RT-622 Trailer Towing Hints for a Novice

[gerard]

I am considering purchasing a 622.
I realise this is a very short question with possibly many answers, but I would appreciate any advice/hints on towing trailers.

Thanks,
Gerard

 

[paulbrinker]

Once hooked up, get on the bike and ride. You won't know it is there.

 

[jpbuch9309]

LOAD

I am considering purchasing a 622.
I realise this is a very short question with possibly many answers, but I would appreciate any advice/hints on towing trailers.

Thanks,
Gerard

Load evenly and tie down so load does not shift

 

[Bob Denman]

Load evenly and tie down so load does not shift

...set your load up so that the center of balance, is ahead of the axles. :thumbup:

(Make it "tongue-heavy", by a little bit)

 

[retired1]

If you have a '13 or older model, use "Trailer mode" at least until you learn to keep the RPM's up to avoid damaging the transmission.

 

[BikerDoc]

Once hooked up, get on the bike and ride. You won't know it is there.

:agree::agree:

 

[bluestratos]

Amazing design, even improper loading causes very little effect, and others have said, you will not even know it is behind you on the road. Backing is a wee bit tricky, the short tongue makes it very sensitive to steering inputs. Practice a bit in a parking lot to get the feel for it. You will soon learn that if you back slowly and steer gently it will track perfectly.


On the road this trailer is incredible. It has independent suspension, with shocks! The frame wraps around the tub to allow much deeper loading than typical designs, this also lowers the center of gravity. I hydroplaned when towing mine coming back from Oregon on the I-5. I was doing 70 mph when the heavy showers started and before I knew it I broke lose as if I was on ice, no steering at all at that speed is butt puckering to say the least. I had no control but I did not panic and just worked at keeping it from going completely sideways which could flip the bike. I ended up crossing 4 lanes and wound up on the shoulder before I regained traction. The trailer just hung on behind me, no harm no foul lol.

 

[3 Wheel Addict]

Get to a big empty parking lot and practice backing it up before you get caught in a tight spot. I have been backing trailers my whole life but the Spyder is a bit fiddly with a trailer on it, plus it's hard to look back with a helmet on.

 

[murphybrown]

When all else fails...

And you have not perfected your backing skills...Randy sooo right when he says short tongue makes for tricky backing. If you get in a "jam"...unhook and get out of it...hook back up. Only other advice is remember you are pulling a trailer and when passing someone or going around corner or in parking lot...allow room for it to clear before you complete your transition. They pull amazingly well...

 

[MarkLawson]

Make sure the RT622 trailer you buy is the same year as your Spyder, as they had at least three different configurations in the first 4 years. You don't want to have to figure out how to get a round 9-pin to connect to a newer RT.

Practice braking, especially emergency braking. You will find it'll eat up much more distance with the trailer than without when in an emergency braking situation. You need to already know the difference before you find yourself in a bind.

Loading is important. You want the tongue weight to be 10%-20% of your gross (loaded) trailer weight. This will make the handling of the trailer correct. If the trailer tends to swing from side to side while going straight, that would normally mean you have the tongue weight too light. Move some of the cargo weight forward to add tongue weight. The trailer is 250# empty. You can guess your cargo weight (or weigh it, if you want) to determine your gross trailer weight & then calculate your best tongue weight. Load capacity is no more than 150# of cargo.

Cornering is also something to be aware of. In a corner, the trailer will track inside the line of the Spyder. In tighter turns or in close quarters, you'll want to pay attention.

Acceleration is also slower, so keep in mind what you can do before you try passing or another maneuver where acceleration is a factor.

And finally, you'll read others tell you it's like it's not even there. Don't believe them, it is there & never forget it. When properly loaded and attached, you'll find it easy to pull, but never forget it is there.

 

[jaherbst]

Make sure the RT622 trailer you buy is the same year as your Spyder, as they had at least three different configurations in the first 4 years. You don't want to have to figure out how to get a round 9-pin to connect to a newer RT.

Practice braking, especially emergency braking. You will find it'll eat up much more distance with the trailer than without when in an emergency braking situation. You need to already know the difference before you find yourself in a bind.

Loading is important. You want the tongue weight to be 10%-20% of your gross (loaded) trailer weight. This will make the handling of the trailer correct. If the trailer tends to swing from side to side while going straight, that would normally mean you have the tongue weight too light. Move some of the cargo weight forward to add tongue weight. The trailer is 250# empty. You can guess your cargo weight (or weigh it, if you want) to determine your gross trailer weight & then calculate your best tongue weight. Load capacity is no more than 150# of cargo.

Cornering is also something to be aware of. In a corner, the trailer will track inside the line of the Spyder. In tighter turns or in close quarters, you'll want to pay attention.

Acceleration is also slower, so keep in mind what you can do before you try passing or another maneuver where acceleration is a factor.

And finally, you'll read others tell you it's like it's not even there. Don't believe them, it is there & never forget it. When properly loaded and attached, you'll find it easy to pull, but never forget it is there.

C

Could not have said it any better!

Jack

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Make sure to keep your wheel bearings properly maintained. Ask me how I know this. Also, invest in Spyderpops bump skid for the trailer or you will tear up the bottom when moving the trailer by hand. Especially if you are of above average height.

 

[gerard]

Detailed Advice.....

GerardOTE=MarkLawson;874615]Mcomprehensive response. e the RT622 trailer you buy is the same year as your Spyder, as they had at least three different configurations in the first 4 years. You don't want to have to figure out how to get a round 9-pin to connect to a newer RT.

Practice braking, especially emergency braking. You will find it'll eat up much more distance with the trailer than without when in an emergency braking situation. You need to already know the difference before you find yourself in a bind.

Loading is important. You want the tongue weight to be 10%-20% of your gross (loaded) trailer weight. This will make the handling of the trailer correct. If the trailer tends to swing from side to side while going straight, that would normally mean you have the tongue weight too light. Move some of the cargo weight forward to add tongue weight. The trailer is 250# empty. You can guess your cargo weight (or weigh it, if you want) to determine your gross trailer weight & then calculate your best tongue weight. Load capacity is no more than 150# of cargo.

Cornering is also something to be aware of. In a corner, the trailer will track inside the line of the Spyder. In tighter turns or in close quarters, you'll want to pay attention.

Acceleration is also slower, so keep in mind what you can do before you try passing or another maneuver where acceleration is a factor.

And finally, you'll read others tell you it's like it's not even there. Don't believe them, it is there & never forget it. When properly loaded and attached, you'll find it easy to pull, but never forget it is there.[/QUOTE]

Thank you Mark for your detailed response.
Gerard

 

[gerard]

Trailer Bumpskid....

Make sure keep your wheel bearings properly maintained. Ask me how I know this. Also, invest in Spyderpops bump skid for the trailer or you will tear up the bottom when moving the trailer by hand. Especially if you are of above average height.

Please expand on your wheel bearings issue....

Are the bumpskids generic for all 622 models?

 

[gerard]

If you have a '13 or older model, use "Trailer mode" at least until you learn to keep the RPM's up to avoid damaging the transmission.

I have a 2014 RT LTD.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Please expand on your wheel bearings issue....

Are the bumpskids generic for all 622 models?

I have a 2010 trailer and I've probably put nearly 20,000 miles on it this year alone. That said, we repacked the bearings earlier this year but on the way home from a long trip one of the bearings went out. Trailer wheels tend to do that so you need to be vigilant about their maintenance. The manual says to "verify and grease the wheel hub bearings every 7,500 miles"

Yes, the bumpskid is generic for all of the trailer models. And it is the easiest thing to install just pull back the carpet and there are a few bolts that you take out.

I do love my trailer but the bearing went 100 miles from home at the end of a 4,100 mile trip. And if we had just taken the time to check the bearings first we wouldn't have spent 9 hours retrieving it on Saturday. :banghead:

 

[gerard]

Trailer miles....

I 2010 trailer and I've probably put nearly 20,000 miles on it this year alone. That said, we repacked the bearings earlier this year but on the way home from a long trip one of the bearings went out. Trailer wheels tend to do that so you need to be vigilant about their maintenance. The manual says to "verify and grease the wheel hub bearings every 7,500 miles"

Yes, the bumpskid is generic for all of the trailer models. And it is the easiest thing to install just pull back the carpet and there are a few bolts that you take out.

I do love my trailer but the bearing went 100 miles from home at the end of a 4,100 mile trip. And if we had just taken the time to check the bearings first we wouldn't have spent 9 hours retrieving it on Saturday. :banghead:

Thank you.
You sure do a lot of miles. Obviously you really enjoy spydering around the countryside.
:spyder2::2thumbs:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

WHAT I DID

hyea:....This made a HUGH difference in the " TOWING EXPERIENCE " ......I changed the standard/normal ....coupling/ball arrangement, to a stiff Hitch method................instead of the coupling I replaced it with a one piece " TIE-ROD END " from a truck ( any will do )..........The bolt end (with ball insert) is then attached to the Hitch on the Spyder with a NYLOK nut & washer............No more clang,clang, clang etc.....and No more snap when you start or stop............................just sayin, Mikeguyver :thumbup:

 

[MouthPiece]

Amazing design, even improper loading causes very little effect, and others have said, you will not even know it is behind you on the road. Backing is a wee bit tricky, the short tongue makes it very sensitive to steering inputs. Practice a bit in a parking lot to get the feel for it. You will soon learn that if you back slowly and steer gently it will track perfectly.


On the road this trailer is incredible. It has independent suspension, with shocks! The frame wraps around the tub to allow much deeper loading than typical designs, this also lowers the center of gravity. I hydroplaned when towing mine coming back from Oregon on the I-5. I was doing 70 mph when the heavy showers started and before I knew it I broke lose as if I was on ice, no steering at all at that speed is butt puckering to say the least. I had no control but I did not panic and just worked at keeping it from going completely sideways which could flip the bike. I ended up crossing 4 lanes and wound up on the shoulder before I regained traction. The trailer just hung on behind me, no harm no foul lol.

I had almost the same exact experience. It gave meaning to Little Richard's song "Slippin and ah Slidin". I needed clean undies after all this. :yikes::yikes::yikes:

I truly think my 622 helped me to gain control of my spyder.

Chris

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Amazing design, even improper loading causes very little effect, and others have said, you will not even know it is behind you on the road. Backing is a wee bit tricky, the short tongue makes it very sensitive to steering inputs. Practice a bit in a parking lot to get the feel for it. You will soon learn that if you back slowly and steer gently it will track perfectly.


On the road this trailer is incredible. It has independent suspension, with shocks! The frame wraps around the tub to allow much deeper loading than typical designs, this also lowers the center of gravity. I hydroplaned when towing mine coming back from Oregon on the I-5. I was doing 70 mph when the heavy showers started and before I knew it I broke lose as if I was on ice, no steering at all at that speed is butt puckering to say the least. I had no control but I did not panic and just worked at keeping it from going completely sideways which could flip the bike. I ended up crossing 4 lanes and wound up on the shoulder before I regained traction. The trailer just hung on behind me, no harm no foul lol.

I had almost the same exact experience. It gave meaning to Little Richard's song "Slippin and ah Slidin". I needed clean undies after all this. :yikes::yikes::yikes:

I truly think my 622 helped me to gain control of my spyder.

Chris

I have also hydroplaned while towing the trailer but I am pretty sure that I would have hydroplaned without the trailer too.