Recessed wheel chocks installed on Harbor Freight folding trailer for dirt bikes DIY

How to install Pit Posse recessed wheel chocks on a Harbor Freight folding trailer.
Recessed wheel chocks amzn.to/2WaWiaX
Harbor Freight Trailer bit.ly/3gAUtvv
These wheel chocks fold flat when not using them and your straps can be stored inside. This allows the trailer to still be folded up and put away.
My bikes are a 2004 Honda CRF 230 and a 2002 Yamaha TTR 125

[@kif0702]

I have the same trailer and looking for the idea of how to tie down my dirk bike. Best video on KZbin

[@kingkennedy7770]

Finally i see this idea work on HF! Only seen them in enclosed trailers. Now, I'll go ahead and do it lol

[@kryzstov]

Definitely consider tying down from above the forks for more stability

[@cameronbaker7959]

It’s terrible for your suspension

[@cameronbaker7959]

You can tie down from pegs for even pressure on front and rear

[@michaelcrosby6071]

Add some more tie downs, get some high quality straps

[@benkanobe7500]

Brilliant solution. Thanks so much for showing me this and providing the link. I ordered my trailer and get it the end of the month.

[@Wooskii1]

Very nice! This is exactly what I need to do. I would just have to add a third in the center for carrying a single possibly larger bike. Thanks 👍

[@Schmenge888]

you gotta tie down from each side of the handlebar/grips and higher on rear end of the bike and use good ratchet straps, you won't screw up your suspension unless you leave it compressed for many hours. I've had a stinger motorcycle trailer and other utility trailers, the bike's suspension is used to absorb bumps so strap it down good or you may lose it

[@ThisTall]

You’re very overconfident in your opinion lol.

[@HaveUCalledPinkFloyd]

Excellent idea! I’m going do the same for my two ebikes 👍🏻

[@irahank5509]

@Kareem Cain definitely, been using Flixzone} for since november myself =)

[@fernandojoseph352]

@Kareem Cain Yup, I've been watching on flixzone} for years myself :D

[@hectormarshall8608]

@Kareem Cain yea, I've been watching on Flixzone} for since november myself :)

[@nelsonkamryn4045]

@Kareem Cain yup, I've been using flixzone} for years myself =)

[@3101home]

Must admit I was surprised how solid stable large bike seemed after the 2x4 under it, but what’s holding the 2x4 in place? Didn’t appear to be anything. At first having the very low strap attach point on the bikes I knew it would lean heavily while turning, ya gotta get a higher bike attach point, that would make it even safer. Lastly I would secure the front wheel directly to the chock.

[@mattadata2]

I have changed it since then, and I need to do an update video. I move the tiedowns just forward of the front wheels. And I now attach the straps to the base of the handlebars pulling forward. I use a shock stop between the top of the front tire in the bottom of the front fender. It’s more stable.

[@utahblues359]

Take it from someone who has tied down literally thousands of bikes. Your tie down method is no good and you WILL eventually lose one of those bikes. Tie downs should go from handlebars or top triple tree to point forward of front axle. Get rid of the 2 by and always, ALWAYS use at least 2 sets of quality tie downs. Seen them break and or let go many times. Don’t skimp on your tie downs. It will cost you way more in bike damage.

[@thebuyingseller]

This 👆🏼

[@sephjfox]

Tree straps are harsh on the front seals, although it will work. I do 6 points per bike. Foot peg tie downs (2), front and rear wheel ties (2), seat tie (1), and also run a cable lock (1) through the bikes so they can't leave the trailer. It takes forever but I'm worried about the bikes moving around because I take the trailer off road. I kind of like the idea with the wood block but I think it needs more padding.

[@brappinwithbrad5181]

Facts when I tie my motorcycles down if they move its not tight enough if my trailer somehow comes undone and flips I know my bikes is still gonna be tied to it watching those bikes move the way they did gave me chills

[@michaelcrosby6071]

Agree

[@Hawk-qn2zk]

I personally would have tied into the metal frame for the top 2 bolts of each of the chucks and anchor points.

[@JoseFernandes-v8l]

Hi thanks for the video - where can I order these wheel chokes from ? Thanks Jose

[@kiwi-moto]

Nice. You must have smoooooooth roads there. It wouldnt last long where I am. Have you tried turn buckles? I still just spend an extra few mins and use ratchet straps

[@synergyelectric4074]

Thanks for this video. Quick question: what is the distance from the side of the trailer to the outside edge of the recessed chocks? I'm currently building mine right now and was curious about the spacing so my bars don't touch. Thanks again!

[@johnberry2877]

Our roads in Michigan are worse than Fallujia . I would be scared to use tie down on a trailer.

[@markrumble7706]

Better off using something more solid like turnbuckles than straps but great job

[@mctenold]

I'm not a fan of the permanent recessed solution, but I get why you did it for ease of folding it up. Mainly because what do you do when you only have one bike to haul? I'm sure there will be times when not both bikes are heading out. Now you have an unbalanced trailer. I guess thinking about it you could just put a third one in the middle. However that's removing a lot of wood and may ruin the integrity of the strength of the wood up front.

[@mattadata2]

I have towed only my bigger bike and doesn’t seem to make a difference. Felt solid.

[@davidj9977]

you could easily put 2x3 cross members under the plywood for more support

[@ayechapin1]

Just bought my first bike ever and am trying to figure it out as I go... but one question I have is why you don't want to have pressure on the seals/shocks...? TIA

[@mattadata2]

Too much pressue, from ratchet straps too tight, will blow out the seals in the shocks that keep the shock oil in and keep the dirt out. Best way to prevent this is use something like a shock seal saver or a 2x4 between the top of the front tire and the bottom of the fender.

[@ayechapin1]

@@mattadata2 thanks ... what kind of ramp do you use?

[@mattadata2]

@@ayechapin1 wood 2x8 with these ramps ends. amzn.to/3Mn1r7m

[@johnwilkes8847]

You still using that HF trailer to haul your bikes? How is it? Thinking about doing the same, having a hard time justifying spending 2500 on a premade motorcycle specific trailer

[@mattadata2]

Yep! Still working good! Hauling other things too. Made a homing coming float….

[@lilnofresh2875]

Will the trailer still be able to fold after all of this I am looking to do the same

[@mattadata2]

Yes. That was my goal. That why I got the recessed wheel chocks.

[@lilnofresh2875]

Thankyou

[@mattadata2]

Np. Good luck!

[@benkanobe7500]

A couple of quick questions. I have a 230F identical to yours (best trail bike ever made!) and was wondering if you had it all to do again, would you go with the longer 24" recessed chalk or keep the length you have as I was thinking of going with the longer? My hope is you have some miles on your trailer now and so would definitely know. Also, another question: Are those carriage bolts you used and if not what type of bolt as they appear to have a rounded head like a carriage bolt. I really like your design! Thanks again.

[@mattadata2]

Hi. The 16 inch I have are fine, but you could do the bigger ones...the wheel might sit in there a little deeper. But I have not had an issue. Yes, those are carriage bolts. The chocks have square holes in the permirmeter for mounting. The square on the carriage bolts fits perfectly in there. Just don't try and tie the bike down via the pegs like I tried at first. Tie down from the forks or bars and pull it forward. A shock saver or 2x4 between the tire and the bottom if fender keeps suspension from bouncing on bumps. Good luck!

[@benkanobe7500]

@@mattadata2 Thanks a million! I did plan on the front forks tie down as that is the way I have been doing it for 50 years. No fork damage so far, but I like the 2X4 idea to limit the compression. I will definitely try that. Thank you. Do you carry a spare and if so, where/how?

[@mattadata2]

No spare. I have been risking it!

[@forestmotoadventures]

I will carry a flat tire plug kit 😎💯

[@Oobanrun2024]

Are you using the 16 or 24 ?inch

[@mattadata2]

16 inch. amzn.to/2WaWiaX

[@ayechapin1]

Do they have a drain? (In case it rains?

[@mattadata2]

Yep. Has a small drain hole in each corner.

[@motosporttouring]

Nice build. Have you had any problems or issues with the trailer itself ? Thank you

[@mattadata2]

Thanks. No trouble at all. I did clean and regrease the bearings right when I got the trailer.

[@motosporttouring]

mattadata2 awesome. Thank you

[@ajpat1835]

Does it creat a problem if you take just one bike? Any balance issue

[@mattadata2]

Nope! One works just fine.

[@coltonware5627]

Genius!!

[@stephenscott4019]

Even a caveman can do it..

[@christopherwarren6511]

Are these the 16" Chocks or the 24"??? Would the 24 fit?

[@mattadata2]

I used the 16 inch. Yes, I think the 24 inch would fit because you can bolt them down anywhere on the plywood.

[@DaveMoore99]

Just curious if you've had this setup out on a rough dirt road or up in the mountains? What were the results? I've almost got an identical setup, but currently I tie my bikes down with straps from the handlebars to the trailer. Problem is sometimes the straps come loose from the trailer connection point. If I didn't have chocks for the front tires I would've lost a bike!!! Looking for a better / easier solution. Great video.

[@mattadata2]

Mine wasn't as stable as I like. I either need to move the anchor points on the trailer backwards a little, or tie down from the handle bars. Will do an update video after I figure it out. Did you try any kind of 'shock saver' amzn.to/3aWwiGc That will keep your bikes suspension from compressing on bumps which is probably why it came unhooked. Exact same thing happen to me on a hitch mount carrier.

[@DaveMoore99]

@@mattadata2 No I haven't done the fork savers yet. That's precisely why mine came unhooked. Trying to find a cheap diy solution, look forward to the updated video.

[@mattadata2]

@@DaveMoore99 Cheap and easy is to use a 2X4. Been doing that for years.

[@NutEByN8urrr]

Shit woulda been so funny if as he slowly pulls out with the Acura they both fall off immediately and he doesn't notice and just keeps on cruising out. 😂

[@bratprince11]

Great vid. Quick question, how far from the side edges did you install each wheel chock? I'm looking to do the same.

[@mattadata2]

Measuring from the hole I cut to the side edge of the frame, one was 8.5 inches the other one was 9 inches. It might depend on how big your bikes are so the handlebars don’t hit.

[@bratprince11]

@@mattadata2 thanks! I'll start from 8.5" from the sides. It'll be a 230 and a 250, so I may need to put one chock 1" fwd to keep the handlebars from touching.

[@luisenrique3573]

what kind of bikes are those they look amazing?

[@mattadata2]

Thanks. My bikes are a 2004 Honda CRF 230 and a 2002 Yamaha TTR 125

[@kieranmoorhouse9027]

Tie the bikes down around the forks above the lower triple clamp and use a fork saver if you are worried about the fork seals but compress the forks from the triple clamp not the Pegs that is dumb

[@taydenduffin5329]

Have you gone over 55mph with the bikes on it.? If so how did it handle? Tires are apparently only rated for 55mph

[@mattadata2]

Yes. It has been fine so far.

[@mojacker]

Do you have a link to the recessed chocks ?

[@mattadata2]

Yep. Also in description. amzn.to/2WaWiaX

[@mojacker]

@@mattadata2 thanks, ordered.

[@toomuchmollie]

How do you load your bikes on the trailer?

[@mattadata2]

I just use a ramp.

[@Va.Resident]

thats going to fall. all you needs is for that back tire to slide about an inch or two in either direction and down she goes. speaking from experience, your setup is based on friction on that back tire

[@mattadata2]

I changed it bit. It’s rock solid now.

[@patw9175]

man I should have bought the big one not the 40x48 🤣

[@gmartinezfuster]

That tie down method is a recipe for disaster

[@dronus]

Meh. I feel like the idea of using straps is nomadic.

[@MurrayEstes]

Here in Hawaii the homeless will steal your straps.....

[@Magicinstalls]

Weakest tie down job I've ever seen.

[@mattadata2]

You are not wrong. I have since removed the foot peg tie downs and put two on the handlebars and 1 around the rear tire. I need to make update video.

[@jasonstone9074]

yes, please do! @@mattadata2