Any info on adjusting rear trunk/top case latch on '20+ RTL?

[BigLenny]

Howdy Folk,

I hope everyone is staying warm, safe, and certainly COVID free.
I have a couple of questions about the top case on our 2020 RTL.

1. Have any of you experienced/experiencing the latch sticking and being cantankerous to open? Sometimes I have to tap the lid around the latch area to get it to release and open. Or, I’ve had to push the lid around to get it to release.

2. Is there a kit, or anything that I can install that will give the ability to slide the top case back an inch or two to give the passenger more seat room? My wife is used to riding on the back of our Yamaha RSTD, and it had a nice space between her and me. She feels pretty tight, and right up against me on the Spyder. Just wondering.

Thanks, Big Lenny

 

[Knizar]

Lenny, I also have a little trouble with the top trunk latch on my 2020RTL, (common problem) as others have mentioned. Hopefully with time and use it will get easier. As far as moving it back, I do not believe that will work. The two forks that hold the front of the trunk down would have to be lengthened some how besides the hold-down latch repositioned. Good luck!

 

[TheCajun1957]

Go to Spyderpops site, he has an extension kit for the F3, that will move the top case back about 5 inches. A little on the expensive side but you get alot and it is well worth every penny.

 

[MONK]

Go to Spyderpops site, he has an extension kit for the F3, that will move the top case back about 5 inches. A little on the expensive side but you get alot and it is well worth every penny.

That won't work on the RT and is only for the 2018 and previous F3L due to the new LinQ locking/mounting system. Interesting idea, though if you have an earlier F3L.

 

[Copperman]

You might have to put her on her own Spyder.

 

[Jetfixer]

Take the top case off and you'll find a nut on the bottom of the latch. Loosen that about a half turn and see if it isn't easier to latch. If you need to loosen it more, go ahead. If you think it's too loose, tighten it back up a quarter turn. I suggest you keep it snug. As for gaining some more room, there's not much you can do except take off the backrest, and take it to an automotive upholsterer. We had our back rest foam reshaped to provide more lumbar support. You could explain to them your issue and they could either reshape your backrest foam, or replace it with something thinner but denser. There was ample vinyl covering material to reshape ours.

 

[Mike0123]

So, I’m sure this is on the forum someplace, but as usual I cannot find anything. I thought Sean Smoak had it in a video, but can’t find that either.

Anyway, I am tearing my hair out trying to adjust the rear trunk lid latching. I need to push down on it “mightily” to get it to latch closed. It opens OK, maybe not as smooth as I would like, but closing it is a nightmare. I’ve loosened the little post tings and moved them back and forth, but just cannot get it to work. If I could describe what the current situation feels like, it would be that the posts are too short. I know thats probably not the case, but since I can get it to latch by pressing the bejeezus out of it, thats what I think. I swear I’m lucky not to be popping the air suspension!

There has to be a way...please???!!???

Thanks as always,
Mike

 

[Isopedella]

When I picked my new 2017 F3 to me all latches were hard to operate. I lubed them and now they all work smooth as silk. Just saying.
If you have to push down a lot to get it to engage it may be too high.

 

[K80Shooter]

Lube it then try it a few times before messing with it further.

 

[kroache]

This might be the one you are looking for.
Cheers
Kevin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVq0_JgBZXU&ab_channel=TheSmoaksVlogs

 

[Mike0123]

This might be the one you are looking for.
Cheers
Kevin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVq0_JgBZXU&ab_channel=TheSmoaksVlogs

Yes! Thank you... well if anyone else is looking, watch this one. About halfway through, when he is going to adjust his S2S trunk a message flashes on the screen telling you to watch their vlog 2054 for an easy way to adjust it! That’s the real one to watch.
Sweet, thank you so much.

 

[ThreeWheels]

Thanks. I've had to adjust each and every latch on my 2020 RT Limited.
First the Frunk, then the seat latch, then the two side bags.
This was the last piece to make it so the Phenomenal Beth can easily open the rear trunk.
Thank you so much.

 

[WilcoJunoHotel]

Part of the issue with the side case latches on the 2020 is the poor way that BRP designed the cable routing: At the end of the cable where it mates with the release lever the cable wire has to make a "hard" angle to the release mechanism. The cable binds exiting the cable housing. In other words, unlike a motorcycle brake or clutch cable or similar, where the wire goes straight in and straight out, the wire is going in and out of the cable housing at an angle.

I have to push inward on the side case before pulling the release lever and it causes me to cringe each time I tug on the lever because I have already broken one of the release mechanisms and they are a real pita to replace.

 

[K80Shooter]

Here is the Vlog_2054 I found it by accident.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ymUwJnCNrs

 

[PatrickH]

Hello Jetfixer,

Your 02-21-2021, 06:01 PM post about fixing a hard-to-open topcase cover sounds as though you know how those mechanisms work. I've recently traded my 10yo 2014 RTL for a 2021 RTL and the top case lid is quite hard to latch. I have to SLAM it much harder than feels safe for the materials of the top case or its cover. I want to adjust it to make the closing action less "abusive" feeling. I've examined the cover "prongs" that protrude down and the latch assembly into which those "prongs" protrude to engage the locking mechanism, and I don't see any sort of way to adjust. I've searched the PDF I have of the factory service manual for how-to. I've also searched Youtube for a video on how-to, all w/o success.

Can you point me to perhaps a Youtube vid I've missed, or to where in the service manual (I have the 2021 RT PDF version, which included S2S and Ltd of the shop manual), or a post on this forum where I might find a source of information about how to adjust that locking mechanism?

Regards, Patrick Hill

 

[Partzman23]

Hi Patrick, go to YouTube and search for 'TheSmoaksVlogs' - Shawn Smoaks is a Spyder mech who works at a Can Am dealership in Washington State. He did a video on the problem you are describing. It was a while back though. You may have to search his videos. Hope this helps.
Artie

 

[Peteoz]

Patrick, have you had a look at the post directly before yours by Jetfixer on 05/04/22 (post #14)? It contains the info on the trunk adjustment you are looking for.

Pete

 

[Mike0123]

I have a 21 RTL and it definitely takes some patience. I do it with the real light panel off so I can close the lid and still reach in there. Move the pegs so they catch a little and tighten the nuts underneath. Test and retry. I got mine much better.

 

[PatrickH]

I have a 21 RTL and it definitely takes some patience. I do it with the real light panel off so I can close the lid and still reach in there. Move the pegs so they catch a little and tighten the nuts underneath. Test and retry. I got mine much better.

Thanks Mike,
I appreciate that help. Just to make sure I'm understanding you - I think there was a typo. Were you saying you ..."do it with the rear light panel off"...?
Regards, Patrick

 

[Peteoz]

Patrick, there are plenty of references in this thread, from several members, to videos from Shawn Smoak as to how to do this. I do not understand why you aren’t using them, and are asking the same questions over and over. Spend some time going through the above replies. Over and Out :dontknow:

Pete