So you\u2019ve got a bike all ready to move, and the trailer\u2019s all set up. But what\u2019s that? Not a wheel chock in sight! Not one that\u2019ll fit, anyway! Whether an owner or a transporter, you may have found yourself in this sort of situation before. So then what? Call the whole thing off? Or is it possible to tie down a motorcycle without <\/em>chocks?<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n CitizenShipper deals with veteran motorcycle movers<\/a> on a regular basis. We\u2019ll relate their advice on the matter in a moment, but let\u2019s cover the basics first. What exactly are wheel chocks and what do they have to do with motorcycle shipping<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n A wheel chock<\/a> is a wedge made of plastic, rubber, wood, or other sturdy material. Positioned against the wheels, one to either side, it keeps the vehicle in place. Just like a car\u2019s hand brake, a chock\u2019s purpose is to prevent accidental lateral movement. This is useful when the vehicle is parked, when it needs to be lifted, or when it\u2019s in transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chocks come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the height of the wheel and the slope of the surface. Some include ice cleats and other accessories so they can be wedged more securely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, there\u2019s no doubt that wheel chocks come in handy. But are they actually necessary? As in required by law? Aren\u2019t there alternate ways to secure a motorcycle if you can\u2019t get your hands on the right type of chock? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The answer is\u2026 well, yes and now. Wheel chock use is mandatory in certain circumstances. In others, you\u2019re supposed to use common sense and adjudicate your situation. When the required size\/type of chock isn\u2019t available, you look for a different solution to securing the vehicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All right, so how do you tie down a motorcycle without a chock, then? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first thing you need to take care of is keeping the front wheel from turning. The chocks normally do this by fitting snugly against both the rubber and the road. Without one, you may be able to improvise with almost any piece of wood or plastic<\/strong>. Even a brick might do in a pinch! These improvised tools won\u2019t fit perfectly, but you can compensate by wrapping and wedging in towels<\/strong>. It\u2019s up to you to judge how well fixed the wheel is before you move to the tie-down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep this in mind, though: any improvised restraint might work great for one motorcycle, but not for another. Depending on the bike\u2019s size and weight<\/strong>, there will be more or less momentum to compensate for. If unsure about your choice, please consult an expert!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, let\u2019s talk about tying down <\/strong>the bike. The tension on straps will be greater without the chocks, and that\u2019s what you must make up for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that\u2019s it! Compared to tying down a motorcycle with wheel chocks, there\u2019s not too much difference. With an improvised wedge in place, and compensating for the slightly increased tension in the straps, you\u2019ll do fine. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" So you\u2019ve got a bike all ready to move, and the trailer\u2019s all set up. But what\u2019s that? Not a wheel chock in sight! Not one that\u2019ll fit, anyway! Whether an owner or a transporter, you may have found yourself in this sort of situation before. So then what? Call the whole thing off? Or<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":2669,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"custom_post_schema":"What’s the Purpose of Wheel Chocks?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives to Wheel Chocks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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