Trailering the FJR

[bigjohnsd]

Well - I can do a lot of things, but I can’t ride two motorcycles and drive a pickups truck at the same time.

Tomorrow, I RIDE the fjr…

You are up kind of late for an old retired guy. Shouldn't you be in playing with the baby's mother?

[Abercrombie FJR]

Attendance would decline at my event if trailering at least part of the way was illegal.

That is true!

[bungie4]

https://imgur.io/gallery/t4FELkl
They don't need no stinking wheel chocks.

[N4HHE]

https://imgur.io/gallery/t4FELkl
They don't need no stinking wheel chocks.

Not if you can balance a motorcycle on your head, no hands, while climbing a ladder.

[Dan Cooper]

https://imgur.io/gallery/t4FELkl
They don't need no stinking wheel chocks.

Not if you can balance a motorcycle on your head, no hands, while climbing a ladder.

Round rungs and wearing sandals. Just shows how soft we've gotten on our side of the world.

dan

[bungie4]

... and 3 points of contact

[bungie4]

Stumbled across this. How to handle the loose ends of ratchet straps.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvS9FIQJ ... iNWFlZA==

[blind squirrel]

Stumbled across this. How to handle the loose ends of ratchet straps.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvS9FIQJ ... iNWFlZA==

I've been doing that for years.

[bungie4]

Stumbled across this. How to handle the loose ends of ratchet straps.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvS9FIQJ ... iNWFlZA==

I've been doing that for years.

You know the rules. No pics, didn't happen.

[Hppants]

Bump-a-dumpsie!

All set for this year's adventure (New England).



I made a few improvements to the rig (I welcome any comments from those that are more experienced):

1. This year, since we are going much farther (1900 miles each way), to save fuel, wear/tear, and tolls, we are only taking one vehicle. I bought this truck ladder rack to mount our kayaks on (Amazon). It's rock solid and utilizes a "j-hook" system that avoids having to drill any holes in my bed



2. I bought front axle mounts for our bicycles and put those on the trailer:



3. For the FJR, I built this rear-wheel chock for some redundancy just in case one of the straps fails.



4. Also for the FJR, I'm using 2 soft ties on each side of the triple clamp, again for redundancy.



5. I abandoned those wooden "outriggers" I made for the strap eyes. My thinking was that by going outward, I could make the angle for the straps shallower, but it didn't work right. The strap was rubbing on the bottom of the rail and I have the through bolts loosen on me twice. So this year, I just put the eyes directly on the trailer (with a lock washer)



Best I can figure, I'm towing about 2800 pounds (including trailer), the bed has a payload of about 500 pounds, and another 500 inside the truck (peeps and luggage). So - under 4000 pounds rolling with a full tank of fuel. The trailer tongue is dead nuts level and I still have plenty of rear suspension travel.



Tomorrow we leave for 3 1/2 months - can't wait!

Stay thirsty, my friends....

[danh600]

Looks good.

Since you asked for advice.

I would probably wrap those FJR side cases in bubble wrap or an old blanket. Never know how hard stuff is going to get moved around.

Probably not needed, but I always put a zip tie around the metal hook on the end of the strap and the eye bolt. My reasoning is the zip tie will hold the hook in place. It will stay attached to the eye even if the strap loosens up on you.

[Hppants]

Oh - that's good ideas, Dan. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

[D-Eagle]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JH ... =UTF8&th=1

I bought these so I don't ever have to worry about the S hook coming off. I know there are a ton of strap options out there but these are the best I've found. Note: Designed in USA, not made in USA. Agree about putting a blanket or bubble wrap around the hard cases.

Your set up looks awesome.

[Dan Cooper]

Another method for assuring the hooks don't come out of the anchor eye, in your case, is stretch a bungie cord from the soft tie loop ends to the eye end of the hooks, not the anchor eye.
Obviously, the bungie cord won't secure the scooter if the tie down strap breaks, but it will keep the hooks from coming out of the anchor if there is slack in the tie down strap such as if there is suspension compression when hitting a bump.

But, it's not likely your hooks will come out of the anchor eye with the direction you have the hooks through the anchor eye.


dan


Nature always sides with the hidden flaw. -- Murphy.

[El Toro Joe]

Looks like you're movin to Beverly...Hills that is.

[0face]

Since you asked for advice.

I would probably wrap those FJR side cases in bubble wrap or an old blanket. Never know how hard stuff is going to get moved around.

Just looking at those side cases made me anxious you'd arrive with them all scratched. Otherwise, looks like you've done this before...LOL!

What time should Wheatie and I show up? We got matching thongs for Summerfest '24!

[Hppants]

It does have a Jed Clampett "je ne sais quoi", no?

We arrive evening 7/15. The kids come 7/20 and leave 7/26. We don't leave until 10/15. Hoping for some moto-friend company along the way.

[Hppants]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JH ... =UTF8&th=1

I bought these so I don't ever have to worry about the S hook coming off. I know there are a ton of strap options out there but these are the best I've found. Note: Designed in USA, not made in USA. Agree about putting a blanket or bubble wrap around the hard cases.

Your set up looks awesome.

Those straps are neat with the spring loaded clip. I wish I would have thought of that when I bought mine.

[Cav47]

Safe Travels.

Cases need padding.
Fold your FJR and DR mirrors in.
DId you remember to lower the FJR ride height setting?
Zip tie or otherwise secure the strap tails, maybe I can see some that will flap incessently the next 1900 miles. Check the DR bag straps, if they vibrate enough, they can wear through the FJR paint if close enough.

Maybe I don't understand what you mean by towing 4K lbs, but my count would be
600FJR
500 DR
100 Bikes
600 Trailer

Possibly including all the bed cargo and kayak plus the rack???

How do you have the gate/ramp secured in the up position? Hitch pin with cotter? Possible to add security to that? Maybe not needed, but I have had a gate or two drop while rolling down the road. That is a wind sail back there. It will unload the tongue as you speed up.

[wheatonFJR]

...What time should Wheatie and I show up? We got matching thongs for Summerfest '24!

Man, you are looking old with that wig.