It seems with those the mounting points for the hooks need to be perpendicular to the center of the wheel (or at least almost). If it is at an angle of any kind, then that would make the force the straps exert on the tire less than straight down...which could cause them to slip (maybe more so in the rain). Just IMO.
For $160 each, I don't think that they are worth it. Spend the extra $70 or so and get one of the pitbull trailer restraints. They are well worth every penny that you pay for them. http://www.pit-bull.com/trailer-restraint-types.shtml
the tyre downs are 120 on ebay....so i could get two tyre downs (i need two) for the price of one pitbull...which are bike specific. noone with experience with em yet?
you would still need a nice front wheel chock to hold the front, and if you dont tie down the front a good bump and the front could twist out. Not a good system imo.
what's the benefit? i run a regular tiedown through the rear wheel from side to side in the bed of my pickup just to keep the bike from bouncing around. isn't that the same effect as the tyredown?
Clever but not the answer. The Pit Bull Trailer Restraint System is state of the art technology and If anyone ever offers a better product to secure a bike, I'll buy that product too.
The downside is that you are putting travel on your forks anyway. What hurts them worse? Strapped down or bouncing with the ride in your trailer on a long trip?
Ive got one, it works great. I have one of those rail trailers, so cant really do the pitbull solution. Also in order to tie down with straps, I had to take my pipe and tail off, a real chore. I have a wheel grab in front, that I attach 2, 2" velcro straps around the wheel so it cant come loose, then the tyredown on the back and Im set.