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Motorcycle moving in a moving truck

dukebound85

dukebound85

macrumors Core
Original poster
Jul 17, 2005
19,217
4,341
5045 feet above sea level
How does one do this?

Any reccomendations?

I picked up a canyon dancer

My concerns

1) The narrow, somewhat steep ramp....last thing I want to do is tip it while getting it up in there

I will not be riding that sucker up the ramp lol

2) Tie down points on the walls, not the floor to my understanding

3) Possible fume issue

Anyone have expereince with this?
 
I know of this happening with a dirtbike, which shouldn't be different from a motorcycle. I'm pretty sure that most moving trucks will have hooks on the floor as well as the sides. You could call the moving company in question, they'll have a straight answer.
 
I am thinking of getting a pice of plywood and then some 2 by 4's and they use eyehooks in them

the weight of the bike sill be on the board.

to get lateral stability (really...the ONLY thing I am concerned about) I will get 2 by 4's to use them as a brace so to speek....will also use them to make a makeshift wheel chock
 
A UHaul has tie downs close to the floor. I have experience moving a motorcycle in a couple UHauls. I did not ride it up the ramp either, I pushed it with another person and used heavy duty tie downs to strap it to the truck. Keep in mind that I had to get a larger than expected truck because of the bike.
 
Watch your clearances when you're going up the ramp. I tore a hole in the oil pan on my ZRX1100 when moving it up the ramp into a 16' box truck. Nothing like four quarts of synthetic all over the wood floor in a rental to really make your day.

Although it's probably not going to be as big of an issue on a dirt bike.
 
jessica. said:
A UHaul has tie downs close to the floor. I have experience moving a motorcycle in a couple UHauls. I did not ride it up the ramp either, I pushed it with another person and used heavy duty tie downs to strap it to the truck. Keep in mind that I had to get a larger than expected truck because of the bike.
Click to expand...

Did you use the built in rails? like this?
rubrails-big.jpg

I know Penske has them on the sides a few feet up (not on ground)

FX120 said:
Watch your clearances when you're going up the ramp. I tore a hole in the oil pan on my ZRX1100 when moving it up the ramp into a 16' box truck. Nothing like four quarts of synthetic all over the wood floor in a rental to really make your day.

Although it's probably not going to be as big of an issue on a dirt bike.
Click to expand...

Clearances? From the ramp? The bike is an SV650S fwiw

Here is what the Penske tie down rods look like and I have no idea who they are lol, just an image on google...best i could find
truck-warriors.jpg
 
Man, I bet that girl does enjoy Chipotle (Ref: cup in hand).

Now I'll actually be constructive. If I were going to move my bike like that I'd consider one of those mini trailers designed for bikes that can be towed behind the Uhaul, or strap ratcheting tie downs to the wall and to each side of the bike to create pull from both sides while putting 2x4 blocks in front, behind, and each side of both tires. But I really feel you'll get the results you want with the trailer designed for the bike.

EDIT: Linky
 
Check the fine print it is probably not allowed. When I have needed a moving truck (at least 4 times) they have all not allowed them. Now if you do it and don't make a mess or leave tire tracks you should be fine.
 
kellen said:
Check the fine print it is probably not allowed. When I have needed a moving truck (at least 4 times) they have all not allowed them. Now if you do it and don't make a mess or leave tire tracks you should be fine.
Click to expand...

Well I know it is not allowed but I am doing it anyways

I am already being forced to ship my car as they wont let me tow anything but Penske equipmemt and my car (a celica) isnt compatible with their tow solutions

Cant really afford to ship both, hence why I am asking for potential solutions
 
dukebound85 said:
Well I know it is not allowed but I am doing it anyways

I am already being forced to ship my car as they wont let me tow anything but Penske equipmemt and my car (a celica) isnt compatible with their tow solutions

Cant really afford to ship both, hence why I am asking for potential solutions
Click to expand...

Shipping cars is expensive. Have you considered paying for a family member or friend to fly out from CO to NY and have them drive it back with you? It might be cheaper.
 
yg17 said:
Shipping cars is expensive. Have you considered paying for a family member or friend to fly out from CO to NY and have them drive it back with you? It might be cheaper.
Click to expand...

Thanksfor the suggestion

Unfortunalety, I have looked into that and have yet to find someone willing to get potentially up to 8 days off of work for a move that otherwise would be their vaca time if you know what i mean
 
You probably find better support in a motorcycle forum, but here is how I would do it.

0. Clean the bike and drain tank and coolant, if possible oil as well.

1. Cut some wood planks (I guess that's what you Americans call 2 by 4s) so that the wheels are supported on both sides. Two planks left and right of the bike, and two on each side to fix it against the side of the truck.

2. Bring in the bike (two people should be fine with the ramp in the pic).

3. Use a tension belt across the seat for fixing. Pull it real tight so that the suspension is fully engaged (no side or main stand).

4. Use two belts to fix the handle bars to each side of the truck. This is to secure the steering.

5. Use two more belts to fix the back of the bike, using the pillion handles or similar. These belts hold back the bike in case of a crash or emergency braking.

This will block a lot of space in your truck, and you need to protect your bike from things falling on it when you are on the road. Maybe you can use mattresses or stuff like that.
 
Berlepsch said:
You probably find better support in a motorcycle forum, but here is how I would do it.

0. Clean the bike and drain tank and coolant, if possible oil as well.

1. Cut some wood planks (I guess that's what you Americans call 2 by 4s) so that the wheels are supported on both sides. Two planks left and right of the bike, and two on each side to fix it against the side of the truck.

2. Bring in the bike (two people should be fine with the ramp in the pic).

3. Use a tension belt across the seat for fixing. Pull it real tight so that the suspension is fully engaged (no side or main stand).

4. Use two belts to fix the handle bars to each side of the truck. This is to secure the steering.

5. Use two more belts to fix the back of the bike, using the pillion handles or similar. These belts hold back the bike in case of a crash or emergency braking.

This will block a lot of space in your truck, and you need to protect your bike from things falling on it when you are on the road. Maybe you can use mattresses or stuff like that.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's along the lines of what I was thinking

Why should I drain it though? That would be a decent hassel. What's the best way to drain gas tank?

Here is a sketch of what I was thinking, sorry for the angle but it carries the jist of the concept

The only concern is lateral stability as far as I am aware. This should be relatively easy to make, using a plywood board cut in half and them about five 2 by 4's 8 feet in length

Thoughts?
 

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dukebound85 said:
...Why should I drain it though? That would be a decent hassel. What's the best way to drain gas tank?...
Click to expand...
Incase the bike were to fall, there would be no way for anything to leak, causing the moving company to find out. As for draining it, just find the gas line going into the carb from the tank, shouldn't be hard. Pour it into a gas can.
Couldn't you rent a tow dolly or car trailer and tow your car behind it? A Celica will tow behind a moving truck fine. The trailer will surely be cheaper than having it shipped.
 
benflick said:
Incase the bike were to fall, there would be no way for anything to leak, causing the moving company to find out. As for draining it, just find the gas line going into the carb from the tank, shouldn't be hard. Pour it into a gas can.
Couldn't you rent a tow dolly or car trailer and tow your car behind it? A Celica will tow behind a moving truck fine. The trailer will surely be cheaper than having it shipped.
Click to expand...

According to Penske, my car has too low of a clearance and they cant offer any tow solutions

I am also not able to use a uhaul trailer on a penske truck
 
dukebound85 said:
According to Penske, my car has too low of a clearance and they cant offer any tow solutions

I am also not able to use a uhaul trailer on a penske truck
Click to expand...

even though it might cost a little more for the truck, maybe another rental company would have a better solution? Ryder? Uhaul? And don't be shy about
telling them you have a better deal at Penske and asking them if they can't give you a better price.
 
I just did the move from Seattle to Philly. Having someone move my car was ~1000.

I just did the Penske and a car trailer, much cheaper.

I am surprised they won't rent you a flatbed or 2 wheel trailer for your Celica. Do you have to tell them what car you have?
 
kellen said:
I just did the move from Seattle to Philly. Having someone move my car was ~1000.

I just did the Penske and a car trailer, much cheaper.

I am surprised they won't rent you a flatbed or 2 wheel trailer for your Celica. Do you have to tell them what car you have?
Click to expand...

Yup, I told them the year, make, and model of my car and they said they couldnt do it with my car

I have called and taled to multiple reps about this and all the same story
 
In that case.

I would just drive it up. My 27 foot Penske was not that large of an angle, I would have ridden a motorcycle up. If not, walk it.

I think if put it in the corner and then tied each end off on either wall it would be fine. Like tie it to one corner and angle it towards the other corner, but then tie it off on each side so it doesn't move left or right.

I would be more worried about the car, I have heard horror stories about people shipping their car; drives demanding more money, damage, car arriving days later and drivers not showing up at all to pick up a car when scheduled.

Fumes shouldn't be an issue at all, as all these things are are boxes with a fiberglass top. Loading it up I could smell the fumes of the truck.
 
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