RT Hitch

[NancysToy]

Now tell me, what damage can you conceive of that a non BRP hitch is going to cause?

Your discussion of warranty coverage are accurate. Merely installing a non-approved part will not void warranty coverage in the US, but if that part can be shown to have caused or contributed to a problem necessitating repairs, those repairs may not be covered. I would like to discuss your question above, however. The BRP hitch has a patented/patent applied for shock absorbing system built into it, where aftermarket and home-brewed hitches do not. It is entirely conceivable that the shock absorbing system could prevent damage to the swingarm, rear hub bearings, swingarm bushings/bearings, drivetrain, or to the trailer tongue, hitch or other components. The factory hitch also includes an electrical harness and compatible, isolated 5-to-4 converter module. Direct wiring or substitution of alternate products could cause electrical system damage or blown fuses, especially if done improperly. The BRP system is plug-n-play. Use of an aftermarket trailer or additional trailer lights tied directly into the Spyder lighting could overload the lighting circuits or trigger limp mode. The isolated Spyder system separates the trailer lighting power from the Spyder lighting circuit, so all you do in case of trailer lighting/wiring or module problems is blow a fuse. I am not trying to scare anyone away from going the aftermarket route if they wish, I just want them to be aware of the differences between the Spyder hitch/harness kit and non-factory alternatives and of possible pitfalls in going in another direction. In ways the comparison is apples and oranges...it is not as simple as it seems.

 

[shelbydave]

In the Can-Am literature it says that the factory hitch is the only one that does not void the factory warranty. I looked at the aftermarket hitches and did not see a problem with them,but would not want to risk voiding my factory warranty and my extended warranty by installing an aftermarket hitch. It is one of those ,big brother things that they can throw out if you break down somewhere far from home. Oh,you have an aftermarket hitch? Sorry,we can't fix your transmiision that went out because you have that aftermarket hitch on your Spyder. Just saying, it could happen.

In a Consumer Alert issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the agency confirmed that “The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket part.” The alert outlines key provisions in the law that provides protections to car owners. As defined by the FTC, an “aftermarket' part is a part made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer.”

http://www.sema.org/sema-enews/2011/01/ftc-validates-right-to-install-aftermarket-parts


...Just saying...

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The BRP hitch has a patented/patent applied for shock absorbing system built into it, where aftermarket and home-brewed hitches do not.

Any info about what this may actually be? From what pictures I've seen I don't see anything different, functionally, from the after market hitch.

The factory hitch also includes an electrical harness and compatible, isolated 5-to-4 converter module. Direct wiring or substitution of alternate products could cause electrical system damage or blown fuses, especially if done improperly. The BRP system is plug-n-play. Use of an aftermarket trailer or additional trailer lights tied directly into the Spyder lighting could overload the lighting circuits or trigger limp mode. The isolated Spyder system separates the trailer lighting power from the Spyder lighting circuit, so all you do in case of trailer lighting/wiring or module problems is blow a fuse.

I think this may the part why they say "only system that maintains your warranty." Also, all BRP parts are automatically become part of the vehicle warranty when installed by a dealer.

As far as I have seen, there is no after market plug and play trailer harness for the Spyder. That's why I used the BRP Y harness. Your comment about the isolator is why I stress that in my hitch project posting.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The BRP product description says it is the only one that maintains the factory warranty. It does not say a non-BRP hitch voids the factory warranty. Of course it maintains the warranty if it is dealer installed. It becomes included in the overall vehicle warranty. Naturally, a non-BRP hitch will not have any BRP warranty.

It's mostly all legalese tongue twisting, IMO.

 

[bodymanpainter]

I just ordered my hitch from a dealer on e-bay, $499.99 and free shipping.
Just did not want to wait on BRP to release any on back order and maybe
not getting one in time for vacation.
Toby

 

[Copperman]

Do you people read these posts?

I just ordered my hitch from a dealer on e-bay, $499.99 and free shipping.
Just did not want to wait on BRP to release any on back order and maybe
not getting one in time for vacation.
Toby

In post #3 I told you where you can get a BRP hitch for a lot less than $499. I even called Honda East yesterday and they had a few in stock. 411.58 plus 25+- for shipping. Be sure to tell them you're a SPyderlover... to get the discount.

You must have money to burn!

 

[crw8781]

RT HITCH VS FARKLE

Think of all the upgrades we do to are Spyders sway bar, shocks, lights and tires.We don't think about how it can void are warranty, but we talk about a after market hitch that can? :yikes:

 

[Cruzr Joe]

What do you not like about the after market hitch, the additional work to connect the trailer wiring harness? The local Spyder tech indicated he liked the after market hitch. He didn't have to mess with it all in order to adjust belt tension and alignment. To do that he has to remove the BRP hitch. All he needed extra was an extension to the hex driver to reach the adjusting block screws.

I liked it for the price plus I could put together a wiring harness to connect to my 5 wire trailer.

You have to remove the rear wheel to install the after market hitch the axle goes thru the wheel.

Cruzr Joe

 

[bodymanpainter]

In post #3 I told you where you can get a BRP hitch for a lot less than $499. I even called Honda East yesterday and they had a few in stock. 411.58 plus 25+- for shipping. Be sure to tell them you're a SPyderlover... to get the discount.

You must have money to burn!

No, just didn't see the post, but thanks anyway.
Toby

 

[NancysToy]

Any info about what this may actually be? From what pictures I've seen I don't see anything different, functionally, from the after market hitch.

Where the brackets are bolted to the hitch yoke, the bolts pass through sleeved rubber bushings which are inserted into larger diameter urethane bushings which are inserted into sleeves welded into the yoke. This allows the yoke to move on the brackets, reducing shock and vibrations to the hitch and trailer. It is just my opinion, but I think this system is what has prevented the vibration-caused cracking seen in some aftermarket hitches.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

It is just my opinion, but I think this system is what has prevented the vibration-caused cracking seen in some aftermarket hitches.

I suppose it could be. Where has the cracking occurred, in the bracket itself? I was wondering earlier today if it might be feasible to install some sort of spring into the hitch configuration to allow some flexing of the yoke. It sure would be nice if BRP would provide more info in the product description. Then their warranty argument would carry a lot more weight, IMO.

 

[recordingguy]

Big Bike Parts now offer a harness kit with a electronically isolated trailer wire harness for the Can Am RT 2010 - 2014 for $84.95. Go on ebay and order same with no tax and shipping, also from Big Bike Parts. Sounds the same as BRP harness. No cutting into bike harness. Looks good to me. Has 4 relays that take the power load off of the bikes system. Instructions posted on Big Bike Parts under the item with a PDF file. Bob :clap:

 

[Larry rt]

Easy install , did mine a couple weeks ago! Great quality, heavy wire . Just plug in . Hardest part was running wire to battery . Not that hard.

 

[recordingguy]

I noticed that the 2014 hitch has nylon guide material to act as a bearing surface. Does all the other BRP OEM hitches have the same nylon guide surfaces. There was talk about applying grease to the inside of the side bars to help in installing the hitch. Seems like the nylon material would act as a bearing surface that would allow it to slip in the same as grease would. Thanks, Bob