Motorcycle Crate Shipping

What is the Motorcycle Crate Shipping?

When it comes to getting your motorcycle moved from one location to another, it is paramount that you go for a company that offers options Tough as they may look, they are delicate machines. They are even more sensitive when moving one to a client, hauling it to a collector’s warehouse or a motor show. It needs to arrive at the destination in perfect condition. There are various options, which include open-air, enclosed, door-to-door, and terminal-to-terminal. You can read more about what each option constitutes here. In either of these options, you can seek what is called crate hauling.

What exactly is Crate Shipping?

It refers to the mode in which they are hauled. Look at it like wrapping a household item such as a microwave inside its box and moving it. When it comes to bikes, a huge wooden crate, big enough to fit an entire bike, is used.

First, it is wheeled or hoisted inside a wooden one. Then strong straps are used to hold it in place inside it. This is to prevent it from falling over or leaning at a bad angle inside it. Once it is secured inside it, the door to the crate is sealed and the entire one is lifted onto a long haul truck (for motorcycle overland method) or the cargo ship (for international/overseas option). The long haul trucks and the vessel come with installed pallets, onto which they are placed and strapped before hauling can commence. The pallets hold in place, while also aiding in efficient loading and offloading.

Types of Moving

There are three options, depending on the size of the crate.

1. Economy/ Single-use: Single-use ones are the cheapest and hence the most economical. These are made of plywood and oriented strand boards (OSB). Usually, plywood is only strong enough to properly serve a singular shipment. They are specifically designed for clients who just bought or sold it and are seeking to haul it to a specific destination at the lowest cost possible.
2. Standard re-usable quick-crates: These are made of stronger plywood, making them reusable. It is easily assembled once the motorcycle is placed on the plywood floor. This standard reusable quick one is compact enough to offer stable protection all through the entire journey. Once a shipment is done, it can be dissembled and stored in your garage. The walls fold and stack on each other, taking up only about 12” of space, proving to be convenient for all. Its reusability is economical in the long run, especially for frequent movers.
3. XL Reusable quick-crate: These are recommended for larger ones. They offer more room for the bikes. The larger the bike, the heavier it is. The straps and the tie-downs here are stronger to support the heavier weight and hold it in place during bumpy rides. These XL reusable quick ones can also be dissembled, occupying only a little space in your storage facility.

Tips to note

While the roll-on, roll-off option is open-aired in nature, it is enclosed in nature. This poses a limit to what components can be comfortably accommodated inside it. For this reason, any extra additions to the motorcycle should be unscrewed or disconnected to save on space. These include extended windscreens, extended handlebars, side mirrors, extended stands, and the passenger carrier if it has one.

Apart from those tips specific to it, standard preparation tips are still adhered to. Such tips include:

• Cleaning of dirt and mud. This is to keep the reusable crate clean and neat for use the next time you need it.
• Draining the gas tank until it’s just about ¼ tank full. The wooden ones are flammable. The less fuel in the gas tank, the safer, just in case of any accidents.
• Checking the fluids, tire pressure, and the battery. Any spills can damage it, compromising its functionality the next time it’s used.
• Disabling the alarm system: An alarm that goes off while in transit will be difficult to reach, as they are closed up and fastened before commences.

Need moving for your ride? We have got you covered. Talk to us today!