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Cruiser
Posts: 52
Fort Covington, NY | i'm thinking about purchasing a trailer to go behind my 2010 vision, but i know nothing about pulling a trailier with a bike nor do i know anybody that pulls a trailer with a bike. the trailer will be used for the purpose of storing extra clothes and what my wife buys on our trips down south. we might carry a tent, sleeping bags and cooler. what i need to know is about the hitch, wiring and if dealers will install. Any problems or caution i should know about? what does everybody think is the best trailer? any information will be helpful in making my decision whether to buy a trailer or not. thanks in advance.  |
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Tourer
Posts: 576
, IA | i use a hit doc with a swivel hitch dealer installed works great |
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Cruiser
Posts: 157
| I installed a bushtec hitch and wiring harness and a buddy of mine has lent me his trailer to get it out of his way.If you have any mechanical ability save the cash about ($1,000 +-) and install it yourself it is not that difficult. If you really take your time it's 2 days max but it can be done in a day wiring and all just make sure you talk to who you purchase the hitch from and get everything you need the first time.The Vision does not have any difficulty in pulling a trailer loaded or not the choice of trailer is up to you.Bushtec has a trailer that really matches the lines and style of the Vision but has a hefty price tag and used ones are not much cheaper. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | I have a Bushtec hitch and trailer. Love them. Instead of a traditional ball hitch, it has an articulated Heim joint, which is MUCH more secure and works great. Don't know where you're from, but drop by Bushtec in Jacksboro, Tennessee (just north of Knoxville) and they'll install it. Dealers can install them, as well. If you're mechanically inclined, Bushtec has a great set of instructions - takes several hours, I understand. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 85
| I have an 08 Vision Tour Premium and I installed a Hitchdoc hitch myself (not a big job and I'm no mechanic). I purchased a Scarob by Gypsy Trailers ( web site is www.gypsytrailers.com ). I love my trailer, this is the first trailer I've pulled behind a bike and we use it for exactly what you intend on using yours for. You really don't even notice the trailer is behind you when you are riding. You can see my trailer with bike if you go onto their web site.
The thing I like about this trailer is the fact it has a full frame with torsion bar suspention and a flat floor inside. The fit finnish and overall quality of the trailer is second to none.
Good luck with your decision.
Nepper |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 25
Southern Maine | I started pulling a trailer for the first time this year and have put over 5000 miles on it, once I got used to seeing it in the mirrors I forgot about it being there, it allowed me to remve the trunk and lower the wieght on the bike and increase the space for my wife and I, not to mention the amount of " stuff" she could pack. I got an Adventure sports trailer and Hitch doc hitch that I installed with out problems. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 101
Cold Lake Alberta Canada | http://www.bidouilles-on-my-wing.fr/gb_remorques.html
This web site has a bunch of trailer manufacturers to get inf from. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 54
Bancroft Ontario, Canada | i have pulled 3 different trailers with 2 different victory's...02 cruiser and 09 vision.....i love my current trailer which is "FIBRO CONCEPT" ....both hitches are hitchdoc.......
VBear |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | Jim, thanks for that post: if you're in the market for a trailer you ought to be able to find something you like in there, that's for sure.......... |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | Jim, thanks for that post: if you're in the market for a trailer you ought to be able to find something you like in there, that's for sure.......... |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | Read the reviews Great price! http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/trailer-trailer-... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 47
centrel Minnesota | This is my 2nd trailer behind 2 diff. bikes 05'tc now a 08 vision . I have a hich doc. trailer hich and installit myself too with out taking off the tire .Pulled the lights out. I also make my own trailers just too be differnt . |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 47
centrel Minnesota | This is my 2nd trailer behind 2 diff. bikes 05'tc now a 08 vision . I have a hich doc. trailer hich and installit myself too with out taking off the tire .Pulled the lights out. I also make my own trailers just too be differnt .
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Best trailer.....I wouldnt know. Its likely thousands of dollars and no where near my budget.
Good enough trailer - that I know about.
I used the HitchDoc simply because of cost and ease of installation - had it on in less than 30 mins. Wiring took maybe another 20 mins.
The trailer I choose was the Harbor Freight Tag-Along. Price was $329.....I used a coupon and walked out the door with it for $265.
Ive pulled it dang near 10K miles so far with ZERO problems. ALOT of that time was at 80mph on the 4 lane. Hubs stay nice and cool.....tires are holding up great. Everything remains nice and tight.
When I put it together I cleaned out the shoddy grease in the wheel bearings and repacked them. I upgraded the lighting to LED. I bought a Chinese scooter trunk off eBay and mounted on the tongue for quicker, handier storage for items I may need to get to quickly. I also bought some hubcaps at a golf cart dealers to dress it up a bit. cost (from memory....might be a bit off)
original trailer $265 LED lighting kit $20 scooter trunk $35 hubcaps $24 ($12 each) grand total of "ready to roll, as seen trailer" - $344 It honestly didnt NEED the LED lighting, scooter trunk or hubcaps.....that was all personal taste - your getting a darn good trailer at just the $265.
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | As for if dealers will install - Im going to guess thats going to depend on the dealer. I think the manual says specifically to NOT pull a trailer with your Vision. I could see how some dealers would deny to install a hitch or wiring for that reason. I also know my local Victory dealer also sells trailers so its highly likely they would have no problem installing a hitch.
My local mechanic did mine (while I watched/helped). Its not rocket science so I dont think its necessary to go to a Victory dealer to have the work done.....find an independent to do it.
Edited by aaronrkelly 2010-09-16 1:55 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 523
seattle, wa | STEVESTREET, That is a great looking trailer. What is it made out of? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 52
Fort Covington, NY | like the price of the trailer but i have had problems with harbor freight tools before. afew questions for you on your trailer. how does it pull? does it bounce when you hit a bump? what is the total lenght, from hitch to tail lights? thanks for you time, i just want to make sure that the money i spend on a trailer is worth it. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 47
centrel Minnesota | Plywwod , pine boards I have about 7 coats of spar varnish on it pulled it throug a pretty good rain 2 weeks ago and no leaks. it has a 600# torion axel at 0 deg. 12 in alum rims with radial tiers led tail lights the "coffen" measers 26" x 60"
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | vision10 - 2010-09-16 1:56 PM
like the price of the trailer but i have had problems with harbor freight tools before. afew questions for you on your trailer. how does it pull? does it bounce when you hit a bump? what is the total lenght, from hitch to tail lights? thanks for you time, i just want to make sure that the money i spend on a trailer is worth it.
I own some Harbor Freight tools......they are hit and miss. They are not made to be used in a professional setting, they are not Snap On. I fully agree that Harbor Freight stuff ranges from passably usable to utter junk.
I understood Harbor Freight quality when I bought the trailer, I was willing to take a few extra steps and precautions to correct anything during assembly. Short of the bearing grease it was tip top. Actually two other things. They put an incorrect size coupler in the box. The square tube on the tongue is 2"....the coupler is like 2 1/4". If you tighten the bolts down it pinches the coupler and then it wont fit over the ball. The fix was to insert a washer between the coupler and the tube during installation. The other is the way the leaf springs are mounted makes them noisy....they clank around when you hit bumps. The fix for me was to slide a piece of hose over them so instead of metal to metal clanking there is rubber between....cant even hear it now. Neither a big deal, just those things that makes Harbor Freight stuff.......well, Harbor Freight stuff.
You wouldnt have these issues if you spent $1000......but I was willing to put some extra grease here, a few washers there.....in the name of saving almost $750.
It pulls great.....you dont even notice its back there. I used it as is out of the box, no swivel hitch....I dont feel its necessary. It certainly doesnt inhibit my riding any......Ive got ground to hell floorboards to prove it.
It (and any trailer) will bounce around if its empty. Put some weight in it and its not a problem. I took this trailer out and tried a few things to see how it would react while getting used to pulling it. I increased speed and bombed over railroad tracks......dropped a wheel of the shoulder......ran the trailer up over a curb etc. Its tracks straight, reacts as expected.....its does its job, following the bike.
Overall dimensions: 78" L x 44-1/2" W x 38" H
(from the website)
http://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-capacity-78-inch-tag-along-trai...
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | I see 80mph is ok. I sometimes pop up to 100 or 105, and can cruise all day at 95 in 100deg temps. Does it appear to be safe at those higher speeds? |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Boots - 2010-09-16 9:54 PM
I see 80mph is ok. I sometimes pop up to 100 or 105, and can cruise all day at 95 in 100deg temps. Does it appear to be safe at those higher speeds?
Ive got a hill where I can run the Vision flat out.......I did that recently for two reasons.
1....I wanted to see how balanced my car tire was
2.....to see how the trailer re-acted
Both were spot on. Trailer never wobbled, tracked straight and no heat buildup in the hubs.....but it was a short run. I did this maybe twice - totaling tops 2 to 3 miles.
On a recent ride to the HD museum I ran the trailer across I80 at a consistent 90 mph for probably 45 mins (got in a group hauling ass). It wasnt 100 degress out though....more like 90 to 95. I had no problems.
Could you do that all day.....I think so. If I did that consistently I would probably repack the bearings more often......and expect increased wear on the tires perhaps. Just a guess.
If you were really concerned you could replace the bearings with higher end Timken (sp?) bearings. Im not sure many trailer manufacturers, even ones selling $3000 trailers, are going to give the go ahead to 100 mph all day, every day......Im not sure any bearings would hold up to that forever. However if your towing the trailer on a trip and do it for 30 days a year....probably will work. |
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | aaronrkelly - 2010-09-16 9:40 PM
Both were spot on. Trailer never wobbled, tracked straight and no heat buildup in the hubs.....but it was a short run. I did this maybe twice - totaling tops 2 to 3 miles.
Could you do that all day.....I think so. If I did that consistently I would probably repack the bearings more often......and expect increased wear on the tires perhaps. Just a guess.
If you were really concerned you could replace the bearings with higher end Timken (sp?) bearings. Im not sure many trailer manufacturers, even ones selling $3000 trailers, are going to give the go ahead to 100 mph all day, every day......Im not sure any bearings would hold up to that forever. However if your towing the trailer on a trip and do it for 30 days a year....probably will work.
Sounds great - Thanks! Plus was thinking might just be a 'camping use' trailer, so would be more windy, slower paced roads. |
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