Bike fell off trailer while towed
 

Towing my bike on a trailer for its 7K service, got 1/4 mile from my house went up a hill and it fell off the trailer :smt013

Thank fluff for motosliders, damage limited to bent gear pedal, broken indicator, banged up handlebar ends, but it also cracked the front plastic and bent the brackets.

Local bike shop picked it up and they say it will be something like 2K(!) to fix it through insurance. I can't price the parts up to anything remotely like that, but as I paid for fully comp insurance, I might claim anyway, but >50% value of bike?

Tyres were due for changing, so might be able to get them on the insurance as well if I claim. Can't have done the sidewalls much good.

Re: Bike fell off trailer while towed
 

Ouch thats unlucky... But why was it being taken on a trailer?

Re: Bike fell off trailer while towed
 

I start work at 8:30 and set off at 7:30(ish). Bike shop is only open from 9.
I get home after bike shop shuts, so its either drop it off night before and leave it locked up outside shop all night, then annoy cousin into giving me a lift home, or get up around 6:30 to give me time to get bike to shop, chain it up, get taxi back home, get changed and set off for work.
Trailer seemed like a good idea, lock bike to trailer, lock trailer to lampost and drive straight on to work.

Re: Bike fell off trailer while towed
 

I wouldn't claim off the insurance mate, will cost you a lot more in the long run - just buy the parts you really need and fix it yourself :)

Bad luck by the way! Not trying to sound funny but do you know why it came off so as to prevent it happening again in future?

Re: Bike fell off trailer while towed
 

Best guess, going up the hill the bike rolled back just enough to loosen one of the 4 straps holding it on. Bike didn't move sideways when given hefty shove before setting off. Had front wheel chained to wheel loop, but there was some play, thought straps would hold it in place, guess not.

Re: Bike fell off trailer while towed
 

Mate, although I feel gutted for you dropping the bike. I have to say, think yourself lucky that it is only damage to your bike that you are having to pay for.
Unsecure loads are a dangerous and easily avoided hazard on todays roads and it really winds me up when things like this happen.
Learn by what has happened and please please never cut corners when securing loads again.

Re: Bike fell off trailer while towed
 

Re tyres you would be expected to make a contribution for betterment, if 50% worn, you pay 50% of the cost etc.

Re: Bike fell off trailer while towed
 

I didn't cut any corners. I probably made a mistake in how I strapped it down i.e. where I fixed the straps.

2 straps (genuine meant for motorycle trailer ones, 1000lb breaking strain) front and 2 straps rear, and chained on by the front wheel. Chain was meant to stop theft from trailer, not hold it up, so just long enough to left plastics hits floor when both right hand straps came loose. All straps tightened as much as 2 people pulling on them could.
Spent about 30 minutes loading bike night before, and all straps checked before setting off.

If I could figure out what I did wrong to let it fall off, I'd be happier.

Re: Bike fell off trailer while towed
 

recovery trucks have ones with loops that go through each side of the handlebars, they never moved off the recovery truck with just that one strap. altho my mates harley was strapped with alot more.

Re: Bike fell off trailer while towed
 

when my bike was recovered they fed one of the straps through the frame, guess thats one way of making sure it wont fall off