What's the Best Trailer?

[Skroggus]

Thinking about getting one as I seem to make trips longer and longer....
Recommendations, best values, ones to stay away from?
Thanx! :?:

[Mike Callery]

Seriously, Bushtec and Escapade are the two that you find most often although there are some other brands that do stand out well, like Hennigan.

Personally, I like the Escapde because I didn't want to deal with the shock adjusting on the Bushtecs. You have to load it and then adjust the air shocks to a level ride. To me, as much as I respect Bushtec, it's just something I don't want to deal with.

I picked up a used Escapade at a great price from a good friend buying a new unit. If you check out their website, that's my comments on the opening page of the trailer section. I think it's that good. I ran into a flooded area and some major storms riding out to Florida one day. The trailer, loaded up pretty good, was never an issue or a concern during the storm. To me, that says a lot!

[Bookum Dano]

Check out Kruzer Alexus. It's made to match the GL1800 perfectly. Some trailers just change the tail lights to match the Wing. But the Alexus is made for the GL1800. Mine should be here next month.

www.kruzertrailers.com (http://www.kruzertrailers.com)

[HAWK]

Actually, you could easily get buy with a homemade with a trailer frame and cartop carrier like several have posted on this BB. My first was a homemade. Trailer frame package narrowed so it wouldn't be wider than the bike. I used 1/8" masonite and a layer of fiberglass to build the box. Later added a cooler rack on the tongue. It had 2 leafs in the spring and I removed 1 because I would never be loading to the capacity it was rated at. Trailer weight = 125lbs. Load usually 200lbs. Total cost about $300.
http://home.comcast.net/~rjhawk/picture6.JPG
My second was a Escapade I bought secondhand and had color matched to my 86 Venture Royale. Was a great trailer as far as capacity and pulling. My only complaint was all the space at the front that was hard to pack and unpack because the lid didn't open all the way. At the time, my back was ok, but now I have some bulging disc problems and could not lean over the trailer long enough to unpack that front nose section. I circled the area.
http://home.comcast.net/~rjhawk/picture7.JPGhttp://home.comcast.net/~rjhawk/Escapade.JPG
When I traded the Venture in on a 98 GL1500 I trade the trailer in with it. Ordered a Turbo+2 from Bushtec and rode to the factory to pick it up. When I bought the 03 GL1800 I had the Bushtec repainted at a local body shop. Honda just had to change the silver so it wouldn't match.Thats why I picked the Bushtec. I like the style, the suspension thats tailored excactly to the load by air adjustment and its worked flawlessly for me. When you open the top of the Bushtec it is completely open. No crawling in under the lid to get at the stuff packed up front.
http://home.comcast.net/~rjhawk/wing98.JPGhttp://home.comcast.net/~rjhawk/hawkswing400.JPG

[Scotty]

one persons opinion. Colorado made by California side car. Best buy for the money Cyclemate. Have pulled both over 10M miles each. Sold the Cyclemate when I had a chance to make a great buy on the colorado. To my knowledge there is nothing wrong with the other mentioned brands. Buy what you and your pocketbook like.

[Orange Bandit]

I'm on my second Bushtec.
Expensive - yes.
Quality - yes.
On the first one I pulled it about 20,000 miles. Never a problem with it. Original tires showed little wear at the end.
Traded it back to Bushtec after 3 years for $2,000 towards my new one.
Been back to the factory and they asked if they could check it out and make any necessary adjustments. None needed.

[Skroggus]

Thanx all for the good inputs. What about handling and braking on the Wing? Effect on tire wear? What about the standard versus the swivel trailer hitch? Other issues I need to consider?
Thanx
Bob

[Toisich]

The opinions on good trailers runs along the same line as the opinions on which is the best oil. It basically boils down to the individual's choice.

My choice was an Escapade Elite. Looks, reputation, and cost were some of the considerations that led me to make that choice. No complaints so far.

Your trailer choice will impact on the issues you mentioned in your last post -- handling, braking, tire wear, handling. No problems with any topic you mentioned with the Escapade, and I'm sure others will comment the same regarding the other major manufacturers.

I will comment on the swivel trailer hitch - In my opinion it is a must have!!

I laid down and flipped my '03 wing as we started to inter an exchange from one interstate to another. Totalled the wing; minor damage to the trailer (damage to the trailer tongue, cooler and mount). Trailer stayed right side up even as the wing flipped from right side down to left side down.

Now back to Escapade - Ordered the trailer directly from the factory in Virginia. When we picked it up, we met the guys who own the shop and enjoyed a tour of the factory. After the wreck, they quickly took possession and repaired the trailer to "new" status and had it ready for the road in no time. Really good folks!

Good luck in your choice.

[MotorcycleBoy]

one persons opinion. Colorado made by California side car. Best buy for the money Cyclemate. Have pulled both over 10M miles each. Sold the Cyclemate when I had a chance to make a great buy on the colorado. To my knowledge there is nothing wrong with the other mentioned brands. Buy what you and your pocketbook like.

I have to ask. What is 10M miles? 10 Mega-miles? That would be 10,000,000 for a combined total of 20,000,000 miles or, in computer terms, 1024x1024x20 = 20,971,520 miles. which would be the equivalent of riding 100,000 miles per year for 21 years. Did you really mean 10K miles each? :?: :?: :?:

[Roebot]

Escapade and Bushtec seem to be the ones I see most in my travels. Being a frugal Pennsylvania Dutchman, I tow a 17cf Kompact Kamp made in Myerstown, PA. I towed their 12cf about 40,000 miles and sold it in '98 when I decided I could take more 'stuff' with me if I had one of their new 17cf Excell models. I have about 50,000 miles on that one and it's still going strong, tracks as straight as an arrow and all I've ever had to do was buy it a pair of new tires last week. They cost about $3,000 less than the Escapade or Bustec, I'm not a name dropper, just cheap :lol: You do have to get it painted if you want it to match your bike. I leave mine white, makes it easier to see. I did spring for the chrome wheels for an extra $100 :wink: This link will take you to the page that shows all his cargo trailers - http://www.inb.net/kompactkamp/trailers.html#trike, take a look - Sue

[John Willey]

Now back to Escapade - Ordered the trailer directly from the factory in Virginia. When we picked it up, we met the guys who own the shop and enjoyed a tour of the factory.

Do you still have contact info. on the factory? I can't find them.
Thanks.
John

[Bulldog]

I am in the market for a trailer as well. I am reading everything very carefully. I am leaning hard toward the Bushtec.

Dawg

[FLwingnut1]

I picked up my Bushtec Quantum during Bike Week. I shopped for a little over two months comparing features, quality, reports from owners, and, of course, price. Initially, the Bushtec looks expensive, but when you thoroughly compare the features and quality and standard equipment available, it is not any more money.

Before my wife passed away, she was disabled and utilized an electric mobility scooter. We carried that scooter in a trailer. Due to required size needs my choices of trailers was extremely limited. I ordered a *** brand trailer because it was the correct size. The trailer showed up minus the rear bumper and license mounting equipment. I called the factory and was treated like I was disturbing them. They did ship the missing items, but it should not have been required to make additional calls!

When I ordered my Bushtec, I spoke to John. He was completely honest, forthcoming and did not try to oversell me. He took the time to understand my desires and needs in a trailer and ensured that I totally understood what I was getting.

I picked up my trialer in Daytona during Bike Week. The Bushtec crew was great! They installed my hitch ahead of my appointment time and returned the bike as clean as they received it (something I really appreicate). They took the time to make sure I understood all the aspects of the unit, how to maintain it, and how to load it. Could not have asked for any better treatment!

While I have not pulled the unit any great distances yet, I can already tell a difference in how it handles compared to my prior unit.

Again, the initial price can be scary, but do the research and compare all the features and workmanship. Besides, I am worth the very best!!!

Michael

[Fred H.]

I have never considered towing a trailer, and probably never will, just because I don't want to compromise the bikes handling any and I like to go too fast in the turns. My approach has been, if it doesn't fit in the saddlebags or trunk, it ain't goin. I don't even have a trunk rack installed, and I have done three week trips, two-up with no real problems (though every cavity was filled.

However, I do understand the need for some folks to pull a trailer, especially if camping. If I were to buy one myself, I think I would go for that one-wheel trailer as it appears to mimick the motorcycle handling the closest. I think it is called the UniGo or something like that. Anyway, that's my two cents.

http://www.uni-go-trailers.com/

Here is an article written by someone who did a Saddlesore 2000 with a UniGo

http://www.uni-go-trailers.com/Saddlesore000.htm

[Snazzy Nazzy Biker]

Trailers are a personal thing. :) Lots of great trailers have been mentioned here already. Bushtec seems to be the very best in engineering and customer service. I wanted a Bushtec until . . . . I saw the Quicksilver Tear-Drop Trailer at a "Back to the 50's" street show in Sandpoint, Idaho. As it was, the Quicksilver factory was only 60 miles from Sandpoint in the little town of Troutcreek, Montana. I was so impressed with the product I went to the factory and picked my trailer out. There are four sizes and the next three are sleepers, two of which can be towed by motorcycles. They have independent suspension and are of great quality. And they are also light in weight. Mine has been with me now for over two years and is a member (oops) of the 100mph club. (By mistake of course) :oops: Here is the link to check them out:

www.quicksilvertrailers.com (http://www.quicksilvertrailers.com)

http://www.msnusers.com/451dlfiu9ufauhgbl965ca8m80/Documents/Pictures%2FGWRRA%20Motorcycle%20Awareness%20Displa y%20%2D%2003%20001.jpg

Good luck in your decision, and happy trailering . . . . . :D

AND I AM GOING RIDING TODAY, CAUSE IT WILL BE 60 degrees YIPPEEEEE!!

[RIPAR2]

I bought a 1988 Bushtec 5 years ago and had it painted to my new wing 2 years ago. Still runs and tracks very well. Rick

[Toisich]

John... sent you an email with all the information you need for the Escapade - which is made by California Sidecar. Yes, they relocated from California to Virginia.

Let me know if you didn't get the email.

Steve

[Bobby Tillman]

I think Bushtec is the only manufacture who will accept their trailers on trade when trading up. This has to be quite a value added when buying,plus they have a superb trailer that they totally stand behind.

[bushtec]

Fred H - In as much as I tend to ride and have ridden more than 1,000,000 miles very aggressively and like you do not wish to compromise the handling of any motorcycle I might ride, I design Bushtec Trailers for performance & handling. All Bushtec trailers employ a Double Independent, Trailing Link AIR RIDE ONLY suspension which is unique in the motorcycle trailer industry. There is not another trailer made, including a single wheel trailer that can out handle a Bushtec!

My challenge to you Fred is simple, if you will visit Bushtec; I will take you to Deal's Gap where I am confident you will not be able to get away from my GL1800 with Bushtec in tow. I would also offer to fit your motorcycle with a Bushtec so that you might have first hand towing experience rather than reporting unfounded criticisms of towing a trailer with a motorcycle. As with most things, all motorcycle trailers are NOT created equal!

[Tulsa]

Bushtec for the best quality, best value, best standard features, including the suspension and last but, not least, the best customer service.
None of the others can compete with the Bushtec on resale value either.
My second choice would be a Hannigan.
Allen

[Arnie Mowrey]

Frist I think Freds comments are the same thoughts that many riders have about towing trailers behind an aggressive riders bike. I also don't think Fred was saying he can rider faster than someone pulling a trailer.

The Uni-Go single wheel trailer is not in compition with any two wheeled bike trailer just because of volume, it's only 5 cubic feet. And the quility is not in the same ledge as a Bushtec by a long shot. But, there is one thing it offers an agressive rider, and that's a fact that the rider can't take a line through the tight stuff that will drop the trailor wheel off the road.

As most of you know, when pulling a trailer behind a GL1800 you can very easly forget it's back there and when you do get the the twisties and kick it up you better not forget you have a two wheel trailer behind you and the best suspension in the world will not help if the wheel is hanging over a drop off.

I'm sure John can handle his GL1800 very well pulling his Bushtec based on his challenge but I'm sure he will not be taking the same lines through the twisties as the agressvise rider without a trailer. And, the "adjusted line" needed to keep the Bushtec on the road maybe a slower line.

The Uni-Go offs just a little more storage space and comfort in knowing you will not drop a wheel over the edge unless the bike went there also. There's one other factor to think about and that's total weight, the Uni-Go weights about 70 lbs empty and 170 lbs gross which is close to or less than the empty weight of most other two wheel trailers. This leads to the last thought. how much total trailer weight is safe to be pulled behind a GL1800?

The GL1800 has shown us the weak spot in it's frame and Mother Honda say's "trailer hitch and pulling trailor voids warrenty."

[RodeHard]

I ride like a bat out of hell and can attest to what John said. There is no other trailer made that I would own besides a Bustec for the performance and engineering when riding in an agressive manner. There aren't too many "Wingers" that can keep up with me when I'm pulling my trailer.

Instead of riding (single up) at 100 percent capacity and shooting perfect lines... I'm at maybe 95% with the trailer in tow and a light load. Riding 2-up with the trailer fully loaded, I'm at about 90% capacity of my normal riding style, and most of that's because if I go any faster or take the turns any tighter, my girlfriend gets sick.

I looked at the construction and engineering of many trailers from many different manufactures and generally had a pretty good laugh. Many of the trailers I looked at, I just knew I would've smoked the bearings within the first hundred miles. The rest of them just didn't fit my riding style and were more akin to pulling a car trailer than a trailer designed for a high performance motorcycle.

I always get a good laugh whenever I see a winger pulling one of those huge camping trailers loaded to the gills with all their camping gear and what not... IMHO those are accidents just waiting to happen!

[SL_1800]

I bought a new Kruzer Grand Alexus and so far, 2 1/2 months, it's pulling great. I think it is a very well built trailer with looks that are to die for with the 1800 wing.

[storm]

For the best trailer is like the best car - Paid for

[CLINTON RAULERSON]

I have an 01 and since i first saw the bustec at bike week in 01 i have wanted one. checked the message boards,bushtec site, and could never find a used one that i thought that i could steal so. Bike paid off, took the plunge and bought a new one at bikeweek,gl loaded. Andrew and john took very good care in showing us use and care etc. Pulled it home, never really could tell any difference inj the handling of the bike,its great. But to some all this up not sure we will like touring or not but this summer we are going to find out. if not i dont think I will loose much of my investment and after all at my age it how much you can retain when we cant enjoy life as we know it. P.S. John and andrew could have charge me more for the black it is faster.

[Tish]

Here is another site that you might look at. www.zztrailers.com (http://www.zztrailers.com) I ended up buying a used one but these trailers are impressive also as well as the others mentioned. :)

[FLA-ORANGE]

I'VE OWNED A STARLITE TRAILER AND A CHAMPION TRAILER. BOTH ARE GOOD. I NOW HAVE A BUSHTEC, IT IS THE BEST I,VE EVER PULLED. JOHN PRESTON IS ALWAYS THERE IF YOU NEED HIM. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. THAT MEANS ALOT.

[MOPMan]

Disclaimer - I did not do an extensive search of other trailers, but am very pleased with our SST.

You won't find many out East. They are made in CO. The SST design provides a very aerodynamic shape that flows well in the slipstream of our bike. The lid opens from the left side and the trailer provides a high platform from which we work - less bending to load & unload. That was very important to us since we work out of it at Rallies.

For 2004, the SST has a trunk underneath to carry a spare, tools and other gear and incorporates a very advanced "air ride" suspension design. Their new design is independent of air pressure and load so the tires will always track straight upright. And here's what we think is the best part: THE NEW SST "Air Ride" suspension has over 4" of travel. Does your trailer, or the one you are considering, have that much travel??

If you are quick to decide, you may take advantage of an "early bird" special price on the new models INTRODUCED MARCH '04.

Mention that you heard about them from me at Riding Is Wonderful and you won't pay S&H. Their web site is http://www.AdventureSportsProducts.com

[Red]

My challenge to you Fred is simple, if you will visit Bushtec; I will take you to Deal's Gap where I am confident you will not be able to get away from my GL1800 with Bushtec in tow.

Hey John....I'm not Fred, but I will be glad to take you up on that offer for a ride. I'll be in the Cumberland Gap area the end of May. I'd love for you to school me at Deal's Gap with a "loaded" Bushtec. :oops: We don't even have to go to the Gap. I have a road that goes between Rogersville, Tn and Jonesboro(?),Va that will put the Gap to shame.

Sounds like fun to me. :) Maybe we can get Lewis to get his 18 out of moth balls for the ride. You never know, you might make a trailer owner out of me again! LOL!!

TIA.....

[JimS]

Hey Red,
I live less than 20 miles from Cumberland Gap. Let me know when you're going to be up, lunch will be on me. I'm half way between the gap and Jonesville, where Rt. 70 turns off to Rogersville.
Jim

[salyzyn]

What about tent trailers? Any positive experiences?

[mailman]

I bought this trailer back in 1993 and am still pulling it. It's a Bushtec Turbo and it's been through 35 states and still going strong. Looks as good as the day I bought it and performing just as good. If you ever have a problem with a Bushtec, John Preston and his crew will come to the rescue, problem solved. I couldn't be more satisfied.http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/501/212---wing_trailer---.jpg

[topster]

I have a Unigo. It fits my style of riding and is all the room I need. It tracks directly behind the bike, I do not have to worry about a wheel slipping off the road, the trailer pushing the bike etc. Bustec makes a great trailer, but for me and the way I ride it is too big. There is no way any 2 wheel trailer can track like a 1 wheel Unigo in the twisties. The physics just don't match up. I can put my bike and trailer in places that any bike towing any 2 wheel trailer will not be able to fit. We all come up on the car that is making a left turn on a single lane road. With a 1 wheel trailer, don'y have to worry about the road edge. As long as bike is on road, so is trailer and trailer wheel. Not so with a 2 wheel trailer. Just MHO.

[SL_1800]

I think most people buy a really cheap trailer or home brew one. In over 20 years of motorcycling I have only seen one Bushtec in person and that was just this year and I have only seen 5 or 6 Escapades. So I would have to say the most popular trailer is a homemade trailer, I'm sure they are not the best but the most popular.

[Bluwing]

BlueWing I to said I would never pull a trailer, same thing trips got longer motels got more expensive...2 years ago my wife and I run the Blue Ridge camped most of the way and loved it! (well except for looking like rolling rummage sale) Made up my mind to research and buy a trailer. Took 6 months and drove the wife crazy, picked Bushtec, took delivery at Madison Wi last summer, left same day and hit two nasty thunder storms with high winds. Trailer tracked perfectly, John promised that I would never know it was back there, and he was right. I also agree price is high, but not when you really compare options and engineering etc. Going to Gorton in June to see my daughter, not looking forward to the traffic but will be a good test for the trailer/bike in city traffic. There are 2-3 really good trailer companies out there, Bushtec being one of them. Do the research, do the math, then go with your best shot! You won't be sorry.

[almc56]

Here's a link you might want to check out for a good looking trailer at a resonable price www.alsmotorcycleaccessories.com (http://www.alsmotorcycleaccessories.com)

[Joseph]

I am ready for a trailer. I found a couple of used ones and contacted Bushtec with questions regarding parts should I need them and questions on the model itself. The attitude I felt was nothing more than push to buy new. That nothing from the company years ago anytime before they purchased it was going to be ok. Not said in so many words, but well said as a push. The push worked too, I said no to the used bushtec and ordered a new escapade Elite. Since then I hear from a place that services Bushtecs that its typical. That they dont care what your saying good bad or indifferent as long as they are being talked about. Im sure they would argue this though and I cant blame them. I even heard from one forum that Bushtec was the only company they came close to throwing off their forum due to their arrogance. Why because no on can question anything they make. They make a great trailer from what I hear, I wanted one too untill I met their attitude. Too bad their business ethics in Customer service and support is so weak. Its ok though, California sidecar is happy to have the business no matter if I was buying used and needing parts or wanted a new rig. ......I went new.

EDIT; For clarification.... I called more than once, four times actually over a period of time and questions were not all directed regarding one particular trailer. Next I did in fact have questions on a used escapade and its listed on ebay right now. My final choice to go new over buying the used one is after two emails to the seller I never got a response regarding shipping. You build a great trailer, one of the best looking on the road in my opinion. However my calls to Bushtec did in fact steer me to the competition. Your reponse here does the same. IE; Interesting isnt it that allthough I never said you made a bad product, actually just the opposite, you attack the competition. Is there need for that? Whats wrong with taking the high road of ethics. Again you could be dead on accurate about a model of escapade I dont know. But of all the dealers I spoke with your the only one who has ever bad mouthed the competition.

You can take it and use it to seize future sales or not its no issue either way. There is allot of competition out there, most of them building fine quality products.

[bushtec]

Joseph, As with all subjects, there is always two sides to the story. Your questions to Bushtec were centered on a 19 year old Bushtec "Ultimate" model which was discontinued in 1989. My comments to you were that very little support was available for this model since is has been discontinued for fourteen years. "Pushing" you toward a new trailer? I think not. What I provided was good, solid buying advice.

You state; "Too bad their business ethics in Customer service and support is so weak" which is simply not true. Our customers will certainly tell you otherwise.

I note with interest that you did not buy a used Escapade? Had you come to Bushtec with questions on a non-discontinued model, your experience would have been significantly different. Had you come to Bushtec with questions on a new model, your experience would have been significantly different. Your dissatisfaction with Bushtec and specifically me is simply that I didn't answer your questions the way you thought they should be answered.

California Sidecar produced a trailer from 1984 to 1987 that they won't even discuss, little alone provide support. So you can see that Bushtec is a bit ahead in providing accurate advice that kept you from making a questionable investment.

This manufacturer provides the time and effort to support three BBS with product input, trailering advice and suggestions and hopefully provide useful trailer related information. I am the only trailer manufacturer who feels this direct contact is beneficial for both buyer and seller. You won't see anyone from CSC on this or any other BBS. John Preston CEO Bushtec Trailers

[BlueWing]

Zephyr Deluxe is what I pull. You don't even notice it is behind the bike other then when you stop & it is fully loaded. Then you can feel the weight pushing the bike just a little. I can fly around corners with the trailer. It also handles the bumps in the road real well. If I ever needed to buy another trailer it would be another Zephyr Deluxe. The quality of this trailer is top notch. I have gotten more complements from this trail. I ordered it in bright white. My reasoning for a different color then the bike is that everything I have read about getting rear ended on a bike with a trailer. In 99% of the time the driver never knew there was a trailer on the back of the bike. Cars & trucks are worried about hitting the back of the bike & don't even notice there is a color matched trailer hooked to the bike.

[Silver Bullet]

Joseph, As with all subjects, there is always two sides to the story. Your questions to Bushtec were centered on a 19 year old Bushtec "Ultimate" model which was discontinued in 1989. My comments to you were that very little support was available for this model since is has been discontinued for fourteen years. "Pushing" you toward a new trailer? I think not. What I provided was good, solid buying advice.

You state; "Too bad their business ethics in Customer service and support is so weak" which is simply not true. Our customers will certainly tell you otherwise.

I note with interest that you did not buy a used Escapade? Had you come to Bushtec with questions on a non-discontinued model, your experience would have been significantly different. Had you come to Bushtec with questions on a new model, your experience would have been significantly different. Your dissatisfaction with Bushtec and specifically me is simply that I didn't answer your questions the way you thought they should be answered.

California Sidecar produced a trailer from 1984 to 1987 that they won't even discuss, little alone provide support. So you can see that Bushtec is a bit ahead in providing accurate advice that kept you from making a questionable investment.

This manufacturer provides the time and effort to support three BBS with product input, trailering advice and suggestions and hopefully provide useful trailer related information. I am the only trailer manufacturer who feels this direct contact is beneficial for both buyer and seller. You won't see anyone from CSC on this or any other BBS. John Preston CEO Bushtec Trailers

Hi John,

What is Bushtec's stand on the subject that the new cracks that are being caused by pulling a trailer. I would very much like to get your expert opinion on this sense Honda Reps are suggesting this maybe the cause. If this is true it could be the end of trailer pulling and could very well put you & other motorcycle manufactures out of business.

Silver Bullet

[Gary & Mikey]

Silver Bullet,
If you would go to view all post by this member you will find two (2) entries on March 22nd from John which should answer your question and Johns feelings on this matter. Hope this helps.

[wdt3]

Fred H. wrote: "I don't even have a trunk rack installed, and I have done three week trips, two-up with no real problems "

Wow! Three weeks and 2 up with no trailer?? Your wife should write a book on packing saddlebags :lol:

I like the Bushtec Quantum. A perfect match for my 03 Wing. Even the taillights match.

I honestly cannot sense that the trailer is there at all. It tracks perfetly.

Bill T.

[QCWinger]

I agree with everyone :) , there are lots of trailers out there and it boils down to your personal preferences and needs.

I needed a trailer because my wife and I were traveling to Seattle last year. I didn't want to spend a bundle, which many brands can cost quite a bit, but are nice. I settled for the Aluma brand trailer model MCT that is manufactured in Iowa. It is 100% aluminum except for the axle, has 12 inch spoked mag wheels. The axle is a rubber torsion type, so has NO leaf springs. This prevents the bouncing you get with leaf springs. It weighs in dry at 180 punds, has a ice chest frame over the hitch, is fully aluminated, and has a luggage rack on top of the lid that opens with dual hydraulic cyniders. Also the wheel bearings are greasable from the outside with a setup similar to bearing buddies. Nice. It retails for around $1495, but I got mine for under $1000! Found a good deal and dealer in Mount Pleasant Iowa.

It tows very well and we had no problems what so ever on our 5,000+ mile trip to Seattle Washington and back last August.

It does not have the nice rounded fiberglass appearance of the Bushtec and others, but the price is nice and it does the job great.

I have yet to figure out where to neatly stow the spare tire and wheel. Still trying to figure out a neat method for that. Anyone else that has an Aluma and figured this out, please let me know how you did it. I packed mine on top of the lid.

Now you have another trailer brand to research. Go to www.alumaklm.com (http://www.alumaklm.com) , click on Aluminum Recreational Trailers, then Towable Motorcycle Trailer to see all the details.

QCWinger :flg:
:blw1:

[Silver Bullet]

Silver Bullet,
If you would go to view all post by this member you will find two (2) entries on March 22nd from John which should answer your question and Johns feelings on this matter. Hope this helps.

Thanks Gary & Mikey,

A'll my questioned were answered!!!

Silver Bullet

[Slowhand]

If your are interested in camping and fishing, have you thought of a camper to pull behind your bike. My wife and I pull a Lesuire Lite, has a full bed, dressing area, screen room on the front, there is an extra room that you can put on the back (they zip on), Approx. 30 cubic Ft of storage.
Pulls Great behind the GL1800, if interested e-mail me and I'll send you some information. I'm not a salesman, we have just really enjoyed this trailor.

[Slowhand]

I almost forgot, you can set it up in seven (7) seconds and be out of the rain.

[Road Runner]

Trailers are like cars. You buy what you want or can afford. I have pulled several makes of trailers with no problems. However, motorcycle campers and as far as I am concerned should not be the cumbersome load that many are. It seems like the and weights and balances of my old Cycle Kamp were way out of line. I got rid of that in short order. I bought a Shoreline trailer in 1988 and pulled from Florida to Canada several times as well as from Ohio to Colorado with a GL1200 Aspencade.

I currently have a 1994 Escapade LE that I have pulled from the east coast to the west coast on several occasions with a GL1500 and when I bought my GL1800 IB 02 I had it painted Illusion Blue.

I have been to Bushtec's place down in Jacksboro, TN and I feel they make a great, no, make that an excellent trailer. I did buy and install the Bushtec hitch on the GL1800.

Now, if I had the money, I would probably lean toward a new Bushtec ... but, right now, I am retired and I will use my money for gas and my current trailer for touring until the wheels are square or I hit the lottery. :lol:

As I said at first ... check around and buy what you want or can afford. When you have pulled a trailer long enough, someday you will want the best, Bushtec, Escapade or Colorado by Champion!

Remember, trailers are just like cars. In talking with many of our riders in our GWRRA Chapter, some go for economy and others for luxury. It is what YOU want! Photo below was at the top end parking lot of Mt. Mitchell off the Blue Ridge Parkway. I do not notice a difference except when I get to the motel and have to lug all of the wife's stuff into the room. :wink: Keep the rubber side down. http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/875Wingx2.jpg

[JimS]

Hannigan!

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3701&size=big&password=&sort=7&thecat=998[url]

[John Richards]

Deleted by author :rat:

[bushtec]

John, Your post is totally unwarranted and totally out of context in that my reply to Fred H. made no mention of "speeding down a mountain at 90 MPH...” as you state. Nowhere in my post will you find any reference to "hanging the wheels out on a switchback while pulling a trailer at 90mph".

I REALLY DON"T LIKE ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR ME OR PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH!

You state that I "should re-consider bragging about speeding down a mountain while pulling a trailer, and think about promoting the use of your product in a responsible manner." Again, please show me where I stated that as my intension.

In more than forty five years of motorcycling I have never been down. I have never caused another to go down. I have logged more than 1,000,000 miles with and without a trailer. I have attended and participated in multiple MSF, ERC and Advanced Rider courses! You have no idea what my level of proficiency is on a motorcycle and I resent your implication that I or Bushtec promote less than safe motorcycling. Since I am invited to present trailering seminars several times each year and have been for the past thirteen years, my motives are clear to those who have attended. Obviously you have not attended or you would not make such statements.

The next time you feel compelled to "lecture" someone on this or another BBS, make sure you state the facts necessary to make your case clearly instead of putting words into another’s text.

[Fred H.]

Wow! Three weeks and 2 up with no trailer?? Your wife should write a book on packing saddlebags

It is a piece of cake. Wife gets right saddlebag for all her stuff. I tell her she can take all she wants, as long as it fits in the right saddle bag. I get the left bag, which I share with the tool kit. The rest of the stuff goes in the trunk. We do laundry every third or fourth day. All we really need is three or four sets of clothes. Last year, when we got to California, I discovered we had brought stuff we didn't even need, so I put it in a box and mailed it back home. We finished the trip with room to spare in the trunk.

I know one guy who packs all his old worn out clothes when he travels, and when they get dirty, he throws them away. This makes the trip get lighter as he goes, but initially he has to pack a lot more.

I am leaving on another 3 week trip next month, two up, with no trailer or luggage rack. Just what fits in the standard luggage only. That is just my personal traveling preference.

My statement about the Uni Go was simply made to emphasize the point that IF I were to consider a trailer this would probably be the one for me, as I would want the very smallest lightest one I could find that would handle. However, I have NO plans to EVER pull a trailer of any kind. Period.

My motto is :
Travel light, have more fun. Isn't that what motorcycling is all about anyway?

But then, I am not your average Gold Wing rider either, I have NO chrome (or stuffed animals) on my bike anywhere, and I never stop at Dairy Queen. To each his own. Trailers are just not for me.

[RodeHard]

I would like to address a few comments made by several people, Rodehard being one of them. Mr. Preston being another..

I'll be more than happy to answer your questions...

Why would anyone want to ride aggressively while pulling a trailer?

That's just my riding style. Some people like to ride slow, some people like to ride fast. I'm one of those that like to ride fast and wanted a trailer that would match my abilites and not hinder my style. The Bushtec fit the bill perfectly.

Do you drive aggressively while pulling a trailer with your car or truck?

As a matter of fact, yes I do. But I have performance tires, suspension, and electric/hydraulic brakes on any trailer I pull. Plus I stay well within the load ratings of both trailer and vehicle and maintain my CG limits for best performance and ease of pulling.

If you do, let me know when and where you will be, so I can get the hell outta your way!

As long as you're not one of those guys who do 50mph in the left lane, we'll be just fine.

If I am pulling a trailer (in my case, a camper) I am not out to get from point A to point B as fast as I can. I am on a trip to enjoy the ride, take in the scenery and relax. Playing Ricky Racer while pulling a trailer isn't the smartest idea.

I don't blame you one bit. If I was pulling one of those overloaded/oversized behemoths, I'd ride like Grandma Moses going to a Sunday picnic.

Your results may vary. Of course, those results may be a lot worse than mine... When I get to my destination, I park the trailer, then I go play. Seems that some of you are just worried about how well the trailer pulls when zipping through the BRP or over Donner's Pass. I agree that having a trailer that pulls and reacts well when making an evasive manuveur is a plus, but hanging the wheels out on a switchback while pulling a trailer at 90mph shouldn't be a selling point for any trailer.

If you're riding 90mph and hanging wheels off of the switchbacks, you'd better park your bike until you learn how to ride... trailer or no trailer! A good high performance trailer like the Bushtec will track and trail your bike within inches of the trail from your bike tires. If you're dropping your trailer wheels off the side of the road, then your riding way beyond your limits and deserve to suffer the consequences

If you find yourself in a bind pulling a trailer, it's best to be riding within the limits of a bike lugging dead weight behind it. Now, you may say that you know your abilities, and know your limits when pulling, but do you really?

That's what separates the experienced riders from the newbies. An experienced rider will always know the limits of the bike they are riding and the trailer they are pulling, and will either ride within those limits or below depending on the circumstances. An experienced rider also keeps their equipment in top notch condition and are always honing their riding skills to further improve their riding abilities. Newbies... on the other hand are why they have paramedics, safety seminars, rider education courses, and warning signs.

I think the original question was about what was the best trailer as far as value and quality was concerned.

That would have to be the Bushtec... I don't think John has spent upteen years designing, engineering, and researching his competition to make a sub-standard trailer. You will find that the majority of your other trailer manufacturers are amatuers who build motorcycle trailers more or less as a hobby or sideline business. They really don't put forth the effort in quality and customer service as the people at Bushtec do. How many other trailer manufacturers take the time to attend all the major rallies and make their presence known, either personally or online? How many other trailer manufacturers can you get on the phone and talk to the owner of the company?

Most everyone who owns a trailer ends up bragging that their trailer pulls the best when doing 80mph. How does it handle over bumps or when hopping a curb? If I hit a pothole, will the trailer waggle?

That's exactly why I went with a Bushtec... there are no surprises. I know exactly what the trailer is going to do if I hop off a curb, or hit a pot hole... NOTHING!

I once saw a trailer high-side when the rider made a right hander onto a paved roadway from a gravel access road. The pavement was about three inches higher than the gravel road. The rider was doing about 7 mph. Fortunately, the trailer came back down on it's wheels.

I'll bet you a dinner at Dairy Queen that trailer was not a Bushtec. Again it goes back to who's the amatuers and who's the professionals when building a trailer that won't surprise you if you get into a precarious situation.

Mr. Preston, maybe you should re-consider bragging about speeding down a mountain while pulling a trailer, and think about promoting the use of your product in a responsible manner.

I don't think John was actually bragging. He was just making the point that his trailers are designed for all riders and abilities, no matter how extreme one way or the other.


After all, there's always one idiot out there who will try this because you did it.

There will never be a shortage of idiots no matter what products are on the market. That's why they make warning labels!

[sc redwing]

hey guys,
i live in the westren part of s.c. i have been to deals gap a few times and been over the mountains many times with guys in my g.w.r.r.a chapter. i have followed the guys with bushtec trailers at both places and i can say they go threw those turns like the trailers were not even there. i pull a home built trailer because i cant aford a new bushtec yet. john is right in what he says about it in the curves. if you can aford it, go with the bushtec. 8)

[Joseph]

RodeHArd.


***Why would anyone want to ride aggressively while pulling a trailer?***

No question it’s a matter of riding style. However I believe (but may be wrong) Mr. Johnsons reference was to a manufacturer suggesting or implying in anyway unsafe driving practice. And in fact his statement could be taken as a challenge on public roadways, which in fact could be determined, as unsafe. Now any lawyer worth his salt would tell a client that’s a manufacturer its dangerous to imply or suggest anyone drive in an unsafe manor.



****That would have to be the Bushtec... I don't think John has spent upteen years designing, engineering, and researching his competition to make a sub-standard trailer****

Designed??? He bought the company and its design and had a few modifications made. No question it is not a substandard trailer, quite the opposite. But then again neither is Champions products, California sidecar, inline etc etc etc.

For me what I have noticed.

When I mentioned to the competition I was considering a used bushtec as opposed to a used trailer from their company the response was they make a very good trailer. But what I found here was Preston immediately attacking the competition. Harshly, No I wouldn’t say so however but unlike the business ethics and professionalism of the competition he did. Granted he may very well be the only manufacturer that posts on these sites. That doesn’t make what he says gospel or his product better than the competition.

I do find it surprising if not alarming he would imply any kind of riding challenge to keep up on any road let alone one that I assume is considered challenging. (I don’t know that it is as I’ve never been on it.) Preston did NOT say at 90 mph or indicate speeding in anyway however could you imagine the lawsuit if someone got hurt on that challenge, implied or otherwise? Bushtec could end up with a new owner. After all the proof of driving ability being challenged is publicly documented right here.

If I was the competition I’d be saying (under my breath) go for it, challenge people in their riding ability, bad mouth the competition, its all good for us!

Bushtec makes a great trailer, they were in the running, used or new, however comments like he makes on this forum is what convinced me I made the right choice going to another brand.

[Lewis/EC]

Joseph,

I find your comments very interesting regarding Bushtec. Since we are in a public forum, I'd like to post my two cents. FYI....I am the previous GM for Bushtec and it is widely known that I am related to the current owners. I don't want you to think I am hiding or here on their behalf...I'm not.

Joseph said:
"That nothing from the company years ago anytime before they purchased it was going to be ok."

I am certain that John told several things regarding the trailer you were looking at. Bill Bushling (the originator of the Bushtec) built trailers one at a time. He would go to the Napa down the street and buy a set of air shocks and then make mounts to match the shocks he bought. There was no continuity in parts. Sway bars were trunk lid springs from large, American made cars that were again, matched to each trailer on an individual basis. Several components were done in this manner. Not the ideal model for a manufacturing company, but Bill did what he needed to do at the time. And that also typically that ment you would get a trailer when Bill needed money when you had one on order.

Joseph said:
"Not said in so many words, but well said as a push." and "Too bad their business ethics in Customer service and support is so weak."

I guess that trying to discourage you from purchasing a trailer that you are going to have a hard time getting replacement parts for is bad business ethics? How can they provide parts when there were no jigs or fixtures or they were never labeled for what their intended use was? That was how Bill ran the company....in his head with almost nothing on paper. Having made the move with Bushtec from California to Tennessee, I personally can attest to the number of jigs and fixtures that were simply thrown away since nobody knew what they were for.

Customer service is something that is provided on many levels, and not always ones that might be as apparent as others. Something else you find so rarely these days are companies owned by people that actually have a motorcycle endorsement on their drivers license. I am guessing from your statement that you have not visited the Bushtec rig at an event to see what goes on. Without turning this into a sales pitch, there is nobody in the motorcycle trailer industry that has more Customer Service and Support capabilites at a rally than Bushtec.

Joseph said:
"Since then I hear from a place that services Bushtecs that its typical."

Was this an Authorized Bushtec dealer or a competitor? I'd really like for you to private message me with the name of "this place".

Joseph said:
"I even heard from one forum that Bushtec was the only company they came close to throwing off their forum due to their arrogance."

I hate to hear things like this. What were the circumstances regarding this incident? I'm sure since you posted this you must have both sides regarding whatever it was. I would like in your private message to me to include this information as well. I will assume this posting on your behalf to be not accurate if I don't receive any info of it.

Joseph said:
"Again you could be dead on accurate about a model of escapade I dont know."

Here's the mystery Escapade. This is the only known photo in my 22 year old collection. It would be the trailer in the center of the photo with the helmet resting on it. Called the Wingliner, it was very long and narrow. Ironically, it used Bushtec wheels and tires. I only towed one once....and that was enough. It was dangerous in cross winds and due to it's length and side mass, if it started to sway, it was like a pendilum on a clock.

http://www.electricalconnection.com/family.JPG
That would be me in the red shirt at the age of 18 on my 1985 Aspencade.

Joseph said:
"Designed??? He bought the company and its design and had a few modifications made."

That statement sounds of a competitors view of Bushtec. The basic spirit of the chassis is the same. The design is totally different from when Bill Bushling walked away from Bushtec in 1989. A smart idea is to not make changes to a vehicle line for visual reference. Hence the flat motor, exposed valve cover design of the Gold Wing. We all know the underpinnings are totally different from a 75' Wing to an 85' or a 95'. I'd certainly like to know the basis of this statement as it is inaccurate. Who would have made these modifications for Bushtec?

Joseph said:
"I do find it surprising if not alarming he would imply any kind of riding challenge to keep up on any road let alone one that I assume is considered challenging."

Let's re-read the post you reference:

John said:
"I will take you to Deal's Gap where I am confident you will not be able to get away from my GL1800 with Bushtec in tow."

That would imply that he would be behind Fred at Fred's own pace and comfort zone. Some people have the perception that the addition of a trailer drastically changes your riding style. And it may for some. They may not have the comfort level with the trailer attached that they do without. Either these riders have had a bad experience, not taken any type of saftey training or a trailering course. They might assume they must reduce road speed for whatever reason. Fred, I'm certainly not stating anything about your capabilities. :D

Joseph said:
"Granted he may very well be the only manufacturer that posts on these sites. That doesn’t make what he says gospel or his product better than the competition."

I, like John, visit here to see what the Gold Wing community is talking about. The only other time I have seen a trailer manufacturer on this BBS is when he was being slammed by his customers. Kinda late in my opinion. Does a companies monitoring of a BBS not constitute customer service at some level?

Joseph said:
"Bushtec makes a great trailer, they were in the running, used or new, however comments like he makes on this forum is what convinced me I made the right choice going to another brand."

Choice and personal opinion are two of the great things about our country.

Here is a challenge for you. Next rally you go to, take a scale large enough to weigh empty trailers. Compare your findings with the rated specs on each manufacturers sheet. Let me know the results of your findings. I allready have the answers to the test. You may have a different opinion on some trailers afterwards.

I know that sometimes my passion for what I do shows thru as something other than what is in my heart. I try to not let it happen, but motorcycles are more than a 9 to 5 job for me as it is for the rest of my family for the last 22 years of Wing ownership.

[John Richards]

Damn, I forgot I even posted here.

What the hell did I say?

First of all, I want to say that what I posted concerning pulling a trailer didn't exactly turn out the way I intended. I didn't pay much attention to what I put into words concerning John Preston's ability to pull a trailer. It wasn't necessarily a question of his ability, as much as it was a question of whether it is a good idea to make such a challenge, although I did question him about practicing what he teaches. No doubt about it, I pissed him off.

I inturpreted his challenge to another board member to keep up with him while pulling a trailer when riding Deal's Gap as wreckless. Maybe I misunderstood.

While I still see this challenge as being somewhat less than responsible ( my own worthless opinion) , I do not doubt that Mr. Preston can do as he stated. I am aware of his abilities and accomplishments concerning his safety record vs. miles rode.
Am I impressed? Not to any great extent, but it's worth noting.

I said a few things that John construed as my mis-quoting him.
Those words were mine. An embellishment of how I felt about agressive riding while pulling a trailer.

That being said, I will recant some of what I said in my earlier post, which I have removed.

The main gist of my comments still stand.

Mr Preston, I apologize for some of the remarks I made.
Although your record for safety remains intact and your trailers are indeed of the highest quality and have the best handling charateristics, in general it is still my opinion that aggressive riding while pulling a trailer is an unsafe practice. My general opinion.

By the way, I still intend to purchase one of your trailers some day.
If you still aren't pissed at me, I look forward to meeting you.
RodeHard:

Your response to my post was concise enough. You're damn right, I pull my humongous over-sized camper like grandma Moses.
Why not? I mean, lugging a 450 pound camper behind a bike is damn crazy, ain't it? (just a smidge of sarcasm)
I enjoy camping. I used to carry just a sleeping bag and a plastic tarp. That's it. Cross country. On a little Suzi 800 intruder.
Now, I have a bum heart, a bad back due to a ruptured disc, ( three steroid injections and one surgery to remove a golfball sized exploded disc. I'm lucky to be walking. Before my surgery, I needed two canes just to stand up. I still have some nerve damage), arthritis, sleep apnea, which requires a machine to keep me breathing at night, which in turn has a detrimental affect on my heart, and logo of the magogo. And I'm only 44.
Damn, it's rough getting old. That's why I pull a lumbering, big-assed camper. I don't like sleeping on the cold, hard ground.

An accident waiting to happen? I think not. More like a happening looking to avoid an accident. By the way, I do stay out of the fast lane. Just flash your lights as you approach.

Done.

[Joseph]

Lewis. I’m not competition if that’s being questioned. I work for an aerospace company far from anything that has to do with motorcycles.

I stand behind my statement that a manufacturer challenging (implied or otherwise on what many may consider a challenging road) anyone’s driving skills is questionable and asking for problems.

Take a look at the trailer forum on delphi. Interesting reading!

I made my choice based on responses I’ve seen from bushtec on line and when calling in. It was my 3600.00 to spend , once bushtec made my choice to go elsewhere I shopped around and spent my money as I chose to.

I refuse to buy into marketing his products by discussing this any further. I’ve posted my views and do not believe he takes the high road. Anyone else as yourself can feel otherwise and purchase his products. I do believe he makes a great product, I will not own one.

[steveissak]

www.n-line.com (http://www.n-line.com)
:lol:

[Lewis/EC]

Joseph said:
"I’m not competition if that’s being questioned."

I never questioned it. My comment was regarding your (pardon my use of a harsh word here) uneducated, statement to Rodehard where you said;

"Designed??? He bought the company and its design and had a few modifications made."

That sounds like a statement that would be told to you by a competitor to Bushtec.

Joseph said:
"I’ve posted my views and do not believe he takes the high road."

Yet you come here, post the following, and when I question the posts, you fail to provide proof to their validity?

"I even heard from one forum that Bushtec was the only company they came close to throwing off their forum due to their arrogance."
"The attitude I felt was nothing more than push to buy new. Since then I hear from a place that services Bushtecs that its typical."

Joseph said:
"Take a look at the trailer forum on delphi. Interesting reading!"

Very interesting indeed. Lots of hits on Bushtec, but only one negative thread pulls up under the search on the entire BBS. Guy has a 12 year old trailer that he wants new shocks for. S&W, the company that manufactured the shocks Bushtec used, went out of business that same year. Rather than tell the customer, "Sorry, shocks not available and there is nothing we can do for you", he was told that for $500, Bushtec would take his existing chassis, replace the a-arms with current production units, modify the body band (top mounts to accomidate the different excursion length of the current shocks), install new bushings, new shocks, airlines, re-allign for correct toe-in, etc. I guess this also falls into "too bad their business ethics in Customer service and support is so weak", as you say. Call California Sidecar and ask them for a tire, or better yet, a wheel for the Wingliner (the model of Escapade you didn't know about).

FYI - the current ownership of Bushtec (not Bushling) were the ones that obtained a stable supplier of the shocks used on the trailer. Had it been known at the time that S&W would have ultimately folded, I can guarantee that another supplier would have been found. Forced change in manufacturing (as I am sure you can attest to) is not pleasant.

California Sidecar makes a good trailer and I'm certain that if it fills the need for a trailer for you, than you will be more than pleased with it.

[skibis]

--- Greetings everyone. This is a newbe. Traded my 04 FJR in for a Black 06 Goldwing in Dec. Smooth!! Pulled a Uni-go for a year with the FJR. Good handling trailer. Light. That was important to me. Holds more than you would think. The bags that come with it helps. Have not had any of the problems others have mentioned. Installed the Bushtec V-2 hitch on my Goldwing with the Uni-go receiver. Pulls great. With the heavier frame on the Goldwing. I would consider a Bushtec now. :)

[BuffaloChuck]

Bushtec. All set for a long trip out west this summer.

http://img281.imageshack.us/img281/2774/img48589bq.th.jpg (http://img281.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img48589bq.jpg)

[Alton]

But I've been researching like a mad man.

So far, if I could buy one trailor today, it would be the Bushtec hands down.

I went to Jacksboro to see one in person and can personally attest that Bushtec is top rate. Toured the whole plant and loved the trailors. Can't wait to get one for the GL1800. They go above an beyond to insure the manufacture a good looking, long lasting, great pulling, and safe trailor.

I'm sure there are other fine trailors out there, but I want the Bushtec, and feel confident about it.

JMHO

[cycledude]

with the higher and higher prices of fuel these days i think anyone buying a trailer should consider the tailwind trailer http://tailwindtrailers.com/engineering/
the added MPG of the tailwind could actually pay for your new trailer

and Tom Finch the owner of Tailwind is a nice guy that likes to talk with u even if your not buying a trailer

[BlueWing]

cycledude, I agree with you 100%. If money is not a problem then the best trailer is the Tailwind hands down. Once you look at all the details that went into designing, engineering and building materials for this trailer everyone else is behind it. Tom is a very, very smart man that knows how to build and design things that would make the rest of us just shake our heads.

[topster]

I pull a Unigo because it has just the right amount of room I need for me and SO on extended trips. If I need more room and upgrade the trailer, A Bushtec would be my choice....

[Cruiseman]

So does pulling a trailer and adding a hitch really void my Honda warranty? If so, does it only void the warranty as it pertains to the frame or the entire bike?

[KA7W]

WOWIE !!!

I want to attend the national motorcycle trailer races at Deals Gap this year !!!

John Preston,

I to have over a million miles on motorcycles and have pulled a trailer many a mile. I know for a fact that you can not run away from me at Deals Gap, nor can I run away from you at Deals Gap. We both know that a trailer will track right up to the first signs of drifting and then the trailer will also drift, and I don't care if it has 8 inch tires or 18 inch tires, The physics remain the same.

I am not knocking your trailers at all, Just can't afford one LOL... You do make a very high quality trailer and I have heard you have the BEST customer service.

I do want to attend the first national trailer races though, Maybe even sign up and run.

I also am very aggressive pulling a trailer, Lots of fun to run triple digits and pick spots for the wheels, tear out weeds, jump curbs, see how far you can go with the trailer tipped and running on one wheel, By the way, even if you flip a trailer, it still tracks pretty good behind till you can stop and right it.

I have a homebuilt trailer, It has been run over by a pickup loaded with hay and repaired. It has had fenders come off going down the road, stopped in Moab, Utah and had them welded back on. I pulled it a mile on a very wet muddy road and the wheels were locked up, even the front tire of the motorcyle was locked, worse 3 hours and one mile in my life.

Now, My real challenge to Bushtech

I have the UGLIEST trailer in the world, Mine is UGLIER than yours !!! And it will always be UGLIER !!!

Tom in Aztec

[NJREF]

Over the years I have learned one very important lesson:

"Be wary of those that attempt to build up themselves or their product by tearing down another"

[laen]

Heh if you like a brand fine, buy it but
QUOTE the added MPG of the tailwind could actually pay for your new trailer

Yea in a hundred years

[zaT111]

Boy, someone wanted to resurrect an old thread!

[KA7W]

laen


Interesting on the pay back. How did you calcualate that brand of trailer would take 100 years to payback ?? I would like to see some one calculate the drag coefficant on various brands, Then make a comparison and see where the crossover would be. I do know that my own home brew trailer has a pretty high drag coefficant and compared to something that had a smaller drag coefficant, I pay big bucks to pull my CHEAP home brew trailer.

The airlines pay BIG bucks to have someone design LOW drag coefficants into their equipment.

Years ago, in the Crop Dusting Business, Gas was cheap... Then along come high fuel costs and we all were looking for a way to cut down. An outfit come along and they have designed a boom (the tube the chemical flows through) that has a aerodynamic shape and a lot less drag. It cost about 3000 bucks per airplane to switch over and the payback was pretty quick on it.

Still wonder how you come up with a 100 year payback ??

[switz]

I ordered a custom trailer (one of only six to be built) from Bushtec that matched my 2003 Anniversary Screaming Eagle Road King. There were several phone calls during the discussion phase. When I decided to pick the trailer up while on a trip east with truck and enclosed trailer, I was met at the door in a friendly manner and shown where the coffee was. [Do call and get instructions before trying to drive the last five miles to the plant.]

I barely had a chance to finish the coffee, when I was taken into the shop to discuss some last minute option opportunities. While I had a plant tour (they have a lot of very impressive five axis milling machines, paint room, fiberglas area, welding area, etc), they made the modifications to my trailer. I thought back to my grandfather's automotive parts manufacturing plant where 1400 people worked and saw at Bushtec the kind of layout and production quality controls in place that I knew from my past.

This was not just a quick spray paint job on my trailer, but many coats of hand rubbed finish. One would expect to see orange peel dimples in fiberglas construction. The finish is like a mirror with no indentations.

I was helped with loading the unit into my trailer and given a lot of suggestions on use, pulling and taking care of the unit along with a video for future reference. I have called subsequentially and questions are answered quickly.

I thought enough of the people and their product to order another one for my new Gold Wing.

[Andy Pearson]

Tom,
Statistics pulled from a posterior pore. :lol:

Andy

[Tom Finch]

I just ran through this thread. Pretty surprising, some of the things that were said.

I have gotten to know Fred Harmon reasonably well. Fred is a humble man, a very smart man and a person always double ready to help where he can. I have never heard Fred indicate anything about competitive riding although he says he likes what I would call spirited riding.

I have ridden with Fred a couple of times of so. I would not think of challenging Fred. I certainly understand his reasons for lean riding. He has carved out a life style that most of us envy.

I guess I was born old. Actually, a few years ago, I found out that I was born dead. Probably still am and this is an aberration. From day one, I wanted to have a partner with me when I rode and loved to be provisioned for days away from a store or other landmark of civilization. Once I rode a motorcycle when I was 13, that was the medium of transportation I wanted to use. There was a simple answer to all this and it was a motorcycle with a trailer. I had pulled a trailer with a bicycle for hundreds of miles. A trailer I built when I was 11 that used bedspring coils for suspension. My little brother of 1-1/2 years rode in the trailer that had a top and surrey fringe. I made the mistake of broadsliding the trailer in front of a police car one day and he followed me home and told my mother to never let me do that again.

So, years later, in 1957, I built an all aluminum trailer with individual swing arms, got married, bought an Ariel Square Four, and went to riding more than a few hundred miles at a time, with my new wife, new bike, and new trailer. We rode from San Antonio to Yellowstone park and back in a week, when the highways of Idaho were gravel.

In a couple of months, I will be 70. Things have not changed a lot except the space age has provided some very nice materials that were not around 50 years ago when this got started.

One of the the things I find amazing is that I have ridden 54 years, rarely using a cage, have 254,000 miles on a Wing in the garage, totaled an 1800 at 90,000 miles, sold a Beemer with 169,000 on it and another witn 103,000 and two more with less plus a 91 Wing with 25,000, and 5 British bikes including one with 86,000 on it and now have 86,000 on my 04, and I still have not passed a million miles. I will in a couple of years.

It is really not technically hard to filter through the various trailer models and makes, if the makeup of the trailers, the materials, and dynamics, both mechanical and aero, are revealed.

It is a free country and every one chooses what the want for the reasons they want, and for many, the miles covered do not warrant a super trailer.

When we get into the category of "gosh, I didn't know that" , then I think it is appropriate to just lay out what each is about. Some know they will not use a trailer but a year or so. Others may have a 15 year plan for theier trailer. Like the guy said, "If I had known that I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself."

The roll over resistance of a trailer is a function of the height of the center of mass versus the half width of the wheel track plus, to an extremely small degree, the hitch ball height above or below the center of mass. The hitch ball can be a uniball or a typical 1-7/8 ball.

If the center of mass of a loaded trailer is as high as the half width of the wheel track, then the trailer will withstand one g side load in very rough terms. Since the theoretical friction coefficient of rubber is .8, then a trailer that will withstand one G before rolling over would theoretically slide rather than turn over. This would not necessarily be true on a bumpy road.

If you look at a trailer from the rear, it is not hard to get an idea of where the center of mass would be, and if that point is higher than half the distance between the wheels, then it is more likely to roll over than a trailer that the center of mass is lower than the half width of the tire track. If the center of mass of the loaded trailer is quite a bit higher than half the distance between the tire tracks, then the trailer should be pulled conservatively because it may roll over within the turn limits that the rider practices with no trailer attached.

Some vehicle suspensions, like the early VW beetles, have wheel tuck because the suspension moves in an arc about the longitudinal centerline, reducing the effective width of the tire track as the tire contact point moves toward the center of the vehicle when side loading from the g force of the turn is imposed. Vehicles with wheels that move vertically in a plane are not subject to those effects.

If one trailer has a vertical wheel travel of 4 inches and another with 2 inches, then it is a pretty good bet that the one with the shorter travel will bottom out on a given bump before the other, and when a trailer bottoms out, it is hard for it not to jump off the ground because the spring rate of the tire is much stiffer than the spring rate of the spring first, and has no hydraulic energy absorption, second.

If a trailer does not have hydraulic energy absorption in its suspension, it will have uncontrolled rebound and will spend a lot of its life when being pulled, in the air.

Trailers that accommodate the vertical suspension loads within the frame are less likely to have body problems than those that use the body for some or all of the suspension load out take. Trailers with chassis shock towers or suspension towers provide all suspension outtake in the chassis.

Trailers with rigid drawbars impose high vertical inertia loads on the back of the bike when the bike pitches due to its rear wheel hitting a bump. Before the GL 1800, the frames of most touring motorcycles were so over designed in the aft frame that this was of little consequence. Now, however, vertical inertia load fatigue has started to take its toll on a few of the 1800s that are pulling trailers.

If you look at a trailer after it has been pulled on the highway on muddy wet streets and the residue on the trailer generally appears to have been brushed or combed over most or all of its surface, it is likely a low drag trailer. If it appears to have been dabbed with a sponge, it is likely a high drag shape. Of course if the bike takes extra fuel with the trailer on, that is pretty much self evident on drag. The more extra fuel, the more drag it has. A barn door by definition has a drag coefficient of 1. A box has a coefficient around 1.1. A sphere is around .47 and a half sphere is around .49. A streamlined body is around 0.04, so a streamlined body is about 10% as draggy as a sphere when passing through the air.

The GL 1800 has the power to pull a parachute through the air, unlike the bikes of 20 years ago that had engines only 1/3 the size of the modern Goldwing. However, not unlike an aircraft, the horsepower used to overcome drag is not available to accelerate with or climb with. That becomes a safety item for those who chose to cruise at the higher speeds. In aerodynamics, it takes 8 times the horsepower to go twice as fast. Therefore, if you are using 3/4 of your horsepower to cruise, your margin for passing is much reduced over a low drag trailer or no trailer when you may be using only 1/4 of your power available.

If the Chassis of the trailer in question has a perimeter ladder type frame, then the body will have low stresses on it. If the chassis has a drawbar connection only at the front cross member, then it is likely that there will be fatigue damage earlier rather than later. If the frame members have caps joining caps, the frame will not have fatigue problems but if the chassis has caps joining webs, then it will have fatigue problems. If the fatigue damage results in nuisance cracks that need to be rewelded, it is just that, a nuisance. However, if the fatigue crack results in separation, then it is a very big deal.

Depending on how widely this thread is read, there will likely be someone that knows of such an incident.

I have had multiple brands of trailers. Any that I kept over a year or so that were made of polyester suspended Glass, cold crept. One that I still have, lost its ability to seal because the lid crept away from the seal in its third year, followed by dimples in the lid and bulges in the body where the gas spring loads are applied. It is the nature of polyester suspended glass that it does not harden fully. ABS will also cold creep. E Glass or metal trailers do not creep.

Some polyester trailers have imbedded metal reinforcements to prevent creep at that point. Thicker polyester glass lay-ups have lower stresses and less creep, which is why some lids are very heavy.

There are basic no-nos in structural design. Some of these can be successfully ignored if the margins are very high. For instance, it is a no-no to put threads in bending. The reason is that at the root of each thread there is a stress concentration where a crack can start.

If you start to look at the way things are designed and see a threaded fastener cantilevered so that extreme loads would bend the fastener in the threaded area, that is a bad design. If the diameter of the fastener was large compared to the distance it is cantilevered, then it will likely be OK and still go against the convention.

If Steve Lyde is reading this thread, he can provide photos of suspension modules mounted with threads in bending which is a very bad design.


It would be interesting as a start, to post photos of the variouls chassis available in motorcycle tourng trailers. Then questions could be asked and answered like why is that there, or wouldn't it be better if this was welded at that point, etc.

Same would be true about wiring, body manufacture, latching, etc.


http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/501/525SuspensionBGravelLor.jpg

[Toyo]

I find it interesting that nobody mentioned Tom's trailer. I am and still are under the impression that Tom's trailer is of the highest quality a motorcycle trailer can be. Piece by Piece that I have compared.

John Preston, I am going to ask you a question. It is NOT to start a war of any kind. I respect you and your company very much. I will be buying a trailer in the very near future. What is the advantage of buying your trailer over the Tailwind. Tom I ask you the same thing. What is the advantage of buying the Tailwind VS the Bushtec? I am sure alot of people on this thread would love to read a MATURE and HONEST response. Remember I said Mature, lets keep it cival and educational for all.

[Bulldog]

April 21, 2006 I will be at the Bushtec facility picking up a new Quantum GL for Dr. Rob.

Anybody want to meet us down there and buy us lunch, we would be agreeable.

Bulldog

[Cruiseman]

I am looking to buy a used Hannigan trailer simply because I cannot get a new Bushtec or Hannigan before June 1. Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about Hannigan before I make the leap?

[Poffey]

In response to Toyo's asking John and Tom to go head to head....

I have been in sales for about 25 years and I am convinced that no one wins when you do what Toyo is asking. I would hope that John and Tom have the maturity and business sense to not respond to this challenge.

I have not seen one of Tom's trailers yet. I would love to, just as I would love to see other Wing's decked out with things that I wouldn't neccessarily want on my ride. I did purchased a Bushtec and traveled down to Tennessee this winter and picked up mine and one for a friend of mine. I took along another friend that was going to buy a single wheel trailer and after touring the factory and meeting the people down there, ended up purchasing a Bushtec in Nebraska. (Another fun road trip this winter).

I love my Bushtec. I also would probably love my Tailwind, had I purchased one. I'm sure each have there own characteristics that make them special.

It's kind of like a wife. I love mine and a friend might love his, but I don't want to get in a discussion with him about what we don't like about each other's wife and why I wouldn't have married her...or about her inperfections. Don't want to even go there.

So, John and Tom, show your maturity and stay away from this one.

[Andy Pearson]

To all of you who would like to see a Tailwind trailer and live in the southeast: I live in Macon, Mississippi (about 15 miles from Alabama and straight north from Meridian). You can come over any time to take a look and compare features.

Everyone has a different priority list regarding their trailer purchase, so what I was looking for may not be the same as yours. However, I do think that most of us would like to have as much information as we can get before making such a big purchase. So come on over and take a look when you can.

Andy

[bnordt04]

Bulldog-are you riding down to Bushtec or driving? Could be a road trip if you'r interested.

[Tom Finch]

I think it is interesting that some, who are interested in the various trailers attributes, really are trying to cause personalities to conflict because it is to them a sport.

Let's say the Bushtec and Tailwind were designed by impersonal robots. My guess is that the interest of some would not be here. However, this thread if I remember correctly from last evening when I first saw it, is which is the best trailer and also, it was not directed at any particular make or model.

My assumption is that the original question was technological in nature. Fortunately, it did not say which trailer looks the best. That is way too subjective to touch. What is one man's (or woman's) feast, is another man's poison when it comes to aesthetics.

Design, technical design, has been my whole life. I have something over a dozen patents which with a dollar and a half will get a cup of coffee in some places. If I had been as busy in finance as I have in design, I would be buying a new Wing every year and riding all the time instead of designing and building. As it is, I feel relatively comfortable in delving into the technical aspects of most products. So the particular question here addresses, as I understand it, the plusses and minuses of the Tailwind and the Bushtec.

I also do not feel that it is appropriate to try to be taller by standing on the toes of others.

Before I treat the technology or the Tailwind, I want to say that I was advised by good friends not to make a super trailer because very few would look beyond the price tag when buying a trailer. Commercially, the person who makes their product for the least and sells it for the most, wins. I have to realize that my friends are at least partially right.

Also, I have seen posts that some people are convinced that most trailer manufacturers are hobbyists and are dabbling in trailers.

Trailers are not a high profit product in most cases, relative to show chrome. Trailers are squeezed in between the most that people will pay for one and the least it can be made for. If an attempt to make a better mouse trap is the goal, then the squeeze is much more severe.

The Tailwind was conceived after an exhaustive search to find a good, maybe the word should be excellent, trailer for touring.

The Tailwind started with a pencil sketch of a shape that would have low drag. Since I hold the world record for drag reduction in jet aircraft, I was able to home in on that aspect readily.

The problem was that achieving the shape with a very large lid meant a seal system and shape that was curved in all planes, and that was beyond the ability to do in 3D AutoCAD in wire frame. So I hired an expert in Solid Works and solid modeled the trailer. It was for him somewhat exasperating, but it ultimately got done. A deep box witha small lid was 180 degrees from what I wanted after having some of those. A shallow box with a large lid makes a lot more sense to load, and a deep well between the wheels for the cooler or other massive items made the most sense dynamically.

Converting that design to real life shapes was not an insignificant task either and I went to a facility that did aircraft shapes in CNC 5 axis milling. By dumping the solid model from Solid Works, to Master Cam, we were able to generate masters of these complex shapes that included joggles for interfacing joints, lips, lands, pockets, etc. In years gone by, we did those in plaster by hand for Nacelles, leading edges, etc. in aircraft.

I had bought a trailer that was quite good but leaked at the latch system/ seal interface, so The tailwind was designed with the latch system outside the sealed compartment.

All of the trailers I have had except the Hannigan required two hands to get into, or some fancy footwork, not unlike some of the keystroke commands in Windows.

The aspect of a latch and lift in one piece intrigued me and so we chose the system we have which will allow a person with a load of cleaned clothes to unlock and open the Tailwind and raise the lid all with one stroke of one hand, while holding the clean clothes with the other.

Fred Harmon and I chatted about the 1800 Wing earlier on relative to trailer towing and he said at that time there was 8 cases of rear frame fatigue cracks and all but one was pulling a trailer. We designed an inertia relief system for the Streamliner in 1963 and so it was a no brainer to bring that system forward and improve it. We have submitted the results to the USPTO for a patent, along with the special wheel suspension.

The vertical inertia relief system is one of the key advantages of the Tailwind XTc model over all other trailers when pulling it with an 1800 Wing, or any other late technology designed bike. The 1500 Wing is so over designed in the rear frame that it is not likely to be damaged by rigid draw bar trailers unless they are really massive.

All but one of the trailers I tried ended up with gravel rash after a few thousand miles and we incorporated a shape in the aerodynamic design that would make sure that stones from the wheels of the bike would miss the body once it got past the Bra. After 56,000 miles on all kinds of roads, the Tailwind is remarkable chip free. There are two spots about the size of a corn kernel that were touched up after a steel cable coil fell off a passing truck and hit the side of the Test Tailwind. Otherwise, it is totally original.

The wheel suspension of the Tailwind always gets a wow comment from those looking it over. It has over 4 inches of travel and is very softly sprung. It is quite easy to push it down a couple of inches by hand, and the rebound damping is high, so that a person's hand outruns the trailer's rising after it is pushed down. Most trailers are like a brick when pushed down.

This translates to very low-level tugs on the bike when hitting severe bumps like a cattle guard that is too low or high. That in turn makes the rear frame of the GL 1800 happy.

The swing arms of the Tailwind are longer than the any other hydraulically damped trailing arms. This was done to allow the swing arm pivot to be placed in front of the wheel and above the axle where the width of the journal would not encroach on the storage space. It caused a difficult to make body because the cavity was above the floor line. Where most trailer bodies are made in one or two pieces, the Tailwind body is made in 5 sections, plus the two-piece lid and two taillight housings.

Following a Tailwind on a rough road will always surprise the viewer, especially when other types of trailers are along. The low 28-inch height is itself impressive, but seeing it glide over the rough stuff like a luxury car is really impressive.

The suspension has two variables that make it not necessary to adjust for load. First, it has a dual rate spring which is 60 pounds/inch when lightly loaded and 100 pounds/inch when heavily loaded, and then the moment arm gets longer as the suspension is depressed, making the springs more effective with higher loading. There is a photo of the chassis farther up in this thread.

The wheels are always vertical and perfectly aligned at any loading on the Tailwind so that there is no need to adjust anything when adding or removing even large amounts of weight in the trailer. There is no air system in the suspension to leak down, so the Tailwind is essentially plug and play.

To my knowledge, there is no other motorcycle touring trailer with over 4 inches of hydraulically damped suspension that have wheels that remain aligned at all heights, and that have variable geometry to stiffen the suspension at higher loads in addition to variable rate springs. There are also none that have swing arms that remain positively inclined during its normal suspension travel with hydraulic damping.

The body of the Tailwind is made of E Glass. It is the only trailer that is. E Glass is extremely expensive to make products from. It costs several times the cost of wet lay-up polyester resin glass that can be room cured. Our raw cost for the body is far more than any other trailer's total cost. E Glass or metal are the only non-creeping materials currently used in making motorcycle-touring trailers that I am aware of.

We have developed a composite technology that uses two types of E Glass and are the only company using this technology as far as I know. The outer cloth is 0.010 thick per layer and the inner cloth is 0.020 per layer. The inner layers are linear non-woven and look like two sets of Venetian blinds laying at right angles to each other. This linear cloth was developed for aerospace. It is extremely stiff and strong. E glass is made in sub freezing temperatures and stored and shipped in freezers, costing over $100 a roll to ship. E Glass is thermally cured at 275 Degrees for a half day, and when you are through, it is like a piece of metal. Many flight control surfaces are made that way for airline aircraft.

It would be hard to legitimately question which is the better material for making a trailer body from a technical point of view. I will freely admit that it does make profitability difficult.

Even though the GL 1800 is a powerhouse and can pull a parachute, it is important to have low drag because drag eats up horsepower at higher speeds which in turn takes fuel and tire range down. Some feel that the trailer rides in the wake of the bike and therefore its own drag is unimportant. The extra fuel required to pull a Tailwind at speed is very low and always surprises those in a group who have no trailer, that the test bike and trailer take usually only one to three tenths of a gallon per tankfull compared to no-trailer riders.

The Tailwind is designed to induce low energy air being brought along by the bike into the stream flowing off the back of the Tailwind body. The wake is about the size of a watermelon at the back of the Tailwind and about the size of a man at the back of the Wing. In the days when fuel was a buck a gallon, only the shorter range was a problem. However, now with higher fuel, an extra gallon per tank is the price of a burger at lunch on a cross-country ride.

The Tailwind XTc has an electrical Bay that contains six 30 amp relays, two auto resetting circuit breakers, a pressure switch, a Rieche-Thomas industrial air compressor, a 12 volt auxiliary outlet, a battery, compressor switch with led, and quite a bit of wiring harness. With this system and the tire service kit that is included, tire repair can be accomplished on the road, tires can be aired daily if required, the dome light can be used without fear of running the bike battery down and nothing in the trailer has any impact on any relay or switch in the bike. As most of us have experienced, the back tire of the bike is the most likely to get a nail, and with this system, repair can be done and the rider can be on his or her way rather quickly.

The Tailwind XTc electrical system such as the light, air compressor, 12 volt outlet, etc can be used with the bike in the next county. When the bike is shut down, the Tailwind XTc drops off line and the bike's ability to start is not compromised by the trailer. It may be argued that there are isolator systems that take the place of the heavy duty relays that are part of the Tailwind XTc. It has been my experience that these systems are failure prone, having had three of them fail on my 01 Wing and all of them failed with the brake lights staying on.

We have been using 30 amp individual relays since 1963 and easy-itis crept in when I equipped my 01 bike early on. I ultimately reverted to this system of individual 30 amp relays in the Hannigan and the Champion trailers I had at the time, after the third frustrating failure of an isolator system.

I believe this is a reasonable start on why we feel that there are very good reasons to buy a Tailwind Touring Trailer. I believe the request was for opinions, and so these are mine. I also wish that this was addressed to more than just two of us. It would be so much easier for those looking at which trailer they need, if the features and design decisions for each were out on the table.

[Toyo]

Tom, Thanks for your explanation. I think and hope you know me well enough to know that I am not trying to start a pissing match here. Whoever manufactures trailers can pipe in on there design. You and John Preston are the only ones that I know of on this site that design trailers. I think alot of people will benefit by yall explaining your trailers in more, great detail. We all hear from owners of how the trailer they just bought is the best. I want to hear some cold hard facts like what you just explained.
I know John and Tom well enough to know that they are mature enough not to have turned this into a pissing match.

[Tom Finch]

Toyo I am glad you made this post. There was a post recently with this or another thread that was the most distant from an objective essay that I could imagine. If you go back on this thread and the one about would you buy your brand of trailer again, you can see the fishing rearing its head.

I am surpirsed that there are not more nitty questions involving design, manufacture, materials, margins, etc.

The Tailwind Chassis has some 26 profiled intersection plates and joners, for instance, while most chassis are simple butt welded tubes.

I would have expected a question like, "Does your swing arm pivot contain either bearings or bushings?" " Does it require lubrication and if so , how often?"

Do you paint or powder coat your components? etc.etc.

[Toyo]

Tom are you coming to CatsCade? I want to disect your trailer one more time. Everytime I see you and the trailer we are in a setting where I cant spend much time with you. Or are Bill and I going to have to make a run to Texas?

[Tom Finch]

I plan to be at Cats Cade. However, it would be wonderful for you to come to Texas and let me take you on the "tour".

We usually are not able to make all the stops, but the more interesting ones, beside here where the chassis is fabricated and Tailwinds assembled, are the CNC profiling shop and the Aviation Glass Fabricator. It is about 150 miles around the loop.

Looking forward to getting together.

[FRISKY]

Fellas
We are lucky. We know what Bushtec's look like because there are a lot of them around and John Preston will be at Cats Cade on his way to Americade and will give a talk on pulling a trailer, *AND* we will be able to compare apples and apples side by side because Tom Finch the designer of Tailwind will also be at Cats Cade and we can look the Tailwind over with a microscope.

The Tailwind trailer is something I really want to see up close because it seems to be radically different, yet, when the Bushtec is equipted with an equal amount of "add on's" that the standard Tailwind comes with, they appear to be quite similar in price. Actually it looks as though the Tailwind comes with some rather unique features (I believe....a "real" suspension system, self-charging on-board electrical system and air compressor) which I think the Bushtec does not offer-but I want to see this for myself.... and I could be wrong because I am no trailer expert.

Thank goodness for my Pak It Rak. Once again, I am grateful the Tailwind is not produced in Hot Rod Yellow .....(or is it??)....If I were in the market for a trailer (which I am not), I would have to give the Tailwind trailer very serious consideration because when you compare these two trailers, there appear to be huge differences between these products/manufacturers. You will judge for yourself.

Always good to have competition between top flight manufactuers. We are the one's who will benefit from product innovation, improved overall product quality and best of all, competition usually results in lower prices for the consumer. An interesting horse race this. Looking forward to Cats Cade and will judge for myself.

Thank you Tailwind for not producing your trailer in Hot Rod Yellow (the fastest color). Besides, I do not need a trailer. Repeat: I do not need a trailer. Repeat: I-do-NOT-need-a-yellow-trailer. I LUV my Pak-It-Rac.

[yellowtrike]

Sorry Frisky - I asked Tom Finch and YES they do make it in Pearl Yellow!

[Tom Finch]

Frisky, Unfortunately due to the slowing of the Yellow Bikes, we have had the mornal red shift and they are now Orange in our line up of near term units.

When the Yellow bikes resume speed, I will let you know. Also, Blue bikes, my favoirite color, have become CBCs because of the red shift. At least when the very bright 05 Silver is completed, we can photoshop most of the colors.

We do have multiple Red Trailers. I may never have another Red rig. Even white haired ladies want to race when a red bike comes by. Never had that problem with blue.

[Toyo]

Tom, are you saying that you DO NOT have yellow? I was a little confused with your reply.

[Starwing]

Thats what he said Toyo

[Tom Finch]

But we could have yellow sooner if people would slow down on wanting red colors early on. We have had a few HD matches, mostly blacks with trim, although we just did a HD red that is close to my Candy red 04.. We have a Ferrari Titanium color to match and it will be interesting to see how close it is to Pearl Challenger Brown that we have done two weeks ago.

[Bulldog]

Frisky, Frisky, Frisky !

Let me start this off by saying that John Preston, Sally Preston, Lewis Preston, Andrew Preston et al, are personal friends of mine.

I own, and pull a Bushtec Quantum GL trailer several thousand miles a year.

I have met Tom Finch, one time in my life, spoke with him for about 20 minutes and reviewed his trailer in depth with him. Both Tom and his trailer are very nice.

Now on to Cats-Cade - You are correct, that both Tom and John will be at Cats-Cade by my invite. They will both be there for separate purposes and not to to get into a pissing match or comparison mud slinging on my turf.

Frisky my friend, you have been goading these two trailer Titans for a period of time and I have let it slide. It has to stop now Frisky. What you do on your own, in your own world is fine with me. But you have to keep Cats-Cade out of your personal agenda. It's not dignified of you.

John is coming to Cats-Cade to provide a seminar on ownership maintenance of all Name Brand trailers, not just Bushtec, for those whom care to join him. John will not be bringing any trailers with him, nor will he be making any deliveries at Cats-Cade. John is here as a guest like all the rest of us and will be doing a lot of us a great service with his seminar.

Tom is coming as a guest as well. He will be bringing his trailer, as that is the way he travels. There will be no booths for Tom nor will he be encouraged to sit at the park for the sole purpose of hawking his wares. At the same time, anybody that wants to talk to Tom about his trailer, I encourage them to do so.

Frisky, by your own account, you are not in the market for a trailer. Hence I do not understand your demeanor in goading all of this competitive hatred. Let free trade reign.

Cats-Cade is based on the premise of come out, have some fun, go home! Let's keep it friendly and stick to the goals and spirit of Cats-Cade.

Bulldog

[Toyo]

Very well said Dawg. I hope I am not busy with something else while John does his clinic. I have alot to learn about trailers.

Why are you getting a new trailer? If my memory serves me correct your trailer looked brand new. Oh I know what your doing now.... You are gonna give me your trailer to go home with and I just have to have it painted! Your a hell of a nice guy.

[FRISKY]

My very good friend Luther:
Anyone....... who might somehow.......even remotely read my unknowledgeable observations about these two manufacturers, as "stoking hatred", should immediately seek competent mental help - and an experienced eye doctor. Pretty thin.

Trick Question:
Via these boards, do we not seek knowledge and knowledgeable opinions about all nature of products? Should we seek to be knowledgeable about a product or products ONLY if we are in the market for such a product.....in the immediate future?

And what IS..... competitive hatred? Is it free Commerce or anti- capitalism or anti-free commerce and pro-capitalism? Just askin because I have never heard the term "competitive hatred" before.

Based on my attempt at humor by saying I was "grateful that Tailwind does not have a yellow"..................and the real or perceived inability of anyone to "get the joke"........ I might sugget to those so aflicted, to put down the splif, step outside, take a deep breath of fresh air - clear their head of BS............ RENT-A-SENSE-OF-HUMOR, lighten up, and come back into the room and try again. We can only hope they will see things with greatly improved lucidity.

[Tom Finch]

Howdy Bulldog.

There is an old saying about when in Rome..........
Over the years, I have had periods of attending rallies and then not.

When I went to the BMW Rally at Table Rock State Park, it was many years ago. In the chow line just ahead of me was Craig Vetter and we had quite a talk. He told of making his Phantom I BMW fairing while living in an apartment where he made his mold using levels and squares.

Turned out the apartment had an unlevel floor and all Phantom One Fairings were lower on one side than the other because of that. Not so long before we met at that chow line, he had purchased a granite tomb stone to use as a surface plate to make the Vetter Windjammer mold on.

It is those kind of things that makes the Rallies fun. I have not attended a new england area rally before. The many years I was saddled with major responsibilities in aviation took 110% of my time and it is now time for me to renew my effort to see and attend all the rallies that are touring associated.

The Cats Cade sounds like fun and I did enjoy our brief encounter at the BBQ at Hendersonville and my chance to finally have a discussionn with John Preston.

We have new tools now that we did not have in the seventies, and I believe the Trade Show as we know have known it in all trades, is changing. The main new tool is the Internet. It is a medium that can provide much data quikly and in depth. That reduces the need for the Trade Show in many areas, and it is far cheaper to show a new toaster on the net than to fly to Las Vegas to a trade show to see it.

What there is no substitute for is the meeting of those behind the scene and the tactile review of some products.

I am looking forward to your Gathering, if that is a good word. I have been very aware of your association with the Prestons for some time and have no plans to be an unappreciative guest.

There is not much time for me to make a large commitment to the Americade for this year, and the state of things with the Wing Ding is not too clear to me right now. I like the air conditioned exhibit hall concept for the middle of summer, and the more sophisticated nature of the Wing Ding over the crudeness of a dirt floor barn, screaming music, sloshing beer, and attendees whose primary aim is to parade their tatoos and bare bosoms while never looking at any of the products that the displayers paid to show.

The nature of my visit to your area of the US will be more exploratory in nature, and to meet as many people who like to do long distance touring as I can.

As you said, I travel via the Wing and Tailwind rig. I have driven our van and pulled a box van trailer, but that is sheer agony to not be on a bike at a bike event, and to travel across the country in a cage. I am already feeling the effects of increased business and the resulting constriction of riding time.

Instead of 45,000 miles a year, I will be down to 35,000 and it shows that the letters are worn off my keyboard at the Mac, what is happening to my time. Hopefully, there will be someone in Texelent's future who really likes to be in a cage and will beg to drive any rig we may have.

The weeks now only take about two hours to complete, or so it seems. The June events will be here in a flash and the certrifugal force of this accelerating merry go around is getting tough to hang on against.

[kgredhead]

My brother bought one two years ago and has put thousands of miles on his and loves it. I bought one a month ago for $1600.00 and I think it is going to work out great! I wasn't wanting to spend four to five thousand on a trailer that I wasn't going to have permanently! They have two sizes I bought the largest one. If you want a picture you just have to google aluma trailers and then go to the motorcycle trailer picture. If you want I will email you mine hooked up to my bike it doesn't look too bad.

[Toyo]

Kgredhead. CJS and I have been looking at this trailer. We both like it. HE has dealers around him that have some, I dont. All the dealers around here wnat me to pay for it befor I can even see it.

[thiergesell]

I would just like to say that when people put down Bushtec and John for the way they are on the BBS, I just don’t see it that way. There is another manufacture who I feel is putting down other trailers on this BBS. John always says that his trailers are not for everyone. I ride with a group of wingers in SC and people with and without Bushtec trailers all say that this is the trailer to own. It is this reason that I have ordered a Bushtec and will be picking up in a few weeks.

As for their customer service, I called them a few times and they were helpful and polite. Also when you email them for information it comes very quickly. When I was shopping for a trailer, I contracted many manufactures, none was as quick to respond as John, and others I am still waiting for the information that they said they would be sending it.

Also I do not see the issue with gas mileage. Fist of all the miles per gallon that Goldwings get is great and second if you are spending 18,000 for a motorcycle and another 3-5 thousand more for a trailer I do not think the gas should be a concern.

This is just my thoughts that I wanted to share. John, thank you for keeping it professional and not lowering yourself to the others. I will let everyone know what I think of the trailer after I have put a few thousand miles on it.
:D

[Cruiseman]

I just bought a used Hannigan because I could get immediate delivery. However, I was VERY impressed with John at Bushtec and his follow-up on questions. I will probably sell this trailer with my Wing next year and if I get another trailer, it will probably be a new Bushtec just because of their obvious committment to service.

[Lewis/EC]

I just bought a used Hannigan because I could get immediate delivery. However, I was VERY impressed with John at Bushtec and his follow-up on questions. I will probably sell this trailer with my Wing next year and if I get another trailer, it will probably be a new Bushtec just because of their obvious committment to service.

Don't worry about your purchase. The Hannigan's are fine people and build a nice trailer.

[Cruiseman]

Lewis, I did not mean to imply that I was not happy with the Hannigan. In fact, they too have been very responsive to my questions. I have only pulled it 50 miles so far, but I think I am going to like it very much.

[Andy Pearson]

I have heard lots of good things about the Hannigans.

I think it's great that there are so many good choices out there. Each one has certain attributes that people value. Each one of us has to rank our priorities in a trailer and then choose the best one based on OUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND DESIRES.

For the sake of discussion, let's say there are only 10 trailer characteristics (there are obviously many more). Out of those 10, I may rank my top 3 as numbers 2, 7, and 9. Based on that, I will pick a certain trailer. Someone else may rank theirs as 4, 6, and 8. Obviously, they would pick a different trailer than me. A third person may rank theirs as 1, 3, and 5 and pick accordingly. AND THAT'S OK!!!

If someone says that they have a trailer that is better than mine, they are correct! It is better FOR THEM, because we have all used different criteria to make our choice.

The same holds true for the manufacturers. They have set certain goals to meet in their manufacturing and those goals are not all the same. What we, as consumers, must do is to make sure we pick the one that meets our objectives as well. If we don't, we will more than likely not be as satisfied with our purchase.

I am thankful for being able to make that choice. It would be terrible if there was only 1 choice for all of us.

Anyway, JMHO.

Andy

[Cruiseman]

Agreed. Well put.

[Lewis/EC]

Lewis, I did not mean to imply that I was not happy with the Hannigan. In fact, they too have been very responsive to my questions. I have only pulled it 50 miles so far, but I think I am going to like it very much.

I didn't take it that way....just wanted to reassure you that you bought a trailer from someone that will be there tomorrow should you need something.