"The Chock"

[rwalterk]

So my bro and I will have to build our version of "the chock" for the upcoming track day.  I'm thinking of using the Pit Bull trailer restraints though instead of front wheel chocks.  How wide of a board did you guys use?  Of course the tricky part will be getting the size of the board correct - the Pit Bull restraints go on the rear wheels, and I have to figure out if it's gonna sit between the cargo van's wheel wells or behind them.  

Here's a pic of the trailer restraint:

[JimT]

The board I used is 25mmX455mmX1216mm. Sorry for the metric, that is the only sticker left on it.

I think when I use my chock, the rear wheels sit between the vans wheelhouses.

I think those chocks will work, you just have to figure out the specifics.

[rwalterk]

The board I used is 25mmX455mmX1216mm. Sorry for the metric, that is the only sticker left on it.

I think when I use my chock, the rear wheels sit between the vans wheelhouses.

I think those chocks will work, you just have to figure out the specifics.

Metric system, pfffft.     Thanks, this will help me get started.  The bolts that come with the kit are 2" long though, so either I have to get a thicker board (and work the edges down so the tires can go over it easily), hack off the excess bolt length or use shorter bolts. 

One cool option is that the install instructions show you can have the linking arm behind the bike like it is in the pic, or in front of the rear wheel instead.  I'll have to play around with it.

[Beefmaster_Mark]

I'd get different bolts or cap screws that are shorter, in case you ever want to use those 2"-ers in a back-of-a-pickup application.

I have to comment that it's hilarious that Ray's striking of on his own, design-wise.  What, Jim's design isn't good enough for you?      

No seriously, on the board that both Jim and I used, it was a standard piece of pine that was available at Home Depot.  I want to say that it was around 3" by 2" by either 1" or 1.25" or possibly 1.5"  Either way, it was a standard size and I didn't have to cut it at all.  I am not sure if it would fit behind the van's wheel wells, but you could probably make it work - you'd just have all of your open space up front instead of near the back. 

Theoretically your rental van would be slightly less stable with the bikes' weight over/behind the rear axle but I would not really worry about that.

Jim's bike chock board is the single most satisfying piece of equipment I've ever personally put together (using Jim's instructions).  It works 100% as designed and every single person who sees it comments on its brilliance.  Of course I give Jim his due credit. 

Ray we'll have to coordinate me giving you your ramp back.  I found the exact one on discountramps.com - it's like $200 shipped.    We'll have two from now on. 

[rwalterk]

I'm waffling here after having it pointed out that the back of the bikes don't really weight that much and the board may move around a bit.  If I go with front wheel chocks, which would you guys suggest from this page?

http://www.discountramps.com/wheel-chocks-straps.htm

[JimT]

Wow, so many different chocks!

The ones I have look like the "bike pro" chocks. I think I might go for the "black widow" ones. But I would check out Harbor Freight, I think they now have a Baxley knock off.

[rwalterk]

Yeah, I'll probably go w/ the black widow chocks now that you have me all paranoid about the lack of weight at the rear of the bikes.    

[JimT]

Yeah, I'll probably go w/ the black widow chocks now that you have me all paranoid about the lack of weight at the rear of the bikes.    

Captain Bringdown strikes again!

[rwalterk]

Ordered the black widow chocks today.  At least they're a fraction of the cost of the Pit Bull setup... I'll save that for when I finally break down and get a beater truck for track days.  I called them up and the guy also gave me a $10 discount on shipping.  I should have them within a week, then it's time to get the plank, hardware and tie-downs.  Hooray!

[Beefmaster_Mark]

ha ha Jim!  Captain Buzzkill!

[rwalterk]

Jim and his "common sense" observations... pfft.  Overrated.   

[rwalterk]

My mechanical ineptitude never ceases to amaze me.  Anyway, Judd and I took all day Saturday to find a freakin' suitable plank to use.  We hit 3 hardware stores and finally found a 2' x 4' x 1" pine board that seemed to fit the bill.  I had to order the tie-down anchors online from US Cargo Control which arrived yesterday.  I took one of the anchors with me to Lowes so I could get the right bolts/nuts/washers for mounting them, which took me an inordinate amount of time.

Tonight I was able to get the anchors mounted on the plank (6 of them, 2 bolts each).  I used Loctite (blue) on each bolt and just tightened them until the washer on the back started digging into the pine.  Then I bolted the rockers onto the chocks (they came in pieces).

Tomorrow I'll be mounting the chocks to the plank, cutting off the excess bolt length and that should be that.   

[Beefmaster_Mark]

Can't wait to see and compare!   

[rwalterk]

Today's job was to mount the chocks on the plank and then cut off the excess bolt length from the back.  First I went to Home Depot on my way home from work and get the rest of the bolts/nuts/washers, plus a Dremel and a pack of metal cutting discs (I figure I'll get some use out of the Dremel in the future anyway).  The awesome part was getting to the house and realizing I didn't buy the necessary EZ Lock mandrel in order to use the metal cutting discs.  Back in the car and over to Lowe's.

Eventually I made it back and was able to get the chocks mounted, then flipped the board over to cut the bolts.  Man the sparks were flying.  Anyway, it's finally f'n done, but man that sucker is heavy.  Hopefully everything will go smoothly tomorrow with the rental van, loading, etc.

[rwalterk]

I didn't take any good pics of the chock but at least it didn't fall apart on us.     The only thing I'm disappointed with is the Black Widow chocks.  They don't cradle the tire the way the one that Jim and Mark has; on the plus side it's all one piece except for the rocker. 

We were fortunate that the Sprinter had tie-down loops all over the floor; we were able to use them to provide a wider tie-down angle.  I'm hoping the bikes will be stable enough using just the tie-down anchors on the board if we rent something else next time.