Looking for 2016 RT Limited OEM part numbers for trailer hitch and trailer wiring harness, or aftermarket suggestions

[Thefireman]

Can-Am no longer offers a trailer hitch kit for the 2016 RT Limited. I believe I have found the original kit number for this bike but I cannot find the part number for the hitch. I believe the original trailer hitch and control module kit number was 219400432. I found instructions for this kit and the instruction say the Assembled Hitch number is not available separately.

My research indicates the part number for the hitch may be 705 203 210. Can anyone verify this is the correct number for the hitch and that it will fit?

I understand that many models and years use the same part numbers but the 2016 RT Limited may be unusual. For example, several online retailers offer a “Show Chrome Trailer wire harness for 2010-2019 Can-Am RT with part number 3902-0174” that fits 15 models, these include 2010-2015 RT Limited and RT Limited Auto but not a 2016 RT Limited.

The previously mentioned kit 219400432 lists three parts comprising the “control module:”’

1) Connection module 710 003 198 replaced by 710003903 Current BRP price is $174.99

2) Module harness 710 003 200 aka wiring harness 710003200 - must call BRP dealer for current price, not available online

3) Hitch harness 710 003 272 aka wiring harness at $76.22

When I search these numbers on the can-am parts finder website the site does not mention compatibility. And since Show Chrome’s harness is not compatible with a 2016 RT Limited I am concerned that some of the BRP control module parts may not be compatible.

Does anyone know which harness parts are compatible with a 2016 RT Limited? I have yet to find any aftermarket harness parts that fit the 2016 RT Limited.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Regardless if what the various OEM & a/mkt catalogues &/or parts lists might say, All of the 2010 to 2019 RT Spyders and all F3 Spyders with the rectangular swing arms use what is effectively the same 'OEM tow hitch', and there are really only minor differences between the harnesses too. There were some 2018/19+ Spyders that were fitted with a dodgy 'solid axle' instead of the earlier 'axle tube' that allowed easy installation of the tow hitch, which was mainly due to international supply issues and meant that some of those newer Spyders also needed a pre-2018 axle tube in order for the standard OEM hitch to fit, but apart from that, if it mounts to the swing arm it's effectively the same hitch, albeit possibly with slightly different add-ons or dressy buts to con you into thinking it's different - but it's not!. So if you are just after the hitch, then any OEM style hitch &/or clone of said OEM hitch will fit any Spyder RT or F3 with rectangular swing arms regardless of the year - you really don't need to be too concerned about part numbers or what the catalogues might say they do or don't fit.

However, the harnesses are a little different, and there are some confusing variations in the necessary wiring configurations that mean you either hafta find one that supposedly suits your year model; but beware, there are differences/variations in the way the Spyders have left the factory, and the catalogues aren't necessarily ANYWHERE near 'correct' when it comes to which harness fits what year/model &/or is installed/wired in any particular way - caveat emptor! Many often find that some 'customisation' is necessary, and it's basically a fluke if you happen across a true 'plug-n-play' wiring harness for your trailer &/or hitch!

And all that brings me to this - because everything hitch/trailer wise hangs off the rear of the un-sprung swing arm, the OEM Hitches are really not the smartest or safest of hitch designs, and not only are they pretty damned expensive for the PoS that they are, they are renowned for causing all sorts of issues with the trailers they tow, their draw bars, the trailer contents, and vibrations etc. There are MUCH BETTER fully sprung hitch designs out there, hitches that generally cost a lot less and work a whole lot better in the long run, as well as being a lot kinder to your trailer, its structure, and its contents along the way! And there are alternative wiring kits to the OEM units too, wiring kits that still have the necessary 'full isolation' from the OEM Spyder harness so there's no feedback &/or canbus interference, which also tend to be better (and usually cheaper too) than the OEM gear. So I'd suggest that you seriously consider completely ignoring the OEM hitch & wiring kits, and get something a/mkt that very likely will be better in all respects - and probably work out cheaper too!

Just Sayin'

 

[Thefireman]

Peter,
Thanks for the informative response.

And thanks for educating me on sprung hitches and unsprung swing arms. Can you direct me to any "sprung" hitches because Brand New Bombadier; Big Bike Parts (Show Chrome); nor Casa Home Brand mention sprung in their descriptions.

The following type of listings add to my confusion about Limited models: The USA Trailer Store lists a hitch but states it does not fit Limiteds:

• 10-9075 Fitment:
• 2010-2017 Spyder RT
• 2013-2015 Spyder ST
• (DOES NOT FIT LIMITED, LIMITED STS, OR RT-S)

Last night I contacted CanAmSpyderAccessories and asked if their harness was compatible with the 2016 RT Limited because they also sell Show Chrome accessories (but I could not find Show Chrome harnesses on their site). I said the Show Chrome harness doesn't appear to fit the 2016 Limited. Pierre called me this morning and said his fits the 2016 Limited. A 2019 post on this forum stated "The harness mentioned above from Can Am Accessories is not power isolated. So could cause hyper flash. Also if a short occurs in the trailer wiring. The Spyder lights will also fail, will cause faults and may cause Limp Home Mode to occur. The Show Chrome harness for the RT is power isolated."

The current CanAmSpyderAccessories harness description does not state if it is fully isolated - so how does one know if a harness is fully isolated? Perhaps the CanAmSpyderAccessories harness has been redesigned since 2019.