Towing a Trophy, tie, downs? etc.?

[NEARMISSES]

We are going to tow our Trophy SE from Id. to Fl in a couple of weeks. I have a single bike Kendon folding trailer. Now last year when we got it in Tacoma, Wa. the shop assisted us putting it on the trailer and tieing down with my ratchet straps. They used the soft ties above the lower fork crown in front to connect the hook and the rear seat passenger handles in the rear. We did fine until we got off the freeway I-90 in Post Falls, Id. and then going over some railroad tracks 1/2 mile down the road the frt. rt. tie down seem to have loosened and the bike leaned heavily to the left on the trailer.  We immediately stopped and got out to fix and then went and found a better place to re-rig the trailer entirely. My big question is... What part does the air suspension system play in this dynamic?  I found nothing wrong with the tie down. the one side just seemed to have gotten loose enough to move. To say it was discerning would be an understatement. We did have the front wheeled firmly strapped to the tire channel, that's probably what save it from going over along with the back straps.  What we want to know is has anyone else experienced this also??

 What is a good cure? We can't afford to loose the bike that way and it's a 3100 mile trip. We checked anytime we stopped for fuel or just because. I am a nervous Nelly when towing anything.  We're just trying to find further peace of mind.  We considered placing it on the center stand, fitting a piece of wood under the rear wheel to level it. We got a rear tire strap designed to go around the rear wheel in such a way as to hold it in place on the trailer. Blocking in the front wheel in the track with wood to fit till it's tight and and tied to the rail as well. I even went so far as to try and come up with a metal angle iron  trianlgulated front wheel stand with a rod going thru the hollow axle but that seemed a bit over kill. So... does the suspension control system bleed off to an empty spot where we can tie it down properly with just the spring pressure or will that continue to be a problem?? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[bobv07662]

Well it wouldn't be your "air suspension" because the Trophy doesn't have that. It does have a motorized preload adjustment on the rear suspension unit that can not be activated or affected when the bike's key is in the off position,
Usually the "droopy bike while towing syndrome" is the result of stretched tie downs. Also, don't use the rear grab rail for a hold down. It's only plastic. Pillion pegs have worked well for me.

[NEARMISSES]

Thanks for the correction on suspension mechanics but doesn't it also do the front suspension in the forks too?  It has a black cap and wires going to them? I thought that to be some sort of air suspension set up, my mistake. I appreciate the info on the handles on the rear. i will use the rear pegs as you suggest also.  I did not want to use those again hence our buying the rear tire tie down strap. I did worry about the stretch factor too. I bought those Rihno Tie Downs, made in Ca. without the ratchets and hopefully they will work better and not stretch as badly. Good info to know. We will check often as well.  So the Suspension is a mechanical endeavor. Good to know. Less likely to fail than I personally thought.

[bobv07662]

The front suspension has no height adjustment mechanism, just damping.
Since you are towing a long distance double up on the hold downs. I personally use 4 high quality ratcheting 2" hold downs. Never had an issue.

[NEARMISSES]

Thanks again. We will give the doubling up a try this trip! I will go in search of some 2" kinds.  Used to be from your area in my younger days. I went to dive lessons at Underwater Sports on Rt. 46 or17? can't remember exactly but believe the first one.   It must be a real survival excersize staying alive on a bike there now! Was difficult back then in the late 60's early 70's. Rode another Triumph Triple back then! A Trident.  This one is definitely quicker. Thanks again !

[HACKLE]

NEARMISSES, sorry to read about your "near miss" [sorry couldn't help myself] regarding the tying down of your Trophy. I have only had to tie down my Trophy once and as recommended by my dealer I purchased and used Bull Bar Tie-down Straps. There are many sort of similar straps available that fit across the handle bars and the sleeves fit over each grip. You then attach the tie down straps to these and do your normal tying down. I also put additional straps at the rear coming of the pillion foot peg hangers. Hope this explains it. Look them up on the computer and you'll see the application better. Cheers. 

[NEARMISSES]

I have used the handlebar type strap before but not on screwed on 2 piece handlebars, afraid they might break.  I was told to never do it that way on my BMW K1200LT also by a decent dealer I went to in Ft. Myers, Fl. The Beemer needed to be strapped from the lower triple tree.  I used to carry 2 bikes in my hi top van a Buell S3T and a Ducati Monster 900 both 2000 year bikes never had a problem with them using the handlebar straps you mentioned. I was going to try them as a possible safe guard. Bikes with fairings are a devil to tie down properly.  You might be on to something there HACKLE and yes, That is the origins of the Handle NEARMISSES, HA!  I really want some peace of mind towing this time. Has anyone on here used one of these type straps on an SE to go a great distance? 

[Canes1]

If you take a look at the thread below, I'm sure it will help you determine the best way to strap your bike in. I believe the most secure point is the subframe (blue straps on my pic), as pointed out by Drthunder. I also used the passenger grab rail and a set of canyon dancers on the hand grips (both orange straps in pic).
I only hauled my bike about 40 miles this way and would probably change orange straps for a longer trip!
Again, believe the subframe (blue straps) would be #1 tie down point, would run straps over front axle, both sides and strap through rear wheel, attaching to both sides, allowing the bikes suspension to do its thing.

https://www.triumph-trophy.com/index.php/topic,9604.16.html