tie-down for ferry

[Eville Rich]

I'm planning a possible trip this summer in which I may cross Lake Michigan on a ferry. They have motorcycle parking areas for tying down. I have soft-tie ratchet straps I've used for trailering my WR250R but haven't done that in the S10. General guidance I've seen for the ferry (Lake Express) is to use the side stand to create three point of contact (there aren't wheel chocks). You get a roughly 3 foot by 6 foot area from what I've read.

All else held equal, I was planning to use the lower triple for the soft ties. I'm a little concerned about the possible angle coming under the fairing, but probably OK given the 3 foot wide footprint I'll have to work with. Not sure about the angle given the use of the side stand. The center stand is an option, but on other forums, folks recommended the side stand to have more contact points with the deck.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or direct experience with something like this. The only thing remotely related is using a ferry to cross the Wisconsin river. That is 10 minutes and no tie downs needed. Lake Michigan is much bigger water and a 2.5 hour crossing on the fairly fast Lake Express.

Thanks!

Eville Rich

 

[KYwoodsrider]

When I haul my Tenere in my truck I use the crash bars and ratchet straps over the tires.
Depending on the tie down location in the ferry this could work with the side stand.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I tend to use the crash bars too for the front and the rear grab handles or top of the tire (in gear) for the back.

 

[bimota]

MIGHT HELP

ROB

 

[Desert.Mariner]

Eville

I've transported bikes on trailers many times over thousands of miles, and I did a great circumnavigation of the Sea of Cortez via moto. That trip included an overnight ferry from Topolobampo to Laz Paz. There were really poor tie-down points on the ferry, but the system I carry with me worked just fine in spite of it because it's very adaptable.

In my opinion, ratchet straps shouldn't be used to secure motorcycles. It's too easy to over tension them and, as a moto traveler I like to use items for more than one use. I carry 4 rock climbing carabiners, four 60cm rockclimbing nylon sewn loops, and 4 good quality 6ft. rafting cam straps. The straps have a minimum breaking strength of 1500 pounds, everything else is rated to at least 2000lb. It's a pretty compact set-up. I also use the straps and loops for securing duffels to my racks. I never trust plastic buckles or bungee cords to hold my gear on my bike.

Cam straps: https://www.nrs.com/product/1440/nrs-1-hd-tie-down-straps
Nylon Loops: https://www.backcountrygear.com/18-mm-nylon-runner-bd4n11840.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqs-f7vGL6gIVT77ACh3wjQl-EAQYBSABEgJF7PD_BwE
Carabiners: https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/oval-carabiner-BD210075_20_cfg.html

Here are some pics:

 

[Eville Rich]

Thanks! I've had mixed experiences with can straps, but probably due to quality. My Thule ones I use for kayaks are pretty good. Just have 10x the mass to manage has kept me away. Maybe I'll add them to the list. I like the nylon straps/carbiner concept. Will check that out. Many possible uses.

And that video! Geez, is there anything with an instructional video these days? I'll watch it.

Eville Rich

 

[magic]

I put mine on the centerstand and secured it like Desert.Mariner has shown in his post. I was on the SS Badger and it worked out just fine. This thread reminds me of a time many years ago when we took the ferry from Northport to Washington Island. I was riding a BMW R90S back then and did not have any tie downs. I had to stand next to the bike and hold it. I figured I would let the bike fall on me if it were to tip over. Big waves that day, but we made it without incident...until I ate too much at the fish boil.

 

[Sierra1]

First off, I would contact the ferry company, and see what they recommend to secure the bike. Probably not their first rodeo. I like the video's process. Don't know if I'd trust a Beemer side stand though. . . . mine broke waaaay too easy.

 

[Desert.Mariner]

All cam straps are definitely not created equal. In addition to motorcycle use, I've never had an NRS strap fail in 20 years and thousands of miles or transporting sea kayaks on rough roads in Mexico. We put 10 boats on our industrial trailer at a time. That's a lot of testing! Our use on rafts have shown the same results - no failures.

The NRS loop end straps are also good. I just came off a 2,000 mile trip on my DR650 with sections of the Divide BDR, AZBDR and COBDR. I was carrying two duffels on that trip and was thinking that I might switch to loop end straps rather than using the continuous loop system I've used for years. I think it would be easier to adjust duffels on the rear rack. The trade-off would be shorter straps that would be less adaptable to other purposes. That said I did just transport my Super Tenere for six hours on a Uhaul and the loop-ended cam straps I used were so much easier to adjust.

The key is breaking strength. Even with 10x the mass of a motorcycle, you'll never be supporting the entire weight of the bike, so you are well within limits for a 1200-1500lb rated strap/cam.

 

[EricV]

Some great advice in the thread. I've done quite a few ferry rides, including the inside passage from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert in B.C. which is a 12 hour ferry ride. Here's my take away from those experiences.

Side stand is better than center stand. Use what ever straps you're comfortable with, but key is that you need some suspension compression, but not an excessive amount. A little bit is good for this. You just want the bike held in place while allowing it to bounce with the action. Too much tension and it can break straps. Especially on a longer ferry ride or trailering. Not enough, and it comes loose.

2.5 hours is no big deal. Snug it down in a couple of places and it will be fine. You could even do as shown in the video if you have a soft bag w/o anything in it to worry about being squished and just put the soft bag on the seat, run the strap over that and cinch it down. (don't forget about that toiletry bag with the toothpaste!) I have used the crash bars in front and the grab bar or rear tire in back, depending on the available tie down points on the deck.

 

[bustersmg]

I have crossed the Lake Express a few times on my bike. Tie down at crash bars on front and rear handles on back and on side stand. Easy trip to Road America races in June so sometimes use this on the way home. Never had a problem and not very crowded. Take what you need off your bike because they don’t let you down to your bike after you leave the dock. Enjoy your ride.

 

[Eville Rich]

I have crossed the Lake Express a few times on my bike. Tie down at crash bars on front and rear handles on back and on side stand. Easy trip to Road America races in June so sometimes use this on the way home. Never had a problem and not very crowded. Take what you need off your bike because they don’t let you down to your bike after you leave the dock. Enjoy your ride.

Awesome, thank you. It didn't look like a big deal. But I like knowing that before it's too late to change.

Hopefully the trip happens.

Eville Rich