Pulling a trailer with a RS

[Ga Blue Knight]

I think that I would like to pull a small cargo trailer with my 09 RS SE5. What are the pros and cons? What brands of trailers out there would be best suited? Any and all advice would be really appreciated.

[retread]

Piggybacker and Harbor Freight Tagalong, are 2 that come to mind, there are many others out there. The things to look for are light weight, low tongue weight, and for me, wheel size. Most of the hitches want 20 pounds max for tongue weight, and with a 400 pound gross weight, the lighter the trailer, the more stuff you can take. I've had some interesting things happen with 8 inch wheels, so 12 is as small as I'll go.

john

[Bob Denman]

I know that the RTs have a trailer-towing setting that can be accessed and implemented when needed. Do the RS/GS models have any of this capacity? I they don't, how might that impact the ability to tow safely?

[Some Guy]

I've got over 5,000 miles on my Harbor Freight Tag-a-long with no problems. It's not the prettiest, but at $400, the price is right. It holds quite a bit and keeps the cargo dry.

Yes, it has 8 inch wheels and I've heard good and bad stories about them. I put RideOn in them when I bought the trailer and they've been fine. I do carry a spare tire just in case.

[SPYD1]

I have an 09 RS and pull a Aluma trailer with it...over 1200 miles no issue. I have a BRP hitch and a Hopkins converter for wiring. Any other questions you can PM me.

[JOESPY]

I have a 2008 with 35000 km sorry that I explain in km im canadian I must of did with my trailer 17000 km with it and have no problem at all. I am pulling a forest green laugage hauler with a brp trailer hitch, the only problem sometimes i forget that im pulling it

[sabunim5]

I have been pulling an Escapade LE trailer with my 2008 GS almost from the beginning. I have 24k miles on the Spyder and about 8k of those miles are two-up pulling the trailer. I have a custom made rear axle mount hitch and did not use any sort of converter for my electrical connection. I did use a five prong trailer plug, so I have separate lines for the Left and Right turn signals. Here is a link to a page that will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about motorcycle trailers. Good Luck http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-trailer/

[Trickie Dick]

I have this America's Best Tailer: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Trail...item3cbb815e49
I also have this hitch. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Can-A...item4cf46de40e
Both work just fine. The trailer is 20 cu. ft. They make a smaller one. The hitch is similiar to the BRP hitch. It fasten to the swing arm. I also use a hopkins converter for the wiring.
I've been very pleased with everything so far. I've only pulled it about 3000 miles but it pulls behind my 08 GS just fine.

[Spyderjockey]

I bouht my trailer from a fellow Spyder lover in Virginia who had bought an RT with the new trailer. He did quite a lot of work on it and I have put new wheel bearings in the hubs. It too has 8" wheels but they are the 500 series. He had put around 1,000 miles on the tires before I bought it and I must have put nearly another 10,000 miles on those same tires and have had absolutely no problems with tires, bearings or anything pulling the trailer and I have been 75-80 MPH for extended periods of time with it. The tires look as if they can go at least another 7000 to 8000 miles before I will need to replace them. I have the Corbin bags so I bought the Corbin hitch and is working great also. I have a 2008 RS with 54,000 2 up miles on it and and it pulls the trailer like it is not even there. Pulling a trailer is now a necessity for us even if we are only going somewhere over night.....it is sooo much easier to stow your things for a trip!!

[Rockytime]

I have this America's Best Tailer: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Trail...item3cbb815e49
I also have this hitch. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Can-A...item4cf46de40e
Both work just fine. The trailer is 20 cu. ft. They make a smaller one. The hitch is similiar to the BRP hitch. It fasten to the swing arm. I also use a hopkins converter for the wiring.
I've been very pleased with everything so far. I've only pulled it about 3000 miles but it pulls behind my 08 GS just fine.

I just looked at the Spyder hitch on ebay. If it also fits, and it should, I'll order it. Good savings over the BPR hitch. Due to some physical problems I should be able to install myself with the assistance of a couple of friends. Did you also have to purchase the BPR wiring harness in addition to the Hopkins wiring converter?

[retread]

The BRP harness is RT specific, you can't use it on an RS without a lot of modification. The Hopkins powered converter, a few Positaps, and a plug to match your trailer's is all you need. If you have an auxillary fuse block, it makes it a little easier.

john

[Trickie Dick]

I just looked at the Spyder hitch on ebay. If it also fits, and it should, I'll order it. Good savings over the BPR hitch. Due to some physical problems I should be able to install myself with the assistance of a couple of friends. Did you also have to purchase the BPR wiring harness in addition to the Hopkins wiring converter?

One difference in the Canadian hitch and the BRP hitch is you have to take the axle off and insert it through the hitch. It's not hard but I would recommend reading a thread or two on how to avoid having to readjust the belt after doing this. You will need a 36mm socket/wrench to get the axle off.

The BRP harness is RT specific, you can't use it on an RS without a lot of modification. The Hopkins powered converter, a few Positaps, and a plug to match your trailer's is all you need. If you have an auxillary fuse block, it makes it a little easier.

john

Retread(john) did my wiring for the trailer. He did a masterful job so I defer to him in questions regarding the wiring or converter. I will say if you get the trailer I mentioned, it will include a converter(among serveral other things) that you can use. However, it is not a powered converter so you would have to tap into the Spyder wiring for power. John thinks that may cause problems so we both used the powered Hopkins converter and who am I to question his wisdom.

[Spyder#353]

On my 08 RS I pull a Bushtic trailer. They have a very good hitch also. Didn't even notice I was pulling a trailer while riding the dragon.

[Boots]

I have an 09 RS and pull a Aluma trailer with it...over 1200 miles no issue. I have a BRP hitch and a Hopkins converter for wiring. Any other questions you can PM me.

I recently had a hitch installed on my RS.The hitch I had installed is a Bushtec with a 5 wiring harness.I am concerned about any bouncing with trailer I would have with this hitch not installed on the swingarms.I am also looking for a alum trailer.Any suggestions would help on size,weight,tire size.Do have any suggestions where I can find a reasonable priced alum trailer ? Thankyou,Boots

[Boots]

On my 08 RS I pull a Bushtic trailer. They have a very good hitch also. Didn't even notice I was pulling a trailer while riding the dragon.

I am glad to see someone else has a bushtec hitch for their 08 RS.How does yours fasten on ? What should I be looking for in purchasing a trailer ? Any suggestions where I can find a reasonable priced trailer ?Thankyou,Boots

[Littlebadwolf]

I've got a 2009 RS that I put the Canadian Hitch on with no problems and the guy also sells the harness for $39. I bought a Little Guy trailer off Ebay for $600 that I'm hauling with no problems at all...Here's a picture of it...not yellow anymore, painted it black just this week..Taking it on a trip to SITA leaving on Sunday...Has a tongue weight of 30 lbs and was previously pulled by a Goldwing. Will let you know how well it does on the highway but it's done terrific on the short trips I've made with it.

Minitrailer.jpg

[NancysToy]

I recently had a hitch installed on my RS.The hitch I had installed is a Bushtec with a 5 wiring harness.I am concerned about any bouncing with trailer I would have with this hitch not installed on the swingarms.I am also looking for a alum trailer.Any suggestions would help on size,weight,tire size.Do have any suggestions where I can find a reasonable priced alum trailer ? Thankyou,Boots

Frame mounted hitches work perfectly well...better than swingarm mount in some cases. Most trailer hitches are frame mounted.

[Paula(Butch2025)]

I am glad to see someone else has a bushtec hitch for their 08 RS.How does yours fasten on ? What should I be looking for in purchasing a trailer ? Any suggestions where I can find a reasonable priced trailer ?Thankyou,Boots

Deb- We have the BuschTech hitch (that's one we used when we met you in Cuba) with their wiring harness they are wonderful to work with and very willing to help you over the phone if you come up with problems.
--Paula

[ThreeFeet]

I had an 09 RS with BRP hitch and trailer. I was in Wi. at one of the BRP factories and was talking to one of the gentelman there and he said "that style bike is not recommended to pull a trailer" I looked at him and told him "But it's your trailer!" Then I looked in the manual and sure enough not recommended to pull a trailer. Sooo I pulled that BRP trailer for about 15,000 miles. Didn't break anything, and had to keep looking to see if it was still there. Just be careful of WHAT kind you get and have fun.

[NancysToy]

I had an 09 RS with BRP hitch and trailer. I was in Wi. at one of the BRP factories and was talking to one of the gentelman there and he said "that style bike is not recommended to pull a trailer" I looked at him and told him "But it's your trailer!" Then I looked in the manual and sure enough not recommended to pull a trailer. Sooo I pulled that BRP trailer for about 15,000 miles. Didn't break anything, and had to keep looking to see if it was still there. Just be careful of WHAT kind you get and have fun.

there is no motorcycle of any make or model, except the Spyder RT, that is rated for trailer towing. There are lots of motrcycle trailers being towed, though. Dealers can be such kill-joys!

[spydaman60]

I've got a 2009 RS that I put the Canadian Hitch on with no problems and the guy also sells the harness for $39. I bought a Little Guy trailer off Ebay for $600 that I'm hauling with no problems at all...Here's a picture of it...not yellow anymore, painted it black just this week..Taking it on a trip to SITA leaving on Sunday...Has a tongue weight of 30 lbs and was previously pulled by a Goldwing. Will let you know how well it does on the highway but it's done terrific on the short trips I've made with it.

Minitrailer.jpg

i'm going to track you down in lake placid to see this rig. i've been trying to talk the wife into doing something like this on our rs. like the look too. kinda looks like one of those r-pods (teardrop style) cool, very cool!

[Boots]

I have an 09 RS and pull a Aluma trailer with it...over 1200 miles no issue. I have a BRP hitch and a Hopkins converter for wiring. Any other questions you can PM me.

where did you purchased your aluma trailer ?

[Littlebadwolf]

i'm going to track you down in lake placid to see this rig. i've been trying to talk the wife into doing something like this on our rs. like the look too. kinda looks like one of those r-pods (teardrop style) cool, very cool!

Preliminary looks of the trailer I pull with my RS..Still have a couple coats of paint to put on but I'm gonna wait until we get back from SITA...See ya there....
30lb tongue weight - Trailer dimensions (in LWH): 113 x 64 x 43
Strong, steel frame - Cargo space (in): 51 x 44 x 27
$3495


trailer2 045.jpgtrailer2 047.jpgtrailer2 046.jpg

[Littlebadwolf]

I've got a 2009 RS that I put the Canadian Hitch on with no problems and the guy also sells the harness for $39. I bought a Little Guy trailer off Ebay for $600 that I'm hauling with no problems at all...Here's a picture of it...not yellow anymore, painted it black just this week..Taking it on a trip to SITA leaving on Sunday...Has a tongue weight of 30 lbs and was previously pulled by a Goldwing. Will let you know how well it does on the highway but it's done terrific on the short trips I've made with it.

Minitrailer.jpg

Here's my review on the Little Guy trailer...The RS pulls it like a champ with very little effort. You can haul a lot of equipment with this guy...I pulled it over 1900 miles going to SITA and back...Definitely glad I bought this..It can pack a lot more than BRP's trailer and definitely a lot cheaper..

[Blue Star]

I've got over 5,000 miles on my Harbor Freight Tag-a-long with no problems. It's not the prettiest, but at $400, the price is right. It holds quite a bit and keeps the cargo dry.

Yes, it has 8 inch wheels and I've heard good and bad stories about them. I put RideOn in them when I bought the trailer and they've been fine. I do carry a spare tire just in case.

Just got back from SITR, and pulled a Harbor Freight trailer. It is their 4 x 4 flat bed with 12 inch wheals with a Sears car topper bolted on. Another in the group had the Harbor Freight Tag-a-long with 8 inch wheals. We traveled 75 to 80 MPH for most of the way their with no troubles, and like others have said did not even know it was there sometimes.

Trailer 3.jpg