The Bed-Buddy from CCR Sport acts as a brace to stabilize both the front of the bed (so that the weight of the bike won't dent it inward), and the sides of the truck bed, as well as functioning as a wheel chock. Tie-down attachment loops are a plus.
WHEEL CHOCKS
For years, the standard wheel chock has been the Pingel unit, available in both permanent and removable styles, with prices starting at $40. We have used them for years, and our only complaint is that new-generation sportbikes with large brake discs now require more care when tying down the front wheel, as some 320mm rotors come very close to rubbing on the chock.
Some innovative new wheel chocks have entered the market. One example is a new-style chock from Mac's Custom Tie-Downs called "The Wedge" ($74.95). The basic premise of this unit is that the wedge shape allows many different tires to fit into the same chock, allowing you to haul your sportbike or big cruiser without any changes. The tire also sits on the steel base plate when in use, making the chock even more stable, and the higher frame of the chock extends over the centerline of the axle, which the producer claims results in better stability.
All ratchet tie-downs are not created equal. It is pretty easy to spot the high-quality ratchets from the cheap ones. Remember, this is critical to ensure that your bike stays tied down properly. Notice the small size of the cheap import products on the left; all of the higher-quality units (M&R, Rite-Tie, Pingel, Lockitt and Mac's) have larger and more durable ratchets.
Another new design is the Sport Chock from Baxley Trailer Co. It uses a trick front-wheel cup that actually grips the front tire as the bike is rolled into it, making the chock simultaneously act as a front wheel stand. The manufacturer suggests that only one pair of rear straps (pulling the bike forward into the chock) is necessary when this stand is bolted in a truck or trailer. At first we doubted their claim, but after seeing the stand in person it does appear very stable. We would still suggest using both front and rear ties just in case. The best part of this chock is that it eases one-person bike loading. Once mounted on the trailer floor, the bike is held up when you drive into it. Then you can walk around and attach the straps without fear of the bike tipping over. At $205, it is easily the most expensive and largest stand here.
Tying down a motorcycle in a truck bed can cause problems due to the bike's weight being concentrated on a small portion of the bed railing where the front tire is lodged against it. The force of a bike's weight, coupled with the loads generated while braking, are enough to crumple the walls of a typical truck bed. A solution to this dilemma is the Bed-Buddy by CCR Sport. When mounted to the top bed rail of a pickup truck, the Bed-Buddy reinforces the bed rail while simultaneously acting as a wheel chock. The Bed-Buddy also has tie-down attachments, so you know the angle of attachment is correct. This is a good option for truck drivers at $139.95.
This graph shows the amount of slippage for each tie-down strap during our "creep" test. Test 1 shows the percentage of creep after more than one hour and test 2 shows the percentage after wetting the strap for one hour.
TRAILER SECURITY
Another issue that goes along with trailering your bike is security. We continually hear about trailers being broken into, and the contents (or the entire trailer) stolen. While it may be impossible to stop a determined thief, there are some basic precautions that can be taken.
In order to prevent easy entry into the trailer, use a high-quality lock with a shrouded shackle. Experts in the lock industry say locks are most commonly defeated by bolt cutters. The new shrouded shackle locks make bolt cutters useless because the cutter jaws cannot get access to the shackle. Several companies on the market produce shrouded locks, so you should be able to find one locally.
Obviously, hardened shackles are a must. High-security locks can usually be rekeyed, meaning you can have one key fit all three of the locks typically required for an enclosed trailer, one for the side door and two for the ramp door.
In order to prevent the trailer itself from being stolen, there are several antitheft products available. When connected to the tow vehicle, the use of a coupler lock can add a great deal of difficulty for potential thieves by preventing access to the trailer-hitch latch for coupling or uncoupling the trailer. Many products are available from suppliers like Hitches4less.com. The Fulton coupler lock ($9-$30) is a popular example. Hidden Hitch also offers a nice unit ($10-$32) that can be key-matched with the receiver lock, preventing you from having to carry extra keys. Locking the receiver draw bar to the vehicle is another antitheft method.
When the trailer is not in use, preventing access to the ball receiver of the trailer can prevent tow-away theft. We tried a lock from Fulton called the Gorilla Guard ($38). It uses a metal pin that protrudes into the ball-receiver area of the trailer hitch, thus blocking access to the tongue of the trailer.
Another common trick is to use a typical high-security chain and lock through the wheels to prevent the trailer from being pulled. Any high-security chain and lock that can fit through the wheel spokes should suffice. But if you are really serious about theft protection, the ultimate option appears to be the wheel boot by Alpha Lock (similar to those used by police departments to lock your car down when you don't pay your tickets). Plus, the boots are fairly economical at $140 each.
Trailering your bike can be as easy or difficult as you care to make it. But with some common sense and a few of the aforementioned tips and products, your trailering experience can be a seamless one that gives you more time riding and less time worrying about your gear being damaged or stolen.
Each year countless trailers are stolen or broken into. You can dramatically lower the odds of this happening to you by taking a few simple steps. With the small expense of a receiver lock, as well as a latch and ball lock, your trailer will look a lot less appealing to the would-be thief. | 
Normal padlocks are actually pretty easy to compromise with a pair of bolt cutters. By using a lock with a shrouded case, the bolt cutter no longer has access to the shackle, making entry more work for thieves. Hardened shackles are more difficult to cut, and are a must. Don't settle for a $5 padlock to protect your prized possessions. | 
"Soft tie" straps are also essential transport items, as they allow you to fasten a tie-down from many different areas on the bike without causing bodywork damage. They can either be used in a double-ended method (as shown here), or looped through themselves to form a "cinch" strap. |
The Canyon Dancer Bar-Harness is a popular towing accessory, and this shows why. Not only does it secure the bike at the highest point possible (which helps maintain better leverage), it also keeps the straps away from the bodywork. Just be careful and don't pull too tight you may damage your throttle stop. |  | |