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Bushtec trailer hitch failed
To you guys that purchased a Bushtec trailer hitch for your 2015 F3, mine failed at about the 9000 mile mark. Broke right at the bend. If you have not already, you might consider welding some side brackets to better support the hitch. This gave way in traffic on the 210 freeway in Pasadena, CA. I was on my way home from Texas when it broke. Just wanted to get the word out.
20170408_165125_001.jpg20170408_165132.jpg
Very Happy Spyder Guy
The 2015 F3 has over 46,000 miles
Have Spyder...Will Travel
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Thinks out loud
NOT GOOD
Originally Posted by hawkiii
To you guys that purchased a Bushtec trailer hitch for your 2015 F3, mine failed at about the 9000 mile mark. Broke right at the bend. If you have not already, you might consider welding some side brackets to better support the hitch. This gave way in traffic on the 210 freeway in Pasadena, CA. I was on my way home from Texas when it broke. Just wanted to get the word out.
20170408_165125_001.jpg20170408_165132.jpg
Did the safety chains save you?
Looking at pic two....I think I see rust at the bend. Must have been just under the paint.
Last edited by Jeriatric; 04-18-2017 at 04:26 PM.
Identify what you have control over and find peace with what you don't.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
That doesn't seem to be the strongest setup that I've ever seen...
Was your trailer saved?
trailer will need some work but it came through intact. The underside of the tongue took a real beating. Will probably need a plate welded to it to clean it back up.
Very Happy Spyder Guy
The 2015 F3 has over 46,000 miles
Have Spyder...Will Travel
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[QUOTE=Jerbear;1247973]Did the safety chains save you?
Not actually, if you look real hard at the ball picture, you can see the chain connection was right below the ball. Where the hitch broke was right at the Spyder. Trailer, chains and all broke off. It slid to a stop on the tongue.
Very Happy Spyder Guy
The 2015 F3 has over 46,000 miles
Have Spyder...Will Travel
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Well thank goodness that you and others around you are fine. You can fix the hardware, and get back out there. Thanks for the information.
Joe
U.S. Army Viet Nam Era Vet
2013 Spyder RT-L, Black Currant
Trunk mount dual SS flag holder
TricLed foam hand grips (awesome)
Chromed Soaring Eagle License Holder
Utopia Deluxe driver backrest
LED fender lighting
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Wow. Thanks for sharing.
Have you contacted Bushtec about this?
They're a reputable company and I'd bet they'll help you on this.
Spyder #1 - 2008 GS SM5 Premier Edition #1977. RIP after 80,000 miles.
Spyder #2 - 2012 RT SM5. Traded in after 24,000 miles.
Spyder #3 - 2015 F3 SM6. Put 13,000 miles on and sold it.
Spyder #4 - 2017 F3 SM6. Too good of a deal to pass up!
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Very Active Member
Glad you are safe! That metal had to be stressed. Are there any air pocket bubbles where it broke?
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Firefly
Wow. Thanks for sharing.
Have you contacted Bushtec about this?
They're a reputable company and I'd bet they'll help you on this.
Sent them an email. They requested pictures and trailer info. Supplied both, waiting to hear back from them.
Very Happy Spyder Guy
The 2015 F3 has over 46,000 miles
Have Spyder...Will Travel
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Wow!
Glad you are ok! Yikes, that sucks!
Joe Meyer
Dealer for the Outlaw/ROLO laser Alignment system
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Yikes! Glad you're okay, I didn't realize that you were still on your way home and I thought we took a long time to get home!
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by SpyderAnn01
Yikes! Glad you're okay, I didn't realize that you were still on your way home and I thought we took a long time to get home!
No, I have been home a while, had a hard time getting the pictures from my phone on the computer. I have also been dealing with replacing the right front fender supports. I hit a pot hole on CA HWY 12, it was dark, didn't see it, bent both fender supports. My last day on the road was full of excitement. Probably need to see you guys again in your official Squared Away persona.
Last edited by hawkiii; 04-19-2017 at 12:22 AM.
Very Happy Spyder Guy
The 2015 F3 has over 46,000 miles
Have Spyder...Will Travel
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Originally Posted by hawkiii
No, I have been home a while, had a hard time getting the pictures from my phone on the computer. I have also been dealing with replacing the right front fender supports. I hit a pot hole on CA HWY 12, it was dark, didn't see it, bent both fender supports. My last day on the road was full of excitement. Probably need to see you guys again in your official Squared Away persona.
Your trip was almost as exciting as ours. We will be at Rich Kuwitzky's in Tracy May 13-14 and of course we will be at NorCal Rally and Red Rock and we'd be happy to square you away.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
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Hope they take care of you, sorry to hear.
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That hitch is totally different from my Bushtec tongue and hitch. You can see the hitch in the lower right of this pic: IMG_0337.jpg I replaced the ball on my BRP hitch with the pin I had to buy from Bushtec.
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I had a similar situation with a jack I'd purchased from Harbor Freight. Apparently during or after assembly the assembled parts were allowed to get wet prior to being powder coated. Water or moisture got into the crappy weld job and in turn weakened the already poor weld. When the part broke, thankfully nothing was damaged and no one was hurt, I discovered the rusted weld and more rust under the powder coat where it didn't adhere to the metal. I guess sometimes we get what we pay for and sometimes we don't.
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Very Active Member
Update on Bushtec contact
Bushtec is adding a gusset to the 90 degree bend and shipping the new hitch out for delivery next week. I had one of their hitches on my 2008 GS and never had a problem. I have 2 more events planned this year so it will be a good test for the new hitch. Good folks working to correct a problem.
Very Happy Spyder Guy
The 2015 F3 has over 46,000 miles
Have Spyder...Will Travel
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Originally Posted by SpyderAnn01
Your trip was almost as exciting as ours. We will be at Rich Kuwitzky's in Tracy May 13-14 and of course we will be at NorCal Rally and Red Rock and we'd be happy to square you away.
Glad to see you will be at Red Rock. I'm going to have to see you there for an alignment.
Is it Friday yet? ... Oh yeah, I forgot. I'm retired
Past bikes
2010 RS - Sold
2012 RT - Sold
2014 RT - Testing completed
2016 F3-T Audio package - Sold
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