Bike & Trailer to France

[RayS]

This is a bit of a dummies question which really shows how ignorant I am. ....... enough said?

I want to take my 1150GSA to France later this year on a bike trailer which I can borrow. The trailer has a sort of clamp at the front which holds the front wheel and presumably keeps the bike vertical. In France cars and trailers go at upto 130kph (80mph) on the motorways, so I want the bike well secured.
Before anyone asks why I dont ride the bike to France its because the wife, the dog and "the kitchen sink" are also going!
Questions:
How many ratchet straps do I need and where do I attach them to the bike?
Do I get someone to sit on the bike when tightening up the ratchets, so the suspension is lowered a bit, keeping the straps under tension?
Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Ray

 

[Patch]

When ever I load mine on the trailer I use 4 ratchet straps. Secure 1 to each rear foot rest hanger and then use a Handlebar strap to attach the front ones.

No need to have someone on the bike as the ratchets will give you enough pull.

 

[stumpi]

to be absolutley safe, I'd go for 4.

one each side of the bars to the front of the trailer ( making sure that the front wheel is pushed up against the front support ) and two at the middle to rear on either side of the bike to the rear of the trailer in the same sort of configuration so that the front and rear are all pulling against each other.

You'll notice that to have the front tight enough it'll compress the suspension, don't go too mad here, just make sure they oppose each other equally. Either that, or chock the suspesion with a block of wood or similar. A couple of inches of suspension compression will be ok, but more for long periods of time is best avoided.

You'd be suprised at just how stable that is.
I've raced bikes for years and have always followed this pattern.
Safe as houses, infact, in the van, all I ever do now is use two on the bars.

As for the trailer, difficult to say how fast is ok for it.
the further back the wheel are positioned on it, the more stable it will be at speed. In anycase, I'd reckon you'd be safe as houses at 70 odd.

where are you, i'd be happy to lend a hand prepping.

 

[cookie]

the two at the front from the handlebars to tie down points compressing the front suspension are the most important and are all that are actually essential.

however, i always either strap over the back end of the bike as well or tie the rear wheel to the channel to ensure the back end doesn't jump around.

if i was going any distance, i'd double up on the fronts, belt & braces style, though 'cos if one of them gives up [never happened to me] it could all go very badly.

so that's 5 for me then.

 

[RayS]

Thanks guys for all the advice, I think I'll go and buy 4 ratchets now and see how stable it feels.
Stumpy - I live about 4 miles west of Stowmarket and I'll contact you if I run into trouble setting it up.
Thanks again.

Ray

 

[stumpi]

No problem, pm me, Im in Tollesbury. ( nr Mersea )

 

[Roge]

Is this Mike O's tralier?

Use a srap through the back wheel with bothe ends at the front of the trailer to pull the bike into the clamp.

A couple of straps (one either side) to stop it moving side ways

One at the back end to stop it lifting

The idea is not to compress the suspension as you would do with a traditional trailer.

Then basicall add as many straps as makes you happy.

 

[MikeO]

Is this Mike O's tralier?

Hope not - just going out to check...

Mike