Just a passing thought; have you ever backed up a vehicle that was hitched to a trailer? Maybe you have plenty of practice with that. If not, it is certainly something to consider. Most people think they will simply avoid any areas where they need to back the trailer. Sometimes you don't get that choice.
It does take some practice to get used to turning your steering wheel in the opposite direction of what you want the trailer to do. Short necked little trailers react very quickly the steering wheel input. Go very very slow when backing so you don't jacknife it and damage the Golf or trailer. If it gets too jacked, you must pull forward and start over. There are limits to correcting a sharp angle.
I have only a little experience, from many moons ago with a rental truck and a car on a tow dolly. I'm sure this would be obvious to onlookers, but I'll just move slowly and cautiously. I have been watching the old Claude Akins show Movin' On recently for whatever that's worth. =)
Now you've done it. You went and introduced an ear worm! It's a good one though.
Great suggestion.
And to expound on the above, and I'm sure you know this Brody, never tie a bike down on the centerstand or sidestand. Or over the seat.
6 ft. should be fine but having the 10's would be useful for other things if needed.
Thanks, Jim.
My wife always helps me do a light check before I leave with my trailer. Same thing most times before I leave on one of my bikes. Earlier this year, I loaned the trailer to a high-tech friend. He was some sort of software engineer before he retired. He showed up with a multi-level hitch that had several different ball sizes on it. We found the right setup and he got hooked to the trailer. I told him to get into his truck and I would help him with a light check. He replied, "No need, there is a phone app for that!" He stood behind the trailer and proceeded to make his truck go through running lights, brake light, LH turn, RH turn. I was impressed
For sure. After four hours, I probably should've double checked that the car's lights were still working!
That's a great idea for an app. Looks like they are typically from the manufacturer and I'm guessing my car can't do it.
After all that, great point!
Really, all you have to do is turn on the parking lights and the 4 way flashers. For the brake lights, if the trailer is backed up near anything that isn't in direct sunlight you should be able to see the reflection of the brake lights in your rear view mirror.
Just so I understand, Missouri will sell you a one-day registration for $8 that will let you ride the bike to the inspection station without getting a license plate violation ticket? That seems rather strange that they would let you ride 15-20 miles on a bike that they have not yet blessed as safe to ride. Oh well!
That is my understanding, and I even asked for clarification regarding a vehicle with a salvage title. The other person had suggested I wouldn't get a ticket from MSHP for an inspection trip, but couldn't vouch for other authorities.
For sure. The biggest part of the trailer expense is now over, so I think I'll play it safe and use the trailer. It sounds as if the bike is only there for VIN verification. The rest is about receipts documenting the repairs. It can remain on the trailer for the inspection and will still need a regular safety inspection once the new title is issued.
Yeah, thanks, Dan. I almost bought the same set, if they were 10 foot straps. I ended up choosing a two pack of 6 foot straps (red?) and two 3 meter straps (orange). The orange ones were U-Haul brand, I think, and had a higher load rating.
Same way I felt the first trip to the mountains with the 450 on the carrier. Second trip I was still watching but a lot less paranoid. I can tell you that there were some under-construction areas of I-75 that had the bike moving a LOT, but to the credit of a good strapping arrangement and a set of quality ratchet straps, all went well. But it's still in your mind every minute and makes you look. Rodney has the advantage of being able to easily watch his with it on the front of his truck.
I like to hook the rears to the top of the shocks to get the rear suspension compressed too. From an overhead view the straps should form an 'X' not an 'H'.
That's the plan. I figure I can work on the ordered one in parallel and I think you're right that this won't be any issue for the inspection. The sad thing is that I had the gauge apart once already for cleaning and painting, but did not test it before taking it apart. I will plan to test the replacement gauge before doing anything else.
Let's see how a potential repair and/or the eBay gauge work out, but it's nice to have other options. Thank you!
In New York you register it without an inspection and they give you a 7ish day grace period to get it inspected
And, almost before you knew it, today is the day. Good luck with the trailer and the inspection!
The inspection is coming up on Tuesday. I haven't touched the bike since setting up the appointment — I'm focused on getting the paperwork moving without further delay.
Thanks, Ray!
Yep, I suck at it too, one of the reasons I avoid using a trailer unless absolutely necessary. It comes to some people easily, never been that way for me.Good luck with the inspection and yes there is a bit of an art to backing a trailer easily which I have never mastered but I have gotten really good at finding parking spots where I don't have to back up.
