I'm looking to buy a 2015 8.5x20 VRV and plan to haul my Yamaha Royal Star Venture touring bike in it. The bike is 9' long. The VRV has 6 D-Rings in the floor but the set closest to the front is 9' from the rear ramp/door.
Before I throw down the money for it, I want to be sure I can secure the bike in it.
The dealer tells me there are lots of ways to do it, but won't actually give me any.
One suggestion they gave me was to get a bigger trailer...which I don't think I need to do.
I'm thinking there have to be other people out there that haul their full size Harleys or Goldwings in a VRV like this. If so, I'd sure like to know what wheel chock you use and how you strap the bike down.
[font size="3"]First let me establish my total non-qualification to talk on this subject: I don't have a cycle and don't have a toy hauler.
Second I think if your dealer says there are ways, but won't offer any, you should be in the dealer upgrade market.
Third the aluminum frame construction and exposed aluminum plank floor make it extremely easy to add tie down hardware. The layout of the 8.5x20 looks ideal for a 9 foot bike. Surface mounting D rings could easily be added on the floor anywhere up toward the kitchen. Removable wheel chocks could be added to prevent fore-aft movement.
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Welcome to the group & good luck on your Toy Hauler purchase!
I haul motorcycles from 270 to 500lbs on a trailer, but don't own a toy hauler.
Found this on photobucket.
If I hauled in a toy hauler would buy a front wheel chock for the front wheel and secure the triple tree on the front with straps positioned like this guy has them. Would pull away from the rear of the bike with the rear straps opposite direction from how he has them. Would attempt to secure the front wheel chock with the existing floor D rings on the floor if possible.
[a href="http://media.photobucket.com/user/themobb11/media/Two_Bikes_in_Trailer.jpg.html"]
(http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr359/themobb11/Two_Bikes_in_Trailer.jpg)
(http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2011/DSCN4096.jpg)
(http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2011/DSCN4103.jpg)
Give this set up a look, a buddy put one in his toy hauler and it works pretty slick.
http://www.turnoverball.com/products/motorcycle/biker-bar
[quote source="/post/5538/thread" timestamp="1418613129" author="@justchuck"]Give this set up a look, a buddy put one in his toy hauler and it works pretty slick.
http://www.turnoverball.com/products/motorcycle/biker-bar[/quote]That's a good idea.
I have a 22 ft toy hauler.......my VTX 1300 is very comfortable in there.....waiting for me to go on a trip soon......there's plenty of room for two full size bikes......I actually have my bike so I can lower the queen bed in the back! you will have no issues putting one or two bikes in there!
Look up the baxley chock. I mounted one in my open trailer and it works incredibly. They even have hardware to make it a quick disconnect setup
On a related note, assuming you always have help with bike loading, how necessary is the wheel chock (or similar) for safe transport? Are 4 tie-down points sufficient, or is something else needed to ensure there's no "to the side" creep of the tires that might lead to falling over?
I have strapped them down at 4 points and travelled many miles without an issue but they are definitely more secure in a good chock. Plus, with a chock like the baxley you dont have to crank down on the straps, which isnt great on the suspension if left that way for an extended amount of time. Plus, it is nice to be able to roll into the chock and leave the bike standing there while you add the 2 rear straps.
I have done two trips with my full size mc in place.......with the six tie down spots, it's very easy to secure the bike without a chock......I place two 2x6's under the frame of the bike...that does two things....prevents me from tieing the front so tight that I mess with the fork seals, and helps to secure the bike safely......every time I stop I check the bike and have never readjusted once I get underway!
FYI...I had a Lock N Load chock installed by dealer & it works great! A strap runs over the front tire, but for added comfort I still tie down with 4 additional straps...everything stayed in place while travelling & was easy to load/unload.
I use this rack system:
http://boltiton.com/
Works great, takes less than 5 minutes to install or remove, leaves nothing behind when removed, and gives you middle tie down points (very important for hauling two bikes).
I have the economy version and added a third wheel chock. The third one is staggered, so I can actually use it instead of one of the other ones, so I can have the bikes closer together and leave room to walk around them on one side. This is nice for long road trips so you can spend a night in the trailer without having to unload the bikes.