Towing a Spyder

[Questions]

Hi guy's. I have a question for you all. I have a tow dolly I use behind my motorhome to tow my cars. The Spyder fits great on the dolly. My question is will it harm the transmission by towing with the rear whell on the road? I am not sure if the transmission would be lubricated? I am trying to contact BRP with this question but I don't have alot of hope. I know if I pulled the belt it would be fine, but I don't want to do that. Has anybody else tried this?

Thanks

 

[Lamonster]

That's a good question. :dontknow:

 

[boborgera]

Hi guy's. I have a question for you all. I have a tow dolly I use behind my motorhome to tow my cars. The Spyder fits great on the dolly. My question is will it harm the transmission by towing with the rear whell on the road? I am not sure if the transmission would be lubricated? I am trying to contact BRP with this question but I don't have alot of hope. I know if I pulled the belt it would be fine, but I don't want to do that. Has anybody else tried this?

Thanks

If it's an auto trans i would think the belt has to be removed, if anything i would remove it just for peace of mind. also how far do you tow?

 

[Big Arm]

I'm thinking you'd be fine, but I'd definitly remove the belt. Manual or auto.

 

[Latemarch]

You only have to get the belt off of the back sprocket.
Jack up the bike on the frame and remove the lower bolt from the shock and let the wheel drop down. then slide the belt off and zip tie it to the fender bracket. Let the shock dangle and when you get to the other end reverse the process. shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

 

[Questions]

towing

Hi guy's. I have a question for you all. I have a tow dolly I use behind my motorhome to tow my cars. The Spyder fits great on the dolly. My question is will it harm the transmission by towing with the rear whell on the road? I am not sure if the transmission would be lubricated? I am trying to contact BRP with this question but I don't have alot of hope. I know if I pulled the belt it would be fine, but I don't want to do that. Has anybody else tried this?

Thanks

My Spyder is a standard trans. 08 GS and I would like to tow it 500 miles a day cross country.
Thanks for your responses

 

[NancysToy]

I wouldn't do it, but part of that is the unknown. I remember somebody else trying and giving up a long while back, but as I recall, that problem was inadequate body clearance to the center of the tow dolly. There is also difficulty in getting the tie-downs to work on the tires with the close cycle fenders.

If I did this for more than a few miles, I would remove the belt so the gears would not constantly be turning. There is not much of a gear sump on the dry sump Spyder, so the gears are turning constantly in the same small quantity of oil. This oil is not refreshed without the engine running. If there is any wear or contamination, it will foul the oil quickly. Not sure if some of the gear shafts are pressure lubed. If so, they would not be under these conditions. In addition, the angle of the Spyder would leave some of the gears in the sump exposed, that normally are not, which could hinder the splash lube process.

You will also get some stress on the rear wheel bearings and swingarm bushings. These should not be worse than a running Spyder...maybe less, but they will be different. Keep a close watch on them and inspect often for play and heat build-up.

Just things to think about. If you try it, be sure and let us know how you make out.