Topic: Towing A Trailer (Read 4073 times)

PCC · « **on:** November 04, 2004, 12:21:09 PM »

There's snow in Reno today...so here's a semi-winter type topic for us. Would anyone like to comment on perceptions...experiences...re: towing a trailer vs. packing down with all the goods to go....say...to Sturgis or similar.

I usually ride with a guy who tows a Bushtec. He says he can hardly feel the thing behind him and it makes the trip more enjoyable because his bike handles the way it would when not loaded down. [smiley=nixweiss.gif] [smiley=nixweiss.gif] [smiley=nixweiss.gif] [smiley=nixweiss.gif] [smiley=nixweiss.gif] [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

JCZ · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2004, 12:59:10 PM »

I owned a Bushtec for a couple years and really, really regreat selling it. I agree with your friends assesment of towing a Bushtec.

By the way, I posted a link to their web site.....right now is the best time to buy one because of their annual winter special.

Check out this thread..........
http://flhrsei.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=cvo_other;action=display;num=1098558886

Skooby · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2004, 11:39:23 PM »

PCC, I'm the member that owns the Bushtec that JCZ was referring about in the other post. I picked mine up at the factory in TN last fall and after 6000 miles pulling it, it's worth every $$ ! I'm not saying that because I own it but rather because it's everything that you read or hear about. John and Andrew Preston are real nice ppl and they put out a great product.

After my wife got over what some may call sticker shock, she says to me, I couldn't tell the trailer was behind us after our trip to Milwaukee for the 100th. I saw the light bulb in her head come on after she said that. I haven't heard a word about the cost after that. Since Milwaukee, I've had the trailer loaded with her on the bike and have enjoyed our travels. Whether going thru the Hills at Sturgis, or to Myrtle Beach via the Smokey Mountains, I ran the Hills as if the trailer wasn't attached to my ride.

Before I made my purchase, I checked out every trailer I could find or read about. No regrets here. The trailers hold their resale value very well. I've seen early 90's models still pulling $1500-$2000. Sometimes you may find them on EBay, but they don't last long. Sometimes ppl list them in the "Forum" on Bushtec's website. They sell fast ! Read the forum, it's filled with info and comments. They also set up shop at several rallies thru out the seasons.

I wasn't going to spend $30k on my ride to pull a mediocre trailer behind it. Here's something to think about. At what cost would you put on your safety? I've traveled behind bikes pulling trailers down the highways, only to watch them bounce because of their suspensions. As the trailer bounces, you know that it's being felt on the bike thru the hitch which effects the handling. Also, if a tire goes flat, it can be run on because of the ply tire they use. Any tire shop should be able to fix it if it is flat. 30k miles is what the mileage is on the tires. Bushtec also does their own "in house" painting. They have cracked the color codes for all the major motorcycles companies before the formula's are made available to the public. If they didn't, I'm sure it's in progress of being. My trailer is 25 cubic/ft of storage if I remember right which is plenty!

Oh yeah, if you do buy one, be ready to answer questions at rest areas etc... [smiley=laugh.gif]

Hope this helps! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

rekoch · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2004, 11:36:06 AM »

I have towed an American Legends trailer behind my 99 Road King for over 25,000 miles, without a problem, wouldn't think of taking a camping trip without it. It allows us to take a tent you can stand up in to change clothes, two cots, two chairs, a cooler, and lots of other little camping perks like lanterns and water jugs. What I liked about the American Legend trailer was the styling, it has fenders similar to the FL front fender, and tail lights and turn signals nearly exactly like HDs. It has an internal spare tire compartment, that doesn't reduce capacity, and will also hold a few tools and oil. The tire used is available at any WalMart, so you could travel a lot of places without a spare. I paid extra for the rotating hitch, and have never pulled a trailer without one. You don't know its back there until you pull in to park or get gas, you have to remember to pull a little wide around things. It will lower your mpg, and it will push you a little in a panic stop, but I think the extra carrying capacity and keeping the extra weight off of my bike is well worth it.

just my two cents,

rekoch

99 FLHR
01 FLSTFI
01 FXD Lehman Trike
03 VRSCA
05 FLHTSE, due in April

mr_magoo · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2005, 09:32:34 AM »

What type of hitch are you guys using on your bikes? Hear good thing about hitch doctor. Am borrowing a buddies legend for a 4 week trip to Canada and need a hitch for my bike.

hd2003-se2005 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2005, 11:33:35 AM »

mr_magoo

I have an American Legend and the hitch is a Drag Specialities hitch.
Same hitch is also available from Custom Chrome.
Not sure if one is available for a SEEG but have heard good things about the Hitch Doctor!

Twolanerider · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2005, 07:03:03 PM »

Quote

pics

Shovel, your pics didn't post. It's a simple fix though. You just need to rename the picture files and try again. The files didn't upload because "(medium)" was part of the filename. The site doesn't like the parentheses. Rename the files to drop that part from the name and they'll work fine.

70_GTX · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2005, 11:47:48 PM »

I have an N-Line trailer and can honestly say that you hardly notice that it is back there. We love it.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2005, 09:07:23 PM »

Quote

wagon

That's cool.......

70_GTX · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2005, 11:05:06 PM »

Re-post of a hacked picture.

Coolbreeze · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2005, 11:07:16 AM »

I kinda like the way this rig looks. It seems to me that the single wheel would get rid of all the bouncing around and the whole deal would handle right without any dynamic changes in corners under braking. Just might be a bit heavy with 7 cases of MGD in it...

Twolanerider · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2005, 09:59:38 PM »

Here are the pic's Chip posted of his really nice looking bike and trailer combo. The pics are resized as per The Big Man's request and are now 800x600 for your viewing pleasure.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2005, 10:01:29 PM »

And Chip's picture #2:

hd2003-se2005 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2005, 10:14:39 PM »

Thanks Twolane

Twolanerider · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2005, 10:18:17 PM »

Quote

Thanks Twolane

No problem Chip. That's a nice looking rig. And that luggage rack on the trailer lid is fracking huge. Is that where you tie down the cute female hitchhikers when Nancy isn't looking ? [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]

hd2003-se2005 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 16, 2005, 10:38:11 PM »

Nancy's here with me and she said I could tie some down if she could take the video camera and tape you as you passed by looking at the girl in the bikini.

After pondering on that suggestion for 3/5ths of a second, I'm thinking
"HELL YES" I'm in. Don that would be good for both of us! [smiley=laugh.gif]

YEP, I like making Nancy happy!
For me, it's all about her!

GoFastGirl · « **Reply #16 on:** July 17, 2005, 02:01:59 PM »

oh my god you are such a guy sometimes !

Quote

First off, you gotta love it when a plan comes together. Next, however, is to admit that the following picture is really all about simple prurient interest and generally just being a perv. Having said all that, however, I am going to claim with a completly straight face that it is contextual to this thread. After all, Nancy said something about bikinis and the whole topic is trailers (aka, behinds).

HUBBARD · « **Reply #17 on:** July 17, 2005, 03:23:17 PM »

Quote

First off, you gotta love it when a plan comes together. Next, however, is to admit that the following picture is really all about simple prurient interest and generally just being a perv. Having said all that, however, I am going to claim with a completly straight face that it is contextual to this thread. After all, Nancy said something about bikinis and the whole topic is trailers (aka, behinds).

Yeah, 'er 'uh, Twolane,
Don't want "peace." Want it "ALL!" [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif] Later--HUBBARD

harleyd103 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 18, 2005, 10:26:32 AM »

I just bought the N-line trailer and have to say it's great. I pulled a two wheeled trailer for about 30,000 miles and this one wheeler is definitley the way to go. Wieghs 79lbs empty and max cargo load is 100lbs. I like how it tracks with the bike and leans into the corners with you. .

mr_magoo · « **Reply #19 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:52:47 AM »

Ended up getting a bush tech vertical hitch. The hitch doctor was about 3 weeks out in production and bush tech had it in stock. Thanks for the help.

hd2003-se2005 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2005, 09:41:33 AM »

What is a bushtec vertical hitch?

[smiley=nixweiss.gif]

[smiley=worthless.gif]

JCZ · « **Reply #21 on:** July 21, 2005, 11:47:13 AM »

Quote

What is a bushtec vertical hitch?

[smiley=nixweiss.gif]

[smiley=worthless.gif]

Chip it's a ball type hitch (unlike the captured ball and heim joint that Bushtec is known for). Go to this link, scroll to the bottom of the page, you'll see it. It is a pretty clean installation, as far as hitches go. When your saddle bags are on, you don't see any hardware out of the norm, other than the ball itself.

http://www.bushtec.com/whatsnew.html

mr_magoo · « **Reply #22 on:** July 21, 2005, 04:44:07 PM »

Ok will try and take a few pics and post.

05yellowse · « **Reply #23 on:** July 21, 2005, 06:51:48 PM »

Isn't peace a wonderful thing to see. Gosh,I love volleyball [smiley=rolleyes5.gif] for some reason.

Author Topic: Towing A Trailer (Read 4073 times)

hd2003-se2005

hd2003-se2005

hd2003-se2005

GoFastGirl

hd2003-se2005