trailers, towing

[Dickthal]

Is it really necessary to buy a brp trailer? I have a 2015 rts and am planning a trip to the west coast this summer and a trailer is a must for us for.

[billybovine]

No. Many trailer options.

[OverHillAndDale]

You'll be fine as long as you stick to the 400 lb total weight, 40 lb tongue weight specs. And, many people have pushed their bike beyond that.

Mini-trailer (site sponsor), Aluma and many others make what is effectively an aluminum box that works just fine.

[SteveLaoyster]

KompactKamp. I don't know what their shipping would be. I'm planning on getting one before spyderquest.

[I-Day]

I have a trailer called the "Piggy Backer" that I have had for ten years and pulled it from coast to coast issue free. I just grease the bearings and change the tires often. It is very similar to the one Harbor Freight sells. Mine came from a family business in South Carolina.

[Bob Denman]

KompactKamp. I don't know what their shipping would be. I'm planning on getting one before spyderquest.

They're built in Pennsylvania; aren't they? You should be able to pick it up right at their factory.
I've got a friend who has one, and she loves it!

[ARtraveler]

As long as you follow the printed restrictions about trailers, you should be able to use "whatever" works best and suits you. As usual, the OEM stuff looks very nice, but you pay for that.

[stevencovert]

I go on about 2-3 trips during the riding season with a trailer. I went on the cheap, with the Harbor Freight one for $270 on sale. Put it together, repacked the wheel bearings (as they use some cheap clear vasoline stuff) with good grease. Also put down a rubber seal from the hardware store on the lid to seal it up better, as it is just fiberglass laying on fiberglass.

Got over 1000 miles on it, no problems. Can't even tell it's there, the 1330 has so much torque! The hardest part was doing the wiring. Got the kit from show chrome, plugged into the factory harness with ease, but it was 5 wire, no the 4 wire type of my trailer. Went to Autozone and got a $25 adapter kit, wired it in and mounted next to the showchrome harness, and all was well. By the way, the Showchrome harness uses relays. The signal from Nanny just turns on the relay to activate the lights. There is a power wire run to the battery & ground that is separate. So if anything shorts, no excess power will be drawn from the computer, harming it. I posted a few pics on the RT forum. The only thing I found was my hitch assembly is very tight, I have to yank on the bar to get it off the ball; and the hooks on the chains fall out of the holes from bouncing on the road. I keep a roll of black tape to tape the hook so it can't bounce out.

I went with the showchrome trailer hitch as well. Mounted easy. Didn't spring for the mud flap, thinking it was just a farkle. It is NOT ! The back of my RT as well as the back of my wife's helmet got covered with mud and junk riding in the rain! Ordered the mud flap! All in all was about $550 or so I think. The only thing I don't care for is the tongue seems short. Would have liked to see another foot longer. Can't extend it as the trailer has some weird rectangular dimensions, and nothing from harbor Freight will fit it.

Maybe when I retire and am traveling a lot I'll get the BRP trailer, it does look nice! Plus Pete over at WrapMySpyder.com has awesome kits to dress it up.


Just my thoughts!

Steve

[WA5VHU]

...The only thing I don't care for is the tongue seems short. Would have liked to see another foot longer. Can't extend it as the trailer has some weird rectangular dimensions, and nothing from harbor Freight will fit it.

Steve

Steve,
I went down to a local steel seller and bought a longer piece of 2" square tubing to replace the shorter HF tongue that came with the Tag-Along. Worked like a champ.

[BUZZARD II]

I have a Bushtec, Roadstar model trailer that I have pulled many miles with my Harley, and now setting up for my RT/S. What surprised me was according to published specs my Bushtec weights 75 lbs. less than the Can-Am trailer, both with appx. 20 sq. ft. storage. The RT pulls it like a dream.

BTW I also pulled a Bushtec GL model with a 1800 Gold Wing. The Wing pulls a trailer 500% better than a Harley. Sorry Motor Company fans but it's true. My FLH is now a solo bike and the RT has two up and trailer duty.

While very expensive the Bushtec has 16" wheels and an air ride suspension that's adjusted for the load by adding or subtracting air at the valve at the hitch, Very easy. The trailer will not bounce. Try adjusting the suspension of a Can-Am trailer, then write a report. Those big wheels roll over stuff easy too.

I think what you buy, would or should, depend on how many miles you plan on touring/towing.

[WilderThomas]

Is it really necessary to buy a brp trailer? I have a 2015 rts and am planning a trip to the west coast this summer and a trailer is a must for us for.

If you're Spyder is now out of warranty, then has been said, you can utilize a trailer up to a 400 pound tongue weight. If you're Spyder still has the original warranty, then pulling anything but the BRP trailer would invalidate the warranty. BRP as much as says that with the advertising of their trailer.

[billybovine]

If you're Spyder is now out of warranty, then has been said, you can utilize a trailer up to a 400 pound tongue weight. If you're Spyder still has the original warranty, then pulling anything but the BRP trailer would invalidate the warranty. BRP as much as says that with the advertising of their trailer.

That is not true. What BRP says and I quote. "The only trailer that maintains your vehicle factory warranty." That is from the 2017 brochure. Do not change the words and meaning to something else. So as long as the accessory (trailer) did not cause the issue you will have warranty.