Buying a car, hauling the bike.

ChaoSS · July 3rd, 2013, 03:47 PM

Ok, so I'm looking for a new vehicle for the family, and some of the ones I'm looking at are down in the LA area, 200-250 miles away. So I was thinking I could ride down, and if I buy one, go rent a uhaul trailer and haul the bike back home. But damn, it's 150 bucks almost to go that way, almost 3 times as much as if I was going the opposite direction. My other thought was to get one of those harbor freight bike haulers that goes in the trailer hitch, but that's putting a lot of faith in a trailer hitch I just met.

Ideas? I'm looking at buying an expedition, anyone ever tried hauling a ninjette inside the back of a full sized SUV? Is there room? Ideas for tie downs? Maybe run straps through the doors and to the frame, with microfiber rags protecting the paint? I guess, but I have no idea how much room an expedition has in the back.

rojoracing53 · July 3rd, 2013, 04:00 PM

Mark Miller used to show up to Willow springs with a GSXR-1000 and gear in the back of his Honda element

Find someone to ride two up with you then they can drive it back while you ride.

ChaoSS · July 3rd, 2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

Mark Miller used to show up to Willow springs with a GSXR-1000 and gear in the back of his Honda element

Find someone to ride two up with you then they can drive it back while you ride.

I'd take my wife, but we have three kids under 4 years old, and the youngest is too young to be with a babysitter.

I could ride down and buy it, and then bring my wife back in the pick up, but I'm trying to avoid that much driving in a larger vehicle.

I'm having trouble finding the specs for the interior dimensions on an expedition, maybe tomorrow I'll go check one out at a dealer and get some measurements.

I also thought about buying a harbor freight trailer, but then I thought I'd have to get it registered, a no go on a saturday, and who knows if the local place would have one of the motorcycle carriers, even if I can trust the hitch on the expedition.

Guess I could remove the gas tank, drain the oil, and lay the bike on her side....

Lychee · July 3rd, 2013, 04:13 PM

fly there..... drive back.

ChaoSS · July 3rd, 2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lychee

fly there..... drive back.

I don't fly. I take issue with getting that personal with the screeners.

Anyway, for what it costs to fly I could rent the Uhaul. Plus I'd have to figure out how to get around LA while I was down there, which means I'd have to pay cab fares or rent a car....

Lychee · July 3rd, 2013, 04:35 PM

greyhound? yes, you would need to rent a car or use zip car.

What year and model expedition? To research the available size.

CC Cowboy · July 3rd, 2013, 04:54 PM

One way car rental. Rent a car to get down there. If sale doesn't go through, drive home. If it does, have seller help drop off rental and you're all set.

Tigerpaw · July 3rd, 2013, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

One way car rental. Rent a car to get down there. If sale doesn't go through, drive home. If it does, have seller help drop off rental and you're all set.

This probably gives you the most options, least hassle.

ChaoSS · July 3rd, 2013, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lychee

greyhound? yes, you would need to rent a car or use zip car.

What year and model expedition? To research the available size.

2002-2006 for the most part, no specific model, just going down there to look right now...

Found a few more that are closer, so I may not need to go down there.

Was kind of hoping to try the bike out over the grapevine though.

Jiggles · July 3rd, 2013, 05:10 PM

Uhaul is $15/day, what the hell are you talking about?

ChaoSS · July 3rd, 2013, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Uhaul is $15/day, what the hell are you talking about?

Uhaul won't do one way rentals for a bike trailer, at least not where I want to pick up and drop off. And from Visalia to LA the utility trailer is like 50 bucks, the other way is like 135. I'm not paying 135 for a damn rental, not when I can buy a motorcycle carrier that goes in the hitch for the same price from harbor freight.

Lychee · July 3rd, 2013, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaoSS

2002-2006 for the most part, no specific model, just going down there to look right now...

Found a few more that are closer, so I may not need to go down there.

Was kind of hoping to try the bike out over the grapevine though.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Motorcycle dimensions:
Length: 82.1 in
Seat Height: 30.5 inches
Width: 28.1 in
Weight: 375 lbs

2006 Expedition Interior Features & Specs

• Cargo area dimensions: length (inches): 82.8, front width (inches): 57.0, width between arches (inches): 50.9 and loading floor height (inches): 33.5

It seems it will only barely fit lengthwise: 0.7 inches of clearance. not enough room for a chock. I think it would be risky.

2002 Ford Expedition
Cargo area dimensions: length (inches): 82.2, front width (inches): 57, width between arches (inches): 48.5, height (inches): 36 and loading floor height (inches): 33.4

Not enough room in the 2002.

Perhaps if you left the lift gate down? Bike diagonal....

Jiggles · July 3rd, 2013, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaoSS

Uhaul won't do one way rentals for a bike trailer, at least not where I want to pick up and drop off. And from Visalia to LA the utility trailer is like 50 bucks, the other way is like 135. I'm not paying 135 for a damn rental, not when I can buy a motorcycle carrier that goes in the hitch for the same price from harbor freight.

So rent a trailer and take it with you and then bring it back?

Redgeneral · July 3rd, 2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaoSS

Uhaul won't do one way rentals for a bike trailer, at least not where I want to pick up and drop off. And from Visalia to LA the utility trailer is like 50 bucks, the other way is like 135. I'm not paying 135 for a damn rental, not when I can buy a motorcycle carrier that goes in the hitch for the same price from harbor freight.

What about using a non-motorcycle trailer from uhaul? I picked my bike up 5 hours away from where I live, it was cheaper to rent a 6x10 enclosed uhaul trailer towed behind a truck than a motorcycle trailer.

Just an idea.

crazymadbastard · July 3rd, 2013, 08:33 PM

Search for this in Amazon $40 rated for 500 lbs TMS T-NS-MRC001 500-Pound Heavy Duty Motorcycle Dirt Bike Scooter Carrier Hitch Rack Hauler Trailer with Loading Ramp and Anti-Tilt Locking Device

psych0hans · July 3rd, 2013, 09:12 PM

Someone I know ferries his gixxer in the back of one of these... I believe he removed the back seats, but not sure how he tied it down...

ChaoSS · July 4th, 2013, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

So rent a trailer and take it with you and then bring it back?

I don't think a trailer will fit in my backpack.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redgeneral

What about using a non-motorcycle trailer from uhaul? I picked my bike up 5 hours away from where I live, it was cheaper to rent a 6x10 enclosed uhaul trailer towed behind a truck than a motorcycle trailer.

Just an idea.

That's what costs so much, from this area, apparently.

Jiggles · July 4th, 2013, 05:10 AM

Guess your making 2 trips

CC Cowboy · July 4th, 2013, 03:06 PM

Rent a pickup

ChaoSS · July 4th, 2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Rent a pickup

How is that supposed to help?

Tigerpaw · July 4th, 2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaoSS

How is that supposed to help?

lol. You can tow the expedition back. Pickups get better gas mileage. lol

CC Cowboy · July 4th, 2013, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaoSS

How is that supposed to help?

CC Cowboy · July 4th, 2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaoSS

How is that supposed to help?

Brain fart

ChaoSS · July 4th, 2013, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigerpaw

lol. You can tow the expedition back. Pickups get better gas mileage. lol

Well, if I thought I could, I'd drive my pickup down there and do that, but I wouldn't want to tow something that heavy for very far anyway, and with the grapevine....

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Brain fart

Lol.

July 3rd, 2013, 03:47 PM	#1
ChaoSS ninjette.org sage Name: Tim Location: Goshen CA Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 red 250 ninja Posts: 740	Buying a car, hauling the bike. Ok, so I'm looking for a new vehicle for the family, and some of the ones I'm looking at are down in the LA area, 200-250 miles away. So I was thinking I could ride down, and if I buy one, go rent a uhaul trailer and haul the bike back home. But damn, it's 150 bucks almost to go that way, almost 3 times as much as if I was going the opposite direction. My other thought was to get one of those harbor freight bike haulers that goes in the trailer hitch, but that's putting a lot of faith in a trailer hitch I just met. Ideas? I'm looking at buying an expedition, anyone ever tried hauling a ninjette inside the back of a full sized SUV? Is there room? Ideas for tie downs? Maybe run straps through the doors and to the frame, with microfiber rags protecting the paint? I guess, but I have no idea how much room an expedition has in the back.

July 3rd, 2013, 04:13 PM	#4
Lychee sail away Name: Jon Location: San Jose Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): gixxer (sold), ninjette (upgrade!) Posts: 964 Blog Entries: 8	fly there..... drive back. __________________________________________________ Unregistered found this post helpful. Track Day Preparation Checklist 1. Financial 2. Mental 3. Physical 4. Gear / Bike

July 3rd, 2013, 04:35 PM	#6
Lychee sail away Name: Jon Location: San Jose Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): gixxer (sold), ninjette (upgrade!) Posts: 964 Blog Entries: 8	greyhound? yes, you would need to rent a car or use zip car. What year and model expedition? To research the available size. __________________________________________________ Unregistered found this post helpful. Track Day Preparation Checklist 1. Financial 2. Mental 3. Physical 4. Gear / Bike

July 3rd, 2013, 04:54 PM	#7
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	One way car rental. Rent a car to get down there. If sale doesn't go through, drive home. If it does, have seller help drop off rental and you're all set. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

July 3rd, 2013, 05:10 PM	#10
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Uhaul is $15/day, what the hell are you talking about? __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

July 3rd, 2013, 04:00 PM	#2
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	Mark Miller used to show up to Willow springs with a GSXR-1000 and gear in the back of his Honda element Find someone to ride two up with you then they can drive it back while you ride.

July 3rd, 2013, 08:33 PM	#15
crazymadbastard I'm crazy,your excuse is? Name: Winston Location: Connecticut Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250 2007 ninja Posts: A lot.	Search for this in Amazon $40 rated for 500 lbs TMS T-NS-MRC001 500-Pound Heavy Duty Motorcycle Dirt Bike Scooter Carrier Hitch Rack Hauler Trailer with Loading Ramp and Anti-Tilt Locking Device __________________________________________________ My Cafe Racer Build My intro post

July 4th, 2013, 05:10 AM	#18
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Guess your making 2 trips __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

July 4th, 2013, 03:06 PM	#19
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Rent a pickup __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

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