Amtrak Won't Accept Spyders on Auto-Train!

[solidgranite]

I want to visit friends and family in NH next summer, and drop in to Laconia for Bike Week. My dilemma is this: I'm in NC, and I don't want to ride my Spyder RT for 12 hours just to get to NH...especially up the Jersey Pike, over the GW Bridge, and through Hartford. Too much traffic, and too many insane drivers. Yes, I could re-route the trip to avoid those places, but then it would be 15-18 hours of riding to get to NH.

I checked the Amtrak Auto-Train, and they have a notice that says Can Am's will no longer be carried due to the configuration of their train cars. So that's out.

I can't afford to buy a trailer, so that's probably out, too.

I could have it "shipped" up there by Haul Bikes, but their schedule wouldn't necessarily match mine. The beauty of the Amtrak deal was that it would arrive when I did, but since they've "banned" Can Am's, they're out.

Are there any alternatives I haven't listed? Anybody got any ideas or experience with a situation like this?

[jtoro1]

I want to visit friends and family in NH next summer, and drop in to Laconia for Bike Week. My dilemma is this: I'm in NC, and I don't want to ride my Spyder RT for 12 hours just to get to NH...especially up the Jersey Pike, over the GW Bridge, and through Hartford. Too much traffic, and too many insane drivers. Yes, I could re-route the trip to avoid those places, but then it would be 15-18 hours of riding to get to NH.

I checked the Amtrak Auto-Train, and they have a notice that says Can Am's will no longer be carried due to the configuration of their train cars. So that's out.

I can't afford to buy a trailer, so that's probably out, too.

I could have it "shipped" up there by Haul Bikes, but their schedule wouldn't necessarily match mine. The beauty of the Amtrak deal was that it would arrive when I did, but since they've "banned" Can Am's, they're out.

Are there any alternatives I haven't listed? Anybody got any ideas or experience with a situation like this?

I have taken the auto train many times but it is from sandfort fl to lorton va but I do pay like a car not a motorcycle I do not think it goes farther north

[JimVonBaden]

I have taken the auto train many times but it is from sandfort fl to lorton va but I do pay like a car not a motorcycle I do not think it goes farther north

Correct, it stops in Lorton, VA.

[bscrive]

Could you rent an open bed trailer from someplace like an equipment rental store?? They sometimes have them to transport their larger items like augers and such.

I know the UHaul trailer with the ramp won't work, too narrow.

Anyone around that you could borrow one?

[solidgranite]

I have taken the auto train many times but it is from sandfort fl to lorton va but I do pay like a car not a motorcycle I do not think it goes farther north

You're right...and even if it did go further north, they won't carry a Can Am.

[solidgranite]

Could you rent an open bed trailer from someplace like a equipment rental store?? I know the UHaul with the ramp won't work, too narrow.

I'm going to look into that. Plus, I have a few friends with huge Harley baggers, and one of them might have a trailer I could borrow. I'd rather trailer the Spyder up because I'd be in my pick-up, and not as worried about the "crazies" out there! Thanks for the suggestion!

[Bob Denman]

Why not just "Bite the bullet", and plan an extra day on either end, for the ride?

[Buckeye Bleau]

Www.uship.com.

Joe

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I want to visit friends and family in NH next summer, and drop in to Laconia for Bike Week. My dilemma is this: I'm in NC, and I don't want to ride my Spyder RT for 12 hours just to get to NH...especially up the Jersey Pike, over the GW Bridge, and through Hartford. Too much traffic, and too many insane drivers. Yes, I could re-route the trip to avoid those places, but then it would be 15-18 hours of riding to get to NH.

I checked the Amtrak Auto-Train, and they have a notice that says Can Am's will no longer be carried due to the configuration of their train cars. So that's out.

I can't afford to buy a trailer, so that's probably out, too.

I could have it "shipped" up there by Haul Bikes, but their schedule wouldn't necessarily match mine. The beauty of the Amtrak deal was that it would arrive when I did, but since they've "banned" Can Am's, they're out.

Are there any alternatives I haven't listed? Anybody got any ideas or experience with a situation like this?

... I find this interesting and confusing !!! ..... I think the Spyder is smaller than a Smart Car and if you are willing to pay the rate for a Car - WHAT'S THE PROBLEM ?????? ....... I'm sure they aren't loading them with Fork-lifts !!! .... They must be using Ramps ..... cars have a minimum ground clearance also !!!! .... Did they bother to tell you WHY ????? ......... Mike

[JayBros]

Take Garden State Pkwy and Tapanzee Bridge. If that's still too much traffic go north through PA to NY. The route planning can be fun. Good luck!

[lewisalice]

I live in NYC the driving not that bad

[SPYD3R]

ROUTE 81 north to Scranton, PA, 84 east to Hartford, 90 to Boston, 95 to NH....
a very nice ride... i've done it a bunch of times.... NJ Turnpike is INSANE, that's why i choose to ride 81....
isn't that what you bought your SPYD3R for....?
Dan P
SPYD3R

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I checked the Amtrak Auto-Train, and they have a notice that says Can Am's will no longer be carried due to the configuration of their train cars. So that's out.

From what I see on Amtrak website Autotrain is out for your trip even without the Spyder ban. Auto train only runs between Lortan, VA and Sanford, FL.

[pegasus1300]

You don't have to buy a new trailer. I paid $400.00 used. for mine. It is a tilting bed snowmobile trailer,works great. You may not have those where you are but there will be something and you have several months to look. You will find something in your price range. My wife doesn't like long trips on the Spyder or freeways so when we went to San Diego last March we hauled the Spyder down on the trailer. I have used it now for 6 years.

I want to visit friends and family in NH next summer, and drop in to Laconia for Bike Week. My dilemma is this: I'm in NC, and I don't want to ride my Spyder RT for 12 hours just to get to NH...especially up the Jersey Pike, over the GW Bridge, and through Hartford. Too much traffic, and too many insane drivers. Yes, I could re-route the trip to avoid those places, but then it would be 15-18 hours of riding to get to NH.

I checked the Amtrak Auto-Train, and they have a notice that says Can Am's will no longer be carried due to the configuration of their train cars. So that's out.

I can't afford to buy a trailer, so that's probably out, too.

I could have it "shipped" up there by Haul Bikes, but their schedule wouldn't necessarily match mine. The beauty of the Amtrak deal was that it would arrive when I did, but since they've "banned" Can Am's, they're out.

Are there any alternatives I haven't listed? Anybody got any ideas or experience with a situation like this?

[JimVonBaden]

ROUTE 81 north to Scranton, PA, 84 east to Hartford, 90 to Boston, 95 to NH....
a very nice ride... i've done it a bunch of times.... NJ Turnpike is INSANE, that's why i choose to ride 81....
isn't that what you bought your SPYD3R for....?
Dan P
SPYD3R

You think the turnpike is insane compared to 81?

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

... I find this interesting and confusing !!! ..... I think the Spyder is smaller than a Smart Car and if you are willing to pay the rate for a Car - WHAT'S THE PROBLEM ?????? ....... I'm sure they aren't loading them with Fork-lifts !!! .... They must be using Ramps ..... cars have a minimum ground clearance also !!!! .... Did they bother to tell you WHY ????? ......... Mike

I think this video has the answer. The cars are loaded onto the trains via single track ramps, one for each wheel track. Since there is none in the center Spyders, Slingshots, and Rewaco trikes cannot be loaded the same as cars. Motorcycles are loaded onto trailers and then put onto the rail cars. Look at the m/c loading trailers in this video at the 5:07 mark and you'll see there are three wheel chocks in the front of each trailer. Two wheelers are loaded side by side and conventional trikes have the front tire locked into the center chock. The Amtrak website says they're working with the transportation equipment supplier to come up with a configuration that will accommodate reverse trikes.



In this video at the 1:12 mark you can see m/c's on a trailer being loaded on the rail car.



As you can see, it's not a size problem nor a clearance problem. It's a center wheel problem that their equipment hasn't be designed to accommodate.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thanks - that answers that question ...... Hope they solve the issue ........... Mike

[Empty Pockets]

Give Budget rental a call a 12 foot box van will work just need to have ramps and you will have to back in to keep the front tires of the Spyder behind of the vans wheel wells

[Trbayth]

You think the turnpike is insane compared to 81?

I-95 is insane no matter how many wheels you're on.

When I need to go to Dulles, VA and decide to ride, I usually take I-78 to I-81 at Harrisburg then hop on US 15 south to Leesburg. I generally use the same route even in a car. Much less stressful and no tolls.

[Firefly]

I'd never pass up the opportunity to ride my Spyder for 12 hours..... the journey is often better than the destination.


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[Highwayman2013]

I live in NYC the driving not that bad

But you live there.

[Highwayman2013]

Lots of good roads that don't take you through NJ or New York City.

[JimVonBaden]

I-95 is insane no matter how many wheels you're on.

When I need to go to Dulles, VA and decide to ride, I usually take I-78 to I-81 at Harrisburg then hop on US 15 south to Leesburg. I generally use the same route even in a car. Much less stressful and no tolls.

There really are no good north south routes on the east coast, but the sheer number of trucks on I81 keeps me off of it if at all possible.

[ingramwc]

But Jim, VDOT says there is only 10-15% truck traffic on I81!!!!! Non-VDOT study says the percentage is more between 50-60%!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bob Denman]

I'd never pass up the opportunity to ride my Spyder for 12 hours..... the journey is often better than the destination.

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