Trailer tow or make the 4 hour ride?

[GodSpeedLuc]

Hey guys, I bought my bike down here in new jersey where i originally live with my parents due to various reasons. (Close relationship/connection with local powersports dealership, spending the rest of my summer down here, and being able to get in a few rides with my father and friends and their own bikes down around here). However, I plan to be bringing my bike up with me to Rhode Island for when I head back up for school. I have the enclosed trailer I used for transporting my atv which I believe could be useful for this trip. I would just have to mount better hooks in order to tie it down really well. How do any of you, whom have trailer towed their bike, tied down the bike in the trailer? I want to absolutely make sure I get it tied down as best as possible due to the fact that it's a 4 hour trip up I-95 with many potential risks of the bike falling over in the trailer. (sudden stops, turns, bumps, etc...)

Here is a picture of the trailer:

The green circles are where i'll be mounting some heavy duty hooks. Those green lines represent the steel support bars of the frame of which I will be fabricating the hooks on to for a secure hold. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[mdr]

If you'd said 14 hour trip I might say "trail it". But 4 hour? Unless there are serious problems with you or the bike I gotta say - Ride.

Edited: After a second look at your circumstances I'd say flip a coin. Unless you're an experienced rider on a new bike you're not going to have fun riding it over that route. If doing that traffic hell-hole on a bike worries you in the least then I'd take the trailer. Live to ride another day.

[steveindenmark]

4 hours...ride it...4 hours is a hoppidy, skippity, jump.

Steve

[ant_mb]

Your worried about 4 hours? I say ride it, and be there by lunchtime.

[anot]

I would definately ride it unless you are hauling a lot of other stuff.

[FZ6inNH]

I'd say ride it, but how much stuff will you be carrying otherwise? And, do you have a cage for school (winter) there?

If you do trailer, the hooks you have are fine. Get one of these to attach to the trailer floor: Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Then one of these to tie down without worrying about the fairing or cable damage... Canyon Dancer Tie Down

Good to go! Pad around the bike and pack the rest of your stuff in the trailer and drive off.

[MarineMom]

I've towed quite a bit, we usually had 2 bikes to secure so 1 is relatively easy. I've only tied down to floor, if you want quick and cheap you can use eyebolts, 3 per side, just watch when bike not in, trip hazard. My preference is Baxley LA chock. BAXLEY*TRAILER*COMPANY*chock With it you only need 2 ties pulling bike forward to keep it secure in chock. I was able to load my FZ by myself into my trailer, not bad for an old lady! lol... My hubby and I travelled from FL to MO and had some of the worst roads I've ever been on (broke latches in our camper) and only had to tighten one strap on the Goldwing once during entire trip. Either way works fine just check on it whenever you stop so you can adjust straps. If using tie downs only compress shocks to prevent the bounce and slide.

[bcityroller]

I'm with FZ6inNH on this one - if you have to trailer get a wheel chock and then use the existing tie-downs locations with good straps and you shouldn't have to worry.

Like the others said though - if you don't HAVE to trailer it, ride it.

[GodSpeedLuc]

Thanks guys. so its pretty obvious to ride it through then huh. It's not really carrying other stuff that would be the issue really. All my stuff is at my home in rhode island and i only have one luggage bag of clothes down here with me and also my car. I was going to trailer the bike with my dad's pick-up, drop the bike off at my home, then come back down with the pick-up in order to bring up my car. I could perhaps just have someone follow me up with my car though while I ride up.

but anyway, my main concern is actually ridnig through I-95. I dont know if any of you have ridden a good portion of it on your bike, especially around the new york region, but it can get pretty hectic. Unless i did it either super early or super late when there are less cars on the road. Otherwise, even in my car alone I have to fear other drivers making stupid silly mistakes. I might need a lot more riding time then to get my self more comfortable with hiway riding.

[mdr]

Originally Posted by GodSpeedLuc

Thanks guys. so its pretty obvious to ride it through then huh. It's not really carrying other stuff that would be the issue really. All my stuff is at my home in rhode island and i only have one luggage bag of clothes down here with me and also my car. I was going to trailer the bike with my dad's pick-up, drop the bike off at my home, then come back down with the pick-up in order to bring up my car. I could perhaps just have someone follow me up with my car though while I ride up.

but anyway, my main concern is actually ridnig through I-95. I dont know if any of you have ridden a good portion of it on your bike, especially around the new york region, but it can get pretty hectic. Unless i did it either super early or super late when there are less cars on the road. Otherwise, even in my car alone I have to fear other drivers making stupid silly mistakes. I might need a lot more riding time then to get my self more comfortable with hiway riding.

Never been through there on a bike but I've done I-95 there several times with a trailer. That's not exactly fun either.

I'd vote for Sunday, either early or late like you said. Less traffic - usually. Are you comfortable with night riding? If not, just get going at first light on Sunday. You'll be fine.