Transport two motorcycles in 6x12 U-Haul Cargo Trailer?

[FJRMike]

I have to get both an FJR-1300 and a CBR-954 from Houston up to Arkansas in a couple of weeks and was wondering if it is possible to strap them in and haul both of them at the same time in a U-Haul 6x12 enclosed Cargo Trailer?

I wanted to use a 6x12 open utility trailer for this but since I am going one-way U-Haul will not rent one.

Comments and suggestions from all are appreciated. Thanks.

[ed29]

Tape off a rectangle in your garage or on your driveway and start fitting the bikes into that space.

I suspect that the narrow 6' width my be a limiting factor. One bike may have to face backwards so the bars each overlap the other bike's seat. Another option would be diagonal loading starting at a front corner.

[dukey33]

Should be plenty of space, but the challenge is tying them in. Some of the cleats on the side rails of those u-haul units are only bonded to the walls. The load of two bikes tied to the side rails may be too overwhelming. Someone will probably post they've tied to the rails before with no problems. Not sure I'd trust it with something as heavy as the FJR.

Wheel chocks could help, but there may not be existing bolt holes in the right spots on the floor. I can't advise you to add holes.

You could build up some framing with 2x4 to fit inside the trailer and put attach points on those. Or a couple of sheets of plywood fitted to the floor and attach anchors and chocks to that.

Let's just ride them up.

[Thrasherg]

I would also visit Harbor Freight, they have some (relatively) cheap front wheel clamps that you push the front wheel into and it clamps the front wheel holding the bike vertically, you then run some straps from the handlebars to the clamp to make it more stable. I suspect that if you try to use the side stand, the trailer will be too narrow to hold 2 bikes. This is the thing I am thinking off:_
http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...ock-97841.html

purchase 2 of them and you can put one bike in forwards, the other in backwards and you should be good to go.. I would still try to use some tie-down straps to stop the bikes moving sideways (when cornering with the trailer) but you should be able to make it work. These stands are also very handy when you want to clean the bikes at home later on, it's much easier to get access to the left hand side of the bike when it's vertical as opposed to leaning on the side stand!!

Gary

[on1wheel]

I bet you could find someone willing to ride one of them up there for you! Heck, with enough notice (and ride back home) I'd do it. To quote DaveC's sig line; "Heck, that ain't far! Let's ride""

[cheez]

For the price U-Haul will charge you for the one-way, you could just buy and then sell this trailer when done with it:

http://twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62845

It should fit both of those bikes and have lots of area/placement for tiedowns.

[focus frenzy]

back when I moved a bike via U-haul I drilled holes in the corners for eye bolts to hook tie downs to and used big fender washers to spread the load, when done I used stubby carrage bolts (flat heads) to cover up the holes.

[FJRMike]

Originally Posted by cheez

For the price U-Haul will charge you for the one-way, you could just buy and then sell this trailer when done with it:

http://twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62845

It should fit both of those bikes and have lots of area/placement for tiedowns.

uh, that trailer is barely big enough for one small bike but that's it. And it's sold.

[FJRMike]

Originally Posted by dukey33

Should be plenty of space, but the challenge is tying them in. Some of the cleats on the side rails of those u-haul units are only bonded to the walls. The load of two bikes tied to the side rails may be too overwhelming. Someone will probably post they've tied to the rails before with no problems. Not sure I'd trust it with something as heavy as the FJR.

Wheel chocks could help, but there may not be existing bolt holes in the right spots on the floor. I can't advise you to add holes.

You could build up some framing with 2x4 to fit inside the trailer and put attach points on those. Or a couple of sheets of plywood fitted to the floor and attach anchors and chocks to that.

Let's just ride them up.

Dave - if you are serious about riding them up, pm your phone number so we can talk. thanks.

[Keith]

I have an enclosed 6x12 trailer that we have hauled as many as three bikes in at one time. The trailer is currently setup with two Condor chocks (up front) and was used to haul my Hayabusa and the wife's mean streak at the same time - all the way to Arkansas BTW! I recently had my ZRX1200R, her Ninja 650R, and an XR650L in the trailer all at the same time. It was a tight fit for sure, but doable - the XR650L rode "backwards" with the other two in the chocks...

[cheez]

Originally Posted by FJRMike

uh, that trailer is barely big enough for one small bike but that's it. And it's sold.

I've seen several people trailer two bikes on those HF trailers. Because they have no walls, you can put the bikes closer to the edge of the trailer. I could have sworn that trailer was back on the market... I guess I'm getting senile in my old age.

[KenH]

I have a 4x8 trailer from HF and haul 2 bikes easily. I added a 6-foot piece of angle iron across the front between the bed and toungue and bolted a second to the bottom of the frame behind the spring shackles. The angle provides outboard locations for hooking tiedowns. You can then move the wheel chocks over towards the edge of the bed. The centers of my chocks are 42 inches apart.

Spring for the 12-inch wheels and tires for peace of mind. I run the 5.30-12 6-ply rating and have almost 9000 miles on them with no problems.

[4jranch]

Originally Posted by FJRMike

uh, that trailer is barely big enough for one small bike but that's it. And it's sold.

I agree, that trailer is not big enough for the bikes you are planning to move. How soon are you planning this trip?

[Drumboy]

I have a kendon dual stand up trailer for sale. You could sell it (and make money if you clean it up) once you get there.

[FJRMike]

Drumboy - got pics of the Kendon trailer?

Whoa - just looked up that trailer, if your price is anywhere near new price it's way over what I want to pay.

[Drumboy]

Originally Posted by FJRMike

Drumboy - got pics of the Kendon trailer?

They're in the For Sale ad.

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78646

[Cagiva 549]

I have carried two 1150 gs beemers with all the bags in my 14 by 6 Wells Cargo and a lot of other stuff . My trailer does have three strips of E Track on the floor and two on each wall so tie downs are wherever I need them . I also have bike shoes on the floor . I stagger the bikes so everything fits nicely . My 950 fits inside with room to spare and then some The UHaul will not have tie down points so that could be a problum , also you cant see if something comes loose and can do some serious damage before you stop and check things . SEYA

[cdc]

There is not a lot of flexibility on securing the FJR without risking damage to the plastics.

The Harbor Freight trailer is good for one of the bikes only.

[on1wheel]

If you know a decent welder maybe have him fab something up you could put on the floor of the trailer. Something that would be kept in place by the weight of the bikes but also keep them from falling over.

[KenH]

Canyon Dancers work well on bikes with too much plastic in the way.