Mean Dog Posted August 22, 2006 #1 Posted August 22, 2006 Opinion time once again guys! I have the Piggy Backer trailer now and all the local guys here tell me I need to install a swivel hitch on it for safety reasons... I have looked at the Bushtech trailers (one of the most expensive trailers on the market) and I see that they use the heim joint connection. Although I see the advantage of the heim joint as far as that there would be literally no play or slap with this setup (tighter connection), it still will only rotate approximately the same distance as the standard ball / fixed hitch connection. Perhaps I am missing something here but, I personally don't see the advantage unless the trailer were to flip. I know that this is a possibility but, seems highly unlikely. I have learned al ot from the people on this site and value you opinions. Thanks, Mark
BradT Posted August 22, 2006 #2 Posted August 22, 2006 I bought my Piggy back just recently and I have a normal hitch. I so far have towed it 600 miles home, then to Vogel and back 1700 miles and I even towed it behind my trailblazer (1,000 miles) Without a Hitch (pun intended, sad I know) I would not spend the extra money. It tows great. Brad
Mean Dog Posted August 22, 2006 Author #3 Posted August 22, 2006 Alrighty then! I got it all hooked up today. I used the Venturedad hitch and stinger, the modulite that Don recommended and alot of sweat when I had to cut into the main light wiring harness. Everything works, it sits level and tows great.... The added LED lights are a definite plus. Thanks for everyone's advice... Mark
ADC Posted August 22, 2006 #4 Posted August 22, 2006 Opinion time once again guys! I have the Piggy Backer trailer now and all the local guys here tell me I need to install a swivel hitch on it for safety reasons... I have looked at the Bushtech trailers (one of the most expensive trailers on the market) and I see that they use the heim joint connection. Although I see the advantage of the heim joint as far as that there would be literally no play or slap with this setup (tighter connection), it still will only rotate approximately the same distance as the standard ball / fixed hitch connection. Perhaps I am missing something here but, I personally don't see the advantage unless the trailer were to flip. I know that this is a possibility but, seems highly unlikely. I have learned al ot from the people on this site and value you opinions. Thanks, Mark About the only advantage to the swivel hitch other than if the trailer fliped would be if the bike were to fall over as happened to me on the way to vogel and I had just put a swivel hitch on before that trip so nothing (other than my foot) on the bike or trailer was damaged. Arthur
kbran Posted August 22, 2006 #5 Posted August 22, 2006 Looks good Mark. Now I have to start looking at doing this. Kenny
86er Posted August 23, 2006 #6 Posted August 23, 2006 It definitely looks good! I can't wait to finish painting mine to match my 86. Here is something that I recently posted in the "What about trailer brakes?" thread about my experience along these lines. I have pulled an 83 homemade trailer and a TimeOut "H-D" trailer behind my 1st Gen. They both weigh around 160# empty and , with another couple hundred in stuff, have had no problem stopping or pulling them other than the fact that without a swivel hitch your bike will not lean as far as you might like, and will feel like it's "pushing" you through a turn! I learned this the hard way at Deal's Gap! Didn't crash but I sure sucked up my seat! As you can see from these pics, that's about all the lean I can get without lifting the trailer's wheel! Best advice: Get a swivel hitch! You can always add a swivel hitch. Here is a link for one that's $70. It's at the lower left of the page. http://www.neoshotrailers.com/options.html Someplace I have more info on swivel hitches but I can''t seem to find it now. When I find it I"ll post it.
BradT Posted August 23, 2006 #7 Posted August 23, 2006 Todd I saw you ride, I would suggest you have a swivel hitch, expecially in your area. Brad
wuzfuzz Posted August 23, 2006 #8 Posted August 23, 2006 Although I currently do not pull a trailer, I have had two previous cargo trailers................. both with swivel hitches. Pulled them both for several thousand miles. My advice is --------------- buy and install one. There are no negative aspects to it other than the cost of buying it. I am currently in the market for another cargo trailer -------- I'm also considering the Piggy-Packer. I am wanting a hitch as well, but VentureDad seems to have dropped off the face of the planet. Anyone know the story ?? ken.jo@shaw.ca
coolwhip Posted August 23, 2006 #9 Posted August 23, 2006 I'm with wuzzfuzz. I pulled a trailer for 8 years and it definatly cut your lean angle down, when you go past the ball slack it could put you down preaty quick.
86er Posted August 24, 2006 #10 Posted August 24, 2006 Todd I saw you ride, I would suggest you have a swivel hitch, expecially in your area. Brad Yeah, Good times even with the rain, huh Brad!?! You just have to try and ride faster than the raindrops!
V7Goose Posted August 24, 2006 #11 Posted August 24, 2006 VentureDad seems to have dropped off the face of the planet. Anyone know the story ?? ken.jo@shaw.ca Ventuedad is back; try the link again. No idea what happened, but it worked this morning. Goose
Tramp Posted August 25, 2006 #12 Posted August 25, 2006 I like the heim joint on my Bushtec. I can come in pretty handy in case the bike was to fall over sitting still. Don't ask me how I know this.
sarges46 Posted August 25, 2006 #13 Posted August 25, 2006 I dont know any other way but the swivel hitch. It does not affect anything in opinion. I like the thought that the day I drop my bike (it will happen one day) then I wont have to worry about twisting anything.
fixit3546 Posted August 26, 2006 #14 Posted August 26, 2006 Looks good Mark. Maybe one day I will set one up. Think id like to build mine and the hitch too but i can"t sem to find plans for one...
wuzfuzz Posted August 26, 2006 #15 Posted August 26, 2006 ............ plans for building your own are on eBay....... $9.95. ken.jo@shaw.ca
RSV Angel Posted August 28, 2006 #16 Posted August 28, 2006 I don't know who's trailer it was but at the Vogel ride in someone staying at the Best Western had one tied up that had made their own "swivel". It looked to me like they had cut the tongue right behind the hitch connector -welded in a plate- put a large 1/2 -mabe 5/8 bolt with washers between the 2 plates which let the hitch part turn. Don Roden and I looked at it. If you used a good grade 8 bolt this might be an idea worth looking into. Now if I have the trailer behind me I also have mama in the back seat so if I get into too much "lean angle" my ribs and ears start hurtin' from the punchin' and hollerin' in the intercom:no-no-no: I don't know who the trailer belonged to but it was tied to the second set of steps down from where Brad ,Redneck ans some of the others were staying. It was a homebuilt with a cartop carrier on it. Someone else might chime in that knows who it belonged to.
BradT Posted August 28, 2006 #17 Posted August 28, 2006 I don't know who's trailer it was but at the Vogel ride in someone staying at the Best Western had one tied up that had made their own "swivel". It looked to me like they had cut the tongue right behind the hitch connector -welded in a plate- put a large 1/2 -mabe 5/8 bolt with washers between the 2 plates which let the hitch part turn. Don Roden and I looked at it. If you used a good grade 8 bolt this might be an idea worth looking into. Now if I have the trailer behind me I also have mama in the back seat so if I get into too much "lean angle" my ribs and ears start hurtin' from the punchin' and hollerin' in the intercom:no-no-no: I don't know who the trailer belonged to but it was tied to the second set of steps down from where Brad ,Redneck ans some of the others were staying. It was a homebuilt with a cartop carrier on it. Someone else might chime in that knows who it belonged to. I remember looking at that one as well, but I never did find out who owned it. I thought the idea was pretty good. AS far as your ribs go I bet they are just starting to heal from this last Vogel trip. Brad
Guest StevieMac Posted August 28, 2006 #18 Posted August 28, 2006 For the cost of a swivel hitch I'd rather have one and the piece of mind that comes with it.
Deltarat Posted August 31, 2006 #19 Posted August 31, 2006 I don't know who's trailer it was but at the Vogel ride in someone staying at the Best Western had one tied up that had made their own "swivel". It looked to me like they had cut the tongue right behind the hitch connector -welded in a plate- put a large 1/2 -mabe 5/8 bolt with washers between the 2 plates which let the hitch part turn. Don Roden and I looked at it. If you used a good grade 8 bolt this might be an idea worth looking into. Now if I have the trailer behind me I also have mama in the back seat so if I get into too much "lean angle" my ribs and ears start hurtin' from the punchin' and hollerin' in the intercom:no-no-no: I don't know who the trailer belonged to but it was tied to the second set of steps down from where Brad ,Redneck ans some of the others were staying. It was a homebuilt with a cartop carrier on it. Someone else might chime in that knows who it belonged to. The swivel hitch I had on my cargo trailer (and I loved it) was made by the fabrication shop, what they did was just take one end of one of their axles, weld it into the tongue of the trailer, and weld the ball reciever on the wheel side of the bearing housing. I guess they figured that if the axle was rated at something like 1500lbs it should handle a couple of hundred pounds (at most) tongue weight with no problem, and since it had a wheel bearing the swivel was always smooth and felt very safe.
silvercrew Posted September 15, 2006 #20 Posted September 15, 2006 You all bought your bike and trailer and paid $$$$$ for the package whats a couple of bucks to buy the swivel. If not for the peace of mind of having the trailer hooked up right than what about you and your other half coming home safe.
Rick Butler Posted September 15, 2006 #21 Posted September 15, 2006 Mark, I have had swivel hitches both on my camping trailer and my Bushtec and I wouldn't ride without one. Yeah a standard ball will cover a good angle but these RSVs like to go completely horizontal when they go over and I have seen some good hitches bent all to H_LL because of this. If you have a swivel hitch, the trailer will stay on the ground. And just the opposite, if for some reason your trailer goes over, it will not take the bike with it. And for the money and the trouble to build one yourself, get one from Neosho. They have been making bike trailers and swivel couplers for as long as I've been riding a Venture, and their coupler is 1st notch. Rick
Moose Posted November 11, 2006 #22 Posted November 11, 2006 Standard switch -- swivel. Bushtec -- not necessary.
hipshot Posted November 12, 2006 #23 Posted November 12, 2006 when i "stole" my bike, the trailer that i got with it, has a swivel hitch. i can't find a name of any kind on either the trailer,or the swivel. then again, i will probably never pull the durned trailer,with anything but my hands! lol just jt
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now