TOWING

[spyderatemyharley]

I have an 08 GS SM5 and am interested in towing a small camping trailer with a 285-310 lbs net weight with a 20-25 lbs tounge weight. Need any an all advice of towing such a trailer. Can Am does not make a hitch for an 08 but their are aftermarket hitches. According to my Can Am operators guide, your not suppose to tow anything. Thanks ahead of time for any and all advice.

[Tx web rider]

I have a GS 2009 SE5

I have some 8000 miles with my trailer behind mine you barely notice its there

make sure to load your trailer evenly not to overload the hitch

I use the ebay hitch
here is one I just looked for and a screaming deal I paid 200 for mine

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Can-Am-Spyde...a16557&vxp=mtr

made my own wiring connections using tricled items at the bottom of the page you will need 2 of the 2 wire for turn signals and one 3 wire for brakes and running lights super easy

http://tricled.com/TricLed.com/Misc.html

I used these for my bike to trailer connections fit nicely in provided bracket on the hitch

http://www.allbatterysalesandservice...cfm/4,872.html

do it your self and know your bike

[jtpollock]

[QUOTE=Tx web rider;951326]I have a GS 2009 SE5

I have some 8000 miles with my trailer behind mine you barely notice its there

make sure to load your trailer evenly not to overload the hitch

I use the ebay hitch
here is one I just looked for and a screaming deal I paid 200 for mine

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Can-Am-Spyde...a16557&vxp=mtr

made my own wiring connections using tricled items at the bottom of the page you will need 2 of the 2 wire for turn signals and one 3 wire for brakes and running lights super easy

http://tricled.com/TricLed.com/Misc.html

I used these for my bike to trailer connections fit nicely in provided bracket on the hitch

http://www.allbatterysalesandservice...cfm/4,872.html

do it your self and know your bike


[I have a 2012 RS-s with over 40000 miler pulled the trailer to Mo spyderfest twice and twice to Durango No problems. be sure to get your wire connectors from TricLed jtpollock ]

[spyderatemyharley]

I have a GS 2009 SE5

I have some 8000 miles with my trailer behind mine you barely notice its there

make sure to load your trailer evenly not to overload the hitch

I use the ebay hitch
here is one I just looked for and a screaming deal I paid 200 for mine

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Can-Am-Spyde...a16557&vxp=mtr

made my own wiring connections using tricled items at the bottom of the page you will need 2 of the 2 wire for turn signals and one 3 wire for brakes and running lights super easy

http://tricled.com/TricLed.com/Misc.html

I used these for my bike to trailer connections fit nicely in provided bracket on the hitch

http://www.allbatterysalesandservice...cfm/4,872.html

do it your self and know your bike

Thanks for the detailed info on the parts needed. My main concern is towing weight including dry weight of trailer. I realize you have to keep tounge weight to a minimum. Like you stated in your reply and I agree, you need to load trailer evenly. The two trailers I'm looking at don't have electric brake system as an option. Should this be a concerning fact?

[Chupaca]

don't know of any running electric brakes. Keep the heavy load over the wheels lighter to the front and rear. You should be fine with the weights...

[billybovine]

I prefer the Big Bike Parts hitch instead of the Ebay one. The reason being you do not have to remove the axle to install or remove. The same as the BRP hitch. http://www.bigbikeparts.com/template...4&GroupGuid=89 Other than that I think the performance of both would be the same. There is another style around that mounts on the fender brackets. Stay away from that type IMHO. The fender brackets have enough stress on them already.

As far as I know there is not a plug and play trailer harness available. For someone with a few wiring skill it would not be too hard to make a harness. Get a fully isolated 5 to 4 converter for about $30 at an auto parts store and wire it in to the existing wiring.

[sabunim5]

I have been pulling a trailer with my PE 08 for as long as I have had it. I do not have any need for trailer brakes but I do leave more seconds of following distance when the trailer is behind me. On hitch weight; while you do not want to overload the hitch; please be aware that if you do not have enough tongue weight your "tail will wag". When you see vehicles pulling trailers and they are wagging the rear of the trailer from side to side; that is a clear sign of insufficient tongue weight. It is a balancing act, but one that is easy to master. Get a bathroom scale, put it on a short stool at about hitch height. Rest your loaded trailer tongue on the scale. If you do not have at least 20 lbs. of weight on the scale you are probably going to "wag your tail". Don't overload your hitch, but do put enough weight on it to allow your trailer to track properly.

[Big Arm]

I also have a '08 GS, PE, and I pull a Bushtec trailer. The tounge weight is important and I have always gone by the 15% rule. Tounge weight to load. My trailer pulls very easily. As far as wiring goes, I think they have you pretty well covered. Mine is a little different, since Bushtec uses 6 wires in their connection.
Good luck.