Ga Blue Knight
New member
I think that I would like to pull a small cargo trailer with my 09 RS SE5. What are the pros and cons? What brands of trailers out there would be best suited? Any and all advice would be really appreciated.
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Pulling a trailer with a RS
- Thread starter Ga Blue Knight
- Start date
retread
New member
Piggybacker and Harbor Freight Tagalong, are 2 that come to mind, there are many others out there. The things to look for are light weight, low tongue weight, and for me, wheel size. Most of the hitches want 20 pounds max for tongue weight, and with a 400 pound gross weight, the lighter the trailer, the more stuff you can take. I've had some interesting things happen with 8 inch wheels, so 12 is as small as I'll go.
john
john
Bob Denman
New member
Towing with an RS/GS????
I know that the RTs have a trailer-towing setting that can be accessed and implemented when needed. Do the RS/GS models have any of this capacity? I they don't, how might that impact the ability to tow safely?
I know that the RTs have a trailer-towing setting that can be accessed and implemented when needed. Do the RS/GS models have any of this capacity? I they don't, how might that impact the ability to tow safely?
Some Guy
New member
I've got over 5,000 miles on my Harbor Freight Tag-a-long with no problems. It's not the prettiest, but at $400, the price is right. It holds quite a bit and keeps the cargo dry.
Yes, it has 8 inch wheels and I've heard good and bad stories about them. I put RideOn in them when I bought the trailer and they've been fine. I do carry a spare tire just in case.
Yes, it has 8 inch wheels and I've heard good and bad stories about them. I put RideOn in them when I bought the trailer and they've been fine. I do carry a spare tire just in case.
JOESPY
New member
I have a 2008 with 35000 km sorry that I explain in km im canadian :roflblack: I must of did with my trailer 17000 km with it and have no problem at all. I am pulling a forest green laugage hauler with a brp trailer hitch, the only problem sometimes i forget that im pulling it:lecturef_smilie:
sabunim5
New member
I have been pulling an Escapade LE trailer with my 2008 GS almost from the beginning. I have 24k miles on the Spyder and about 8k of those miles are two-up pulling the trailer. I have a custom made rear axle mount hitch and did not use any sort of converter for my electrical connection. I did use a five prong trailer plug, so I have separate lines for the Left and Right turn signals. Here is a link to a page that will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about motorcycle trailers. Good Luck :thumbup: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-trailer/
Trickie Dick
New member
I have this America's Best Tailer: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Trai...rcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cbb815e49
I also have this hitch. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Can-...rcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf46de40e
Both work just fine. The trailer is 20 cu. ft. They make a smaller one. The hitch is similiar to the BRP hitch. It fasten to the swing arm. I also use a hopkins converter for the wiring.
I've been very pleased with everything so far. I've only pulled it about 3000 miles but it pulls behind my 08 GS just fine.
I also have this hitch. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Can-...rcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf46de40e
Both work just fine. The trailer is 20 cu. ft. They make a smaller one. The hitch is similiar to the BRP hitch. It fasten to the swing arm. I also use a hopkins converter for the wiring.
I've been very pleased with everything so far. I've only pulled it about 3000 miles but it pulls behind my 08 GS just fine.
Spyderjockey
New member
I have a very old Lil' Caboose trailer
I bouht my trailer from a fellow Spyder lover in Virginia who had bought an RT with the new trailer. He did quite a lot of work on it and I have put new wheel bearings in the hubs. It too has 8" wheels but they are the 500 series. He had put around 1,000 miles on the tires before I bought it and I must have put nearly another 10,000 miles on those same tires and have had absolutely no problems with tires, bearings or anything pulling the trailer and I have been 75-80 MPH for extended periods of time with it. The tires look as if they can go at least another 7000 to 8000 miles before I will need to replace them. I have the Corbin bags so I bought the Corbin hitch and is working great also. I have a 2008 RS with 54,000 2 up miles on it and and it pulls the trailer like it is not even there. Pulling a trailer is now a necessity for us even if we are only going somewhere over night.....it is sooo much easier to stow your things for a trip!!:thumbup:
I bouht my trailer from a fellow Spyder lover in Virginia who had bought an RT with the new trailer. He did quite a lot of work on it and I have put new wheel bearings in the hubs. It too has 8" wheels but they are the 500 series. He had put around 1,000 miles on the tires before I bought it and I must have put nearly another 10,000 miles on those same tires and have had absolutely no problems with tires, bearings or anything pulling the trailer and I have been 75-80 MPH for extended periods of time with it. The tires look as if they can go at least another 7000 to 8000 miles before I will need to replace them. I have the Corbin bags so I bought the Corbin hitch and is working great also. I have a 2008 RS with 54,000 2 up miles on it and and it pulls the trailer like it is not even there. Pulling a trailer is now a necessity for us even if we are only going somewhere over night.....it is sooo much easier to stow your things for a trip!!:thumbup:
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Rockytime
New member
I just looked at the Spyder hitch on ebay. If it also fits, and it should, I'll order it. Good savings over the BPR hitch. Due to some physical problems I should be able to install myself with the assistance of a couple of friends. Did you also have to purchase the BPR wiring harness in addition to the Hopkins wiring converter?
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Trickie Dick
New member
One difference in the Canadian hitch and the BRP hitch is you have to take the axle off and insert it through the hitch. It's not hard but I would recommend reading a thread or two on how to avoid having to readjust the belt after doing this. You will need a 36mm socket/wrench to get the axle off.
Retread(john) did my wiring for the trailer. He did a masterful job so I defer to him in questions regarding the wiring or converter. I will say if you get the trailer I mentioned, it will include a converter(among serveral other things) that you can use. However, it is not a powered converter so you would have to tap into the Spyder wiring for power. John thinks that may cause problems so we both used the powered Hopkins converter and who am I to question his wisdom. nojoke
Spyder#353
New member
On my 08 RS I pull a Bushtic trailer. They have a very good hitch also. Didn't even notice I was pulling a trailer while riding the dragon. :thumbup:
Boots
GOS member (Girls On Spyders)
trailer/hitch
I recently had a hitch installed on my RS.The hitch I had installed is a Bushtec with a 5 wiring harness.I am concerned about any bouncing with trailer I would have with this hitch not installed on the swingarms.I am also looking for a alum trailer.Any suggestions would help on size,weight,tire size.Do have any suggestions where I can find a reasonable priced alum trailer ? Thankyou,Boots
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Boots
GOS member (Girls On Spyders)
hitch/trailer
I am glad to see someone else has a bushtec hitch for their 08 RS.How does yours fasten on ? What should I be looking for in purchasing a trailer ? Any suggestions where I can find a reasonable priced trailer ?Thankyou,Boots
I am glad to see someone else has a bushtec hitch for their 08 RS.How does yours fasten on ? What should I be looking for in purchasing a trailer ? Any suggestions where I can find a reasonable priced trailer ?Thankyou,Boots
Littlebadwolf
New member
I've got a 2009 RS that I put the Canadian Hitch on with no problems and the guy also sells the harness for $39. I bought a Little Guy trailer off Ebay for $600 that I'm hauling with no problems at all...Here's a picture of it...not yellow anymore, painted it black just this week..Taking it on a trip to SITA leaving on Sunday...Has a tongue weight of 30 lbs and was previously pulled by a Goldwing. Will let you know how well it does on the highway but it's done terrific on the short trips I've made with it.
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NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
Frame mounted hitches work perfectly well...better than swingarm mount in some cases. Most trailer hitches are frame mounted.
Paula(Butch2025)
Memorial Member
Deb- We have the BuschTech hitch (that's one we used when we met you in Cuba) with their wiring harness they are wonderful to work with and very willing to help you over the phone if you come up with problems.
--Paula
ThreeFeet
New member
I had an 09 RS with BRP hitch and trailer. I was in Wi. at one of the BRP factories and was talking to one of the gentelman there and he said "that style bike is not recommended to pull a trailer" I looked at him and told him "But it's your trailer!" Then I looked in the manual and sure enough not recommended to pull a trailer. Sooo I pulled that BRP trailer for about 15,000 miles. Didn't break anything, and had to keep looking to see if it was still there. Just be careful of WHAT kind you get and have fun.
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
there is no motorcycle of any make or model, except the Spyder RT, that is rated for trailer towing. There are lots of motrcycle trailers being towed, though. Dealers can be such kill-joys!
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