Modern Vespa

Yes. Having the chock up against the front of the bed, AND securing the wheel to the chock by wrapping a strap through the wheel rim and back around the front of the chock, will help keep the scooter from going sideways enough to fall.

Also, the wheel chocks we use are from Baxley Mfg. They have a wide footprint and help with stability.

Danny - it's really big of you to share the results of a mistake with us. Thanks for the information.

I have trailered our scooters thousands of miles, originally with a homemade Harbor Freight trailer (for sale, cheap) used for our small scooters. The trailer has channels for the wheels so I just needed to secure the front wheels via ties on the handle bars and loose ties on the rear grab bars. When we both got larger scooters we needed a larger trailer that's when we bought a readymade trailer from Lowe's and purchased Condor wheel chocks (http://store.condor-lift.com )They are expensive, but, well worth it in the long haul. Purchasing two of the chocks actually cost more than my first scooter trailer, but, the ease in use and the security more than justifies them with my new set up; again traveled thousands of miles with the new trailer, absolutely no problems, and with this setup it takes only one person to load up, my old trailer took a minimum of two people.


Old trailer:


New trailer:

This is how I got my Vespa home (850 miles) on this rack. I was hesitant at first but it held fine. I used 6 rachet style tie downs with soft rags where there might be some rubbing. I know it looks sketchy but it worked great. The rack is from Summit Racing Equipment in Sparks, Nevada. I think I paid about $250. Only drawback is you need 2 people to load it...

Hey mate - I've gotta get the new wheels home next week (only 15km across the city) and am contemplating the trailer.

Why - you ask? I'll fess up - I actually bought it even though I haven't got my licence yet. (Wife still thinks I'm crazy - but she loved it too!)

Anyway - my trailer is similar to your new one (I think) - it is basically a flat bed trailer with 300mm side. Any tips/tricks for securing properly.

Will having the stand down, and the rear wheel off the ground create problems for me stability wise?

Thanks,

Tinker

I just added the Jettin Industries Tie Down Bar Ends to my GTS and used them on my 400 mile round trip back and for the Corbin for my new seat. These things are GREAT ! Cheap insurance against damage. Held the Scoot in place like a rock. They look pretty bichin too. See pic below from their website.

http://www.jettin.com/ProductBarEnds.htm

Some of us have health problems and we still like to ride. So its trailering we go ho ho . I use long straps and use the excess to tie down the wheels too. Then I tape the loose ends to keep them form flopping around. I do not use the center stand and take off the park brake after strapping the bike down. I also tie the frt wheel to the front of the trailer to keep it from moving back and and fourth. Then I tape the ratchet to the strap, Had one spring loose one time. I do not strap to the handle bars as the mp3 is heavy and has weak handle bars, could bend em. They just have a squeeze clap to hold them from rotating. IMHO I would trailer back west to Calif, any way even if healthy. The best way to see the country between OKC and there is at 20,000 ft moving at 500 mph sipping on a drink .

Rajron, I noticed that there is a popup beside your trailer. Do you double pull with it and the scooter trailer. my son-in-law pulls his popup and jet ski together, Do you have any problem with sway and stopping. I am thinking about trading my large 5th wheel trailer for a pop up. We bought it thinking when we retired we would live in it a lot. Been retired 4 years and don't use it hardly any. Got bored in south Texas staying all winter, tried it 2 times, and missed the kids and grand kids too much. Now we just spend a week or two in south Texas in winter 2 weeks or so in Colorado or New Mexico mountains in the summer, Don't need a large trailer that gets 6 miles per gallon for that.

I recon you should be the Vespa side stand spokesman. Every opportunity you get to spruik its benefits there you are. "The deer ran out in front of me and I couldn't stop"........jimc wrote: " Well if you had your sidestand fitted you would have been going 0.0001 mph slower and missed it". Just saying

To be fair - that's about the only time it *is* useful.

And note that in that situation it can't move regardless of wind or gravity.

It's the only reason I haven't removed the sidestands from my UK Vespas.

No; that is not my trailer, the pop up just happened to be there when I took the picture - we usually stay at motels though occasionally camp in a tent.

Need one ?
Pm and will find it for you.

( sorry, just saw this 2 years old...)


Edited...
Worried about side to side slippage? Tie a strap around front tire and the center rail support on the front of trailer. Holds real good.


I transported 3 at the and of CB 08 with no injury except when I did a stupid mistake loosening a strap on my scoot.

Doesn't everyone?

What I learned on the way to AV is that even though I frequently checked my new top carrier's bolts while on the trailer, they rattled loose constantly. I even used blue (non permanent) loc-tite on them without success. I should mention the top case was empty.

Finally the bolts broke off and the mounting broke, scratching some paint. Not only did this frustrate me, it made re-evaluate all the things I had planned to use it for. The BV's top case rode without any problem.

Danny,
You might consider replacing all of the plastic-coated strap hooks with caribiners. That way, if the straps work their way a bit loose, the caribiners cannot fall off as hooks can, and the scoot cannot fall over. I am still trying to find plastic-coated caribiners locally.

Cheers and good luck,
Bob

bad thing about using these as tie down points is there is just 1 6mm screw holding them on the bars. not very strong for holding a 400 lbs scooter and the forces being pulled on. you'd be much better off with a set of canyon dancers.

get some plastic coat and coat your own. same stuff can be used to coat tools

With some chock designs you could darn near trailer without tie downs.

scooter chocks

Dirt? Do you use this for your MP3, with two Condor's on the Front?

Thanks,
Keith
Marietta, GA

the MP's owners should not use the handle bars as tie down points. there is a spot on the front suspension that is perfect. look over at the mp area it has been discussed there and pics are in the threads.

An easy way to keep the extra tie down strap from flapping is to put a knot in it and put the knot and the extra strap under the seat.

I was told by the Vespa mechanic when he saw my GTV strapped down on my truck not to put too much pressure on shocks because if you were to hit a bump it could damage the shock absorbers in front.

What brand of cowl protectors do you have on your Vespa? I'm in the market for some but haven't seen any and there is a wide range of prices. I've only had my Vespa a couple of months, so shopping for accessories.
Also, you don't have any problem trailering your Scoot with the windshield on it?

They are LX Original Vespa crash bars. Here is a link to them at Scooterwest.
http://www.scooterwest.com/items/?_pageCCS=t#page=/item_details/LX-Original-Vespa-Rear-Crash-Bars/2285

No problem at all trailering with the windscreen in place. Just make sure all the bolts are tight.

Hey...this is wonderful information and great that a two year old thread resurfaced. I am heading down to Vegas from SLC to the High Rollers Rally. I am trailering my and a friend's scoot and the advice is very well timed.

Thanks Danny!!

For those who missed it, I added a front wheel chock before going to San Diego Amerivespa.

Here's the write-up. Harbor Frt Chock - LX mod