Hauling A Trike

[Tony8]

Looking to see what others think about how to haul a trike. I have a 2016 GL1800 Goldwing with a CSC Viper kit installed. When ever I haul the trike I always leave the trike in neutral.
A friend of mine said I should leave it in 1st gear. I was under the impression that leaving it in 1st gear could damage the trike. I asked the mechanic who services my trike his thoughts and he told me to haul the trike
with the reverse button on.
Thoughts?

 

[pwhoever]

How exactly are you hauling it? On or in a trailer?

 

[Tony8]

On a trailer. I have a Stinger trailer specifically for a trike.
www.stingertrailer.com

 

[RoadRunner18]

Tony,
I would add a Bullet Brake to ensure your ride wouldn't move no matter what gear you leave it in.
www.bulletbrake.com The model for your Bike is BB-05. I have one on my 2018 Gold Wing DCT with 2023 CSC Encore Trike Kit

Steve

 

[Deplorable]

I was advised by my dealer to leave it in neutral. Have the tie down straps pulling the trike forward with the front against the front of the trailer or a wheel chock that affords a firm barrier to keep the trike from moving forward.

 

[pwhoever]

For trailering, I like @RoadRunner18 idea but also think @Deplorable idea would be a good way to go. When I trailer, I normally leave it in neutral and then strap it down.

I don't think using reverse button in trailer is a good idea. I have heard stories of the Goldwings getting stuck in reverse because of pressure on drivetrain and then if your lucky, rocking it back and forth may release it. And that's exactly what a Goldwing might experience if put in reverse in a trailer. And if stuck in reverse, you probably won't be able to start it up either.

The idea of having it in 1st gear would make more sense if on a slight incline to keep it stationary. At least in 1st, pull in clutch and you can start the engine. But putting it back into neutral after strapped down would probably be best.

In parking lots, if on a slight angle, I have been known to use either method but the Goldwings is stationary there and not under extra stresses like it might when being transported in a trailer. In 1st gear, I know it probably won't roll away. I honestly cant see what damage that could do to the motor in that situation. And often when traveling on the trike, I do push the reverse button before shutting motor off in the parking lot for the night but again, only on slight inclines. The added bonus is that you cannot take it out of reverse gear until the key is turned on so a thief can't roll it away on you during the night.

 

[Motorcycle Mike]

I've all ways left the bike in neutral. Number of wheels makes no difference.
Never a problem in 50+ years.

 

[Zammy]

We have a Harley but I've always left the bike in neutral with the parking brake applied when tied on our trailer.

 

[Tony8]

Thanks for the help. I think I'll continue to haul it the way I have been--in neutral.
I had others tell me different methods and I started to second guess myself.
By the way I never had a parking brake installed on the trike, maybe I'll look into getting one installed.
Thanks again.

 

[pwhoever]

Some like the parking brake but on my last trike, I had it for 8 years without a parking brake. It's not bad to have but not absolutely necessary. For towing, I think a chock would be more useful.

And I also discussed average parking and just have to be smart in choosing a parking spot. I try to make sure it's level or close to level. On a slight angle, I might leave it in first gear or use the reverse button. In these cases, you should be fine. But I refuse to park on a serious angle and would be hesitant to use 1st or reverse as it will load up the drivetrain.

 

[UltraManiac]

Some like the parking brake but on my last trike, I had it for 8 years without a parking brake. It's not bad to have but not absolutely necessary. For towing, I think a chock would be more useful.

And I also discussed average parking and just have to be smart in choosing a parking spot. I try to make sure it's level or close to level. On a slight angle, I might leave it in first gear or use the reverse button. In these cases, you should be fine. But I refuse to park on a serious angle and would be hesitant to use 1st or reverse as it will load up the drivetrain.

I have owned 3 trikes over the years. Had a Can Am that had a parking brake, It was always a pain to set and release and I always worried that it would malfunction and not release .My other 2 trikes were Harley conversions, an Ultra Classic and a Softail deluxe. On both of those I had a 10 inch piece of 2 inch velcro that was hook on one side and loop on the other. Squeeze the front brake lever and use the velcro wrapped around it to hold as a parking brake. I used it mostly on the level or a slight grade to hold the trike in place. I wouldn't trust it on a steep angle. Doesn't cost much and works really well. When I took it off I would just wrap it around the handle bars and it would be ready for the next time. Hope this helps others.

 

[pwhoever]

I have owned 3 trikes over the years. Had a Can Am that had a parking brake, It was always a pain to set and release and I always worried that it would malfunction and not release .My other 2 trikes were Harley conversions, an Ultra Classic and a Softail deluxe. On both of those I had a 10 inch piece of 2 inch velcro that was hook on one side and loop on the other. Squeeze the front brake lever and use the velcro wrapped around it to hold as a parking brake. I used it mostly on the level or a slight grade to hold the trike in place. I wouldn't trust it on a steep angle. Doesn't cost much and works really well. When I took it off I would just wrap it around the handle bars and it would be ready for the next time. Hope this helps others.

It does and I might try that again. It's a great and cheap method. I had done it a few times myself in the past like in my garage but always ended up losing the Velcro strip. Wrapping it around handlebars when not in use might be the ticket.

 

[UltraManiac]

It does and I might try that again. It's a great and cheap method. I had done it a few times myself in the past like in my garage but always ended up losing the Velcro strip. Wrapping it around handlebars when not in use might be the ticket.

It doesn't need to be tightly wrapped around the bars, loose is better for getting it off to use. Only way you're gonna lose it is to not wrap it around the bars.

 

[OldRider2]

I’m new to trikes but not Goldwings, so when I just picked up a 2008 GL with a Motor Trike conversion, I used a friends enclosed trailer that he hauled his GL Hannigan in. The first problem we had was dragging the turn down pipes while loading. When we finally got it on board the dealer was a lot of help tying it down. We left it in neutral, tied it to the chock, then ran straps from the front crash bars at about 45 degree angles to the front corner tie downs. We also put a strap through each rear wheel to rear corner tie downs…just in case it moved forward. We were successful but I still wondered what was going on inside the trailer until we got home 200 miles later.

 

[N8DC]

When I picked up the new to me F/W I drove it into my toy hauler and left it in first gear. I then tied the front down and moved to the back and left it . Whats it gonna hurt ? The beauty of the trike is I dont need a chock kicking around in the trailer or camp site. On my 2 wheeler I had a chock I specially redesigned to cinch to the d-rings up front and tie the bike to the chock . The problem was even being designed with fold out arms to cinch it to the d-rings it was big and bulky. I am not going to miss carrying it around and stowing it somewhere on the trips.

I really think your over thinking this.
Once tied in gear its at rest and you would be hard pressed to actually break anything .
Dave Jackson,Michigan

 

[pwhoever]

When I picked up the new to me F/W I drove it into my toy hauler and left it in first gear. I then tied the front down and moved to the back and left it . Whats it gonna hurt ? The beauty of the trike is I dont need a chock kicking around in the trailer or camp site. On my 2 wheeler I had a chock I specially redesigned to cinch to the d-rings up front and tie the bike to the chock . The problem was even being designed with fold out arms to cinch it to the d-rings it was big and bulky. I am not going to miss carrying it around and stowing it somewhere on the trips.
I really think your over thinking this.
Once tied in gear its at rest and you would be hard pressed to actually break anything .
Dave Jackson,Michigan

If you don't tie rear down, it can potentially bounce and move side to side inside trailer on rough roads. I wouldn't risk it if it were me.

 

[N8DC]

If you don't tie rear down, it can potentially bounce and move side to side inside trailer on rough roads. I wouldn't risk it if it were me.

I never said i didnt tie the rear down. I said I tied the front and moved to the rear. Maybe for some it needs to be explained better . ?
My point was hauling it in gear .
Dave

 

[pwhoever]

I never said i didnt tie the rear down. I said I tied the front and moved to the rear. Maybe for some it needs to be explained better . ?
My point was hauling it in gear .
Dave

But you also never said you did tie down the rear. You clearly said you moved to the rear, nothing about tying it down. I can only go by what's in the post.

 

[jjvw]

Trailering anything with wheels with trans in gear may cause damage to drive train, due to the rocking motion. You can't get it tight enough to stop movement because all tie downs stretch due to the inertia of heavy weight in motion.
I have seen several race cars and motorcycles damaged that way.
A chock will limit that movement.

 

[N8DC]

Well I have pulled a million trailers with about everything tied down and never broke a transmission . Bikes cars etc . Its gonna take a lot . Never in the old days put a car on the trailer with out it being in gear . Never lost a car either but ive seen it happen.
Some reading below . Its your car/bike etc do it your way
Dave

Yes, it's generally recommended to leave a motorcycle in gear, ideally first gear, when trailering it. This helps prevent the bike from rolling backward if the tie-downs or chock should become dislodged.



Why it's recommended:

• Prevents rolling:
  When a bike is in gear, the engine compression helps to hold it in place, making it less likely to roll if the tie-downs or chocks are not perfectly secure.
• Added safety:
  Leaving the bike in gear provides an extra layer of safety, especially on inclines or if the trailer experiences unexpected movements.

Important considerations:

• Neutral vs. gear:
  While it's generally recommended to leave the bike in gear, some sources also mention leaving it in neutral while on the trailer, especially if it's on a center stand, as this can reduce wear on the transmission, says a post on Reddit.
• Tie-downs and chocks:
  Regardless of whether you leave the bike in gear or neutral, proper tie-downs and chocks are crucial for ensuring the bike stays securely on the trailer.

In summary, leaving the bike in gear when trailering it is a good safety practice to help prevent it from rolling and to provide an extra layer of security during transit.

 

[JUSTME1951]

Looking to see what others think about how to haul a trike. I have a 2016 GL1800 Goldwing with a CSC Viper kit installed. When ever I haul the trike I always leave the trike in neutral.
A friend of mine said I should leave it in 1st gear. I was under the impression that leaving it in 1st gear could damage the trike. I asked the mechanic who services my trike his thoughts and he told me to haul the trike
with the reverse button on.
Thoughts?

I always trailer our triglide in neutral and it's front wheel is in a lock-n-load, rear end is chocked both ways and rear tied down.
Just me though