Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[anzac]

Hi, I'm riding across country but will need to tow my bike back behind my pickup from DC to Denver, I don't want to spend money on a trailer that I will hardly ever use, but I have been looking at bike cradles where you can tow the bike and the only thing that touches the ground is the back wheel, in theory it looks great, cheaper and I can just throw the cradle on the back of my pickup until needed.

Does anybody have experience with this way of towing ? I have a CVO limited

Thank you for any replies
Anzac

[Heatwave]

Look on craigslist wherever you are and search for an enclosed motorcycle trailer. Use it to tow the bike home in the protection of an enclosed trailer. When you get home, put it back on Craigslist in your local area. You’ll probably end up making money if you buy it well. Either way, it’ll cost you next to nothing to get the bike home.

[anzac]

thank you

[bigchuck]

It seams to me that those cradles put a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the bike. They are probably fine for short tows but I wouldn't my back wheel on the ground spinning everything in neutral like that.

[skratch]

your owner's manual will tell you not to coast for long periods in neutral or transmission damage can occur.  essentially, that is what you are doing.

i personally wouldn't do it.

[anzac]

Thank you all for your advice, really appreciate it

[CVOStreetglide]

Hi, I'm riding across country but will need to tow my bike back behind my pickup from DC to Denver, I don't want to spend money on a trailer that I will hardly ever use, but I have been looking at bike cradles where you can tow the bike and the only thing that touches the ground is the back wheel, in theory it looks great, cheaper and I can just throw the cradle on the back of my pickup until needed.

Does anybody have experience with this way of towing ? I have a CVO limited

Thank you for any replies
Anzac

I’ve done it on many occasions years ago when I was in the Marines from Camp Lejune to DC and
back. 

I can only base it on my experience and I wouldn’t recommend it. There are lots of issues, safety, excessive rear tire wear are only the begining.  If you have a long bed truck, I would put your bike up in the bed.  There are folding ramps that make it easy and can be stowed/strapped down on the side of the bike. 

Regards

[SIKBIRD]

Uhaul makes a trailer specifically for hauling motorcycles, shouldn’t cost too much but I haven’t priced one...here’s the link

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorcycle-Trailer-Rental/MT/

[CVOStreetglide]

Uhaul makes a trailer specifically for hauling motorcycles, shouldn’t cost too much but I haven’t priced one...here’s the link

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorcycle-Trailer-Rental/MT/

    

I always thought I would want to buy one IF U-Haul ever sold them.  The only thing that it needs is a enclosed top. It tows like a dream and is easy to load and unload. 

[FlaHeatWave]

Hi, I'm riding across country but will need to tow my bike back behind my pickup from DC to Denver, I don't want to spend money on a trailer that I will hardly ever use, but I have been looking at bike cradles where you can tow the bike and the only thing that touches the ground is the back wheel, in theory it looks great, cheaper and I can just throw the cradle on the back of my pickup until needed.

Does anybody have experience with this way of towing ? I have a CVO limited

Thank you for any replies
Anzac

Why don't you just put the bike in the back of the pickup??
Harley Dealers have hydraulic lifts,,, usually free, but I'll slip the guy a $20...

[Dan_Lockwood]

I like what you suggested Ed, but one thing that may be a problem.

We don't know what bed length Anzac has.  On my Nissan Titan I had, it was a 6'-6" bed which meant that if I hauled a bike, the rear tire would be on the tailgate.

I did some quick checking an my Titan tailgate had a 200# weight limit.  I told my buddy next door about it and he checked his Ford and it had a similar load limit for the tailgate.  Technically if I sat on the tailgate I was overloading it...

Before I loaded a bike into a pickup, I'd check to see how it fits and what, if anything is on the tailgate.  I've seen touring bikes in pickups with the tailgate closed.  I'm assuming an 8' box in that case.  If Anzac has an 8' box, it's a great idea.

Anzac, have a safe trip.  Buying and reselling a trailer sounds good, but renting a U-Haul bike trailer would be a no-brainer, just wrap the front of the bike and bags really good to protect from stone chips and it's a one-way rental with no hassles.

[Grizzly]

or you could always take the load off of the tailgate and do this...

[FlaHeatWave]

Occasionally I will put the bike in the bed of the F-250 (the Hillbilly Rocket Riders say this is in "The Cheap Slut" catagory ),,, has a 6-1/2 ft bed and a roll-up tonneau leaving <6ft of bed,,, never had any problems... a 2x12 or plywood would alleviate any potential damage...

[NH Bulldog]

I used the U-Haul open motorcycle trailer on a road trip a few years ago on a trip from New England to the UP of Michigan for a wedding.  I think it was $19.99 per day.  Well worth it, especially if only a rare occurrence.  I have my own ramp gate trailer now that has more than paid for itself.   

[Indenial]

Traded 4 snowmobiles and trailer for an enclosed Featherlite 6X12 with a ramp 15 yrs ago.  Best thing I have ever done.  Besides hauling my bike around, it has moved three daughters through college apartments and into several houses. And now hauls cut up trees, shrubs, used furniture home for me to get rid of.  I'm sure a lot of you know and feel the same way----call Dad, he'll haul it away.