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Cruiser
Posts: 58
Northwest Ohio | Looking to set my ness vision to pull a trailer. Looks like the hitch to get is bushtec. What else do I need? What harness etc? |
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Tourer
Posts: 301
Buffalo Grove,Ill | The dealer near me says installing the hitch is a Bi^%ch to do. the entire back of the bike pretty much has to come apart to do it. Since this is true for them i can only assume you are having someone do the work for you, If it is a dealer then they should know all the ins and outs of what is needed. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | If you consider HitchDoc, the instructions for the hitch are here: http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=2889&pos... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 157
| I did the bushtec hitch on my vision take your time and it's not that big of a deal.The dealer wanted to charge 8hrs labor i had the bike apart and back together in 5hrs on a Saturday and did the wiring in about 45mins on Sunday. The main thing with bushtec is talk to them about the wiring if your not using a bushtec trailer you will need to do your trailer side harness different because the plug they use has 6 wires not 4. If you have any questions email me at eagle203@sbcglobal.net I will be happy to help if you have other questions or need other info. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | The HitchDoc hitch can be done without removing the rear wheel...only the seat and two bolts on exhaust (and trunk bolts if you have one). It is actually quite easy to install. 2 hours.
I got LED lights on my trailer so I didn't need an isolator or load equalizer or any special harness.
I used standard 4 wire harness Reese 74672. Very easy to install and comes with plenty of wire. It also comes with a testing tool to find the correct wire on the bike before cutting it. I got it from the local hardware store Menards for $23. Click link for info on this harness
http://reese.cequent-cpi.com/product/detail.asp?ID=74672
The connector itself has two mounting holes. I drilled and tapped into the bottom of the hitch and secured the connector to it. Makes plugging and unplugging the trailer a simple one-hand operation. The zip-tie supplied with the harness can be used to mount it, but it's not quite as solid as screws. Click link for pics.
http://picasaweb.google.com/victoryvisiontour/2008VictoryVisionTrai...
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Cruiser
Posts: 135
Yellowknife, NT Canada | I looked at both hitches and made the decision to go with the Bushtec. I did the work myself. It was straight forward. I liked that it tied to several points on the bike. I did use an isolator even with the LED lights. I also made a special harness using the Bike Alarm adapter from Scorpio. So I could remove all the wiring in 10 mins before taking the bike in for warranty electrical work. Didn't want the warranty issues..
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| There is around a 50/50 split on hitch choice amongst the members here. To the best of my knowledge nobody has had an issue with either. I'm using the HitchDoc hitch and have towed a camper trailer weighing in excess of 350lbs no issues. I also have a cargo trailer which weighs in at 150lbs empty and again no problems. As to lites? Well you should run an isolator but most have found it is not necessary with LED's. There are several posts regarding wiring and options as well as hitch choice. Only advice is take some time getting use to towing. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 58
Northwest Ohio | What is the price of both Hitchdoc and bushtec? Opinions on here are mixed about both. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 157
| From what I remember the price is about the same but the difference is in the load rating and available tongue weight on the hitch which is higher on the bushtec.I would also like to say that contrary to what is out there the rear tire does not need to be removed to install the bushtec you basically remove the the saddle bags inner and outer and the rear taillight panels and trunk. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Only question is whether the Ness Vision has been modified to the point that the hitch has to be changed to fit it. Anyone know? |
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Tourer
Posts: 576
, IA | price is way less for hitch doc and install is way easier do not know about tounge weight but i know i'm not pulling a tank, just a apen pop up camper |
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Tourer
Posts: 367
Cottage Grove, Mn | Bushtec is the way to go and you will never be sorry. My Time Out trailer came with the correct plug so wiring was a snap. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 91
| I just finished installing a hitch from hitch doc. I first put the front top bolts (2) down to act as a guide. Without removing the rear tire I put the hitch on and then put the rear two bolts up from underneath. Then took out the front bolts and put them from underneath. The two bolts on the right side I was able to reach up with my hand but the left side I could not as the saddle bag and tire clearance was not enough. I was able to use a couple of extensions and a flex socket for the left side. I did use an isolator from hitch warehouse for the wiring as I found a used trailer and it has regular bulbs. The weather was lousy for driving so I did this over three days of puttering around. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| The difference in price is quite substancial, around $200 MORE for the Bushtec hitch. You do however get the isolator with that hitch which normally costs $79. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 58
Northwest Ohio | I know there are hitch doc dealers on this site. Who sells for less? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 128
Aubrey, TX | second that |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | As stated somewhere in this forum, you can easily install the HitchDoc's bolts from underneath by going in through the rubber flap under the seat. Installing the bolts from the bottom instead of the top allows the trunk to be more easily removed/installed than the stock configuration. You end up with studs to set the trunk on like installing a wheel on a car. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| To answer an earlier question, the Ness Vision is NO different than any other Vision for the purposes of the hitch. Just do a search on the site here for multiple installation suggestions, wiring advice, etc.... it is a VERY simple mod to perform. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 93
Saskatchewan (hard to say, easy to draw ) | Jeff take a look at the size of what you wish to pull and then go from there. If I were to pull a small cargo trailer, the Hitch Doc was my choice because of cost and ease. I went with a full size Leesure_Lite Excel tent trailer so I ended up choosing the Bushtec beacuse I felt that it had more lateral stability and mounting points. It was an issue ( OK , fun and lots of head scratching with a few beers working with a mech minded friend who had a Bushtec already) but I am now glad that I spent the extra just for my own piece of mind 'cause the trailer is great but also large. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 93
Saskatchewan (hard to say, easy to draw ) | Choose this one... no! Choose that one! No...you a fool to choose that one... Now why would you do that? I see both groups here as well so let us know what you do and how it went! Pics of your bike and trailer when done please!
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Cruiser
Posts: 91
| Here is my trailer
(IMG_2665.jpg)
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 IMG_2665.jpg (79KB - 2 downloads)
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Cruiser
Posts: 58
Northwest Ohio | Does anyone have any pics of a bushtec hitch vs a hitch doc? I would like to see how much better the bushtec hitch is built. If it is better built why couldn't the hitchdoc be modded to be as good or better for less money. I work in a die shop and could make or weld anything to add support to the hitch to make it better. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 93
Saskatchewan (hard to say, easy to draw ) | Please go to my album for the bushteck frame and attachment points. Takes up less space that way.
Edited by Jim 2010-05-01 10:06 PM
(lori and obie with the trailer.jpg)
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lori and obie with the trailer.jpg (92KB - 9 downloads)
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Cruiser
Posts: 58
Northwest Ohio | OK, I have decided on the hitch doc. Is Jamie the only dealer on here? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I believe so.... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I thoroughly considered Bushtec and almost pulled the trigger on the that one until I called the manufacturers.
I explained to both what I was going to pull since it is kind of odd. Bushtec said they couldn't guarentee anything but their own trailers. When I asked questions about installation they guy wasn't sure and had to get a copy of the instructions. HitchDoc said I would not be disappointed no matter what I pulled. The guy was knowledgeable of the Vision. He confirmed the concept of installing the bolts from the bottom instead of the top. He also confirmed that I could still easily remove the trunk. The guy said HitchDoc would guarantee their hitch would be no problem for my intended use. He almost acted like it was silly of me even asking if their hitch could handle my load. He said they have customers pulling 1200 lbs. I asked if HitchDoc stands behind that. He said, "yep".
I know this doesn't mean one hitch is better than the other. If you are pulling a motorcycle specific trailer it probably doesn't make any difference which one you choose. It just gave me the warm and fuzzy that HitchDoc seemed to be more in touch with their product with regards to the Vision.
Side note: When I received the hitch, it was missing the ball that was suppose to be included. I called them and they didn't ask any questions at all. They just shipped one and I recieved it three days later.
Edited by victoryvisiontour 2010-05-03 9:43 PM
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DSC01985x.JPG (84KB - 2 downloads)
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