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Trailering my Glide

8K views 41 replies 34 participants last post by  4getNo1 
#1 ·
Heading to the Smokies and to biketober fest this year and I have never trailered a bike. I have a 5x10 utility trailer with leaf springs and a 3500 lb axel. It is in good condition! I know a lot of have done this before, so any advice would be appreciated. Must be safe and not damage my ride.
Thanks
 
#2 ·
Front wheel in a chock. Padded loop around fork leg just above fender mount. Rachet strap to paded loop to tie front end down. Strap rear wheel to keep it from dancing around and you are set. This method lets suspension of bike continue to work to cushion ride of bike instead of compressing suspension with straps until there is no travel left.
 
#5 ·
Not trying to hijack the thread, but I have a Kendon also, and would hate putting bikes on with that ramp. I bought an aluminum folding ramp from Discount ramps for around $175, worth every penny, loading much easier and safer now, especially if its wet out.
 
#6 ·
The best advice anyone can give you about trailering your Road Glide is ....don't! You've got one of the world's best touring bike, ride it.

Sorry, someone was going to say that and this time it was me. ;)
 
#9 ·
We Haul Our Rides Everywhere or WHORE. I don't always trailer but when I do it is due to being over 100 degrees cause the TX DPS don't like you riding naked!!!
 
#10 · (Edited)
I trailer mine to the lake every weekend I go in the summer, can't ride and take dogs and wife!
I welded my own wheel chock in the front of my snow bear trailer and use 6 ratchet straps to hold her down and she has never moved an inch. 1 ratchet on each of the front highway bar/fairing mount, 1 over the front frame between fork nut and fairing(on frame) 1 under front of seat on frame, and 1 on each side bag guards.
 
#15 ·
Thanks everyone for the replies..........I do apperciate your time.
I just wonder about my trailer being a single axle and bouncing around on a 2000 mile trip. I'm sure I will get it tied down good.
I would love to ride it but my body will not take that long of a ride plus there is no way to carry enough clothing, etc for 10 days. When I get to my destinations, it will be rode not sitting.
 
#16 ·
Be sure to have a spare tire on board. Blow out last year and damn near threw the bike off the single axle trailer. If it wasn't tied down and in a good chock, I'm sure it would have been in the ditch. (taking it in for service for all you hard nose riders) :D
 
#18 ·
Lots of good info already listed.

I use this stuff when I have to trailer:
- Quality ratchet tiedowns, use 4 minimum + carry 1 or 2 extra because they can lockup or get frayed at the most inopportune times...never use a frayed strap no matter how small the tear is
- Good wheel clock, preferably one that locks the front wheel. Harbor Freight sells a $50-$60 semi-removable version that I've used for years with no visible fatigue.
- Spare tire and then most importantly, the correct tools to remove/tighten the trailer lugnuts and somesort of axle support. I've stopped on road to help others that have a wonderful spare, but no way to complete the change. So don't just assume your tow vehicle's lugnuts are the same size.
- Grease the wheel bearings
- Trailer lights that work (sorry...being a wiseazz).
 
#20 ·
I trailered my RK to Florida (from Dallas) because it was my brother's wedding and the missus and I wanted to do some riding along the coast. Riding down with all the stuff required for the wedding was not feasible. Would I have preferred to ride? Yes. Did I want to be presentable for my brother's wedding? More yes.

There's a time and a place for everything. There's nothing wrong with trailering a bike in somewhere. There is something wrong with trailering then pretending you didn't. Just man up and admit you trailered in (and don't buy the "I rode mine to..." patch.)
 
#21 ·
I have trailered my Glide about 2 times since i purchased it back in March and I'll probably trailer about 7 times in a calendar year, but I also will put about 12-15K miles on it too. :) I have a small humble toy hauler, that when I go camping, I like to take my bike as well too.
 
#26 ·
I sold my trailer because I got a Road Glide. I'd ride year round if I could. Living in Michigan doesnt allow for that. But when I do retire, moving to a warmer climate. I guess riding in all elements has to be in your soul. I'm against trailering the bike anywhere. Unless absolutely necessary. Just my .02 cents
 
#27 ·
Okay, I know all of the trailering jokes, but there are sometimes that you have to go with quality of miles and not quantity. For example, we have a limited amount of days to ride and spend in Sturgis. Plus, we are taking our wives and from experience you don't want your wife hating the first day of the ride. Having ridden 4024 miles the long way from Houston to Sturgis before, I know that the good riding is north of Denver and not from Houston to Denver, which is even boring in a cage. (There are great rides in Texas, but in August heat Houston to the Texas Panhandle is not one of them) We are trailering from Houston to Denver in one day, so that we can spend more time riding in the quality areas of Northern Colorado, Western Wyoming and Montana, plus if someone has a bike issue then the trailer is not as far away.

Okay, now that I have justified my trailering, can someone please post a few photos of where exactly to place the tie downs etc? I have spent a lot of cash on my new 2012 RGU and don't want any accidents in the trailer. I know the question has been asked before, but I have searched the site and can't find any pictures or video of what points to tie a Shark down. I will definitley post some pics and even video of my bike when it is tied down.
 
#29 ·
No pics,but really you only have so many spots, I use the engine guard to the front, frame in front of the gas tank and under front of seat behind gas tank to the side of the trailer and the bag guards if you have them to the back of the trailer. You hit all those spots with good ratchet straps your bike will not move, I've trailered my honda and now my glide that way for 5 years without issue.
 
#30 ·
Right and left engine guard and right and left bag guard. All 4 pulled towards front of trailer. Leave some bounce in the shocks do not fully compress. Stop after 15 minutes check load. Good to go.
 
#33 ·
I carry my bike for 10 of thousands of miles per year. This is exactly how I tie mine down. I haul mile on back of a M Class frieghtliner. BIG RAMP!! I do this because I drive across the country for work to shows and must have a trailer of junk with me for the shows. And when I have a few day, even a few hours, someplace, I go ride. Been able to ride places I would never have time to go ride. I have been riding from Ca to Pa and lots of place between.
 
#32 ·
I'd get me a Wheeldock for the trailer. It cradles the front tire, you can get off the bike and ratchet it down one person. I have one. It works perfectly.
 
#35 ·
I agree with banddirector. But, really, do you need to justify? We are all guys and want to defend ourselves but maybe, juuust maybe priority one is the wife and kids and everything else making the trip too and the fact that you can throw your bike in the bed of the truck or on the trailer is a bonus.

there is my 2 cents and thanks for the info. I have been hauling bikes in the bed of my truck for years but the RG was a bit of a challenge and yet again you guys in this forum came through with the answer. Thanks!
 
#40 ·
The single axle can be a bit wiggly at highway speeds. Don't skimp on good trailer tires, double check the axle bearings, and make sure your lug nuts are tight.

Last summer, the wife, kids and I took some time to visit family 800 miles north. Not enough room in one vehicle when the crew includes three females and their luggage. So, I had to improvise and ride lead in the shark. :) Yes, I was smiling all the way. Blissful ride.
 
#42 ·
Aw come on y'all... the question is about HOW to tow, not SHOULD he tow and he doesn't need to define his reasons to ask the question.

As for me, the 1st time I did the old original CAL 1000 was the second year there was such a thing and now, at the ripe old age of 67, I have no idea how many miles I've put on "in the saddle" plus my wife now has 5 screwed up disks and still loves to be a passenger anyway. Given the original question and if I had been the one to ask it, I would have probably responded to the off-topic put downs a LOT less courtesly than OP did. :p :)

NOW - back on topic - another +1 for arkieglide and his excellent suggestion at post #2.
 
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