Bushtec trailer

[beltfed50]

After installing the isolator and M61A1's trailer harness adapter, I finally pulled my new-to-me Bushtec Turbo +2 this morning. Noticed very quickly that the bike needs more torque to stay upright in parking lot speed maneuvers, and it doesn't react as quickly when feathering the clutch. AND, there is not as much roadway available for the curves, so the line has to be different. That means THE SPEED HAS TO BE DIFFERENT!!! I've only scraped anything on this bike 4 or 5 times since I installed leveling links, but If I'm going to be doing any "wailing into curves" it will be without a trailer attached!

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Whenever you add a 2 wheel trailer to a motorcycle, the job changes from 'riding the bike' to 'guiding the trailer'.

 

Be careful out there!

 

[beltfed50]

Maiden voyage this weekend...went to the farm outside Louisville (GA) Friday and back today with a detour to Millen to pick up another Grand Tour of GA stop. Only one problem: The extra load must change the vibe harmonics because my saddle bag hinges shook loose twice! They weren't stuffed like normal, but had stuff in them...guess I'm looking for some ABS safe locktite.

[GAWildKat]

Fun! We riding through Fort valley and Byron....just beat the storm in....literally 3mins after parked in the garage the rain hit the house....talk abt luck!

[djh3]

Beltfed, try just some RTV gasket silicone on the end of the bolt and screw it back together. Should do same thing. Finger nail polish will also work on the threads.

[IronMike]

I did a few hundred with the Tag Along I set up and I hardly noticed it back there. MT or loaded. Only difference I can think of is that I have a long draw bar. About double of the standard.

[Freebird]

I don't understand why it is happening. I've pulled a Bushtec for probably at least 20,000 miles and never experienced any of those problems. I honestly can't hardly tell that it's back there and I've never had anything vibrate loose or any change in vibration.

[Motorcycle Mike]

I've been pulling an Aluma trailer for the last 10 years. The only change it's made in my riding is breaking. I give myself a little more space between me and vehicles and break a little earlier going into curves. If I'm not carefull, I forget it's back there. Scraped my boards many times without issue while pulling.

The only thing I can think of that would cause any issues would be your tounge weight.

[CaptainJoe]

Only time I ever felt the trailer at highway speeds was when I first bought it.

 

Jeff (flyinfool) followed me for a couple miles and the trailer started swaying above 65... checked hubs(they were cool to the touch) so I continued on, kept her around 60. Drove 20 miles and checked into motel. In the morning it occurred to me to check the air pressure. Sure enough 20 lbs in one 39 lbs in the other. Made both 40 psi and took up to 80 mph no swaying.

 

repack bearings on trailer, check tires for blems, spin to check trueness and insure proper air pressure.

 

Then get someone to follow you as they will be able to see what's happening better than you.

 

I'm thinking the the hinges in the saddlebags loosening were a coincidence?

[CaptainJoe]

1. At low speeds (below 5mph) you will be acutely aware of the trailer especially on rough roads.

 

2. Potholes will tend to pull on the bike.

 

3. You will have to make wider turns as the trailer is wider than the bike. Be careful not to hit a curb...

 

4. Longer distances for braking(my bunkhouse is over 400 lbs.

 

 

In twisties... go slower.

If you have to apply brakes in a sharp turn your trailer is going to want to go straight and "possibly" wash the rear tire out. I would never do the Dragon aggressively with a trailer on back. That would be asking for trouble IMHO.

I would however do the Dragon with a trailer at a speed I felt comfortable with.

 

Flyingfool - Made me aware of the differences when pulling a trailer with a bike.

Thanks Jeff!

[Brake Pad]

Gotta change your mind set. When your pulling a trailer, you have to think like your driving a truck

[IronMike]

I did think of another thing Alignment. The distance from the Hub to the center of where the ball fits into the trailer should be the same. If you google it lots of diagrams pop up showing. But a Name brand trailer like that should be right on as they know about alignment, unless for some other reason, it might be off.

 

the way you describe it, there is a problem somewhere.

[Venturous]

If I'm going to be doing any "wailing into curves" it will be without a trailer attached!

 

That is simply common sense really. I've used my Bushtec since 2004 and still love it. And, most of the time, I could easily forget it is back there. But it still put forces on your motorcycle that you must respect regardless how well it tows. Running extremely hot into curves, playing Nascar on the interstates is a recipe for disaster once you come upon a situation that requires you slow down with this extra force behind you.

 

The one and only time I ever found my Bushtec giving me bad feedback my wife and I loaded quickly to get from one event to another. The first hour, I could really feel the trailer. It finally occurred to me what was happening. We had loaded heavy behind the axle. I stopped and adjusted load and all was good again.

 

The one time I nearly bought it because of the trailer was on the interstate. Running 75 to 80 mph with traffic and I honestly allowed myself to forget it was back there. I was not allowing increased distance between me and traffic ahead. Out of now where and with no warning... BRAKE LIGHTS. Using both brakes and gears... I still was not going to stop. I was in left lane and shoulder had jersey walls. I hit the horn and split the lanes to come to a stop. I was way way lucky! And since... I always give a ridiculously large distance between us and traffic ahead.