trailer hitch

[george c]

has anyone seen or used this hitch before.It look like it might work.

 

 

 

http://i4.ebayimg.com/07/i/001/0b/55/fa3d_1.JPG

http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gif

 

 

http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gifhttp://i4.ebayimg.com/07/i/001/0b/55/fa3d_0.JPGhttp://i1.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/de/c3/9982_0.JPGhttp://i24.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/0b/55/fc34_0.JPGhttp://i2.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/0b/55/fe1d_0.JPGhttp://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/0b/56/0026_0.JPGhttp://i4.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/0b/56/025b_0.JPG

 

Introducing the new "Lean- Machine" swivel ball hitch for your motorcycle trailer.Brand new never seen before swivel ball hitch. Ball size is 1 7/8. Mount this ball directly on your hitch to allow the same feature you would get from the swivel coupler at a third of the price. The design allows you to use it on more than 1 trailer or let a friend borrow it. The swivel coupler you cannot remove from your trailer. The ball pivots left to right. The unit mounts just like a standard trailer ball. The same way a standard trailer ball does not spin around when you tighten it down, the same with the swivel ball hitch when you tighten the bolt the unit will not spin around.

The term swivel may be misleading. I guess the better word would be pivot. The ball is the only part that pivots left to right. The ball does not swivel around, only pivots left to right.

I get asked what keeps the ball from flipping left to right while in use in tow. The trailer controls the ball from involuntarily movement. The only way the ball would flop to the right is if your trailer went up on one wheel to the right. Which is almost impossible. The ball is neutral in tow. When your making a right turn, the ball actually does not tilt, your bike does. The ball remains upright at all times, but it allows your bike to lean to the left or right making it alot easier going into turns.

George C

[Cerviperus]

I was looking at those when I was looking a trailers. It seems like a neat idea, and in theory I don't see why it wouldn't work. The trailer I ended up buying already had a swivel hitch on it, so I didn't pursue this one any further.

 

The only question I'd have, is they say it doesn't flop back and forth when under tow, but what about when you don't have a trailer behind you? Not that it would necessarily hurt anything, but having a ball clang around back there on corners could get distracting/annoying.

[george c]

The only question I'd have, is they say it doesn't flop back and forth when under tow, but what about when you don't have a trailer behind you? Not that it would necessarily hurt anything, but having a ball clang around back there on corners could get distracting/annoying.

 

i think that it would just lay on one side or the other.

In that case i would just put a small bungee on it to keep it from

bouncing.

George C

[Condor]

I looked at that one too. Saw it on Ebay. My first thought is that it would work quite well, but.... the couple would have to fit on the ball tightly or it might create a problem staying vertical. Normally there's always a little slop between the coupler and the ball, but without a mounting plate there's a lot of swivel. Try it sometime. Put an unmounted ball in a coupler and swing it from side to side. The mounting plate holds it vertical, not the coupler...

[KeithR]

I asked about that same item on the post below....had a couple of replies.....read down through this post it may help you decide. I'm still undecided what the best way to go.

 

Keith

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14650

[Ivan]

ummmmmm..........

 

Isn't that the purpose of a ball hitch? So the trailer can swivel on uneven ground or when the bike leans?

[Condor]

ummmmmm..........

 

Isn't that the purpose of a ball hitch? So the trailer can swivel on uneven ground or when the bike leans?

 

The idea is to have it swivel at the through pin, and not between the ball and coupler. Combine both movements and things can get pretty sloppy......... I'd rather stay with the Nosha Coupler style.. At least they eliminate one area of play.

[Squidley]

Let me just interject something here....

I know some folks think that running a traditional ball setup on a bike is less than desireable. I'm here to tell you that your not going to be going crazy in the twisties with a trailer on and if you are then shame on you for being reckless. I pulled a trailer through the Dragon with my '86 LOADED and the trailer loaded. I never once had an issue with the lean angle and this was going through the Dragon as fast as I dared push the bike. Ask Freebird, Eddie or E-Fishin-C about that

The way I see it, that ball has a descrepancy, another moving part to wear out or break. Not slamming anyone or the part, but it doesn't seem like a needed extra on a system that works pretty well to me. FWIW I have about 30000 miles logged pulling a trailer behind several different Ventures.

[RoadKill]

has anyone seen or used this hitch before.It look like it might work.

 

 

 

http://i4.ebayimg.com/07/i/001/0b/55/fa3d_1.JPG

http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gif

 

 

http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gifhttp://i4.ebayimg.com/07/i/001/0b/55/fa3d_0.JPGhttp://i1.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/de/c3/9982_0.JPGhttp://i24.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/0b/55/fc34_0.JPGhttp://i2.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/0b/55/fe1d_0.JPGhttp://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/0b/56/0026_0.JPGhttp://i4.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/0b/56/025b_0.JPG

 

Introducing the new "Lean- Machine" swivel ball hitch for your motorcycle trailer.Brand new never seen before swivel ball hitch. Ball size is 1 7/8. Mount this ball directly on your hitch to allow the same feature you would get from the swivel coupler at a third of the price. The design allows you to use it on more than 1 trailer or let a friend borrow it. The swivel coupler you cannot remove from your trailer. The ball pivots left to right. The unit mounts just like a standard trailer ball. The same way a standard trailer ball does not spin around when you tighten it down, the same with the swivel ball hitch when you tighten the bolt the unit will not spin around.

The term swivel may be misleading. I guess the better word would be pivot. The ball is the only part that pivots left to right. The ball does not swivel around, only pivots left to right.

I get asked what keeps the ball from flipping left to right while in use in tow. The trailer controls the ball from involuntarily movement. The only way the ball would flop to the right is if your trailer went up on one wheel to the right. Which is almost impossible. The ball is neutral in tow. When your making a right turn, the ball actually does not tilt, your bike does. The ball remains upright at all times, but it allows your bike to lean to the left or right making it alot easier going into turns.

George C

 

The company I bought my New Trailer from sent one of these along. I had my trailer hitch already mounted on the bike before I received it. It still in the package on my workbench. I am not sure that it is really needed. The trailer coupling moves around the ball sufficiently to not cause issues in leaning in turns. At least not the way I ride:whistling:. The only instance where this might really be useful is if the bike went over, then it would keep damage from occurring to the trailer tounge. Since we all know the 2nd Gen is capable of falling over I might take it out and look it over and mount it up. The only thing I didn't like just looking at it int he package is the extra long bolt. I really like the look of the Ball Roy sent me with the Venture Dad hitch, not alot of exposed threads.

I guess I could take it over to my cousins shop and cut it off on the band saw. I let you know what I think after I get it out.

[kenw]

My problem with this hitch would be the wear pattern and friction area. I just ordered a swivel hitch in case the bike goes down (and it will) to protect the frame! $70.00 is a cheep protection plan!

[sbmin]

Let me just interject something here....

 

 

I know some folks think that running a traditional ball setup on a bike is less than desireable. I'm here to tell you that your not going to be going crazy in the twisties with a trailer on and if you are then shame on you for being reckless. I pulled a trailer through the Dragon with my '86 LOADED and the trailer loaded. I never once had an issue with the lean angle and this was going through the Dragon as fast as I dared push the bike. Ask Freebird, Eddie or E-Fishin-C about that

 

 

The way I see it, that ball has a descrepancy, another moving part to wear out or break. Not slamming anyone or the part, but it doesn't seem like a needed extra on a system that works pretty well to me. FWIW I have about 30000 miles logged pulling a trailer behind several different Ventures.

 

I agree. I have been all over the US with a loaded trailer with just a regular ball hitch and never had a problem, including several times through the dragon.

[IH Truck Guy]

Let me just interject something here....

 

 

I know some folks think that running a traditional ball setup on a bike is less than desireable. I'm here to tell you that your not going to be going crazy in the twisties with a trailer on and if you are then shame on you for being reckless. I pulled a trailer through the Dragon with my '86 LOADED and the trailer loaded. I never once had an issue with the lean angle and this was going through the Dragon as fast as I dared push the bike. Ask Freebird, Eddie or E-Fishin-C about that

 

 

The way I see it, that ball has a descrepancy, another moving part to wear out or break. Not slamming anyone or the part, but it doesn't seem like a needed extra on a system that works pretty well to me. FWIW I have about 30000 miles logged pulling a trailer behind several different Ventures.

 

Hey Brad,what size tires did you have on this trailer?????????

And do you remember the axle width??????

I have the measurements off of Red's trailer and would like to compare the two before I get going on mine... Thanks,Dan

[Squidley]

Hey Brad,what size tires did you have on this trailer?????????

And do you remember the axle width??????

I have the measurements off of Red's trailer and would like to compare the two before I get going on mine... Thanks,Dan

 

 

 

Dan,

That trailer had 8" tire/wheels on it and it was no wider than the width of the bikes saddlebags, so I'm thinking 36" outside to outside. Marcarl has it now so he could give you more detailed measurements. Let me tell you too that it pulled like a dream, I honestly forgot it was behind me at times

[Ponch]

The company I bought my New Trailer from sent one of these along. I had my trailer hitch already mounted on the bike before I received it. It still in the package on my workbench. I am not sure that it is really needed. The trailer coupling moves around the ball sufficiently to not cause issues in leaning in turns. At least not the way I ride:whistling:. The only instance where this might really be useful is if the bike went over, then it would keep damage from occurring to the trailer tounge. Since we all know the 2nd Gen is capable of falling over I might take it out and look it over and mount it up. The only thing I didn't like just looking at it int he package is the extra long bolt. I really like the look of the Ball Roy sent me with the Venture Dad hitch, not alot of exposed threads.

I guess I could take it over to my cousins shop and cut it off on the band saw. I let you know what I think after I get it out.

 

Jay,

 

FWIW I laid ol' WilderBeast over last weekend after running out of gas to transfer every drop I could over to the left side of the tank. It laid right down on the engine/saddlebag guards without affecting the frame or trailer tounge at all (no swivel hitch). I didn't check the trailer that closely as I was more concerned with how I was going to get going again. But, later I did check the tounge pretty close and it is fine. I have been considering a swivel hitch or tilt ball. The jury is still out on this one for me, but I am comfortable with the non-swivel hitch for now.

 

Ponch

[RoadKill]

Jay,

 

FWIW I laid ol' WilderBeast over last weekend after running out of gas to transfer every drop I could over to the left side of the tank. It laid right down on the engine/saddlebag guards without affecting the frame or trailer tounge at all (no swivel hitch). I didn't check the trailer that closely as I was more concerned with how I was going to get going again. But, later I did check the tounge pretty close and it is fine. I have been considering a swivel hitch or tilt ball. The jury is still out on this one for me, but I am comfortable with the non-swivel hitch for now.

 

Ponch

 

Thanks Ponch. Good Info. I pretty comfortable without either also. I took the tilt ball out of the package last night. After looking it over I'm not so concerned with the back and forth movement as I am the front to back play. I think that might cause problems. Think I'll just stick with my fixed set up.

Jay

[Ponch]

Thanks Ponch. Good Info. I pretty comfortable without either also. I took the tilt ball out of the package last night. After looking it over I'm not so concerned with the back and forth movement as I am the front to back play. I think that might cause problems. Think I'll just stick with my fixed set up.

Jay

 

Yeah, I was wondering about that. Its hard to tell from the photos, but depending on how thick the base mount is and how tight the tolerances are between the pivot pin and corresponding holes in the base mount, I can see where it could be a little sloppy.

 

Ponch

[BNC173]

Here is something to think about & I would appreciate everyone's thoughts. I bought a trailer that came with the swivel ball that I installed on my bike. I thought it was the cats ass. I was bragging to all my other friends the benefits of this ball. We was on a trip when I had a rear tire go down on my bike. Still not sure if I hit something or it just blew out but it went down fast. The first thing that I had noticed was my bike going side to side, i looked in my mirror to see my trailer jumping from side to side far enough that it was in one mirror then in the other. I got the bike slowed down & under control at about 40 mph & thought the wild ride was over. When all of a sudden the bike took three last jerks from one side to the other auctually turning the bike sideways on the highway. The ride ended with the trailer jackknifed against the bike lifting the rear of the bike off the ground. I have a broken femur with a 12 inch rod & some road rash, my wife just had some bruising & road rash. From my buddies riding behind me said that the trailer wheels when going back & forth was lifting off the road over a foot each time. The damage to the trailer shows that at one time it did flip on its top bending down the top rail but no damage on the sides so it had to of jumped landed on the top & back over. The welded plate on the hitch broke off. So did that swivel help or hurt? Did the swivel give to much play to allow it to go fruther than a reg. old ball would have allowed it to? What is everyones thoughts? I haven't really decided when things are fixed what I will go back with.