I just picked up my new Cargomate trailer, a 6 x 12 unit.  I wanted to go 7' wide but it won't fit in my driveway with enough clearance.  I think the 6 should work fine but I have a couple matters that can only crop up once you have the trailer and start configuring it.

In the picture below, you can see the three D-rings and black plates for the quick release wheel chocks.  I had the trailer company install these items to save me the hassle.  Now I think I may have wasted the install money.  I asked the D-rings be placed as close to the trailer walls as possible.  The mechanic said he'd do that and this is what I ended up with.  The D-rings are about 9" from the trailer walls.  He said he had no choice as the frame was in the way or some other matter.  I am sure he is telling the truth as I don't think he would care where they went.



As you can imagine, the bikes sway quite a bit unless really locked down.  That isn't too much or a problem but I am wondering if I should just install new D-Rings further to the side and closer back to the chocks?  It is pouring raind outside so I can't really get under the trailer right now.

The second matter is the quick release wheel chocks.  I thought I scored big time on these but when the chocks slide under the bracket shown here, they are way too loose.  My 250 pound bike is okay, especially when tightened down, but the 350 pounds DR650 makes that plate flex more than I would like.

So my two dilemmas are adding additional D-rings or other form of stabilizing the bikes and installing better chocks.  I prefer to buy something locally I can get tomorrow so I can have this done sooner than later. For the short term, I'll probably just add a fixed wheel chock that uses at least four bolts.  That will probably help with stability as well.

What would some of you recommend for either/both of these situations?

Thanks.

NC

Edited by NumberCruncher, 05 June 2012 - 05:39 PM.

How do the chocks mount?  I'm having a hard time visualizing where the front tires go in relation to the D-rings.

Here are two new pictures.  Hope this clears the matter up.  I have to remember it is easy for me to visualize this as I have used it whereas everyone else only sees two black plates.





NC

The tie-downs should be nearly vertical, so the force pulls the bike mostly down.  Should pull forward a little to keep the front tire in the chock, but the way you have it there it's putting too much force on the chock.  Those chocks should be good if the tie-downs are pulling more straight down.  Pushing the chocks all the way forwards against/close to the wall would probably work and would be easier than installing new D-rings.  4 drywall screws should hold them in place if you want a temporary setup to try.

Your D-rings might be a little too close side-to-side.  In my 6x12 I have the outer D-rings a little closer to the walls, then my inner D-rings are off-set about 6" off center, so the inner straps cross over the center line of the trailer to stabilize.  You could try using only the outermost D-rings for both bikes, if they sway side-to-side too much.

emerybrian, on 06 June 2012 - 07:58 AM, said:

I agree with everything you have said.  I still don't know why the trailer company placed the D-rings where they did.  I primed the inside of the trailer today and still have not gotten under it to take a look.

Anyone know if E-track is strong enough to use as at tie down anchor?  I'll use the stoutest screws I can and screw the track into the 3/4 inch plywood which will give me multiple anchor points.

NC

E-track is fine if properly anchored. I would see if you could get some attached to the wall studs running the length of the trailer. Are they square tube or stamped steel? Where did you get your wheel chocks. You also should have maybe marked out exactly where you wanted the d-rings when you bought it.

SMarquez, on 06 June 2012 - 07:09 PM, said:

Although I didn't formally mark where I wanted the D-rings to be mounted, I brought both of my bikes to the trailer place, loaded them into the trailer and explained about where I wanted them.  I was told when the trailer was completed they couldn't go where I wanted and had to be moved inward about nine inches.  If he had told me that ahead of time I would not have have them installed and saved the money.

I'll probably add E-track to the floor for tie down anchors and to the wall for lighter duty anchoring.  I don't know whether the wall studs are tubular or square but I would guess square.

Inside has been primed and I'll paint the floor tomorrow with a dark gray epoxy garage floor paint with sand mixed in for traction.

NC

Edited by NumberCruncher, 06 June 2012 - 08:02 PM.

ETrack will be fine for securing. I would mount it low on the side walls instead of the floor. That way you won't be collecting dirt in it. I have my bikes attached to D-rings to basically hold them in chocks, and then to the E-Track to keep them from falling side to side(I strap one bikes sub frame to the other in the middle). My trailer already had the E-Track installed and it is rather high but the bikes stay secure and I don't have to compress the crap out of the forks either.