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Just a little more storage on an RT..??
- Thread starter Mazo EMS2
- Start date
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
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Mazo EMS2
Active member
While BlueKnight and Cruzr Joe hash this one out, I think I might try to come up with a plan to fabricate some framework similar to how the hitch installs, but I don't want the hitch. The rack is interesting though. This might take some head scratchin'.....LOL. The budget is tight, so the hitch is out, and a trailer is certainly out. The bag 'o quarters just might be the final approach.
Mike and Cruzr Joe, I've learned a lot from both of you guys, so don't get in a peein' match on my account.....:cheers:
Mike and Cruzr Joe, I've learned a lot from both of you guys, so don't get in a peein' match on my account.....:cheers:
Markg
New member
Why More?
Since you plan to do laundry it seems like a re-adjustment of luggage would be better. My wife & I have a RT-S, so no luggage in the frunk. We went for a five day trip and had enough room for our clothing by using a flexible dufflebag in the frunk. Had raingear and other stuff in saddlebags & rear trunk but was able to get the full use of the frunk space by having the thin flexible bag in the frunk.
Since you plan to do laundry it seems like a re-adjustment of luggage would be better. My wife & I have a RT-S, so no luggage in the frunk. We went for a five day trip and had enough room for our clothing by using a flexible dufflebag in the frunk. Had raingear and other stuff in saddlebags & rear trunk but was able to get the full use of the frunk space by having the thin flexible bag in the frunk.
Cruzr Joe
New member
I agree :roflblack:, the bag of quarters is the best solution, but if you just have to have more room, make something work.
Cruzr Joe
Cruzr Joe
New member
I do not carry a lot of weight back there, if i had a bowling ball it would go in the frunk, but an extra change of clothes or non heavy items are perfectly fine back there and don't use up the room in the other compartments.
Cruzr Joe
WA5VHU
New member
Turned to Butter
Just remember that the things you put on a hitch mounted tray will vibrate with every movement of the rear wheel, amplified by the length of the setup behind the axle. Clothes and such should be OK but I wouldn't put my shaving kit back there. In another thread one poster said he had a small ice chest back there and the milk or cream he had in it for his coffee had mostly turned to butter after one leg of their trip.
Just remember that the things you put on a hitch mounted tray will vibrate with every movement of the rear wheel, amplified by the length of the setup behind the axle. Clothes and such should be OK but I wouldn't put my shaving kit back there. In another thread one poster said he had a small ice chest back there and the milk or cream he had in it for his coffee had mostly turned to butter after one leg of their trip.
Upstater
New member
Show Chrome Trunk Rack...
I installed the Show Chrome rack on the trunk lid of my '12 RT Ltd. Relatively easy if you follow the instructions to a tee and measure, measure, measure. For our 4-5hr trip to SpyderQuest (3 days) in Lake George NY, the rack worked out well. Plus, I like the look. It adds to the "touring" feel of the RT. A waterproof duffle bag was the perfect size for some essential clothing items and did not exceed the trunk weight limit. We weighed everything in/out of the trunk and it was 16 lbs total (under the 20lb weight limit). Bigger and bulkier stuff was reserved for the frunk and side bags. We had everything we needed and did not want for anything.
Obviously a trailer or trailer rack allows for more stuff. But the expense is nothing to sneeze at. If you don't want to drill into the trunk deck and/or need more capacity, the trailer rack may be your best bang for buck. But, you will have the added expense of installing the hitch assembly first (assuming you don't have it already). Good luck, let us know what you decide.
I installed the Show Chrome rack on the trunk lid of my '12 RT Ltd. Relatively easy if you follow the instructions to a tee and measure, measure, measure. For our 4-5hr trip to SpyderQuest (3 days) in Lake George NY, the rack worked out well. Plus, I like the look. It adds to the "touring" feel of the RT. A waterproof duffle bag was the perfect size for some essential clothing items and did not exceed the trunk weight limit. We weighed everything in/out of the trunk and it was 16 lbs total (under the 20lb weight limit). Bigger and bulkier stuff was reserved for the frunk and side bags. We had everything we needed and did not want for anything.
Obviously a trailer or trailer rack allows for more stuff. But the expense is nothing to sneeze at. If you don't want to drill into the trunk deck and/or need more capacity, the trailer rack may be your best bang for buck. But, you will have the added expense of installing the hitch assembly first (assuming you don't have it already). Good luck, let us know what you decide.
guzzihack
Member
Saddkebag mod & rack cover
This is kinda two part question-observation. I also have thought about the rack/bag idea for the trunk lid. But from what I've looked so far, I haven't found a bike cover that will work with the rack installed. Is there one out there? I'd like a travel cover to keep the seat and dash dry if one is available. The bag could be a nice spot for traveling stuff like rained, gloves, glass cleaner etc.
My second Q-O is that the inner liners on the saddlebags could be remolded for more volume. They should at least do the left bag where the bulge for the non-existing battery was. Seems like there should be constant ant improvements on a good design. If I was plastic mod smart I'd try to change/push the bulge back and make more room. It's sad a helmet won't fit in there.
Sometimes I may do to much driving thinking.
Coke
This is kinda two part question-observation. I also have thought about the rack/bag idea for the trunk lid. But from what I've looked so far, I haven't found a bike cover that will work with the rack installed. Is there one out there? I'd like a travel cover to keep the seat and dash dry if one is available. The bag could be a nice spot for traveling stuff like rained, gloves, glass cleaner etc.
My second Q-O is that the inner liners on the saddlebags could be remolded for more volume. They should at least do the left bag where the bulge for the non-existing battery was. Seems like there should be constant ant improvements on a good design. If I was plastic mod smart I'd try to change/push the bulge back and make more room. It's sad a helmet won't fit in there.
Sometimes I may do to much driving thinking.
Coke
Purple Guy
New member
:agree: with Joe.
Be mindful of what you pack and where you pack it.
Addind the trunk rack solved all my (ok, my Wifes) packing problems!
Attachments
YIRYDE
formerly pman2011
I have the trailer and I use the Pakit Rak for weekend trips. I haven't had any problems with the Pakit Rak so far.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?74387-HITCH-STYLE-CARGO-CARRIER&highlight=pakit
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?74387-HITCH-STYLE-CARGO-CARRIER&highlight=pakit
jaherbst
New member
OK, I have been riding for 64 years and still take more than I need. I'm still working on it. Two people just don't need any more space than is provided on the Spyder RT. If you lay things out long before the trip and really think about it you will discover all the things you really don't need. Try it sometime. Really.
Ride with the bare essentials and plan on laundry every three days at the motel. It will take about one hour of your day. (you can read your owners manual or call home while waiting for your undies to dry
) I traveled around the world for a living for 40 years and packing became part of my life.Most if not all Hotels will provide 90% of anything you need, just ask. Rolling your clothes tightly instead of folding saves space. You only need one change of clothes and three days of undies if you think about it.
Mailing things home that you are not using or giving them to Good Will is a good idea. Taking too much along is like always having "comfort food" with you. Take a walk on the wild side once and try to do without all that useless stuff you haul around and never use. Remember in an emergency Walmart is always there to help you. :joke:
"We don't need no stinking racks"
Jack
PenMyster52
New member
We added chrome rack and don't carry more than extra 10# or so but gives us extra spot and easy access.
Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
DickyRichard
New member
Pak-it rak
I have a pak-it rak that I would sell. I have gone to a folding camper trailer and no longer use the rak. One problem with this type of rack is the bouncing of the swing arm. I had the mounting hardware bend. The company sent a new heavier one to me free. I have not used it so don't know if it works better. If you just put light weight clothing in it, it should be no problem. Remember, you have a 40 lb limit on the swing arm hitch. DickyRichard
I have a pak-it rak that I would sell. I have gone to a folding camper trailer and no longer use the rak. One problem with this type of rack is the bouncing of the swing arm. I had the mounting hardware bend. The company sent a new heavier one to me free. I have not used it so don't know if it works better. If you just put light weight clothing in it, it should be no problem. Remember, you have a 40 lb limit on the swing arm hitch. DickyRichard
cognaccruiser
New member
Learn what is needed as opposed to what you think you might want and learn how to pack your things to save space.
My wife and I have been done numerous trips on bikes for years prior to the Spyder. We used to bicycle camp and carry everything we needed. We canoed for years on lengthy trips and learned to take only what was needed. The Spyder has more space than our Venture or Wing and we don't have a rear rack or trailer on our Spyder. If I was going to add something it would be the trunk rack. Crusr Joe is correct in that the rack and bag doesn't have to exceed BRP's load limit. Reserve that for lighter, bulkier clothing that isn't heavy.
Jaherbst is also correct. Roll up your clothing tightly. We use compression straps to keep clothing rolled tight. Shoes can also be packed with compression straps. We do have the soft saddlebag liners and that helps to keep things tightly packed. If you think about what to take and only what you need, you will reduce the unnecessary items. Things like jeans take lots of space so we don't take them any more. We wear riding pants and carry light weight pants, the type with zip off legs that double as shorts and look quite presentable. Underwear and socks and T's can be washed so only take max 3 pair. Sometimes I keep old underwear that gets worn once on a trip and then thrown away. Think of learning to travel lightly as a challenge and a learning experience. I can't remember ever having wanted something that we didn't bring and still usually end up bringing something we didn't need but everything fits in the storage space on our Spyder.
Gary
My wife and I have been done numerous trips on bikes for years prior to the Spyder. We used to bicycle camp and carry everything we needed. We canoed for years on lengthy trips and learned to take only what was needed. The Spyder has more space than our Venture or Wing and we don't have a rear rack or trailer on our Spyder. If I was going to add something it would be the trunk rack. Crusr Joe is correct in that the rack and bag doesn't have to exceed BRP's load limit. Reserve that for lighter, bulkier clothing that isn't heavy.
Jaherbst is also correct. Roll up your clothing tightly. We use compression straps to keep clothing rolled tight. Shoes can also be packed with compression straps. We do have the soft saddlebag liners and that helps to keep things tightly packed. If you think about what to take and only what you need, you will reduce the unnecessary items. Things like jeans take lots of space so we don't take them any more. We wear riding pants and carry light weight pants, the type with zip off legs that double as shorts and look quite presentable. Underwear and socks and T's can be washed so only take max 3 pair. Sometimes I keep old underwear that gets worn once on a trip and then thrown away. Think of learning to travel lightly as a challenge and a learning experience. I can't remember ever having wanted something that we didn't bring and still usually end up bringing something we didn't need but everything fits in the storage space on our Spyder.
Gary
robmorg
New member
I suspect that the 20 lb. limit is over cautious, but I can't say that with certainty because I don't know how BRP came up with that figure. But at the same time, I have to wonder why that weight limit for the trunk is so low. That rear storage module is a fairly sturdy piece, and it is bolted to the frame with some hefty bolts.
My greater concern about loading up the "Show Chrome" trunk rack is that the way it mounts to the trunk lid might cause stress at the attachment points. Some folks have reported cracks there. That is partially why I got this rack from Value Accessories instead. (The other reason was that it doesn't hide the high brake light.)
When going up for SpyderQuest last fall, I had that trunk rack loaded with a medium size trunk bag, and also a fully loaded backpack on the passenger seat. I had a little room to spare, but not much. i would be fairly comfortable on any extended trip riding solo in this fashion. But frankly, I don't know how folks who travel double on the RT do it without a trailer.
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finless
New member
My take after having it off my Spyder is yes it bolts to the frame with big bolts but the rear end is plastic even where it mounts to the frame. I think they are worried with too much weight it will crack or fatigue the plastic mounting bars.
Bob
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
:agree: x 2. :yes::yes:
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