Is trailer with swivel 1-7/8 coupler ok for spyder?

I had to make a very quick decision yesterday. I purchased an almost new Mini Mate camper for a great price. If I didn’t buy it, 3 other people were right behind me to buy it. I have pulled my previous traditional motorcycle pull behind trailer for about 4000 miles now. I have pulled traditional trailers with the truck for 100,000’s miles so I am very confident and knowledgeable about pulling trailers. The mini mate camper came with a swivel 1-7/8 coupler. It was pulled by a gold wing previously. Instead of removing the swivel part, which would only be removing 4 bolts and remounting the couple to the tongue, I sort of like the extra 6 inches on the tongue provided by the swivel mount. Are there any negatives/downfalls to leaving the swivel mount coupler on the trailer while pulling with the Spyder? I can’t really think of anything wrong or negative except if I was to hit a huge road kill with one side of the trailer and it started to roll over. I guess it could happen but that is only downfall I can think of. Is it ok to leave the swivel coupler on the trailer when pulling with the Spyder?

You hit the common statement - if the trailer hits a hole/roadkill/etc - it might roll easier - but honestly - I don't see it as a risk. Frankly the same risk applies to a motorcycle towing the swiviel hitch but the benefits of greater lean angles (on some setups) is why people like them. The donor trailer I built my Whiskey Barrel Rig from had a swivel hitch. I tow it with 2 wheels and 3 so I left the swivel hitch. Honestly, with my 2 wheel setup - I don't need the swivel and likely wouldn't buy one deliberately (no need to spend the extra $) but I also have ZERO concerns about a trailer I use already having it. I wouldn't remove one.

Me personally - I say don't sweat it at all - enjoy the trailer as is!

Do you think the trailer wheel would be the first thing to hit the pothole/roadkill? It probably follows pretty close to the track of your Spyder's front wheels.

I never caught on to the whole swivel hitch thing myself. I could park my 2-wheeler on its side stand, then lift the left side of my trailer until it is well over a 45° tilt. Adding in the angle of the bike on the side stand, that was WAY more than necessary for any cornering. The only advantage I can see to a swivel (with a 2-wheeler) is if you happend to drop the bike. Then you might prevent torquing the tongue or the hitch. With a 3-wheeler, there is absolutely no advantage, but there is no harm, either, so use it if you have it.

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:agree: With Joshua and Steve. And 6" extra is a blessing when backing.

I have one on my trailer and I've had no negative issues. It's possible to add two small pieces of flat stock metal to the sides of the tongue and swivel to stop the swivel from moving. Straightforward modification and easy to do with minimal tools and labor. Good luck.

Believe will just be helpful if ever decide to pull with two wheels. Personally I like having spyder & Regular two wheel. & try to alternate between both. (When both working ). & usually might find good road or location with spyder & go back later on other just to see if different experience.

I would leave it, you wont have a problem.

If I recall right PrairieSpyder had a small trailer (maybe a BRP trailer) that tipped over on its side due to hitting a curb or going down a curb. She is no longer active on this site.

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Originally Posted by Wmoater

I had to make a very quick decision yesterday. I purchased an almost new Mini Mate camper for a great price. If I didn’t buy it, 3 other people were right behind me to buy it. I have pulled my previous traditional motorcycle pull behind trailer for about 4000 miles now. I have pulled traditional trailers with the truck for 100,000’s miles so I am very confident and knowledgeable about pulling trailers. The mini mate camper came with a swivel 1-7/8 coupler. It was pulled by a gold wing previously. Instead of removing the swivel part, which would only be removing 4 bolts and remounting the couple to the tongue, I sort of like the extra 6 inches on the tongue provided by the swivel mount. Are there any negatives/downfalls to leaving the swivel mount coupler on the trailer while pulling with the Spyder? I can’t really think of anything wrong or negative except if I was to hit a huge road kill with one side of the trailer and it started to roll over. I guess it could happen but that is only downfall I can think of. Is it ok to leave the swivel coupler on the trailer when pulling with the Spyder?

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A PIC would help .... but I think I know what it looks like ..... On all my small trailers I connected them using a Toyota " TIE ROD END " instead of a Ball & Coupler ..... worked way better and much harder to steal the trailer :roflblack:..... Mike :thumbup: