Putting A Bike In A Moving Truck?

[PistnRods]

I'm probably going to be moving back south from Illinois to Georgia sometime during the summer. Initially I was thinking of just selling the bike and getting another, but after checking out the local GA market it's scarce and overpriced. Where here it's plentiful and under priced so I'm gonna take a good hit and have difficulty finding a replacement in my budget. So I want to take it with me...but driving it up the Uhaul ramp and back down has me a little tweaked out. I remember them being slippery and narrow. Once in, then I need to worry about securing it. Then the terrifying back up LOL.

Tips from people who have done this?

 

[Lurch]

If it has tie down points, lash it over the seat (use a cloth to protect it), and also each fork. If you can, also try to lash from somewhere on the rear frame.

 

[chix]

Try and find a hill or ditch where you can make the ramp less angled. Even if you can go to a warehouse area and ride the bike up the ramp to a higher point and back up the Uhaul truck.

 

[dandoolittle]

I move bikes all the time

Get a wheel choke for the front wheel.
Put it in gear
Strap down the front over the bars
One strap pulling backwards and over the seat
Another one pulling the bike forwards

Done

 

[RoninK6]

Can you get one of those little trailer add-ons and hitch it to the back of the U-Haul ???

 

[PistnRods]

I'll have one of my cars on the hitch. We'll at least this will make a good video LOL. Maybe it'll be wide enough to kickstand bitch it on the exit so I'm not backing down the ramp.

Do any DIY moving truck rentals offer hydro lift gates on their trucks? That would be the easiest way.

 

[HeresDave]

I have a video of myself riding my KLR up the ramp into the back of a uHaul. It isn't difficult! When I move bikes in a uHaul, I wedge the front tire into the front left corner of the truck and scoot the bike as close to the wall as possible. Put it on its side stand. A towel in between the bike and the wall protect it if you see fit. I strap the bike forward into the corner, then strap the rear end backwards and to the wall. Best thing to do it, load it in, and don't think about it until Georgia. If not, you'll be stopping every 10 minutes to check on it- it's not fun!

 

[MotrdSteve]

I have a video of myself riding my KLR up the ramp into the back of a uHaul. It isn't difficult! When I move bikes in a uHaul, I wedge the front tire into the front left corner of the truck and scoot the bike as close to the wall as possible. Put it on its side stand. A towel in between the bike and the wall protect it if you see fit. I strap the bike forward into the corner, then strap the rear end backwards and to the wall. Best thing to do it, load it in, and don't think about it until Georgia. If not, you'll be stopping every 10 minutes to check on it- it's not fun!

I like your idea. I'll be moving my DR650 from SC to Texas come this June and your method seems very sound.

I would get a trailer but I'll be towing a 95 Toyota Tercell that otherwise won't make the drive.

 

[kuhlka]

I've moved... Let's see, Ohio to Texas, Texas to California, several SoCal moves, SoCal to Ohio, Ohio to Maryland, Maryland to Ohio, Ohio to California...

Yeah, so I've tied down a few times, not counting all the trailer transport, van transport, another other weird moves.

All bikes can be transported using tie-downs. The question is where are the safest points to run from the bike to your vehicle? I always use four points on each 'corner' of the bike. Usually this means the rear subframe, passenger pegs, or frame for the rear and handlebars, forks, or triple tree for the front. I've been meaning to do a video to show how I do my bikes.

No matter how you tie down, always use ratchet type straps. The simple pull straps with the button release can fail. Leaving your bike in gear may cause transmission damage if there is any front/rear slack. A wheel chock won't keep your bike upright in all situations. Consider getting something like the Pit Bull Trailer Restraint System.

 

[kuhlka]

Oh, and one of those moves had three bikes and everything I own all in the back of a single Penske truck. It was tight, but we packed it all in.