How Do You Guys Get Your Bike to Track?


D

Detrich

New Member
Has anyone ever used their passenger mini van to transport their bike to track? If so, could you share how difficult it was and what was involved?

I have a '95 Ford Windstar that I can remove the interior seats. But, I've never transported my bike before & dunno if my bike would fit in there properly or not. I know I'll have to measure it and get a ramp, as well as tie down cables. But, it would be nice to know if anyone has done this and knows it works well and/ or what the gotcha's are.

Thanks in advance for sounding in.
 
C

Chucker

Active Member
I rent a U-haul motorcycle trailer for $15/day. Has a built in chock and tie down rings. Takes 10 minutes to load and secure the bike.
 
J

JonKerr

Senior Member
Elite Member
I store a friends trailer at my house. I get to use it whenever i need in return. ;-)

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
 
D

Detrich

New Member
I don't have a tow hitch though. I think those cost at least $400 to buy and weld on. Am trying to avoid that cost if possible.
 
A

anson650

Member
I doubt the back entrance is high enough. I have a "trailer in a bag". Way too expensive, long story. Talk to the people at "u-haul". I believe you can rent a hitch that bolts on, not welded.
Anson
 
B

bmw675

New Member
There are a few people at the track around here that use full size vans. Of course they are a bit taller, but they also have rear doors instead of a hatch.

If you removed the seats, I could see it working length wise, I would be most concerned with the height.

But me personally, I bought a 6x12 enclosed trailer. It's amazing when I'm loading up, I say "I should take that too, and that...and..."

Never can have enough room.
 
B

bleedinblue

Senior Member
Elite Member
Detrich said:
I don't have a tow hitch though. I think those cost at least $400 to buy and weld on. Am trying to avoid that cost if possible.
Click to expand...
I think the reciever on my s10 was around $130 installed at uhaul.It was 4 or 5 years ago, but probably not to much more these days.

Id use a tape measure before pulling seats out of the van or anything. If all else fails.Strap it to the roof...lol
 
D

Deathdiesel

New Member
Chucker said:
I rent a U-haul motorcycle trailer for $15/day. Has a built in chock and tie down rings. Takes 10 minutes to load and secure the bike.
Click to expand...
What do they call their motorcycle trailers? Im extremely interested in this, literally right now, going to take an advanced riders course soon, but its 2 hours away, and 5 hours riding, id be tired by the time I got there if i rode the whole way.

Off topic I know sorry
 
B

bmw675

New Member
Deathdiesel said:
What do they call their motorcycle trailers? Im extremely interested in this, literally right now, going to take an advanced riders course soon, but its 2 hours away, and 5 hours riding, id be tired by the time I got there if i rode the whole way.

Off topic I know sorry
Click to expand...
Uhaul has one trailer that they actually refer to as a 'motorcycle trailer.' that's the $15 one. However, It is basically just a ramp over the axle to the tongue, open to the road everywhere, but where you roll it up.

I thought it was worth spending $10 more and got a 4'x8' open trailer with ramp. It worked great, and had a 'v' notch in the front that helped keep the front wheel straight.
 
C

Crpngdth

New Member
Detrich said:
I don't have a tow hitch though. I think those cost at least $400 to buy and weld on. Am trying to avoid that cost if possible.
Click to expand...
the first time that sucker falls going in, or out, youll be wishing you saved and spent the cash to transport it properly :)

track days are fun. dont ruin the day with something that can be avoided
 
J

JSP

Super Moderator
C

Chucker

Active Member
Deathdiesel said:
What do they call their motorcycle trailers? Im extremely interested in this, literally right now, going to take an advanced riders course soon, but its 2 hours away, and 5 hours riding, id be tired by the time I got there if i rode the whole way.

Off topic I know sorry
Click to expand...
The technical term they use for them is "motorcycle trailer". :p
 
H

Hellgate

New Member
Harbor Freight folding trailer. I've been to both coasts and back twice.

Sent from my LG-P925 using Tapatalk 2
 
M

MichaelInVenice

Lot of Class, Mostly Low
Elite Member
Dietrich, I'm going to suggest that unless you're going to the Auto Club Speedway (aka, California Speedway), you might want to just consider renting a cargo van.

I say this because I can't think of anything good I'd have to say about hauling a trailer (even a light one) over the mountains with a modestly-powered front-drive minivan. Not that it can't be done, but it's a far from optimal situation on a flat road, and the roads out of the LA Basin towards any of the other tracks mostly involve some pretty steep grades sometimes combined with interesting curves.

If you do rent the motorcycle trailer, reserve it well in advance. Most of the U-haul places around here don't normally have them or only have one. U-haul's pretty good about making sure it gets there if you reserve it, but they often seem to sell out of the limited/desirable things pretty well in advance.

Enjoy the day. The logistics of doing this from a high-density place like LA are always interesting. If I ever do it, cargo van is likely to be my only choice. (Current vehicle completely inappropriate for towing anything, let alone over the mountains.)
 
D

Detrich

New Member
Some friends are going to chuck Walla next month. But I don't really want to go until I can figure out how to transport bike. I might sit this one out cuz my van jut broke down yesterday. LoL. Sigh.
 

F

Fizzer6R

New Member
we used to see a guy at track days that used a dodge caravan i believe it was, with all the seats taken out. it fit, but just barely

i've rented/used cargo vans, same concept really, basically empty passenger vans. in fords i've had, they don't have standard hook rings like a pickup, they have slots in metal strips going along the side walls. still able to hook tie-downs to secure for transport
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Top