I HATE TRAILERING MAH SCOOTER! But it is a necessary evil. We decided to take the bikes up to Wisconsin Dells for a wee vacation at a resort.
The journey was about 200 miles. I wanted to ride, but we had too much stuff and too many kids to ride up. So again, we used my BFs brother's trailer to carry the bikes.
This is the same trailer that bottomed out before. The extra weight of the bike and the scooter had flattened the springs, causing the trailer to drag on the ground.
My BF's brother re-enforced the leaf springs with square iron spacers, so if the trailer dipped or bounced, the leaf springs would not flatten. This is what happened last time we used the trailer. But luckily my BF's brother is resourceful and can fix just about anything.
However, I am a Nervous Nellie when it comes to hauling my scooter anywhere. My BF rolled on his bike and only used 2 straps to hold it down and he was ready to go.
Me, I wanted at LEAST 4 straps. My scooter is WAY wider than his old skinny street bike. Plus the possibility of cracking the plastic body as we strapped it down had me freaking out.
Loading a scooter on to a trailer is nerve wracking to say the least. Getting it up there, into the slots and then holding it in place, while my BF tries to strap it down scares the Bee Jeebies outta me! Honestly, I had at least 5 hot flashes during this procedure. The dang thing is HEAVY and when it starts to tilt, I can't hold it up.
Me: "Ding Dabbit! I can't hold this fokking-thing myself!" ( I curse when freaked out) "You know I can't hold it right? I mean, I am a 50 year old woman with arms like pipe cleaners for Cripes sake! I can barely hold my bladder during an office meeting!"
Plus the way the trailer rails were constructed, (wooden 4 x 4s screwed into the floor) I could not turn the front tire and lock it in place. It was made to hold motorcycles straight.
Once the first strap is on, it really helps. The second helps and then the third and fourth seals the deal. I have to say the trailer and the strapping proved very reliable. But every time we drove over a big bump in the road, I was cringing and wanting a nerve pill.
Unloading the scooter is even worse. Popping the straps has the scooter shifting in a split second and it is scary as heck. My BF ended up sitting on my scooter and I popped the straps. Then he backed it down the ramp, making the entire procedure look as easy as pie and making me look like a total a$$.
So I guess trailering my scooter is something I will just have to get used to over time. Nothing that a few valium or something with a "v" in it won't help.
A Canyon Dancer or strap over the front tire might help with tying down the bike. Putting tension of the suspension, or tying down the wheels, is what keep them from hopping around. Although that wooden frame you have should keep away a lot of that.
ReplyDeleteA lot of men just tie with two straps to the handlebar, but I prefer to tie down both ends of a bike. We had a bike kept off the pavement once when a front strap popped and it was held mostly upright by the rear tire being strapped down. Deb