Trailering a Viper.

[boatload]

I had problems with keeping the new Vipers secured in place when trailering this past winter. I have a 12' Triton Elite enclosed with the standard ski bars and straps for cinching down the back of the sleds. What's happening is the sleds keep creeping back while going down the road. The top of the new tuner skies is tapered towards the tip and the tie down bar won't tighten straight down. The rigid design of the snow flap prevents you from cinching the rear of the machine straight down. Add to this is the absence of a mechanical parking brake and the machines won't stay put. Anyone else have this problem and how are you securing yours? Right now I'm thinking about adding the Superclamp rear but maybe there a less expensive fix. Ha, it's only May and I'm already looking for things to do to get ready for next winter!

 

[4StrokeAddict]

No issue here. I only have rear straps, no ski tie downs. Our sleds load in backwards to take advantage of the V-nose. Therefore, the front bumper is tied down so the sled can't go forward and the break is locked. The sleds have yet to move despite a very scary panic stop that caused the trailer to sway pretty hard before the break controller caught up. I haven't had the viper's parking break release on its own yet either. I prefer the Yamaha parking lever, but the AC lock is functional. Similar to the archaic exciters from the 80s.

 

[cannondale27]

Same trailer but I have the SuperClamps tie downs. Never moved. I always reset parking brake before hitting the road. Seems to hold for about 5 hrs or so.

 

[yamadoo]

I use the brake only in an enclosed and never moved. I can see were the ski bar will allow front / back motion and if your rear strap is at an angel it will pull back.

 

[YAMMAROB]

I did not think that they wanted the hydraulic brake set for any length of time my master was leeking and thay thought it was because I was leaving the e brake on.

 

[boatload]

Correct. Owners manual says don't use brake locking lever for long periods of time, maximum 5 min. That's what I miss about the mechanical parking brake on the Nytro. I think I'll purchase the SuperClamp rear and try that. I like having those machines tied down if the road is icy and things get squirrely!!

 

[YAMMAROB]

Ya just clamp the front and never had a problem going any where 3500 miles this year on the trailer.

 

[Dreamsover2]

No issues no movement with ski hold down bars only. Never had an issue with the cats either.

 

[Yamadog]

Instead of clamps on my 2 place I put large eye bolts in the clamp threaded nut and use ratchet straps to the front bumper. it is easier than getting in the nose of the trailer to clamp them. On the 4 place I installed a bunch of those little tie down D rings and use ratchets on the front and back

 

[0llll0]

I use superclamps front and rear on both my 2014 viper and 2015 viper, neither of them budge. Superclamps are pricey but they are awesome and they work. Plus you aren't compressing the suspension.

 

[yamadoo]

I have always understood the 5min braking as a legal/ non responsibility clause.
I think Mfg.s just don't want to be responsible if the sled moves in transport if a seal leaks down and releases the hydraulic brake pressure.
I don't leave them on long term but for the trailer ride-hrs to a day, they seem fine, have held pressure And released fine.
My biggest problem is remembering to release them on arrival so I don't burn the belt. IDIOT

 

[Yamadog]

well compared to Yamaha's independent emergency brake which is a clamp style these units will not hold on long tows. And when you get there the brakes need pumping to get pressure back. On the other hand the brake on my Pro R's have metallic brake pads and have rusted so fast after sitting in the trailer when I got home I forgot to release it and had to tear it down to brake them off, they had rusted that bad.

 

[4StrokeAddict]

For the added security over a 6 hour ride and often on crappy roads, I'll risk it. The only things I would be slightly worried about are pressure bleed off and possibly popping a seal. The likely hood of the latter is remote so again, I'll risk it. I have done the forget to remove the break when driving off with my old sled and the lever style E-break. The dopier thing is wondering why it felt so sluggish...

 

[yamadoo]

For the added security over a 6 hour ride and often on crappy roads, I'll risk it. The only things I would be slightly worried about are pressure bleed off and possibly popping a seal. The likely hood of the latter is remote so again, I'll risk it. I have done the forget to remove the break when driving off with my old sled and the lever style E-break. The dopier thing is wondering why it felt so sluggish...

AGREE