Modern Vespa

I purchased a trailer recently (see pics for style) The tie downs protrude each side from the cradle. I am not sure the best way to secure the VBB scoot to the trailer. I am afraid of too much pressure on the shift/throttle tubes. I have already broken a shift tube at the notch outs. I was also thinking about some sort of harness (see pic) but again, that puts pressure on the tubes.
This trailer will serve two purposes. 1st a way to rescue the Vespa if it fails a distance too far to walk/push. 2nd. I will be visiting a friend 400 miles away and wish to bring the Vespa with me.

Any advice? I scrubbed through the forum and did not find much content on the subject.

I have a Versahaul carrier very similar to that one and those exact canyon dancers and I've never had an issue towing my Vespa with my pickup truck. No bent or broken tubes. Just don't over torque the straps.

I hook to the hole under the seat or the seat hinge

I second the seat hinge tie-down, but with the addition of a paint protector towel around the tie-down

This how I generally do it:

All you really need is three tie down straps: two for the front, one for the rear.

For the front, you're going to want to separate each strap from the ratchet or clasp (depending on which type strap you're using). Each strap will now be in two pieces, a short portion, which will have the ratchet or cam-buckle attached to it (set this aside for now), and a longer portion which will have a hook at one end, and bare strap at the other end (which threads into the ratchet/cam-buckle).

You're going to take that bare end, double it around and thread it through the loop that attaches the hook to the opposite end. This will create a large sliding loop that will function somewhat like a slip knot. Throw that loop over the headset, and pull it tight around the neck/column, just underneath the headset.

Reattach the bare end of the strap to the ratchet/clasp that you set aside earlier. Attach the hook to the left side of your trailer/truck bed as far forward as possible.

Repeat this process for the right side.

For the rear, you simply attach each hook of your third strap as far to the rear on each side of you truck bed/trailer as possible, then pass the strap across the curved portion of the frame under the seat (right above the choke lever/oil sight glass).

Now, take your bike off the center stand and tighten all your straps until they're taut as a bowstring. Your scooter should now be rock solid and going exactly NOWHERE.

That's just the information I needed. Thanks to everyone.

That's pretty much exactly how I do it too.

Learned it years back from a guy who was a local scooter legend. Told me to never EVER secure the bike by attaching to bars/tubes.

Yep. The tubes are 20% holes, even if you just bend it slightly you won't be going very far with it.

i have seen broken headsets from tie down straps, they are only Alloy.

I also was thinking of putting the rear wheel in the cradle. Then pull it forward with straps at the seat mount area. That leaves the handle bars out of the equation. But, I'm not sure if the scoot will be stable enough.

Can you post a pic of this set-up?

I think I will be OK with the strap positions.
I forgot to put the rear wheel in the cradle and take some pics but I was pleased with the results so far.
The straps just touch the leg shields and the rear strap clears all the components. With the driveway test, I was concerned that throttle tube would be too close to the rear window so I installed rack on the vehicle to be sure.
I am impressed with the rack, very heavy duty, I have a hard time lifting it.
There is definitely more than the price in just metal not counting the fabrication and power coating.

to each their own, but it seems counterintuitive to use a ratchet strap to tension the front tire away from the chock.

I agree. The chock is doing most of the work. The back strap just needs to attached to the back wheel to keep it from flopping off the rail if a big bump in the road is hit just right.