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Post by Danny on Nov 3, 2012 11:42:01 GMT -5
I'm looking for an easier way to haul our bikes. I ride a CRF230F and my son has a PW50. I drive a 1972 El Camino so I can put them in the bed if I get something like the Moto Cinch (There are no tie down anchors in the bed of the El Camino). I'm also looking at trailers. How do you haul your bikes? Post some pics if you can.
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Post by scootergirl on Nov 3, 2012 13:04:47 GMT -5
Can you put any eyebolts or cleats on your vehicle anywhere, or is there anyplace you can hook straps around the perimeter, under the rim of the wheel well, etc? We have a single aluminum dirt bike carrier that slides into our hitch receiver, as well as two steel Versa Haul carriers. I have the extra gear to put the two Versa Haul carriers together as a double carrier, but have never done that. On our old motorhome, we were able to carry one bike on the front and one on the back with the carriers. We can only carry one that way with the camper we have now, but we use the carriers a lot with the RV and my truck. It's a super simple way to carry a bike. We also have a 5x8 enclosed trailer. I previously had a 5x8 open trailer, which was nice, but we like the enclosed because we do a lot of overnight traveling and don't have to worry about the security of the bikes. We are actually about ready to look for a slightly larger trailer; I just haven't gotten serious about it yet. The open trailer was nice because you could push it around the yard by hand, and it was also easy to get 3 bikes in there and be able to reach everything to tie them down. Attachments:
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Post by scootergirl on Nov 3, 2012 13:08:35 GMT -5
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Post by scootergirl on Nov 3, 2012 13:24:52 GMT -5
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Post by queenofslow on Nov 3, 2012 19:05:21 GMT -5
Cubegleamer, I have two trailers: an open one (dual axle for 4 bikes) and an enclosed one (extra tall, for 2 bikes, single axle). I tow with an ancient Ford Econoline van (aka "the Golden Behemoth"). I use the van only for towing the bikes and I have put 42,000 miles on it in 2.7 years. (Yes, I have gone slow in a LOT of places !!! Do you think I got the title "queen of Slow" just by tooling around Jacksonville??)
The open one tows like a dream and is really easy to manuever. But I do not like having the bikes out in the open- too many idiots around. The enclosed one has a lot of windage, cuts down on my fuel economy (16 mpg when not towing, 11 when towing), and is a real bitch to maneuver in tight spots. But the bikes are safe inside, no hits from road debris etc. I use it a lot, especially for overnight trips. Neither has surge brakes although I would like them.... and they are on my wish list for the next rig... but the current set up works fine as long as I do not have to panic-stop.
Keep in mind that I have a really bad back, a non-existent sense of balance, a knee waiting for surgery and I am always by myself. SO I need to make things as easy as possible. I want to crash while riding, not when loading the bikes.
In your case I would keep it real simple. Get a $ 600 utility trailer. Put a wood floor on it. It will tow nicely behind your vehicle, easy to get in and out, not expensive. Plus you will find it very useful for a lot of other things, like getting a new fridge/ washer/dryer/whatever- hauling shtuff- helping a friend move et.etc. Can fit in a garage without a problem and you can store stuff on it when you are not using it.
I also still have my utility trailer I bought in 2002 at Lowes.... I used it to trailer my Honda XR650L and Kawasaki KLR 650- side by side. I got a ton of use out of that one. But stay away from Lowe's trailers if you can. They are built very cheaply. I bought the other two trailers from WHATNOW (here in town) and the folks have been very good to deal with. Maybe a little more expensive than Lowe's but their stuff is much sturdier.
I would not put a hitch carrier on your El Camino, unless you also want to beef up the suspensions yada yada.
Keep it simple, grease the hitch and the bearings, keep the tires inflated... and GO RIDING!!!
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