Cigar Mike
Elite Member
For many years Cathy and I have been hauling dirt bikes out to ride and camping in the travel trailer. Once I bought the DS bikes I started getting everything needed to camp off those bikes. Once I bought the NC and the CB I adjusted the camping gear for these bikes. I like the camping off the bikes but I like the travel trailer also. I even thought of getting rid of the trailer and just camping off the bikes. Cathy, being much wiser then I suggested that this was not a good idea. We just got back from a 10 day trip to Utah and I must admit Cathy is right, I am not ready to stop using the trailer.
To take the NC and CB which both weigh over 400 pounds we had to get them in the back of my 2004 Dodge Ram 1 ton 4x4 pickup. Running the bikes up a ramp under the bikes power provides some problems as demonstrated in one of the threads here. Ramps are spit out if not attached to the gate of the truck. With both of us in our sixties pushing the bikes up the ramp into the truck especially when we can't find an ideal place to park the truck to get the gate lower. As I get older I don't think it will get any easier. I decided to use an 12v ATV winch mounted in the truck to help get the bikes in the truck.
Instead of hard wiring the winch to the truck I decided to use a separate battery which is in the ammo box. The battery charger, remote control for the winch, wrench, bolts and rope slings all fit in the box.
I made the slings out of some soft rope and attach them to the fork legs which hooks into the cable.
The winch system worked perfectly on our trip and by just having to keep the bike upright going up and down the ramp it can not be any easier or safer.
Taking the trailer with bikes in the truck opens up many other activities we enjoy while on the road. And it did keep us dry on the drive to Provo Utah during the storm that washed out the 15 freeway and route 191/6. We are also able to carry items for other activities we enjoy.
I like sleeping in my own bed and having other conveniences are nice. The shower and bathroom with you where ever you go is nice. And this is not bad either.
Once the bikes are off loaded we can be more selective of where and when we ride.
We are also able to carry more then one set of riding gear. The gear above is for cooler weather and the gear below is for warm climates.
I guess this makes me soft core as far as being a motorcyclist. But I can live with it, in comfort. Having the trailer does present it's own problems though. The U-bracket which holds the rear leaf spring broke on the drive from Denver to Provo. Since I am a retired steamfitter and a fair welder and having friends and family in Provo with the equipment to fix the trailer. I was able to fix it in less than an hour. Now with the trailer I wonder if I should bring my generator and welder with me next trip?
Hopefully traveling like this will let us keep enjoying the bikes and travels for many more years to come.
To take the NC and CB which both weigh over 400 pounds we had to get them in the back of my 2004 Dodge Ram 1 ton 4x4 pickup. Running the bikes up a ramp under the bikes power provides some problems as demonstrated in one of the threads here. Ramps are spit out if not attached to the gate of the truck. With both of us in our sixties pushing the bikes up the ramp into the truck especially when we can't find an ideal place to park the truck to get the gate lower. As I get older I don't think it will get any easier. I decided to use an 12v ATV winch mounted in the truck to help get the bikes in the truck.
Instead of hard wiring the winch to the truck I decided to use a separate battery which is in the ammo box. The battery charger, remote control for the winch, wrench, bolts and rope slings all fit in the box.
I made the slings out of some soft rope and attach them to the fork legs which hooks into the cable.
The winch system worked perfectly on our trip and by just having to keep the bike upright going up and down the ramp it can not be any easier or safer.
Taking the trailer with bikes in the truck opens up many other activities we enjoy while on the road. And it did keep us dry on the drive to Provo Utah during the storm that washed out the 15 freeway and route 191/6. We are also able to carry items for other activities we enjoy.
I like sleeping in my own bed and having other conveniences are nice. The shower and bathroom with you where ever you go is nice. And this is not bad either.
Once the bikes are off loaded we can be more selective of where and when we ride.
We are also able to carry more then one set of riding gear. The gear above is for cooler weather and the gear below is for warm climates.
I guess this makes me soft core as far as being a motorcyclist. But I can live with it, in comfort. Having the trailer does present it's own problems though. The U-bracket which holds the rear leaf spring broke on the drive from Denver to Provo. Since I am a retired steamfitter and a fair welder and having friends and family in Provo with the equipment to fix the trailer. I was able to fix it in less than an hour. Now with the trailer I wonder if I should bring my generator and welder with me next trip?
Hopefully traveling like this will let us keep enjoying the bikes and travels for many more years to come.
