Towing motorcycle

I’m headed to bike week in may and trying to see the best way to get my softail down there. Is 12-14 hours down. Reason I ask is cause last time I towed a gsxr and a small trailer was a 6 hour trip and truck stayed around 4k or higher the whole time. Probs 1k lbs. and Screaming. I don’t want to drive twice that far with it giving me 10-12mpg also. Anyone load into the bed and not have issues with the tailgate. Kind of a catch 22. But seeing what you guys have done in regards to long distance towing with a taco. It’s a 2018 off-road with crew cab, 5 foot bed and 3 inch lift. Used ECT all last time too. Thanks

 

If hauling in your bed use a 3/4” plywood so it covers your bed and tailgate. That way the tailgate won’t carry the whole load.

 

I've hauled my Yamaha Super Tenere in my Tacoma many times.
Bike weighs about 550 lbs.
I always remove the side cases to make it easier to manage.
You need a ramp and tie downs rated for the proper weight. Also at least a 6' long ramp.
Using an incline also helps reduce the angle of the ramp.
Don't try to ride it up the ramp. Put it in gear and walk it up using the clutch.

 

I've hauled various bikes in the back. I have the six foot bed. The heaviest, and largest, was my BMW R1200 GS.

I use a front wheel chuck similar to this one:

Baxley LA Trailer Motorcycle Wheel Chock

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004J6QKEQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_KP2C046BCX42PM2R5MPH

Between the weight of the chuck, and the fact that it's sitting on the bed mat, the front wheel isn't going anywhere. The rest of the bike is strapped down has you normally would when hauling a bike. This setup has been rock solid for me.

 

I tried loading an intruder 1400 in the back of mine one time and the back wheel was pushing the tailgate in pretty bad. Probably could have made it work with some more support under the back wheel, but ended up just renting a trailer to be safe.

 

Suggest a single rail motorcycle trailer.

Like:
Ace Single motorcycle trailer
Kendon has a single rail folding.
These are just 2, many others exist.

These are lightweight trailers specifically built to carry a motorcycle. Loading one of these would be much easier than loading into the bed. Tie down would be easier too.

 

No suggestions, other than load it in an enclosed trailer. I, personally, wouldn't carry a road bike (Harley) in the bed, no matter how many straps held it.
In these Toyotas?
Hard No Way.

 

A uhaul motorcycle trailer.. the fact you’re asking this question means you
Don’t have a lot of experience towing one. It will be the easier solution or just ride it there since it’s not that far

 

Ride the bike, that's the whole point of bike week.

 

12-14 hours in a motorcycle saddle is hard on the a55.

Unless you have a developed, experienced saddle butt.

 

Not if you take ibuprofen and a lot of breaks. I do 100 mile jaunts and then get a snack or throw in some gas. Also dependent on your seat and suspension. Both my Harley and bmw were good

 

I’d ride it except my bulldog and girlfriend is coming with. I’ve used multiple trailer types. Just never with my Harley or for that distance. Probs do a uhaul trailer. Have before. Was looking in the bed since the taco kinda revs like poop with any weight behind it. But the bed/gate flexes a good amount. Really just trying to avoid the motor screaming the whole time.

 

It isn't known as "trailer week" for nothing........

 

The $$ you're going to cough up for a U-Haul trailer could be used for a single rail motorcycle trailer.

You'd have your own trailer.

These are small trailers, probably less than 300 lbs, then add the bike.

Shoot, you could add a sidecar for the GF and Bulldog, then all could share the joy of the 12-14 hour ride. Bugs, rain, wind, sun, dirt, debris, noise, helmets, riding gear...........

 

I do track days, and put my bike in the bed all the time, but I installed D-rings in the front of the bed, because the ones that in our beds are not strong enough.

 

I did the same but my gsxr was about 200lbs lighter and probs a foot shorter. And was a lot closer of a drive lol. The uhaul is like 150$ for the time I need it. Buying one just too expensive. I’d like to try to use one of their enclosed 5x8 but their tie downs are suspect

 

A couple of things.....
1. What size tires on the truck? Can you go back to stock for the trip? These trucks are WAY over-geared and any jump in tire size just makes it worse.
2. Having towed motorcycles all over the western states make sure the trailer has 14" wheels minimum. Those little snowmobile trailer tires don't roll very good.
3. I hate to say it, but, slow down. Wind resistance increases by the square of your speed. This, combined with the weight of the trailer = 4th gear, high revs and shit for fuel economy. It's already a long trip, a couple more hrs won't hurt.
4. In the past I've rented the smallest u-haul truck avail with a ramp to haul big bikes. No wear and tear on my stuff and my junk was secure in the back.

YMMV RON

 

Sportbike, no problem. I haul them on the regular in a short bed. Cruiser, no way. Three huge issues: bed height, wheelbase and payload.

I have 2x 9 foot ramps and it’s still a little sketchy getting a 400 lb bike into the bed, especially after riding all day. I can’t imagine almost doubling up on the weight and mass AND increasing the load height.

Your Softail is probably 700lb+. Payload on our trucks is in the 1000lb range depending on trim (check your door sticker) minus the weight of any aftermarket parts. You’re probably going to exceed the payload once you add people, gear, etc.

Finally, the wheelbase on your Harley might put the wheel on the edge of tailgate or even past it.

I’d say trailer as well despite the fuel cost.

 

The fact that you have a bulldog is reason enough. It’s the only type of dog I have.

 

+1, these are a great motorcycle specific trailer. I rented one to go retrieve an estate sale Honda Valkyrie. They tow well, are easy to load/unload and have good tie downs.

Plus you don’t have a once-a-year trailer taking up garage space when back from trip.