Loading a bike onto a trailer

[prettybillie]

Hi All

What is the easiest way to load a bike onto the trailer. I don't always have people around me when I need to and really struggle to get the bike up the ramp alone - well I can't do it.

Has anyone got any worth while tips to help me?

Cheers

[munterk6]

stand on the footpath outside the house and do the "damsel in distress" number....oh and hitch up the skirt as well!
Works everytime LOL! :jerry:

no seriously tho, put some pieces of board on the trailer on each side of the channel the wheels sit in, and ride the bike up the loading ramp. Then put ya feet down on the boards and dismount the bike and grab the tie-downs you have already placed in a convenient spot.
The rest is a piece of weeze. Good luck.
ps- I love the bashed in muffler on the TL-R in your profile pic LOL!!!

[MotoGirl]

Hi All

What is the easiest way to load a bike onto the trailer. I don't always have people around me when I need to and really struggle to get the bike up the ramp alone - well I can't do it.

Has anyone got any worth while tips to help me?

Cheers

Back the trailer up to a bank that's the same/similar height to your trailer. Then all you have to do is push your bike forward and over the ramp instead of up it.

I suspect this might be something we have to do if the RSVR bottoms out going up the ramp into the float.

[McDuck]

Never had a problem myself, maby a remote opperated winch with you just ballancing it?

[McDuck]

Not cheep but maby this? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Parts-accessories/Winches/auction-210398237.htm
You would not need to drop many bikes to pay for it

[jrandom]

I don't always have people around me when I need to and really struggle to get the bike up the ramp alone - well I can't do it.

Are you trying to push it up?

Start the bike, pull the clutch in, put it in first and then use its own power to ooze it up the ramp.

If you want to be super-organised and minimise the possibility of expensive embarrassment, a box or something to help you step up onto the trailer with the bike would work well with that plan.

[McDuck]

Are you trying to push it up?

Start the bike, pull the clutch in, put it in first and then use its own power to ooze it up the ramp.

If you want to be super-organised and minimise the possibility of expensive embarrassment, a box or something to help you step up onto the trailer with the bike would work well with that plan.

Just DONT SLIP....

[paturoa]

The brave way is to ride it on, but many have come to grief doing this. Find a steep drive or bank to back the trailer up to so the ramp is near flat.

[JovoMan]

Are you trying to push it up?

Start the bike, pull the clutch in, put it in first and then use its own power to ooze it up the ramp.

If you want to be super-organised and minimise the possibility of expensive embarrassment, a box or something to help you step up onto the trailer with the bike would work well with that plan.

What he said but I use two ramps. One for the bike, one for me walking alongside it while I'm gently easing it up the ramp in 1st Gear. Be careful though, one time I got half way up, needed more power, revved too much and spun the ramp out from under the back wheel. Bike was hanging out back of van.

It becomes easy after a few goes. :whistle:

[sinfull]

Back the trailer up to a bank that's the same/similar height to your trailer. Then all you have to do is push your bike forward and over the ramp instead of up it.

I suspect this might be something we have to do if the RSVR bottoms out going up the ramp into the float.

Be ok if she could back the trailer !

If its a flat trailer go with the board beside the ramp to walk up or run if ya need to and once its up put the side stand down and tie the stand side first !
If its a bike trailer and your own not a borrowed trailer, it would be a good idea to get something made up, ie: a board to walk up beside and a platform for the stand to sit on !
Using the bike to drive up is a good idea but if it goes wrong it goes real wrong ! The longer the ramp the easier it is to push up !

[prettybillie]

stand on the footpath outside the house and do the "damsel in distress" number....oh and hitch up the skirt as well!
Works everytime LOL! :jerry:
ps- I love the bashed in muffler on the TL-R in your profile pic LOL!!!

I would try this but I totally live in the hood and they would probably think I am one of the local fafafines hahaha

It wasn't me that bashed it either - honest ha ha :innocent:

[FROSTY]

All BS aside. Decent plank and just take it up the ramp under its own power. Run the front tyre against the front. Once on the trailer kick the sidestand down.
Hook up the offside tiedown and pull down just enough to put pressure on the strap. Then hook up the stand side tiedown . Kick the stand up and crank the tiedown down a few turns. Go over to the offside and crank it right down. Then back to the stand side and crank it down.
--Its actually quicker to DO it than it is to type it out .

[Trudes]

I would suggest NOT to ride the bike up the ramp... I have heard some real horror stories about ramps breaking under weight of bike and rider and bike and rider both ending up on the ground, not good. I'd go for the uneven ground idea or the bike in first gear and slowly ease the bike up the ramp using the clutch to control the speed and load. Good luck. :) OR the damsel in distress.

[pecks]

well i belive that the best way is what frosty said as this is the way that i have always used an belive that you can have much more control of the bike but most of all take your time an make sure you feel safe doing this on your own cause once you get to the track there will be lots of guys willing to help a lady in need with what ever she wants :)

[pecks]

an yea who ever thinks that your bike is a tl should go back to riding a hog DUMASS

[R6_kid]

I would suggest NOT to ride the bike up the ramp... I have heard some real horror stories about ramps breaking under weight of bike and rider and bike and rider both ending up on the ground, not good.

People with brains tend to check that said plank is strong enough before subjecting it to 200kg+ worth of valuable engineered metal and plastic.

[Trudes]

People with brains tend to check that said plank is strong enough before subjecting it to 200kg+ worth of valuable engineered metal and plastic.

You would think eh.:blink:

[MarkH]

What is the easiest way to load a bike onto the trailer. I don't always have people around me when I need to and really struggle to get the bike up the ramp alone - well I can't do it.

Has anyone got any worth while tips to help me?

Pffft, the solution is as easy as!

Just put a message out on KB saying you need a hand and will trade sexual favour - in no time flat you will have so many helpers you will be beating them off with both hands!

[prettybillie]

well i belive that the best way is what frosty said as this is the way that i have always used an belive that you can have much more control of the bike but most of all take your time an make sure you feel safe doing this on your own cause once you get to the track there will be lots of guys willing to help a lady in need with what ever she wants :)

Ahhhh that sounds an offer of your help and Manfield on the 19th. See you there :msn-wink:

[prettybillie]

Pffft, the solution is as easy as!

Just put a message out on KB saying you need a hand and will trade sexual favour - in no time flat you will have so many helpers you will be beating them off with both hands!

And I might get a bit as well - great idea ha :2thumbsup

[CookMySock]

Start the bike, pull the clutch in, put it in first and then use its own power to ooze it up the ramp.Yeah you wanna be real careful doing that.

PB, I think you are biting off more than you can chew here. Maybe your boots really ARE this big, and kudos if they are, but I wouldn't try that without some assistance.

Steve

[Mikkel]

Double check that the trailing hitch is securely fastened to the towing vehicle before you try to move anything onto or off the trailer.

DAMHIK :(

[McDuck]

PB, I think you are biting off more than you can chew here. Maybe your boots really ARE this big, and kudos if they are, but I wouldn't try that without some assistance.

Steve

If this was a skinny lightly built guy asking would you still say this?

There is no reason why she shouldn't be able to do this solo safly, but have a helper there while you get it right (i did the first few times).

[BMWST?]

and it will be worthwhile to figure out a system to ensure the ramp
a) has and angle cut on the end to minimize the "bump up"
b) has a system(to hook on the trailer) to ensure it DOESNT get spat out by the rear wheel

[Trudes]

If this was a skinny lightly built guy asking would you still say this?

There is no reason why she shouldn't be able to do this solo safly, but have a helper there while you get it right (i did the first few times).

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(had to make up the 10chr)

[CookMySock]

If this was a skinny lightly built guy asking would you still say this?

There is no reason why she shouldn't be able to do this solo safly, but have a helper there while you get it right (i did the first few times).Fucked if I know. I have no idea if anyone is skinny or otherwise - how would I? In fact, I have re-read your question a few times and I have no idea what you are asking or getting at.

Re-phrasing, just for you - "Riding the bike up the plank onto the trailer is a brave thing to do." I have never done it, and I wouldn't recommend it to ANY person who asked if they should try it without a helper.

HTH
Steve

[McDuck]

Fucked if I know. I have no idea if anyone is skinny or otherwise - how would I? In fact, I have re-read your question a few times and I have no idea what you are asking or getting at.

Re-phrasing, just for you - "Riding the bike up the plank onto the trailer is a brave thing to do." I have never done it, and I wouldn't recommend it to ANY person who asked if they should try it without a helper.

HTH
Steve

You referred to poster 1and said it was out of their league, i then asked if poster 1 was the opposite gender would you still say that.

Clear?

[Mully]

in no time flat you will have so many helpers you will be beating them off with both hands!

Both hands?? That's pretty inpressive.

She might get the bike on the trailer, but have no energy to grip the throttle when she gets there.

[CookMySock]

You referred to poster 1and said it was out of their league, i then asked if poster 1 was the opposite gender would you still say that.Clear?Crystal. Whats fucking gender got to do with anything?

Steve

[Winston001]

Put bikes on trailers many times, did it yesterday with my BMW. I always ride up but if you aren't confident then walking it slipping the clutch works - you really need a second ramp to walk up in that case. That's the answer for you.

I use a 2.1m length of 150x50 plank which just fits inside the trailer deck for transport afterwards. The ends are bevelled - cut at angles to reduce the bump going on and off. At one end I bolted an old steel strap which has been bent to catch onto the trailer door when it is hanging down. That way the ramp can't slip off.

Got two of these for the lawntractor but only need one for bikes.

You can buy beautiful aluminium ramps but my system works for me. They tend to be a bit short too ie. 1.8m so the climb is steeper and harder.

[cave weta]

And I might get a bit as well - great idea ha :2thumbsup

I spend all week putting bikes on and off trailers by myself

what the others say is mostly all good but heres a couple of extra tips.

attach your tiedowns to the bike then shorten them up and hook the bottom ends to the bike as well. - that way they are ready to go when you get the bike on the trailer without having to stretch and grovel for them.

Buy an aluminium ramp or use a wooden one at least metres long- WITH SIDES! nail sides on if you have to- a 200kg bike hanging off the side of a plank is no fun at all!

[madbikeboy]

You can do it single handed easily enough - the advice has been good. What I'd also suggest is getting used to moving your bike around before hand. Walk the bike like you would a push bike, gives you time to work out how to find the balance point, and how heavy it is etc.

It's just practice and confidence. A GSXR600 weighs nothing.

[Winston001]

Buy an aluminium ramp or use a wooden one at least metres long- WITH SIDES! nail sides on if you have to- a 200kg bike hanging off the side of a plank is no fun at all!

Yes thats a good point. The sides only need to be a lip say 25mm high, just enough to guide the tyre back from the edge. A strip of 2 x 1 (50 x 25) would do it, or even less - could cut a strip of particle board except it doesn't like getting wet.

The only downside is the ramp is now getting heavier and bigger. I'd suggest decent width and only have small lips. Heck, even a length of plastic 20mm pipe nailed along the top of each edge would be enough.

[McDuck]

The benefet of adding sides (if done proper like) is they also add a lot of strength to the beam.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I am not very big, nor very strong. What works for me is that I give myself about 20 feet of runup, and push the thing as fast as I can so that its momentum carries it up the ramp. I have to be a bit nimble getting up into the trailer as well.

I also bought a decent aluminium ramp, and a ventura front wheel stand so I can run the thing into the stand then let go of it to tie it down. being a trackbike it has no stand.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I spend all week putting bikes on and off trailers by myself

what the others say is mostly all good but heres a couple of extra tips.

attach your tiedowns to the bike then shorten them up and hook the bottom ends to the bike as well. - that way they are ready to go when you get the bike on the trailer without having to stretch and grovel for them.

Buy an aluminium ramp or use a wooden one at least metres long- WITH SIDES! nail sides on if you have to- a 200kg bike hanging off the side of a plank is no fun at all!

amen brutha.

[cave weta]

my old woody was a good ramp- it was a 2metre strip of 12mm ply and the edging caps of wooden trellis was screwed down the edges and 25x50 cleats screwed accross for traction

But my folding alloy ramp bought on a $1.00 reserve TM auction just rocks!!:woohoo::woohoo:
The seller was pacific hardware - look em up.
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I still use the woody as a spare or when Im loading homochariots (sportsquads)

[FROSTY]

Billi --um ya just gonna hafta trust somebodys word here.
Ive been doin the power/push the bike thing for nigh on 25 years and never had a problem--and Me be a skinny lil white bloke.

[vgcspares]

We had an eighty year old turn up to haul away a Goldwing he'd bought as a wreck - the backing up to a bank the same height as the trailor thing worked just dandy ... not sure if he used the same MO at the other end though

oh and of course we helped but those suckers weigh 700-odd pounds so there was no way of pushing it up a plank

[Patch]

Billi --um ya just gonna hafta trust somebodys word here.
Ive been doin the power/push the bike thing for nigh on 25 years and never had a problem--and Me be a skinny lil white bloke.
exactly - easiest way is to be shown the technique and work out what best suits you and what you have.


I've always ridden my bikes onto the trailers - bugger walking, that requires work.


It ain't as hard as some of these muppets make out.

[mdnzz]

ride up coast down, as taught by the YMCA when I was 10 years old, never fell off, but never doubted that it couldn't be done either.

O and yup I am a skinny white fella too:lol: an that don't mean nothing