Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

Author Topic: First Time pulling a Bushtec Trailer, Any Tips or Lessons learned to Share?  (Read 3308 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

catahoula58

  • Senior CVO Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 393
  • "There are no LifeGuards in the Gene Pool"
    • TX


    • CVO1: 2009 FLTRSE3 Orange / Black
    • CVO2: 2004 Heritage Softail (NON CVO)

Well I finally decided to take my Turbo +2 Bushtec Trailer out of the garage and make a maiden voyage.  However, I have never pulled a trailer before and wanted to know from the folks here that have any lessons learned or tips any and all would like to share.  Pulling with my 2009 FLTRSE3 Thanks in advance!

 
Logged

JCZ

  • Global Moderator
  • 10K CVO Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 23601
    • AZ


    • CVO1: 04 SEEG...sold
    • CVO2: 10 SESG...sold
    • CVO3: 13 FLHTCSE 8

Rule #1....don't forget it's back there.

OK, I'll be serious for a minute.  Of course, any time you add weight then you add an increase to your stopping distance.  Also, just don't cut the corners to close.

Other than that, it's pretty straight forward.  Just an inch or two wider than your bars/mirrors.
Logged
Never trade the thrills of living for the security of existence.  Remember...it's the journey, not the destination!

West Coast GTG   
Reno, NV (04), Reno, NV (05),  Cripple Creek, CO (06)  Hood River, OR (09), Lake Tahoe, CA (11) Carmel, CA (14), Ouray CO (15) Fortuna, Ca. (16)

Hogfn

  • Full CVO Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 159
  • FINALLY!!

Congrats, Bushtec makes a great trailer.  I've had mine for almost 6 years now, behind a 2005 SEEG...here are some reminders, some obvious, some not so obvious....

1.  Don't forget it's back there, allow extra time for braking/stopping.  Never really had any issues except in the mountains once, found myself going a bit too fast around a steep curve, hit the brakes and could feel the extra weight pushing me a bit into the curve.....you can still take the curves at a good clip but remember, the trailer will push you a bit if you stomp on the brakes.  The trailers pull so nicely, you'll forget it's back there, I assure you!

2. I grew accustomed to a certain line around each curve.  With the trailer back there, you'll need to tighten the line.  For example, if you're a few inches from the centerline or shoulder, your trailer will be over the line.  Take it out a few times before you need it and just practice and get familiar with how it tracks.  I constantly looked in my rear view mirrors to see the line it took around the curves.

3.  Check the trailer often for proper shock inflation.  It may look good when you depart, but almost every time I stopped for fuel, I'd squat behind the trailer and make sure the wheels were aligned properly.  I remember one particular trip to New England and a biker in a cage motioned me over.  I pulled over and could see the alignment was way off....probably due to the fact I'd been adding gear into the trailer from myself and other riders and didn't check.  When you add/subtract air or weight to the trailer, you'll need to let it roll a bit to see how the tires are aligned.  (Carry the trailer pump with you.  DON'T use gas station pumps!)  Just a couple hand pumps was all it ever took to adjust.

4.  Hope you bought the leather bra and the clear plastic side shields?....most all road debris ended up on those places;  tar, mud, grit, etc.  The trailer still looks brand new, after all these years.   

I recently purchased the burgundy 2014 CVO Limited, sold the 2005 SEEG.  I still have the trailer although I don't have the hitch on this bike.  Not sure I'll get the hitch and tow this trailer.  I had it custom painted by Bushtec to match the 2005 cherry.  So right now it's covered in my garage....what to do...?

Good luck, feel free to contact me if you have further questions or concerns!
Logged
2014 SE
2005 Cherry SE
SE Air Cleaner
PC III
Freedom Exhaust and Pipes

Rooster

  • 5k CVO Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5181
  • FLhtcuse2.ORG

While pulling a trailer I find myself either in the center of the lane with my bike or just left or right of center that way the trailer is never over the center lines.
Logged

Ripcord

  • Junior CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 97
  • www.CVOHARLEY.com
    • MA


When I had a Bushtec I was worried about how it might impact my bike's handling. Frankly, no impact what's so ever. No bouncing around behind you like other trailers I've seen. Tracked true. At the time, they made a hitch for an MX-5 (Miata) as well and I used to pull it behind that. 80+ mph thru the twisties and again, no problem. Just don't park in a spot that may require you to back up!
Logged
12" Buky Malos and engine guard, Le Pera Continental, Zumo 665 nav, black lower legs, matching TourPak, Madstad windshield, and lots of other "stuff"

Chains

  • 5k CVO Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8464
  • 2006 FLHTCUSE
    • FL


If its been sitting do yourself a favor and pull the wheels and check your bearings.  Also shoot grease into the heim  joint in both spots.  Be sure to move the ball and joint when greasing to get grease evenly distributed.  Don't put all the weight in the rear, evenly distribute throughout trailer or it will sway. Intend to load a little to the front with weight.

I always like to check my lights for proper working order as well.   Other than that I believe everyone has already addressed the other items.

Enjoy it and let us known how it goes.
Logged
2009 FLHTCUSE
12 inch Monkey bars
Stage one kit
Fullsac SS titanium coated DX dual pipe
Kuryakyn 4 inch Mellow Crushers
Color Matched Bushtec Turbo 2
1st Active member of the CVO Critter Gawkers Society

sadunbar

  • 10K CVO Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 11416
  • EBCM # Stealth - SSBS # 1.1 - SoA # Z&E2525 .01%
    • IL


    • CVO1: 2007 FLHTCUSE2
    • CVO2: 2000 FXR4

Increase your stopping distance, especially in the rain.  Watch your slow speed maneuvering in tight spaces, like around gas pumps and in parking lots - increase your turning radius.  And give yourself a bit of room when passing - don't forget it's back there...
Logged
2007 Screamin Eagle Ultra Classic - Light Candy Cherry and Black Ice
Screamin Eagle 120r
Revolution Performance EMS
Fuel Moto Jackpot headpipes and 4.5" Pro Touring Mufflers
HPI 55mm Throttle Body w/5.3 injectors
BDL clutch w/VPC92T
Traxxion AK-20
Legend Air Suspension
Brembo Brake Calipers/Rotors
Garmin Zumo
575 Chubby's
Bushtec Quantum

RGlideKid

  • 1K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2306
  • Riding Since 1972
    • AR


    • CVO1: 2011 CVO RGU...sold
    • CVO2: 2015 CVO RGU
    • Bull Shoals Photography

Here's one I didn't see above...park smart!  That is to say, park away from the masses in a parking lot if you have to, but avoid having to back your bike and trailer up at all costs, unless of course you're backing up downhill.  When you enter a parking lot, scope it out and try to find a spot where you can take up 2 spaces the long way so you can just drive right out.
Sadunbar is right, watch yourself around gas stations!
Watch a couple of Jerry "Motorman" Palladino's videos or better yet buy his DVD.  Learn how to make a U-turn with a trailer behind you.
Always ALWAYS allow more space between you and a car in front of you, or even a bike in front of you who's not pulling his own trailer. 
Practice emergency braking with a full trailer!  Know what it takes to haul your load down from 55mph or less.
Keep your tongue weight around 25 lbs or so.  This is a guesstimate based on the total weight of th trailer when loaded, but 25 lbs worked well for me. 
Pack light in the bike and keep the heavy stuff out of the tour pack.
Above all...have fun!
Logged
Harry
2017 Eureka Springs MITM Ride Chairman
Check out my photo gallery at:  RGlideKid's Galleries at Bull Shoals Photography




2015 CVO RGU with V&H Power Pro Headers & 4" Monster Rounds & HD-SEPST
2007 Bushtec Turbo+2 Trailer
 

Page created in 0.222 seconds with 21 queries.