Towing with an F3-T

[gnorthern]

Is towing a trailer with a 2016 F3-T a bad idea, despite the 400 pound towing capacity? Eventually I want to get a pop up trailer (no lectures about how after market trailers voids the warranty).

Random thoughts:
1. My head is spinning after reading through the long segment on the front sprocket. But one conclusion I came to was that if I am careful by not pushing it and easing up the on the gas when shifting, a trailer should not have a major impact. Is that correct?
2. The RT apparently has a "trailer mode." Does the F3-T? I have no recollection of that from when I read the manual.
3. Can I tow the full 400 pounds? I have often heard with 4 wheeled vehicles never exceed 50% of the towing capacity, and I have to agree with my very limited experience. That would be a problem since the trailer I want on paper (have to see it) weighs 235-265 pounds and I would want to put at least 60 pounds, and possibly up to 100, in it.

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[ARtraveler]

Is towing a trailer with a 2016 F3-T a bad idea, despite the 400 pound towing capacity? Eventually I want to get a pop up trailer (no lectures about how after market trailers voids the warranty).

Random thoughts:
1. My head is spinning after reading through the long segment on the front sprocket. But one conclusion I came to was that if I am careful by not pushing it and easing up the on the gas when shifting, a trailer should not have a major impact. Is that correct?
2. The RT apparently has a "trailer mode." Does the F3-T? I have no recollection of that from when I read the manual.
3. Can I tow the full 400 pounds? I have often heard with 4 wheeled vehicles never exceed 50% of the towing capacity, and I have to agree with my very limited experience. That would be a problem since the trailer I want on paper (have to see it) weighs 235-265 pounds and I would want to put at least 60 pounds, and possibly up to 100, in it.

Thank you for your thoughts.

I believe the trailer mode disappeared from the RT when the 1330's came out. Cannot give further advice because I have never pulled any trailer.

 

[JayBros]

Random thought, based on no trailer experience, easing off on the gas when shifting you might find things getting a little jerky. Shifting while under smooth acceleration when you reach your favored shifting RPM should give you the best performance.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

I have towed many a trailer with RTs and F3s NO PROBLEM as long as you stay within the suggested guidelines.


Cruzr Joe

 

[Saluda]

RT trailer mode is gone. Braking can sometimes be more of an issue than pulling. Good luck, love our trailer and what it can haul.

 

[gnorthern]

Max?

I have towed many a trailer with RTs and F3s NO PROBLEM as long as you stay within the suggested guidelines.


Cruzr Joe

What is the heaviest load you have ever towed?

Thanks.

 

[Copperman]

Eventually I want to get a pop up trailer (no lectures about how after market trailers voids the warranty).

Random thoughts:
1. But one conclusion I came to was that if I am careful by not pushing it and easing up the on the gas when shifting, a trailer should not have a major impact. Is that correct?
2. The RT apparently has a "trailer mode." Does the F3-T?
3. Can I tow the full 400 pounds?.

You'll never get a lecture on here about towing an after-market trailer. Many SpyderLovers tow after-market trailers.

I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion that you should ease up on the gas when shifting (assuming you have an SE6), but don't. You'll come to find that the transmission shifts very smoothly when you just roll the throttle and shift.

The trailer mode was on the 998s (V twin). There's no trailer mode on the 1330s.

The issue isn't towing 400 lbs. The issue is stopping. You could probably tow a whole lot more than 400lbs, you just couldn't stop it. The more weight you're towing the more difficult it is to stop, just normally and especially in an emergency. When the trailer load is too heavy it'll "push" you when braking. It's all about stopping. Please keep that in mind. Did I mention it might be hard to stop?

I have an RT622 trailer and had an after-market trailer before that and I have over 25,000 miles towing a trailer with a spyder. If you stay within (or close to) BRPs guidelines, you'll be just fine.

 

[sylvester]

Have towed a loaded 500 lb Bunkhouse nothing to it, just give yourself an extra 3 car length to stop and ease off a bit in the curves. 55000 miles towed with Goldwing now tow a bushtec loaded about 400 lbs not a problem and if you pull a camper just put breaks on the camper

 

[gnorthern]

Have towed a loaded 500 lb Bunkhouse nothing to it, just give yourself an extra 3 car length to stop and ease off a bit in the curves. 55000 miles towed with Goldwing now tow a bushtec loaded about 400 lbs not a problem and if you pull a camper just put breaks on the camper

I am specifically interested in the Lees-ure Lite, which does not have a brake option. Is there such a thing as after market brakes for small trailers like these?

 

[SpyderNeil]

I am specifically interested in the Lees-ure Lite, which does not have a brake option. Is there such a thing as after market brakes for small trailers like these?

Don't know about the brakes, but I have toured their facility in Osoyoos. Really well made and Very nice trailer!

Neil

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Just remember that towing isn't the problem, stopping is.