Tying down a bike in a UHaul trailer (2024)

I've done the above a few times. Made a plate from 5/4" decking.

Uhaul does rent bike hauling trailers now, but they aren't enclosed.

I know you said no drilling, no muss, no fuss, but screwing down a pair of strips of E-Track would take a few minutes, accommodate any size trailer and allow a lot of flexibility.

I admit to living in a small community, but specialty trailers from U-Haul are not normally stocked around here. So I have to go pick up a car hauler or bike trailer. That could be 30 miles round trip to pick it up ... and deliver it. But most any U-haul dealership will have a 12' enclosed trailer.

10 minutes to screw down E-Track and you are ready to load.

My $.02

Around here all the uhaul motorcycle trailers are owned by the dealer and for local use or round trip use only. Just an FYI if you are planning a one way haul.

Uhaul doesn't have many of the MC specific trailers and unless you've got a depot, reserving one will get you a POS open trailer with box sides.

Watch CL or the FM as trailers come up frequently. I bought a home built with ¼" steel deck that tows like a dream for $100. $150 in tires later it's good to go and worth every penny.

Yes, I don't use it often but am thrilled to have it for the times that I do need it.

Buy a wheel chock from Harbor Freight - Item # 69026. Cut a 2 x 12 the same length as the width of the trailer floor. Bolt the wheel chock to the center of the 2 x 12 with 3/8" Grade 5 bolts and large washers on the wood side, lock washers on the chock side. Use a 1" paddle bit to recess the washers and heads of the bolts into the 2 x 12 so it will sit flat on the floor. Drill a 3/8" hole on each side of the 2 x 12 where you would want the straps to go, probably about 24" from the center of the wheel chock. Install a 3/8" eye bolt in each hole, using large washers on the wood side. Use a 1" paddle bit to recess the washer and nut of the eye bolt into the 2 x 12 so it will sit flat on the floor. Should cost $50 or so and is easy to store, move and use.

a variation of the 2x12 idea. while trying to decide just exactly what to do with my new van i needed a temporary solution for securing the machines. my solution (copied from someone because i'm just not that smart) was a 3/4" sheet of plywood ripped to the width of the van. i cut recesses into the plywood to anchor it to the pillars. i have subsequently added d-rings to the center of the plywood so to shorten the strap requirements. also be wary of the HF chocks, i've been advised that in a sudden stop situation they could buckle as they aren't exactly the most robust equipment around. however if you are using a trailer with a front 'wall' this is less of an issue.

my mistake was not to make the plywood wider (front to rear) so that i could better off-set the bikes (handle bar lovin' happenin'). i plan to redo it with a wider platform and move the chocks forward somewhat. airline track (or similar product) is probably my preferred solution.

i will definitely say there are lots of safety concerns here - that wouldn't exist with a trailer. i was just offering a variation on the 2x12 idea.

When I bought my bike I used the Uhaul motorcycle trailer. It is the "secret" trailer, as it is cheap and has a built in ramp, so I use it most of the time I need to rent a trailer.

The wheel chuck is more of a suggestion than something that will hold a wheel. I successfully transported my XT350 across Phoenix with that trailer and four tie downs, but I wouldn't have adventured down any forest roads with that setup. It is much easier to secure the bike if you have someone helping you also.

lol