Installing Trailer hitch - avoiding obstruction in axle housing?

**DriftersWay** · 06-12-2022, 11:38 AM

Looking to put a trailer hitch on my 2022 F3-L. Problem is there is
obstruction built in the axle housing of the bike. Does anyone have
the installation instructions or how do I get those obstacles out of
the way? Thanks for any help.

**cptjam** · 06-12-2022, 12:19 PM

??? Pictures please. I’ve put on many - no obstructions!

**DriftersWay** · 06-12-2022, 12:43 PM

Here you go and the other side is the same.

unnamed.jpg

Still looking for a way to remove this obstruction. it's in the rear axle of a 2022 F3-L.

Thanks for any help

**DriftersWay** · 06-13-2022, 06:51 AM

Added info

**Fatcycledaddy** · 06-13-2022, 08:19 AM

Nothing to remove, trailer hitch for the bike goes over that. If you look at the pic, there is a bump out in front of the three mounting bolts, that axle nut you show is under that.

Trailer hitch.JPG

**DriftersWay** · 06-13-2022, 08:26 AM

If you look at that 4th bolt just in front of the 3 you are
talking about you would see that it goes all the way through.
Thats the bolt I am having trouble with.

**Fatcycledaddy** · 06-13-2022, 08:38 AM

Yes I know, I have installed several of these, the hitch goes on covering the axle nut, long bolt goes back through and and the small nut goes back on just as the pic shows.

**Fatcycledaddy** · 06-13-2022, 08:42 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbmWoN9Vqws
Watch this video, it will help.

**obiwanbill** · 06-13-2022, 09:34 AM

I put one on a 2008 GS and a 2020 RT LT.
#1. the hitch DOES NOT go on in a few minutes, easy peasey like in the you tube videos. Those guys might have pre fitted, practiced a dozen times before turning on the camera. This is TRUE in all YOU TUBE Videos!

#2. The hitch is in 3 pieces. the 2 brackets cover over those huge axle nuts; fit per instructions with spacers. a nut goes on each end of the 2' rod that runs inside the bike's existing axle. With some models of hitches, the 2' axle rod/bolt is drilled in order to use a cotter pin. my 2008 hitch was 1 piece, not 3. Some genius somewhere decided that all Spyder owners AFTER performing all this grunt work, would like to take it partially off when not towing. WHY?

#3.A. the same hitch is available from CanAm for hundreds more than anyone else (DUH) B. The same exact hitch kit is avail from Spyder dealers on this site for $250, but if you put bolts to metal (tiny scratches) and it don't fit right, no returns! C. Amazon $180, if it don't work right, free shipping, free returns. D. eBay $140, but ignored my questions about refunds/returns. So I bought Amazon.

**DriftersWay** · 06-13-2022, 09:37 AM

Watched that video several times. If you look at the photo I posted you will see
that it is blocked inside. That long bolt has no way of going through. I need to find
out if I can remove it. If not I may try to drill it out. Then again the 2022 F3-L may
not be able to handle a trailer.

**Fatcycledaddy** · 06-13-2022, 10:41 AM

Did this have a trailer hitch on it before?
I know that on the Show Chrome hitch, it comes with inserts that go into that axle and the small bolt goes through those. Inserts shown in this pic.
When I take the hitch off to change tires, the inserts stay in the axle, they do not come out with the bolt. Inserts are 3rd and 4th up on the Left side bottom of pic.

Just a thought.

hitch.JPG

**jcthorne** · 06-13-2022, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by DriftersWay

Watched that video several times. If you look at the photo I posted you will see
that it is blocked inside. That long bolt has no way of going through. I need to find
out if I can remove it. If not I may try to drill it out. Then again the 2022 F3-L may
not be able to handle a trailer.

You will need to purchase an axle shaft for a 15 thru 21 F3. The 22s are coming like yours without the hollow axle. It's due to a parts supply issue for BRP that was preventing bikes from being built. Or you can swap yours with someone that has no need for a trailer.

**BLUEKNIGHT911** · 06-13-2022, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by DriftersWay

Watched that video several times. If you look at the photo I posted you will see
that it is blocked inside. That long bolt has no way of going through. I need to find
out if I can remove it. If not I may try to drill it out. Then again the 2022 F3-L may
not be able to handle a trailer.

" Drill it out " ..... Anything is possible - However drilling a hole in 12 " +/- axle isn't something the average DIY'er can do ..... good luck ... Mike

**EdMat** · 06-13-2022, 11:03 AM

I agree with James. There have been several reports of the new axles not accepting the trailer hitch thru bolt. If you look at the picture closely it looks like the hole is only about 1/4 inch.

**Astro-bob** · 06-13-2022, 12:23 PM

Call your Dealer and check on trailer hitch axle bulletin, BRP will replace axle parts and labor. I was just at my dealer this morning about this, & he ordered me a new axle.

**Fatcycledaddy** · 06-13-2022, 01:07 PM

Great information!!
Thanks for the update and education on that one.

**DriftersWay** · 06-13-2022, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Fatcycledaddy

Great information!!
Thanks for the update and education on that one.

We both got educated my friend.

**DriftersWay** · 06-13-2022, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by BLUEKNIGHT911

" Drill it out " ..... Anything is possible - However drilling a hole in 12 " +/- axle isn't something the average DIY'er can do ..... good luck ... Mike

Mike you are right. It is not what I thought. It looked like a brass insert at first.
I was wrong, there is a 1/4" hole going through the entire length of the axle.
There is no way I can drill that. I have to see about getting a new one.

**DriftersWay** · 06-13-2022, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Astro-bob

Call your Dealer and check on trailer hitch axle bulletin, BRP will replace axle parts and labor. I was just at my dealer this morning about this, & he ordered me a new axle.

Thanks for the info. I will be at my dealer first thing in the morning.

**BLUEKNIGHT911** · 06-13-2022, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by DriftersWay

Mike you are right. It is not what I thought. It looked like a brass insert at first.
I was wrong there is a 1/4" hole going through the entire length of the axle.
There is no way I can drill that. I have to see about getting a new one.

The WHY it's now different is an issue ..... I made three of my own Hitches .... all the OEM - BRP axle's could accommodate a 5/8 in. threaded ROD ....... the ones I made and I'm very sure everyone else's has the HITCH plates using the AXLE as the Actual support piece in this..... so the plates can be held on with a 1/4 in ROD .... it is not STRESSED at all ..... jmho ... Mike

**DriftersWay** · 06-14-2022, 11:49 AM

Just got back from my dealer and there was an issue.
He has my new axle on order, and I may have it on by
the weekend. Under warranty.

**BLUEKNIGHT911** · 06-14-2022, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by DriftersWay

Just got back from my dealer and there was an issue.
He has my new axle on order, and I may have it on by
the weekend. Under warranty.

Well that's interesting ..... glad it's under warranty ..... Mike

**Trbayth** · 06-15-2022, 08:12 AM

I asked my dealer about this. She had heard of this issue on RT's but not F3's. She's going to look into it and if she finds anything I'll update here.

**Trbayth** · 06-16-2022, 09:01 AM

My dealer confirmed the issue on F3's as well. She ordered the replacement parts but if supply chain issues prevented BRP from building the bikes with the correct axle I wonder if supply chain issues will prevent them from shipping the replacement parts?

I'm just glad I still have an older Spyder to ride.

**Trbayth** · 07-13-2022, 07:54 AM

Dealer told me yesterday that the replacement axle's are now backordered until the end of August.

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