Taking the F3-S Cross Country

[Capt. Bob]

In April, I have decided to load my tricked out 2015 F3-S onto my Drop-Tail trike trailer and head out West. I plan to use my Honda Odyssey tow vehicle set up with a Cabella cot for about 80% of my sleeping quarters activities. I plan to camp in some State and National parks as well as other venues. I have a bunch of places where I think the F3-S is going to be a hoot.

My question is that my Drop-Tail trailer has side hook extensions but nothing up front to secure the wheels from the front. One time I did run some straps underneath the substructure but it was kind of a PITA to secure the trike. I had read at one time of people securing their Spyders to a Drop-Tail trailer and am soliciting the best way to efficiently strap this puppy down as I careen across the country in search of scenic/twisty roads for about a 3-4 week adventure. Any experiences with this particular trailer will be quite welcomed. I posted a picture of my Drop-Tail trailer with my Tri Glide on it. The front wheel chock will be gone and the Spyder's wheels will be up against the front bar of the trailer.

2017 TGU.jpg

[Bfromla]

Someone posted about using these not too long ago.
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Car...n/EM09160.html

[Chupaca]

but if you check with Mike (BLUEKNIGHT911) he has a simple solution similar to the above... and here I thought your were ryding the F3 cross country...

[Capt. Bob]

but if you check with Mike (BLUEKNIGHT911) he has a simple solution similar to the above... and here I thought your were ryding the F3 cross country...

With a Harley Tri Glide Ultra, I am kind of spoiled when it comes to storage space. Additionally, last year I did a 6k mile trip on my previous Tri Glide and the road kind of beat me up with the heat and the wind that dried the hell out of my eyes. This year, I plan to drive and ryde which is of course wimpy for a guy that has 400k plus seat miles but is tired of how the road tends to beat me up. This year, my wife mentioned towing the Spyder and ryding the twisties and scenic byways in style and comfort. That sounded better than hammering along the road and spending $100/night on hotel rooms. Not to mention all of the alcohol needed each night to wind down from ryding out West at 80+mph and dodging distracted drivers

[Bruce B]

I have done this on several Spyder models.
Remove the lower front shock bolts turn them around and fit 10mm S/S Eye nuts with blue thread lock, great for tying down or towing.

10mm eye nut L.jpg10mm eye nut R.jpg

In April, I have decided to load my tricked out 2015 F3-S onto my Drop-Tail trike trailer and head out West. I plan to use my Honda Odyssey tow vehicle set up with a Cabella cot for about 80% of my sleeping quarters activities. I plan to camp in some State and National parks as well as other venues. I have a bunch of places where I think the F3-S is going to be a hoot.

My question is that my Drop-Tail trailer has side hook extensions but nothing up front to secure the wheels from the front. One time I did run some straps underneath the substructure but it was kind of a PITA to secure the trike. I had read at one time of people securing their Spyders to a Drop-Tail trailer and am soliciting the best way to efficiently strap this puppy down as I careen across the country in search of scenic/twisty roads for about a 3-4 week adventure. Any experiences with this particular trailer will be quite welcomed. I posted a picture of my Drop-Tail trailer with my Tri Glide on it. The front wheel chock will be gone and the Spyder's wheels will be up against the front bar of the trailer.

2017 TGU.jpg

[Capt. Bob]

I have done this on several Spyder models.
Remove the lower front shock bolts turn them around and fit 10mm S/S Eye nuts with blue thread lock, great for tying down or towing.

10mm eye nut L.jpg10mm eye nut R.jpg

Thanks for the pics and the suggestion. I had never seen that done before. I did look up the 10mm S/S Eye Nuts which I was not familiar with. I guess that you have found them sufficiently strong for the tie-down application in the past?

[pegasus1300]

never thought of that. Just ordered 2.

[blacklightning]

I have done this on several Spyder models.
Remove the lower front shock bolts turn them around and fit 10mm S/S Eye nuts with blue thread lock, great for tying down or towing.

10mm eye nut L.jpg10mm eye nut R.jpg

Wow, I must say that is some very smart, out of the box thinking. I might have to look into this if I ever tow my spyder. Thanks for the suggestion and picture.

[Bruce B]

Bob they are more than strong enough you will have no worry about them braking they are as strong or stronger than the 10mm bolt itself .

Thanks for the pics and the suggestion. I had never seen that done before. I did look up the 10mm S/S Eye Nuts which I was not familiar with. I guess that you have found them sufficiently strong for the tie-down application in the past?

[SpyderAnn01]

Capt. Bob, if your travels take you through Las Vegas give me a shout

[Jim&Teresa]

Bob,

Here's some more details with some pictures if that helps you secure your Spyder F3-S to the droptail trailer.....the second picture (portrait format) shows the tie downs on the trailer...maybe you can enlarge to show more detail of the tie downs...

You may have already seen this, but thought I would share again.

Jim

From an earlier post of mine:

I use it for EITHER the Spyder or the Gold Wing. I must use the center position for the Gold Wing as it will not fit on the left or right side of the trailer due to length. We trailer our 2014 RT Limited with no problem with this trailer and it "noses" up in the V part of the trailer against our 20" stone guard (which is optional). The 4 pictures added at bottom were just a couple months ago....note that I do NOT transport with the cover on it. I only cover the Spyder when leaving it out overnight! Also, all the tie down straps were removed at this time as it was parked.

From an earlier post of mine:
We use a Droptail trailer. I really like that it folds and stores upright in the garage and NO ramps needed - built in. Works well for the Spyder with the low clearance. The back of the trailer hydraulically lowers and the built in rear gate folds down to extend the ramp portion. Easy to use. Our Spyder RT just fits and the nose of the Spyder fits in the V part of the front of the trailer. Not a lot of spare room, but works well. The Spyder fills the whole trailer even though this is a "two up" motorcycle trailer. A bonus for us is that our Gold Wing can be hauled on this trailer (with the use of the wheel chock that is included with the trailer) as well - however, only one bike at a time (unless you have two - 2 wheel motorcycles that are "short" enough). There is a standard 8 inch stone guard and an optional 20" stone guard. I did add the 20" stone guard on our trailer. Also, we purchased an optional spare tire which bolts to the bottom of the trailer. It has a steel frame with an aluminum deck with lots of tie down points!

Here's some info on the model number and a few pics: Drop - Tail "Two - Up" Cruiser / Sport Bike Trailer, model number: 03-DCT2200-02
Get the dimensions and literature: http://www.droptailtrailers.com/

Good luck on your choice of trailers - there are a lot of good trailers out there that work!!


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[GaryTheBadger]

Jim or Capt Bob - Using this trailer to haul an F3 Spyder, does it need electric brakes? Are they available on this trailer?
My tow vehicle is a 2007 Honda Odyssey. Thanks.

[Capt. Bob]

Jim or Capt Bob - Using this trailer to haul an F3 Spyder, does it need electric brakes? Are they available on this trailer?
My tow vehicle is a 2007 Honda Odyssey. Thanks.

Gary,
The trailer does not need electric brakes at all. It is really very short-coupled. I tow my DropTail with a 2015 Honda Odyssey and it is more than adequate for my 1200 pound Harley Tri Glide as well as my F3S Spyder.
Bob