Larry and the OP,
Here's a picture of the "Utraguard" travel cover I used a few times. I too was concerned about etching the paint while in motion behind the coach. But, I did a bit of research and read many reviews on this cover prior to my purchasing of it. Of all the reports, not one mentioned any etching or rubbing of the paint, on any bike, Goldwing, Harley etc.
So, I purchased one and used it. But, as you'll see in the picture, it fits real well everywhere but the very bottom. And, if I would have taken the time to "re-work" that cover, I could get it to tuck up to the belly of the bike and then it would do a better job of sealing things up.
Larry, you're right, you don't cover them when you're riding them but, as you most likely know, those bikes don't get nearly as dirty when riding them as they do when they're hanging on the back of the coaches. The turbulence back there, along with some rain, makes them seriously ugly. But, the cover did "some" good. It wasn't quite as bad as no cover at all. And, absolutely no paint etching what so ever. Just some thoughts here.
Scott
Here's a picture of the "Utraguard" travel cover I used a few times. I too was concerned about etching the paint while in motion behind the coach. But, I did a bit of research and read many reviews on this cover prior to my purchasing of it. Of all the reports, not one mentioned any etching or rubbing of the paint, on any bike, Goldwing, Harley etc.
So, I purchased one and used it. But, as you'll see in the picture, it fits real well everywhere but the very bottom. And, if I would have taken the time to "re-work" that cover, I could get it to tuck up to the belly of the bike and then it would do a better job of sealing things up.
Larry, you're right, you don't cover them when you're riding them but, as you most likely know, those bikes don't get nearly as dirty when riding them as they do when they're hanging on the back of the coaches. The turbulence back there, along with some rain, makes them seriously ugly. But, the cover did "some" good. It wasn't quite as bad as no cover at all. And, absolutely no paint etching what so ever. Just some thoughts here.
Scott
Tim fm ct,
Well Sir, this is a bit of a tough one. You see, in an enclosed trailer, it's not problem because, when you tie it down, the tie downs do not get in the way of a cover because there's no need for a cover INSIDE the trailer.
But, when you tie a bike down, either on a lift, like what I and many had and presently have, and or, inside the back of a pickup, the tie downs get in the way of really cinching down a good cover. Ultraguard makes a travel cover that has multiple straps, buckles, gathering points etc. that really make it snug to the bike. It even has little "slits" in it for possible places to run "some" tie downs through it.
Well, that's perfectly fine if, IF, your tie downs just happen to be placed on the bike and, tie to whatever you're tying to, in just the right spot. But, as in our case, they (all 6 tie downs) were no where near the slits provided so, that makes for a very difficult time to really "seal" up a bike to keep it from the elements/dirt/debris/salt/rain/ etc.
That cover, is by far, the best travel cover made. It's about as thick as a real good sleeping bag. And, it conforms to multiple, normal protrusions like the windshield, handle bars etc. And because of the multiple buckles and cinch points, it really CAN snug up extra tight so there's no possibility "etching" of the paint. This is not a flimsy "throw over" cover just to keep the sun off. This cover means business.
But, if one gets one of these covers, then a good upholsterer is needed to "fit" that cover on your bike, with tie downs in place so that appropriate slits can be inserted and then "Button hole stitched" to keep them from running or un-raveling.
The other problem is, even if you were to get that Ultraguard cover and, have it modified to accept all your tie downs, the problem is, install it and working with it in the confined space(s) between the bike and the side beds, and front. I know because I tried it. Other than an enclosed trailer, it's pretty tough to really seal a bike, especially a large cruiser, i.e. Goldwing, Harley Street or Ultra Glide, Yamaha Venture full dresser and more to the point that there's no possible infiltration of the exterior elements and contaminates. Good luck.
Scott
Well Sir, this is a bit of a tough one. You see, in an enclosed trailer, it's not problem because, when you tie it down, the tie downs do not get in the way of a cover because there's no need for a cover INSIDE the trailer.
But, when you tie a bike down, either on a lift, like what I and many had and presently have, and or, inside the back of a pickup, the tie downs get in the way of really cinching down a good cover. Ultraguard makes a travel cover that has multiple straps, buckles, gathering points etc. that really make it snug to the bike. It even has little "slits" in it for possible places to run "some" tie downs through it.
Well, that's perfectly fine if, IF, your tie downs just happen to be placed on the bike and, tie to whatever you're tying to, in just the right spot. But, as in our case, they (all 6 tie downs) were no where near the slits provided so, that makes for a very difficult time to really "seal" up a bike to keep it from the elements/dirt/debris/salt/rain/ etc.
That cover, is by far, the best travel cover made. It's about as thick as a real good sleeping bag. And, it conforms to multiple, normal protrusions like the windshield, handle bars etc. And because of the multiple buckles and cinch points, it really CAN snug up extra tight so there's no possibility "etching" of the paint. This is not a flimsy "throw over" cover just to keep the sun off. This cover means business.
But, if one gets one of these covers, then a good upholsterer is needed to "fit" that cover on your bike, with tie downs in place so that appropriate slits can be inserted and then "Button hole stitched" to keep them from running or un-raveling.
The other problem is, even if you were to get that Ultraguard cover and, have it modified to accept all your tie downs, the problem is, install it and working with it in the confined space(s) between the bike and the side beds, and front. I know because I tried it. Other than an enclosed trailer, it's pretty tough to really seal a bike, especially a large cruiser, i.e. Goldwing, Harley Street or Ultra Glide, Yamaha Venture full dresser and more to the point that there's no possible infiltration of the exterior elements and contaminates. Good luck.
Scott
MNawman wrote:
Thanks for all the great info guys! I guess I should mention that I have a 42 ft Entegra with a tag axel and will be pulling a Jeep. I really wanted to avoid a trailer or dolly, more axels, tires, and registration, not to mention having to park it at a campground. The Hydralift sounds good. I guess I ll just have to save my pennies. Thanks again guys!
MNawman,
I've sent you a couple of PMs with links to ones for sale in the AZ area. I don't know where you live in relation to these ones for sale but, when we bought our HL used, it was a six hour drive, each way. But, the savings were well worth it. Even in gas and two hotel rooms (we were not in a hurry to get home so, we hoteled it, both ways) we still saved well over half price of a new one. I also don't know how skilled you are in fabrication but, I calculated I also would save around $1500-$2000 by doing the install myself.
As I stated earlier, I set that lift up with hydraulic line "quick release" and on the electric side, I used a "Weathpack" GM weather connector. So, when it came time to remove the lift, for engine service or, we just weren't going to carry the bike for the upcoming trip, it took me, completely alone, right at 8 minutes to have that lift off the coach.
If and when you get one, it would behoove you to do the same. Have a hydraulic shop or, even some well equipped Napa auto parts stores can set your system up so the hydraulics have quick disconnects. Then, any weather tight electrical plug will work. A couple of Harbor Freight Polyurethane furniture dollies will handle the load very easily. Now, you're clear to do work on the coach or, take it in for repairs and not have the lift in the way.
We've hauled our Wings in totally enclosed trailers, on lifts on the back of the coach and now, on a Rampage lift, in the back of our GMC Sierra 4x4 Extended Cab. Other than the enclosed trailer method, we've always towed a toad too. As you can read, many carry or, take along motorcycles along with a toad. Each way of doing it has benefits and pitfalls. Doing a completely enclosed trailer is by far, hands down, the cleanest, most secure method. Your bike is completely out of the weather and elements and free from road grime.
But, unless you've got fairly serious HORSE POWER in your coach, trying to haul both a full sized touring motorcycle AND A VEHICLE, inside a fully enclosed trailer is out of the question for a very large percentage of us. Not to mention that, if you travel in the mode like we do, in the form of "No destination, no time frame", you're many times at the mercy of not knowing if a campground can handle that kind of length.
So, carrying the bike, or, as we do now, putting it in the back of a full sized, or, some do it in a smaller (Ford Ranger style) pickup is a viable alternative. That way, a toad is there for foul weather trips and, when the weather permits, the bike is there for the fun runs.
Whether one chooses a Hydralift, of a Cruiserlift, or an "Overbuilt" or even the "Blue-Ox" version, is of course up to them. I really wanted a Hydralift because in my opinion and experience with hydraulics in over 35 years of fire department trucks and more, they're superior in operation to winch operated mechanisms. But, I was not ready to jump in and pay upwards of $4,500.00 for one and, then, figure out how to get it shipped to our home because Hydralift will not ship to a residence, only to an authorized installer.
So, I got lucky, the DW found one on ebay, and, we worked out a deal, and I got it for way less than half price. All we had to do was, GO PICK IT UP.
Now, in our change, as stated, we now use the Rampage Motorcycle lift for pickups. They want, in the neighborhood of almost $3,000.00 for a new one. Well, we scowered the C/L and ebay and found two, within six hours of us. So, I called on one, made the deal on a used one, that been used twice and, again, made the deal and drove to pick it up. Again, for way less than half price.
So, as has been stated, if you look around, you'll find what you want. You might have to be patient and, you also might have to be ready to JUMP on one and, GO GET IT. Anyway, take a look around, and especially at the ones I sent you. Good luck.
Scott
