Hi all. I'm new to this site and glad to be here. After 45 years of riding all brands (mostly BMWs) of motorcycles I have gone to a new to me 2017 Spyder RTS with just under 5,000 miles. At 77 and with a back injury (lifting the front of a snowmobile) which has weakened my leg strength, I have gone to less balance in my life. Being a new Spyder owner, I have a question - I have for years pulled a Bushtec trailer on many long distance trips. The Spyder I bought doesn’t have a hitch. In checking the internet, I see hitches priced from $75 to $1,000 dollars. So my question is, what is with the huge variation in price and which way should I go? I did order a light plug in from Bushtec made for the Spyder, but as far as the hitch itself, I need some recommendations. Thanks in advance. Dan
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Spyders are New to me, and the hitch prices have a huge variation - which way should I go? Recommend any hitches?
- Thread starter Big Dan
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Metalman
Member
I'm in the same category as you having just turned 78. I can no longer ride a two wheel motorcycle because of polyneuropathy and dropfoot that prevents me from up shifting with my left foot. So I reluctantly bought a Spyder RTL. I too, have pulled motorcycle trailers for many thousands of miles, but because I won't be doing much long distance riding, I don't think that I will pull a trailer with the Spyder.
Somewhere on this forum, I read that the trailer hitch is attached to the bike in such a way that there is no cushioning affect from the suspension. So apparently, the tongue of the trailer is subjected to vibration and movement. My experience with the Spyder is that although it is not a gutless-wonder, it certainly doesn't have the power of my last several motorcycles, including two Gold Wings. I'm not sure I'd want to be adding weight and drag to the Spyder.
Somewhere on this forum, I read that the trailer hitch is attached to the bike in such a way that there is no cushioning affect from the suspension. So apparently, the tongue of the trailer is subjected to vibration and movement. My experience with the Spyder is that although it is not a gutless-wonder, it certainly doesn't have the power of my last several motorcycles, including two Gold Wings. I'm not sure I'd want to be adding weight and drag to the Spyder.
Jackhartjr
Active member
The wonderful couple we purchased our 2014 RTS SM6 from also sold us their Aluma trailer. They had been to the West Coast 3 times pulling it with no issues!
bikerchris1270
Member
I own a 2019 F3L and have tried two variations, one aftermarket and one OEM. The OEM Can Am hitch is superior by way of rubber bushings to help isolate vibrations from the rear suspension over bumps... it is not a cheap hitch, but, a big difference in ride quality on long distances.
When I acquired my 2017 RTS, it had no hitch. Since I owned a Bunkhouse camper I was uncertain which hitch would work for me. Eventually I purchased one on Amazon for about $175 (I see it is now $185). It seemed to be well made and the only install problem was getting proper torque on the axle nut. I got to 175# and said close enough. Towed the camper 4000+ miles with no problem except losing a cooler mounted on the tongue. That probably was because of the extra force on the tongue and my carelessness.
As far as towing capabilities of the Spyder, for my type of riding I was surprised that the Spyder did as well as my Goldwing. The mileage was even comparable.
As far as towing capabilities of the Spyder, for my type of riding I was surprised that the Spyder did as well as my Goldwing. The mileage was even comparable.
Metalman
Member
@OldAge, it's good to know that you are satisfied with the performance and fuel mileage of the Spyder. As I ride the back roads on the Spyder, I feel that I need to crank the throttle much more to get useable output from the engine. According to the online manual, there are supposed to be three modes. Eco, Standard, and Sport. I have not been able to find the Sport mode on my 2023 RTL.
Woodaddict
Active member
You'll soon get used to the misprints in user manual from year to year. The F3-S (Sport) at one time had those 3 switchable modes. The RT's & RTL never had the Sport switchable mode, only use of ECO mode or Standard.
canamjhb
Well-known member
I trailered an RT-622 (BRP) trailer behind my 2014 RTL for several thousand miles. The Spyder is as capable as any when pulling a trailer, altho there's just a few things to keep in mind. Make sure you don't overload the trailer; your bike has a 400# pulling capacity. Watch your tongue weight; mine handled best with about 25#s. Allow a little extra time and distance when passing others. And be cautious at gas stations. Sometimes it's easy to forget that trailer is back there. Good luck... Jim
pegasus1300
Well-known member
I bought a hitch from Pierre at Canamaccessories.com when he first came out with them. That was in 2017 at the (now defunct) Red Rock Spyder Rally, in St George, Ut. They are based out of Canada, and I have found theirs to be well built and very easy to install. I don't know what their price in like today or their shipping costs.
The BRP OEM hitch seems to be the most robust and the least likely to fail. As far as vibration goes, yep, there's a lot of it. I don't recall the name of it, but there is a trailer tongue adapter that uses a shock absorber to lessen the severity of the transfer of the hitch vibration to the trailer. I'd post a link for it, but I can't find it right now.
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