody out in TT Land have had this happen?
Thanks for your input.

Rosy

 

[Rosy]

Here is a picture.
Rosy

 

[Livin2Ride]

Looks like a good product and a good idea, but like you I'm not sure about getting it over the rear tires due to clearance, especially when you're working in a tight environment like an enclosed trailer.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

I heard, one problem tying the hold down strap to your handlebars is, you put pressure on your fork seals and could cause the seal to blow.
Rosy

That is exactly the reason I wrote not to compress the front forks more that a couple inches! Fully compressed can cause fork seals to "pop"!
Also, the handle bars of a newer Wing should not be used as a tie down location.

 

[Rosy]

My trailer is 12X7, so there is room to play with. You are correct, most buy a trailer just wide enough to put the trike in, therefore they suffer from lack of room.
My friend has a Cheetah, which is great to tie down in this manner because the rear wheels are expose with a small fender.

Rosy

 

[DTR 11TG]

Rosy, this is the type of tie-downs I like to use, I think they would be easy for you to install.
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Cargo-Control/Erickson/77314.html

 

[Rosy]

DTR 11TG,
I looked at those but as you noticed in the photo of my trike, the ratchet would not fit under the fender, not enough space between the tire and fender.
With the other tie down (see attached photo), it brings the straps closer to the bottom of the tire, then the ratchet is further down the e-track.
I believe it is going to be one of those, spend some money to see if it works, then make a decision for yeah or nay!
Do you use the over the tire tie down on your trailer?
Thank you very much for the info!

Rosy

 

[DTR 11TG]

I should have looked closer at your pic, I didn't notice that it was using a roller idler. I use the same thing on mine, it allows the ratchet to be in a more workable spot, I have my ratchet to the rear.
After looking at your system closer, I like it. I think, rubber blocks or not, with the lower trike tire pressure it would allow the ratchet to pull the center of the tire down & that strap won't go anywhere. Because of the tight tire to fender clearance I don't really like what I'm using, I might try to make my own with all the straps & ratchets I have sitting around. Thanks for the idea

 

[Rosy]

You know, you can buy the rain groove block separate to fit your strap. I would think you are correct, but just for peace of mind, I would use one block on the top of the tire.
Let me know if you want the place you can buy the block.
I am a little leary about hauling my trike. Went to NC to pick it up, on the way home doing about 65mph a crazy person cut in front of my truck..He was about 6" from my front bumper..I cut the steering wheel, hard right..Looked out the passenger window and there was the trailer ready to jackknife, cut the steering the other way, after my knees stop shaking and pulled over, I checked the trike..I expect to see her on her side or against the wall..nope all was right..I had tied her down very well..So, I am always looking for a better and easier way to tie her down!
Hope you had a Wonderful Christmas!

Rosy

 

[Ultra fred]

HI Rosy I do it the same way in my enclosed trailer , off the front engine guard and the trailer hitch , never moved on many trips back n forth to Florida , Happy New Year to you and your wife ~~epper:

 

[Rosy]

Thank you very much, and same to you and your Family!
How many straps do you use? I use 5 to tie her down?
If I can use the tire strap, then it would reduce to 3. One on each tire, and one at the chock.
The other thing I was looking at was to reduce any forces to the suspension while tied down. Some people use the handlebars for a tie down and I heard some fork seals being blown.
I could be all wet on the suspension thing, but maybe it would give me peace of mind.
Any thoughts on this?

Rosy

 

[Ultra fred]

Rosy I only use 4 straps , 2 up front , 2 on the rear trailer hitch , that way if any hick ups , the rear suspension will only react on the coil over springs as needed up and down , and the front will react on the fork springs as needed , never had any problems . orag: J.M.O

 

[Rosy]

Ultra fred, I will be going down to Florida with almost the same set up you have. You are correct, the trike will not move. So, I should not worry, correct.
We just have to make sure we stay away from the crazy cagers that are on the road. Just like the one, in the thread above, when I went to pick up my trike in NC!

Rosy

 

[Ultra fred]

Hi Rosy , you will be fine , all I do when I travel back n forth to Maine is everytime I stop for gas or food etc I always double check the straps and safety chains , plus it gets you to stretch your legs out a little more , so you can be more alert of those crazy cagers !!!!! safe travels my friend .

 

[Condor Spirit]

CAUTION! My brother in law always used straps on the engine guard of his Harley. But one time the factory bracket where it attached to the frame broke. The engine guard put a huge dent in his front fender. One of the brothers who is a welder made a much stronger bracket so that won't happen again.

 

[Rosy]

Thanks Shell, WOW, something to think about.
Maybe that is another reason to use the tire tie downs, if possible.

Rosy

 

[dirtdobber]

I use this. Simple to make and works perfect.


Doing the tires will work good. I used D rings and used a wide tie down over the tires into the D rings. Lower cost and works well. The D rings when not in use are flush in the floor.
dd

 

[Rosy]

Well, another year, so the trike is tied down from the engine guards and the trailer hitch, just like last year's run.
I was still looking at a block and strap over the tires with e-track, but with the fender clearance, went back to what I used last year.
The only way to use the tire tie down, was to jack the body up, put the straps on and then rachet it down, way too much work! LOL
The trip last year went very well, so we hope to duplicate it again this year. :clapping:

See you in Florida! ThumbUp
Rosy

 

[Condor Spirit]

My brother in law had the engine guard break off and make a huge dent in the front fender. Needless to say he no longer straps the bike in the trailer that way.

 

[Rosy]

I was thinking in using the front wheel rim to tie it down to the chock, but don't know if it would hurt the chrome rims.
How do people tie their front tire to the front chock? I know you said the guard broke, so how does he do the front wheel tie down? Any photos to share?
Thanks
Rosy

 

[Condor Spirit]

One of the brothers is a welder, so he welded a better bracket on the engine guard. Not sure if he still straps it down that way. Another friend has a front wheel chock that locks it in, and I believe straps that go over the rear wheels. Will have to ask him. Sorry I don't have any pics to share.

 

[Rosy]

That's OK on the pictures, yes you mentioned about the bracket. The lock in chock would be great, but at times you have to be careful because of the fender extensions on the front fender can get in the way. This chock came with the trailer when I bought it and it is not the locking type.
I know people use their handlebars to tie down, but I am afraid of the damage which may occur to the shock seals.
I've also seen where people use the passenger grips to tie their bikes down, don't know about that one. I would be afraid they could deform the grip if enough force were put on them.
I suppose each and everyone of us use different methods of tie downs. Some work, others not so much!
The other problem is, how well does your trike travel in the trailer. Is the ride "smooth", or bumpie?
Rosy

 

[Rosy]

Well, the trip to Florida (2016) with the trike went well. The points I used were the same as last year..engine guards and trailer hitch. Just enough force to prevent the trike from moving side to side on the trailer hitch. Slight force on the engine guards to keep the front tire in place, into the chock.
Rosy