If you wish to transfer your motorcycle safely, you must secure it inside a trailer and to the bed of a pickup truck. A motorcycle might move around and tumble out if it is not properly fastened in the back.
This can result in casualties or cause injuries in the worst-case situation. At least one chock is recommended in major motorcycle tie-down courses.
But what if you do not keep a wheel chock with you or can’t afford to buy one? You can still secure a motorcycle on your trailer without chocks, but you must follow a certain procedure to ensure safety.
So, how to tie down a motorcycle on a trailer without a chock? You can use any component such as a brick or a piece of wood to stop the front wheel from moving and keep it in place. You can even use a towel as an assistance wedge.
You must, however, improvise on the size and weight of the motorcycle before you use these materials. When you finally find something to secure the tire in place, you can start the procedure of tying the bike.
There are still a few more things to learn about connecting the motorcycle to the trailer. Make sure you read this article through to the conclusion to ensure you have a thorough understanding of the topic.
What Is Wheel Chock?
Wheel chocks are little wedges underneath your motorcycle’s front wheels to keep it from running back and forth. Another major reason wheel chicks are used is that they can prevent injury and accidents.
Chocking, also known as blocking, is a technique for preventing vehicles and trailers from shifting inadvertently, such as swiveling or crashing.
Chocks prevent the wheel from moving forward while employees service the vehicle or perform tasks such as loading, removing cargo, hitching, and unhitching.
Other Options Than Wheel Chocks
The main priority is to sustain the front wheel from rotating. The chocks usually accomplish this by snugly adjusting against the tires and the road.
You might be able to accomplish this with practically any piece of wood and plastic if you don’t have chocks. However, do keep in mind that a block will be enough.
Although these makeshift tools will not fit completely, you can reimburse by covering and wedging them in towels. You must determine how the tires are secured in place before you start tying the motorcycle.
However, remember that any spur-of-the-moment restraint may work perfectly for a certain motorcycle but not for every motorcycle.
There will be more or less momentum to compensate for, depending on the size and weight of the bike. The amount of momentum to adjust for varies depending on the size as well as the weight of the motorcycle.
Please seek advice from a professional if you are hesitant about your decision.
Here’s What You Should And Shouldn’t Do When Tying Down Your Motorcycle
The simple procedure of connecting a motorcycle with a trailer may be a major pain if you are not cautious at all.
To prevent accidents and unjustified damages, it’s critical to do things correctly.
So, here is a list of do’s and don’ts when securing a motorcycle to a trailer without using a wheel chock.
What You Should Do:
- Using a high-quality ratchet strap is critical since it will assist you in appropriately fastening the motorcycle and keeping it stable from all angles. Cheap straps are prone to breaking, making your bike wobble.
- To avoid the ratchet hooks from scratching the motorcycle, encircle the straps with soft loops. You can also use the soft loops to fasten the fixtures on the trailer’s floor.
- Secure the motorcycle at both the front and back wheels with 2 points of contact. The motorcycle’s front forks can be used to tie down the bike at the front.
- Consider wrapping your motorcycle with sheets to protect it from scratches and other damage caused by the material you’re using.
- Although the chances are slim, you can ensure the motorcycle is in motion to reduce the potential for harm if the strap fails or the chocks disengage.
What You Shouldn’t Do:
- Make sure the front wheel’s suspension isn’t too compressed. Do it only partly for the front and a bit less for the back. Driving over a rough road will keep the motorcycle from shaking around and untying the straps.
- Strapping the handlebars will cause the bushings to compress or the washers to tilt, affecting the bars to loosen up.
- If you put the straps over the seat or the motorcycle’s saddlebags, they will debilitate and leave markings.
- Don’t let any extra substance or strap slack hang around. Rather, secure it to your trailer with a tie-down.
- If you have a long trip ahead of you, don’t forget to stop and scan your cargo every 25 miles up to 30 miles to ensure everything is in order.
Watch this helpful video:
Is It Okay To Strap Down A Motorcycle Without The Chock?
Obtain a wheel chock or alternate equipment as soon as possible. If at all possible, prevent securing a motorcycle without using a chock.
It is said that tying down your motorcycle will keep it from moving while you transport, whereas securing it with a chock is usually a good idea. In any case, spend on high-quality motorcycle straps as well as hooks.
This is mainly because the last thing you want is your straps from breaking in the middle of the road.
7 Steps To Tie Down A Bike Without Chocks
- Secure the stops of soft straps to the walls of the trailer or the fittings on the truck bed with your bikes.
- Every ratchet strap should be looped around each soft belt.
- Then, it is time to compress the shocks slightly to keep the straps from disentangling if you’re driving on a rough road.
- Make sure you carefully select your anchor points. Use two front straps, two back straps, and one on each barrier to getting the best outcomes.
- Soft straps can also be wrapped around the bases of the left and right handlebars.
- Check the straps for distance. Fasten them up until your motorcycle remains completely steady, even when you put your whole weight behind it.
- For a couple of minutes, navigate the truck around the block to evaluate the configuration before bringing your motorcycle on a long journey.
Conclusion
If you’ve made it this far, I hope this post has been useful in answering your question about how to tie down a motorcycle on a trailer without a chock.
As you may know, tying a bike without the chock is not at all advised by experts. But if you do not own one, it’s still fine to use alternative equipment such as a brick or a piece of wood.
This will still be able to do the job right and make it easier for you to tie down your motorcycle.
If you insist on not using chocks or any different equipment, make sure you purchase high-quality soft clasps or straps and hooks to secure your motorcycle.
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