VersaHaul™ Carrier
Getting ready to push the Aero on to the carrier - - -

- - -and it is easily up, leaning aginst the RV's spare tire.

There is some danger that a larger (higher) RV might put the carrier's ramp at too steep an angle. This can cause a "breakover" problem when the scooter's frame hits the carrier-ramp joint.
A steeper ramp angle, in addition to the breakover issue, might also cause you to try powering the scooter up the ramp instead of pushing it. Bad idea !!!

These centrifugal clutch drives are lousy about precise control, and you could easily end up with you and the scooter on the ground - sideways. Bill has been there, done that, and doesn't recommend it.
This is the first trial "primary" strap. This strap has to keep the scooter upright and forward while you walk around it to apply the other securing straps.

Unfortunately, experience proved that this is pretty tricky, since it takes one hand to hold the scooter up and three hands to run the strap and pull it tight. If you happen to be alone, bad things can happen, like the scooter falling sideways off the carrier. Since you are trapped behind the carrier while trying to simultaneously hold it, run the strap, and pull the strap tight., if the scooter starts to tip, it can get away from you very suddenly.
The VersaHaul™ folks warn "Do not hook the straps to the ends of the handlebars . . . "  but this applies to motorcycles and scooters that have an exposed steering post head or other frame members to which straps can be secured.

Since our NH80 has nothing accessible except handgrips, those are what we must use.

One possible solution is a permanent safety hold-down. Bill used 1/8 inch plastic coated aircraft cable, seen here.

The large eye-bolt will replace the hitch-pin [washers and lock nuts will be used to keep it in place] and the turnbuckle will allow a little length adjustment. These parts are all from a local hardware outlet with a total cost of about $12.
The preliminary measurement was made with the scooter in place on the carrier, but since it is much easier to cut off excess cable than to stretch it if too short, buy more than the calculated need.

Always use thimbles and at least 2 clamps per end and be sure to check and re-tighten the clamps as the plastic coating compresses over the first few weeks in service. There is no easy way to cut this stuff, unless you own a bolt-cutter, so be prepared to use a vise and hacksaw to trim the excess cable once the final working length is established.
This primary cable will be permanently fixed to the trailer hitch and left on the motor home at all times. When loading the scooter, the turnbuckle will be extended and the cable laid out ready for use. With the scooter rolled on the carrier and the "parking brake" locked, it is necessary only to hold the scooter upright until the hook on the turnbuckle is secured, then a few turns of the turnbuckle's barrel will tighten up the primary cable. The scooter is then secure against anything short of a nuclear bomb.
Details — Ready for travel
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Page updated Saturday, February 26, 2005 13:53 Eastern. ©2004 Bill Laudeman. All rights reserved.