Trailer size - tie down method for 1600 Nomad

[divenakedd]

I have an '06 1600 Nomad and I'm looking for a trailer to haul it. I found a 5' x 8' open trailer with fold up rear ramp. The front rail is actually angled toward to tongue of the trailer so the actually size is 8' 4". Should give me just enough room (nomad is 8' 2.5") to lift the rear ramp without any problems. What's the best way to secure the bike? Tie downs on the front forks? Handle Bars? Engine Guard? What about tie-downs for the rear of the bike? do they make holders for the wheels that would secure the whole bike?

Also, My father has 06' Goldwing and an 06' 1600 Nomad. We are wondering about the rigt size enclosed trailer to haul the Gold Wing and the Nomad (which would seemingly then be plenty big enough to haul both Nomads). Another option is being able to bring along my sister's 650 Honda shadow or my mom's Boulevard C50T. (but not both )

Could a 5' x 12' enclosed trailer carry a Goldwing and Nomad? (offset?) How big a trailer would be needed to carry all two nomads and the shadow?

I have read (here on the board) that a Nomad needs about 3' of deck width, but would that carry over if the bike's were staggered? If not, then is a 6' x 10' big enough for two nomads AND a nomad plus goldwing?

If I knew someone with a trailer, we would just go load them up and see what happens, but we don't have that option. So I'm hoping some of you may have some multi bike trailer experience.

Thanks for any help!

Chad

[BGRNYRZ]

park them all together as tight as you can than draw a sqare around them. That will be the trailer size you need, and double the weight for the axle size.

[divenakedd]

that's a great idea. What about leaving room to tie them down? My biggest concern would be securing them on the inside (between the two bikes)?

[BGRNYRZ]

Get the biggest trailer you can. You want to be able to ride your bike on. I use a Condor wheel chock, it will hold the bike while you lash it down. Nothing is more of a pain than squeezing around a too small trailer trying to tie things. Check out Carson trailers they got allot of box trailers that will work fine.

[divenakedd]

Sold! Thanks, the condor wheel chock is just what I had in mind. I still can't make out his tiedown points .. almost looks like he was using the muffler? but can't be that. I'm sure I'll find more info from Condor on that.

Again! Thanks .. Condor it is

[skewterdewd]

for tying down the front check out these.
(shows a sportbike, but it will fit the Nad too)

Home

for the back end you'll need some soft straps around the frame, (near the rear shock) and then use ratchet ties from there to the tie point on the trailer.
You might need to drop the side covers to prevent damage.

[craig atkins]

You really do need a bit or room in front of and beside the bike to do a proper tie down. I have a 7'-6" X16 and still have to off set them, You might want to take off the nomad hard bags if you get much narrower than 7'. good luck

[Square Dude]

Chad,
Most ratchet straps lack safety latches at the hooks. There are some that do but most use the commonly available types with open hooks. I don't like to pull my front forks down very tight with the straps though. Just take a couple of cloth type bungee cords (not black rubber) and connect them (two to a tie-down) from hook to hook across the ratchet. As the forks compress with bumps the bungee cords will keep the hooks in place. Otherwise, they will come loose and the bike will fall.

Always hook the ratchet straps nearest to the center of the handle bars as possible. If you hook them near the grips the bouncing stress will pull the handle bars down. You probably won't notice it untill you turn your handle bar and scrape it across your tank.

Tie your front wheel to the trailer for security. If the bike does fall at least you will still have the front wheel to remember it by.

Tie your back wheel to the trailer to keep the rear of the bike from going air-borne if you hit something or have to stop on a dime.

Leave your transmission in neutral when trailering. In gear, the rocking motion might cause the oil pump to aireate the oil and the engine might sound like a diesel upon starting it. Being in gear won't help anyway if the bike decides to take a hike.

See pics of my rig.

Ray

[Ojisan]

The key to tie down is not to compress your front shocks till they bottom out, about half way compressed as it allows the bike to still absorb the bumps without over stressing the tie down mounts and damaging the shocks. A lot of suspension systems on small trailers are really stiff which means the shock will be transferred to the load.

Ride safe

[fretbuzz]

"I have an '06 1600 Nomad and I'm looking for a trailer to haul it."

Blasphemer!

[Square Dude]

I suggest that compressing the front shocks completely would be a better option than only compressing them halfway (if using open hook tie-downs). Go ahead, pull it down all the way to the bottom and those hooks won't fall off. Of course, it can't be good for the springs in the front forks to compress them completely any more than it would be to let a 1000 lb. gorillia ride your bike for several hours.

The key to not loosing your bike is to pull the front forks down just a little and use ratchet straps with safety clips or bungee cords from hook to hook to keep the hooks from falling off. Bikes fall off trailers for this reason all the time. My first bike came loose once as I went over a bad area. The only thing that kept it on the trailer was that I had tied the front wheel to the wheel chock. Since then I always use the bungee cords from hook to hook.

As far as hauling two nice bikes side-by-side on a trailer with open hook straps - and no provisions for keeping the hooks where they belong - insane!

Ray

[brother]

I use a bike-pro self locking chock. I don't compress my suspension at all. I use 12K straps with forged hook with locks. I strap it on the bottom of the forks above the fender mount and the bottom of the swing arm. I don't like compressing the suspension for hrs while trailering.

[Square Dude]

Brother,
You've got the best situation with that self-locking chock and those straps with locks. If I trailered my bike more often I'd have to get one of those chocks. I trailer mine once or twice a year so I can't really justify the added expense so I use the bungee cord method with open hook tie-downs.

I didn't mean to imply that I was in favor of fully compressing the shocks. I'm not. Just an inch or so wouldn't be any worse than if I were riding it though. I think a little would be better in the absence of that good equipment you have.

Ray

[davidcl]

I strap down the tires and outrig from the handlebars and the grab bar on the rear....(if only one bike) I hook the bikes together and outrig from the exact same spots with two (side by side) and a 5x8 will work but one bike should be backed in if you can do it

[Buzzman]

Square Dude....who makes that trailer you have?. Thanks.

[brother]

I agree that's a nice trailer squaredude has. I only have a 5 x 10 swivel wheel decked with aluminum checker plating. You have to use a try fold ramp to load. I bought it to tow behind my fifthwheel camper because you can back up with it. I use it to tow my bike across the lake when I go to my camper where I keep it.

[divenakedd]

thanks for the link .. i like the handle bar tie downs

[divenakedd]

Ray,

thank you! The pictures really helped and now I understand where to use the tie-downs.

Your trailer also looks pretty sweet, was it designed specifically for a bike?

thanks

[divenakedd]

Originally Posted by fretbuzz

"I have an '06 1600 Nomad and I'm looking for a trailer to haul it."

Blasphemer!

haha I hear you!

It's just that I can't ride as far in one day as I can drive. Sometimes I'm limited on time, so going to give the drive, park and ride approach a try

[Square Dude]

Jeff,
I got it several years ago at a trailer retailer here in Houston. I think the company who builds them is Aluma. Search on that and you will probably find them and who handles in your area. I added the winch and cut the hole for the strap cable in the front. It has come in handy when I've had to get a dead bike on the trailer twice now. It has a very big aluminum ramp that stores under the back. You pull it out and it fits in a slot at the back. Lately I've been using it to haul a riding lawn mower and other stuff. A 4 X 8 sheet of plywood easily fits.

To answer divenakedd's question: yes it is designed as a bike trailer.

Ray