Towing a trailer, and forces on the coupler..

[Fatcycledaddy]

I have a Bunkhouse trailer that I have towed for over 15,000 miles with the Spyder RTL over a 3 year period. I have never had anything in the cooler break, and even the mantel in the Coleman lantern int he soft case in the trailer stays intact 90 percent of the time.
The first trip I took with the Spyder and the Bunkhouse, I noticed that the trailer was pitched toward the spyder because of hitch height, and I knew that this could put more stress on the tongue. Before the second trip I changed the angle of the tongue a little and took care of that problem.
Yes I do load my cooler up with ice, drinks (plastic bottles), fruit, and veggies before we start out on our trip and travel with it fully loaded. While some my want to stop at a gas station to enjoy a cold beverage, we love to find a spot on the road, such as a scenic turn out, and set and enjoy a cold drink and a snack. The view is always much better.
As stated above, the way you load is critical! Load so that the trailer is balanced with just a light load on the tongue, this means less wear and tear on the hitch and tongue. DO NOT load where there is NO weight on the tongue, this will cause the trailer to not tow correctly and become a safety hazard, and could cause loss of control of the bike!

Just from what I read in this thread alone, it seams that all of the manufactured trailers are not having any problems. Is it possible that the steel tube you used for your tongue is thinner than what they use?

 

[fjray]

I have a Bunkhouse trailer that I have towed for over 15,000 miles with the Spyder RTL over a 3 year period. I have never had anything in the cooler break, and even the mantel in the Coleman lantern int he soft case in the trailer stays intact 90 percent of the time.
The first trip I took with the Spyder and the Bunkhouse, I noticed that the trailer was pitched toward the spyder because of hitch height, and I knew that this could put more stress on the tongue. Before the second trip I changed the angle of the tongue a little and took care of that problem.
Yes I do load my cooler up with ice, drinks (plastic bottles), fruit, and veggies before we start out on our trip and travel with it fully loaded. While some my want to stop at a gas station to enjoy a cold beverage, we love to find a spot on the road, such as a scenic turn out, and set and enjoy a cold drink and a snack. The view is always much better.
As stated above, the way you load is critical! Load so that the trailer is balanced with just a light load on the tongue, this means less wear and tear on the hitch and tongue. DO NOT load where there is NO weight on the tongue, this will cause the trailer to not tow correctly and become a safety hazard, and could cause loss of control of the bike!

Just from what I read in this thread alone, it seams that all of the manufactured trailers are not having any problems. Is it possible that the steel tube you used for your tongue is thinner than what they use?

Not to beat a dead horse but my trailer is a Bushtec which is arguably one of the best built and the violent ride broke the tongue mounting bolts which are grade 8 bolts. I'm not trying to bash the folks at BRP but I think they took the easy way out with the hitch design. It does work but could be so much better.

If you have any doubts that a frame mount is the way to go just start looking at hitches and count how many you find mounted to the drive axle other than some ATV's.
When I designed and fabricated a frame mount hitch for the RT it took a lot of time figuring out how to mount it to be safe and structural. I built it using 4130 chrome moly tubing for the main parts . BRP would have to charge a lot of money to supply a frame mount and dealers would charge a ton to install it.

Most manufacturers don't authorize the use of a hitch and will try to void the warranty if one is used. BRP will tell you that only their trailer will protect your warranty. Carry on.

 

[nvagrits]

I have a LUMINA DIAMOND XL MOTORCYCLE TRAILER, and it came with a swivel coupler. I have had some people question why a swivel hitch when the bike doesn't lean. How would you respond to that, because I'm new to the world of pulling a trailer behind my 2014 Can AM Spyder RT?

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I have a LUMINA DIAMOND XL MOTORCYCLE TRAILER, and it came with a swivel coupler. I have had some people question why a swivel hitch when the bike doesn't lean. How would you respond to that, because I'm new to the world of pulling a trailer behind my 2014 Can AM Spyder RT?

Because most of their trailers are sold to owners who pull them with a two wheeler! And for pulling with a two wheeler you definitely want/need a swivel coupler. Prevents major damage when the inevitable bike tipping over happens. Plus, from what I see on their website it was a freebie extra when the trailer was first sold.

You might consider taking the swivel coupler off and selling it for a few bucks, or keep it and put it back on if and when you sell the trailer.

 

[trikermutha]

There is nothing wrong on keeping the swivel hitch on your trailer. If fact I put one on my Spyder trailer . This is my personnel preference .

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

There is nothing wrong on keeping the swivel hitch on your trailer. If fact I put one on my Spyder trailer . This is my personnel preference .

" swivel hitch " ….. I don't know if what I made is considered a - swivel hitch ….. I made one from a Toyt trk. " tie rod end " the ball and post is solidily attached to the Spyder hitch …. the Rod part attaches to the trailer tongue …. with this set-up there is ZERO slack or slop …. and if some tries to steal the trailer they have a hard time figuring out how ??? ………. Mike hyea:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I think I have put the Spyder hitch to the test and it has passed with flying colors. So has the RT-622 passed the test.