mudbreaksthingsmorefun
New Member
I told myself i was going write this along time ago since i had such a pain trying to research for this.
For those interested in shipping their motorcycle via U-haul.
It can be done!
And it can be done safely without damaging your bike and the truck.
This in no way requires modifying the U-haul in any way. All though im guessing if you asked uhaul they wouldnt like it very much. Just think of it as transporting a piano.
**Please use your best judgement! I am not liable for any damaged property. You are doing this at your own risk***
Materials: Ratcheting tie-downs,Pallets, scrap wood, Three 10 foot 2x4s (The cheap ones), lots of large screws, 4 eyebolts (i think i used 3/4in), the nuts and washers that go with them, and a table saw (if you have one)
Step 1- Find yourself some pallets 2 to be exact. Make sure they arent too rotted(one of mine was but it did not seem to matter), and are long enough combined to sit you nc comfortably on them. (I think about 9 feet)
Some businesses dont like to give away their pallets but many dont really care and throw them out by the dumpster, so go cruise around your local industrials, or ask around.
In a best case scenario you could try to find a mc dealership willing to let an old pallet go, because they have pallets specifically designed for shipping motorcycles I asked my local Harley dealership and they seemed offended that i even asked so i gave up that dream.
View attachment 8424
Step 2: Cut up the 2x4s to reinforce the pallets horizontally, and longer ones vertically.
I ran the 2x4s through the inside of the pallets, but i had to rip the 2x4s down a little to fit. Depending on the thickness of your pallets you may
be able to slide them through.
I chose the inside because that seemed to me like it would have the most structural support. The outside would probably work too it just might need more reinforcing.
Step 3: Find where your bike is going to sit and reinforce underneath, and put something down it can roll on. Also see where you are going to put the wheel chalks but dont attatch them yet!
Step 4: Drill holes in sides of pallet on 4 corners, and install eyebolts with washers and screws. (i did this with the bike on the pallet so i could see where the straps would need to attach.
Step 5: Pallet should be complete and ready to bolt down your Nc. Roll her on to the pallet and bolt her down as a test run to make sure all is well.
Step 6 : Line the pallet up in the very back of the uhaul and take your Nc straight up the ramp and onto the pallet all in 1 go. (I stupidly did steps 4-6 inside the truck which made it extremely difficult please dont make the same mistake as me!)
Step 7: Get the bike situated and install wheel chalks and extra supports.
Step 8: Use other straps to attach bike and pallet to uhaul but be very selective where you put them because the wall mounts are very flimsy. (I also packed sturdy square objects like my tool box next to the pallet to keep it form slidding around.
Step 9: Finish packing up all your crap, grab a cold one, and relax!
I transported my bike 800 miles like this and it only shifted within the first 20miles but once it settled it didnt move once. I hope this will get someone started or a be good brainstorming idea. Sorry for the lack of detail i am trying to do this from memory and i could not find all the pictures. Watch out for nails and leave the kickstand up!
For those interested in shipping their motorcycle via U-haul.
It can be done!
And it can be done safely without damaging your bike and the truck.
This in no way requires modifying the U-haul in any way. All though im guessing if you asked uhaul they wouldnt like it very much. Just think of it as transporting a piano.
**Please use your best judgement! I am not liable for any damaged property. You are doing this at your own risk***
Materials: Ratcheting tie-downs,Pallets, scrap wood, Three 10 foot 2x4s (The cheap ones), lots of large screws, 4 eyebolts (i think i used 3/4in), the nuts and washers that go with them, and a table saw (if you have one)
Step 1- Find yourself some pallets 2 to be exact. Make sure they arent too rotted(one of mine was but it did not seem to matter), and are long enough combined to sit you nc comfortably on them. (I think about 9 feet)
Some businesses dont like to give away their pallets but many dont really care and throw them out by the dumpster, so go cruise around your local industrials, or ask around.
In a best case scenario you could try to find a mc dealership willing to let an old pallet go, because they have pallets specifically designed for shipping motorcycles I asked my local Harley dealership and they seemed offended that i even asked so i gave up that dream.
View attachment 8424
Step 2: Cut up the 2x4s to reinforce the pallets horizontally, and longer ones vertically.
I ran the 2x4s through the inside of the pallets, but i had to rip the 2x4s down a little to fit. Depending on the thickness of your pallets you may
be able to slide them through.
I chose the inside because that seemed to me like it would have the most structural support. The outside would probably work too it just might need more reinforcing.
Step 3: Find where your bike is going to sit and reinforce underneath, and put something down it can roll on. Also see where you are going to put the wheel chalks but dont attatch them yet!
Step 4: Drill holes in sides of pallet on 4 corners, and install eyebolts with washers and screws. (i did this with the bike on the pallet so i could see where the straps would need to attach.
Step 5: Pallet should be complete and ready to bolt down your Nc. Roll her on to the pallet and bolt her down as a test run to make sure all is well.
Step 6 : Line the pallet up in the very back of the uhaul and take your Nc straight up the ramp and onto the pallet all in 1 go. (I stupidly did steps 4-6 inside the truck which made it extremely difficult please dont make the same mistake as me!)
Step 7: Get the bike situated and install wheel chalks and extra supports.
Step 8: Use other straps to attach bike and pallet to uhaul but be very selective where you put them because the wall mounts are very flimsy. (I also packed sturdy square objects like my tool box next to the pallet to keep it form slidding around.
Step 9: Finish packing up all your crap, grab a cold one, and relax!
I transported my bike 800 miles like this and it only shifted within the first 20miles but once it settled it didnt move once. I hope this will get someone started or a be good brainstorming idea. Sorry for the lack of detail i am trying to do this from memory and i could not find all the pictures. Watch out for nails and leave the kickstand up!
Last edited:
