Open Trailer

[BrianFLHRI]

I am heading from Toronto, Canada to Florida in 2 weeks (December 26) and will be trailering my 2005 Road King on an open trailer without fenders. I will probably experience snow, ice and salt during this trip down and back. I am wondering what tips may be out there to ensure that the bike is protected at least as well as when I ride the bike during the spring, summer, and fall.

Thanks for any and all input, Brian 

[dunbarton]

I've made this trip quite a number of times. It all depends on weather. If it's clear and no snow, you are golden, but you can't count on that.
If you can protect the bikes from salt, sand and road spray coming from your tow vehicle and up off the road, that will help. Even a piece of 3/4" plywood secured well across the front of the trailer in front of the bikes 2-3' high will help. Tarpping your bikes may seem like a good idea but eventually tarps loosen and can easily chafe against paint and damage your paint, windshields and maybe chrome work too. I prefer to leave them open. Make sure the bike is well secured with proper tie-down straps. It's a good idea to load your bikes a day or so before hand and go for a short test run to ensure they are not going to shift. If you have encountered winter and salty conditions, give the bikes a thorough wash when you reach your destination to remove any salt.
I presume you will be spending a few nights hotelling it en-route. Since your bike will be exposed, this presents a security risk that can be addressed separately. Friends lost 4 bikes and the open trailer they were on last summer south of Montreal when they stopped overnight at a seemingly safe motel... NOT. Do not rely on or trust motel/hotel staff to watch  your bike..
Good luck!

[dunbarton]

a

[Panzer]

Make sure they're secure at all motels/hotels.
Ask the security people at those places to keep an eye on the vehicles.
Ask where you can park to be safe.

[76shuvlinoff]

We did Michigan to Myrtle with 3 bikes on an open snowmobile trailer.  The bike belonging to the guy that didn't show up to help load went crossways in the front.

[PoorUB]

Personally I would not haul my motorcycle on an open trailer in the winter. Too much salt on the roads and that road salt gets into everything. Buy, rent or steal an enclosed trailer.

I had a guy give me a 500 Honda that was hauled on an open trailer. He washed the bike when he got to the destination, but he did but wash it well enough. He parked it in a garage and did not look at it until spring. By then the damage was done. The chrome wheels were fine, but the frame had rust spots, and the exposed aluminum was all pitted. He was so pissed about it he asked me if I wanted the bike and I accepted. I spent my spare time the next summer and winter tearing the bike down and polishing and painting. I got the bike looking pretty good again but I am not sure it was worth the trouble!

[soggybottom]

you could get a roll of that clear plastic they wrap loose boxes to be shipped on pallets and cocoon the bike in it. when reaching your destination simply cut it out of it's cocoon with a utility knife.

[Bakon]

Put the straps on the frame and use twice as many as you think you need. One loosens up it won't matter. Check them every gas stop. Don't cover. Wash when you get there. Use good locks and big chain at night. Lock trailer to truck. Lock truck
Ride down next time earlier or get a closed trailer and don't put harley stickers all over it.

[BrianFLHRI]

Thanks all! 

I think I am going to wrap it wih clear plastic as Soggybottom suggested and see how it goes ... Bakon: I loaded the bike today and was questioning the single straps, will now double strap. 

Brian

[truck]

Don't think for a minute locks will prevent the theft of a trailer with your bike on it even if it is wrapped in stretch wrap like mine was.
Parked under a parking lot light facing down slope, rear of the trailer backed up against some bushes, right side wheels against a curb, 900# trailer with a Heritage Classic on it. Gone before 10:00 PM with no damage to my truck.

[dunbarton]

Brian, is your plan to spend time in Fla or just do some riding there?

[PoorUB]

Don't think for a minute locks will prevent the theft of a trailer with your bike on it even if it is wrapped in stretch wrap like mine was.
Parked under a parking lot light facing down slope, rear of the trailer backed up against some bushes, right side wheels against a curb, 900# trailer with a Heritage Classic on it. Gone before 10:00 PM with no damage to my truck.

Just consider yourself lucky the truck was still there!

[dakota224]

Luck, maybe it was time for a New truck also   

[truck]

Don't think for a minute locks will prevent the theft of a trailer with your bike on it even if it is wrapped in stretch wrap like mine was.
Parked under a parking lot light facing down slope, rear of the trailer backed up against some bushes, right side wheels against a curb, 900# trailer with a Heritage Classic on it. Gone before 10:00 PM with no damage to my truck.

Just consider yourself lucky the truck was still there!

I'll say. It would have been a cold 600 mile walk home.

[BrianFLHRI]

Dunbarton: I am spending 3 weeks in the Fort Meyers area with wife and kids ... taking the bike for solo morning getaways, afternoon rides with the kids, a bike night or 2, and a 2 night get-away to Key West with the wifie when the inlaws visit at the end of the trip ...

Brian

[preacher son]

Brian, i have never wrapped a bike for hauling but if i do i believe i would use some old tee shirts or such between the plastic and anything (paint, chrome) you did not want a rub mark on. 

                                                          Preacher Son

[dunbarton]

Dunbarton: I am spending 3 weeks in the Fort Meyers area with wife and kids ... taking the bike for solo morning getaways, afternoon rides with the kids, a bike night or 2, and a 2 night get-away to Key West with the wifie when the inlaws visit at the end of the trip ...

Brian

Been there, done that..  from Fort Meyers Beach... LOL
We used to ride around all through the south for 3-4 weeks and then head for Mardi Gras at NO in Feb.
Nice riding on the Keys but I much prefer the riding in Alabama to Fla.
Watch out for those unusually tall 'girls'.
I'm in Pickering.

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[Rags722]

All good advise.  Just remember, that straps they sell in the $5.00 rack at the check out counter are not tie down straps no matter what it says on the packaging.  Be sure you invest in the best straps you can afford.  The economy straps are fine for snatching down the lid on the BBQ or Hot Tub provided you replace them every year or so.  They are junk if you are thinking about using them on a bike.  Just sayin'

[harleyjt]

Another thought along the line of wrapping in plastic.  You might see if a local boat store has the ability to "shrink wrap" it for you like they do when they store boats in dry dock for the winter.   You'd stand a lot less chance of the paint getting scuffed up.  Like preacher says, I'd try to get some old t-shirts on the painted surfaces.  If you go the shrink wrap route, you'll probably want to remove the windshield.  Call ahead and see if you can get a shrink wrap job at your destination for your return trip as well.
jt

[Bakon]

The mudflap idea is good but I wouldn't wrap it. It's made to ride. Just wash it when you get there. I opened trailered from Pittsburgh to Daytona several times in the winter.

[Flhfxd]

You know that snow/salt you drive through in winter? When the wiper fluid is used all the time? Well that road water gets everywhere and I doubt you could ever get it all off. Next thing you'll notice rust on bolt heads and all the unprotected nooks and crannies. I would definately shrink wrap it some how. Tarp won't work. Scratches and water penetration will result. Enclosed trailer is best.
Cheers, Flhfxd.

[kd]

Salt + water = electrolyte ... add dissimilar metals (aluminum and steel) = battery and corrosion (oxidation) = rust and surface aluminum  damage (if not clearcoat sealed or has fine scratches). If the temp is right it is happening behind the scenes as you travel and doesn't show up until later whether you wash it or not,   

[dunbarton]

I was noodling around and found this http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409928. Check post #7... wrt a product called Saltaway. http://www.saltawayproducts.com/Purchase.htm. I know nothing about this product beyond what I've read here.
If you are interested in this product you could contact them to discuss. They likely have a reseller in the Tampa/Fort Meyers area where you could purchase it. There are likely lots of different anti-corrosion products available in Florida because of the ever-present salty air. Some of the Fla -based HTT members may pipe up with recommendations on this.

One year we encountered wet drizzly conditions on a salted road through Pa en-route south with bikes on an open trailer. We arrived at our destination much later that day and first job was to thoroughly wash the bikes at a local car wash so the salt was on them for max 24 hours.   We bought some anti-corrosion clear oily spray at a HD dealer and applied that to all metal surfaces for the return trip some weeks later. The same areas and sections of road were wet. The only casualty was buddies Heritage leather saddlebags which really took a beating. I don't know if the anti-corrosive spray or thorough washing saved the bikes from any corrosion but they came out ok.

[Flhfxd]

That's another consideration too. Anything leather, untreated can be badly affected by a good soaking with salty water.  Bags, seat, etc.
Cheers, Flhfxd

[PoorUB]

I was noodling around and found this http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409928. Check post #7... wrt a product called Saltaway. http://www.saltawayproducts.com/Purchase.htm. I know nothing about this product beyond what I've read here.

I have completely coated motorcycles with LPS 3 when I neded to store them in less than pristine conditions. Spray every part I could get to. In the spring the bike looks like hell, all goey and covered with dust. $5 at the car wash and all is good again. It probably would be a good idea if dragging the biks through bad weather. Plus with the bikes all covered in goo and looking like hell nobody will steal 'em!