setting up a flatbed trailer

[DirtFamily]

Tried a search, but didn't come up with any information.....
Just bought a flatbed trailer with removable 1 ft rails and an attached ramp. Requesting help on how to set it up to haul 6-8 dirtbikes. Would like to be able to use something that will lay flat when we aren't hauling the bikes but will definitely hold the bikes for a long haul. Can't find the kind of tie downs they have in the toy haulers...John's going to bike shop and trailer shop today to get ideas but I think posting here is our best bet!!
Thank you in advance.

 

[DirtFamily]

PS. The bikes range from a KTM 520EXC to an XR50. We also want to have a Greenlee? (no clue on spelling) box for gear attached to the front of the trailer. Thanks a bunch!
Katie

 

[yzeater]

Hum...last time I saw a flatbed trailer with bikes was in Colorado. I think the best way to go is have bike shoes (like the ATK ones) holding the front wheel in place, and then have tie downs going from the bars to the rail. This may not seem stable, but it works suprisingly well. I think you can also use more tie downs with mounting points over the swingarm, seat or wheel. Hope that was what you were looking for. Ask more questions! BTW, great selection of bikes (all 2002's!!)

 

[yzeater]

Bike shoes can be removed when not in use...so they won't be a problem when you don't have bikes on

 

[Old CR goat]

I use a flat bed 6'6"x12', we usually only haul 4 bikes, but have had 6 a couple of times, no problem. My rails don't remove so I added eye bolts for tiedowns. The tongue is A/frame so the my box mounted nicely. I'm trying to come up with a rigid system for securing the bikes, the only problem is conection to the bars, kind of got me stumped :confused:

 

[DirtFamily]

Hmmm, more questions? Thanks so far! Ok, how do you keep the back tire from slipping around? Where do you get the bike shoes? Are they the same as "chocks"? (I'm NOT the engineering type, so bear with me! LOL!)
Are there rails like a 3-rail trailer would have that you can mount onto the flatbed that are removeable? Not sure we want to use the trailer rails for tie-downs since they're removeable.....will they be stable enough?
I think ours is a 6'6" (wider than the Suburban) by maybe 18' ?
I'm sure I'll have more questions as you guys respond!

Katie

 

[yzeater]

Bike shoes are the same as chocks. One of these links will do:
http://www.mxsouth.com/atk/atkshoe.htm
http://www.mxsouth.com/pingel/pincho.htm
Basically they bolt into the bed and your wheel sticks into them...
The wheel will stay down once the front is tightly clamped. As for tie downs on the rail, you can also buy mounting things. I couldn't find any online, but they make some that bolt into the bed of the trailer. That help?

 

[Lorin]

If you have a decent trailer supply company nearby, they should have the flush mount tie downs. Eye bolts work well also (front and rear) in keeping the wheels from moving. As to keeping the front tires from moving, you might just weld some short pieces of one-inch angle to the front of trailer about wheel width to keep the tire from moving side to side. Nothing to remove, and you lose none of the space from the flatbed. Use bungy cords from the floor tie-down brackets or eye bolts to keep the back tires from bouncing \ hopping.

 

[DirtFamily]

I found some Pincho removeable chocks at a trailer supple place in town (thanks for the link yzeater! geeez - not cheap!).

Lorin: didn't think of bungy cords - sounds like a winner for the back tires.

I'll talk to John about welding the angle vs. the chocks. Sounds cheaper too...
Thanks for the responses! I didn't realize all the different parts that are available out there! I'll let you know what we decided and how it worked after the weekend. I'm pyched!
Katie