Moving to another state. Need to figure out how to transport the Buell.

[DoubleZero]

So, I'm going to move 200ish miles in a week. I'm already working in the new location so I'll have to go back for my stuff.

Unfortunately the only help I'll have to pack up the moving truck is my sister and her boyfriend. Neither one of them is experienced enough to drive the 22ft moving truck. I'm good with that kinda thing so I'll be driving the truck. My sister will be driving the car we take back to my old apartment.

So, what do I do with my bike? My truck is coming through Penske. I can't find a place to rent me a motorcycle trailer for a one way trip. So, the obvious solution is to put the bike in the moving truck.

Here's the problem. The truck doesn't have anchors in the floor for me to strap the bike to securely.I don't really know if the rails on the sidewall will support the bike without them ripping from the wall if the weight shifts.

I suppose I could sandwich the bike between to mattresses, strap the mattresses together with ratchet straps, and place my huge sectional couch against it to keep it upright.

So, my fellow experienced bikers, have any ideas? I have an 03 Firebolt if that helps any.

 

[Agate]

I don't really know if the rails on the sidewall will support the bike without them ripping from the wall if the weight shifts.

They will hold it just don't drive the truck like you stole it and you will be fine.

 

[2004xb12s]

I would definitely strap it down but like you said just pile enough stuff around it so that it wouldn't move if it was unstrapped.

 

[DoubleZero]

I would definitely strap it down but like you said just pile enough stuff around it so that it wouldn't move if it was unstrapped.

Well, if I have the bike in the center of the truck with 4 straps going to the walls, I can't really put anything next to it. That will probably be the first thing I try. I need to see what the truck I get looks like on the inside.

Time and funds are kinda short. If I had more of each I'd modify a pallet to strap the bike to.

 

[Miami78]

Truck should have a trailer hitch available, you could look for a cheap bike trailer on craigslist.

 

[DoubleZero]

Truck should have a trailer hitch available, you could look for a cheap bike trailer on craigslist.

Good idea. I'll start looking.

Looking at this picture, maybe I can get more around the strapped bike than I thought.

Bike strapped in moving truck.

 

[buellbradski]

Uhaul has trailers you could rent that would work.

 

[1972c10]

build a wood frame that you can roll the bike onto and then strap it to, then screw the wood frame to the floor of the truck, theyll never notice the holes in the floor

 

[DoubleZero]

Uhaul has trailers you could rent that would work.

I looked into that a while back. I put in my information on their website and apparently they wont rent a motorcycle trailer for the pickup/dropoff general areas I'd need. Maybe they don't rent them for one way trips, I dunno.

 

[anrkizm95]

somethings to be careful of.

 

[DoubleZero]

somethings to be careful of.

Ha, yeah. I've seen those. I plan to walk the bike up the ramp. looking around to figure out how to tie it down the best for cheap, but I definitely wont be dropping it off the ramp.

 

[08levin]

I remember loading a friends Dyna into a U-haul tears ago. I think we put it sideways up against the front, leaning away from he wall. Put it on the kickstand and tied the front and back to the sides of the truck. Then jammed some couch cushions between the bike and the front wall. I'd probably do it different now, but it worked fine, and he went 600 miles, and probably still drove it like he stole it.

 

[Miami78]

Uhaul has trailers you could rent that would work.

They won't rent them for one way trips, only for local usage. I ran into the same problem when I moved 2500 miles from Virginia to Vegas. Bought a fully enclosed trailer off of craigslist for $500, put a harbor freight wheel chock in it and it worked perfect (it already had tie downs). Sold it here in Vegas for $450.

 

[Miami78]

You know what...I say that, but I just remember seeing someone with a big hog in one of the regular uhaul trailers, not the motorcycle specific one (which is what they wouldn't let me rent for a one way trip)...and I think he was going one way. DoubleZero, it might be worthwhile to look into uhaul's regular open trailers, too, if you haven't already. They have a 5x9 with a ramp and tie downs that would handle the bike just fine.

 

[Macbuell]

Done this, in the back of a u-haul 12' trailer. No problem attaching it inside in some way. You will be fine and able to figure it out.

 

[netty2424]

Those wall mounts are designed to hold heavy furniture, they'll definitely hold a 400lb Buell. Just strap to multiple points along the entire rail length to disperse the weight and you'll be fine.

Where you moving to and from? Maybe there's another Bueller close by with a trailer that would be willing to help haul it? I would if I had a trailer, I'm sure others would be willing.

 

[DoubleZero]

Those wall mounts are designed to hold heavy furniture, they'll definitely hold a 400lb Buell. Just strap to multiple points along the entire rail length to disperse the weight and you'll be fine.

Fair enough. I'm just paranoid about things like that. I'm also used to smaller trucks with the wooden rails that run horizontal. They always looked a bit flimsy to me. For some reason I remember them being screwed to the wall.

Where you moving to and from? Maybe there's another Bueller close by with a trailer that would be willing to help haul it? I would if I had a trailer, I'm sure others would be willing.

I'm going from Indianapolis, IN to Lemont, IL.

 

[mc4life27]

cycle gear has stands that the front wheel goes in and it will hold the bike up right. maybe one of thoses and pile a bunch of shit around the bike

 

[thrstrmech]

duct tape...worked for the mythbusters look into a wheel chock for the front and block off the rear, in the front and rear of tire, yea you'll have to screw through the floor, but worth a try along with the straps to avoid any rolling, good luck

 

[jimijeans]

Yes the Moving of a motorcycle can be taxing. Try to put the bike in the front of the truck(inside)Drivers side. kickstand down. A small lock through the front Rotor just enough to hold it from moving.Against the Caliper.A little tape on the lock for no scratches. Do Not use the Transmission to hold it still!A mattress against the wall.
Strap it through the forks area depending on strapping areas provided. then Strap it through seprarately at the rear area,I have went through the Wheel used foam pipe insulation so as not to scratch the rim and looped strap around it and all the way across to the other side to the wall.
The other mattress I put up against the Other(right) side of bike yes the bike had a Furniture blanket over it. You will need to figure out the best way to tie it down but patience will prevail. The big couch and mattress theory sounds pretty good Too! just take your Time Driving.Good Luck!*Jimi