[Thorsome]

I’m in the market for my first trailer which I’ll be towing with a 2021 GW Tour.
If you have/had one, please share your thoughts about it.
Looking online, it appears that the 2 major brands are Bushtec and USA Trailer Store.
Having said that, I’m torn between the Lumina model at USA and the Bushtec Sportstar. My uneducated guess is that the Bushtec is the better choice due to the way the axel is centered under it. And this is why I’m asking for your opinions.
Thanks!

 

[Glockjock]

Thorsom, I'm going to move this to the dedicated Trailer forum where you will get more and better responses.

As a dedicated trailer-puller myself I can tell you that you need to ask yourself what is the purpose of the trailer, and how often you will use it. The "best" trailer for one person is not the "best" for another. Will you use use a trailer three or four times a year for a total of 5,000 miles, or will you use it as I do, and pull it over 250,000 miles? I'll see you on the Trailer forum.

Glen

 

[ssncob]

As glen said - how often and what for? How far you going on a trip, and how much stuff you need room for?

Bushtec is a good trailer, I've got a 95 turbo+2 with only one problem encountered last year on some really rough roads down in Big Bend national park. (Broke a suspension weld, not bad after 27 years. Got it fixed and good to go).

New or used? USA trailers are cheaper. Aesthetics are your personal preference on what you want. Tires are easier to find. Bushtec has better suspension, more cargo room depending on model. Bushtec has a higher resale value, initial higher cost. Most bushtec uses a Heim swivel joint coupler - very important to have a swivel coupler in the event the bike goes down.

Biggest item is what can you afford and how much you need to carry.

 

[BobC1960]

I’m in the market for my first trailer which I’ll be towing with a 2021 GW Tour.
If you have/had one, please share your thoughts about it.
Looking online, it appears that the 2 major brands are Bushtec and USA Trailer Store.
Having said that, I’m torn between the Lumina model at USA and the Bushtec Sportstar. My uneducated guess is that the Bushtec is the better choice due to the way the axel is centered under it. And this is why I’m asking for your opinions.
Thanks!

Check out a YouTuber who’s name is Craig Ripley, He just bought a Bushtec and has great insight into the pros and cons. His channel is: ‘Living off the slab’

 

[Roadie]

The USA trailer store sells Chinese knock off trailers. If your interested in a Bushtec..buy a Bushtec. The Chinese knock off of the Bushtec that USA Trailers sells may look like a Bushtec from a distance, but they are not in the same league as a Bushtec.

 

[carolinarider10]

I have a Hannigan GL Series trailer purchased new from them in 2017 (I think will look it up to be sure). We now have about 50,00 miles on the trailer and have had only two real issues.

First off I did set the shocks a bit tight when I first got the trailer and had the tire pressure up a little high compared to what I found out Hannigan recommended.

The issues were that the screws that hold the latch in place for the "lid" would loosen up due to vibration. Had I not had the shocks set so tight and the tire pressure high, I might not have lost the screens. It was an easy fix.

I now check the screws during trips to make sure they remain tight.

Other issue, has to do with the side lighting. The wires are connected such that the two element bulb's brightest filament is the one always on line. So the lamps do tend to burn out quickly. I did replace them with LEDs and the LEDs did not last any longer. It appears to be something that Hannigan does on purpose (I purchased some new lamp mounts to try and fix the issue and the wires were already cut and connected to the brightest element).

Only other issue is the trailer is really low profile and I did have an SUV (large GMC thing) "tag" me while I was stopped at a stop light in a small town in Ohio. No damage to anything but a mark on the back of the trailer. So, its low profile could be an issue. It does have a spoiler with lighting on the trailer's lid.

And yes, knowing all this, I would buy it again.

 

[Kenichi]

Check out a YouTuber who’s name is Craig Ripley, He just bought a Bushtec and has great insight into the pros and cons. His channel is: ‘Living off the slab’

I do think he mentioned selling it a few months ago after his RTE 66 trip. I think he got rid of his BMW as well as having numerous issues with it.

 

[BobC1960]

I do think he mentioned selling it a few months ago after his RTE 66 trip. I think he got rid of his BMW as well as having numerous issues with it.

Yeah he had a lot of problems with overheating on the BMW. I think he got a Triumph (I will need to check, he changes bikes like I change my socks🤔) but didn’t know he sold the trailer. I didn’t see that. I’m sure his videos are probably still viewable.

 

[Kenichi]

Yeah he had a lot of problems with overheating on the BMW. I think he got a Triumph (I will need to check, he changes bikes like I change my socks🤔) but didn’t know he sold the trailer. I didn’t see that. I’m sure his videos are probably still viewable.

@BobC1960 Yes, I'm sure his web site is still up and running, although I can't say for sure as I have not visited it in a while. I was getting overwhelmed with too many forums and the constant stream of emails.

 

[clayusmc]

I bought an old CycleMate for $300 that barely made it home behind my truck. Rebuilt the flooring, upgraded the axle, completely replaced the wiring and lights and my wife had it painted from a really gnarly blue to match my red 2008. My only wish for this lumberjack of a trailer is I wish it had larger tires. It's got 8" tires and they wear down faster than 12" tires. Other than that, it's been a dream. My point is pay a fortune for a trailer that has all the sleek lines of a race horse or buy what you really need; something that'll hold up to the riggers of the road (not that the race horses won't). Everyone seems to love their Bushtecs, but I know my budget wouldn't have allowed for it at the time. Now the old girl has grown on me (like mold) and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[BobC1960]

I bought an old CycleMate for $300 that barely made it home behind my truck. Rebuilt the flooring, upgraded the axle, completely replaced the wiring and lights and my wife had it painted from a really gnarly blue to match my red 2008. My only wish for this lumberjack of a trailer is I wish it had larger tires. It's got 8" tires and they wear down faster than 12" tires. Other than that, it's been a dream. My point is pay a fortune for a trailer that has all the sleek lines of a race horse or buy what you really need; something that'll hold up to the riggers of the road (not that the race horses won't). Everyone seems to love their Bushtecs, but I know my budget wouldn't have allowed for it at the time. Now the old girl has grown on me (like mold) and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I’m actually thinking about building a trail with a small Harbor Freight frame and looking for a used car top carrier to mount on it. I can customize it from there. Been watching a few YouTube videos of guys who did some stellar builds. I don’t think it will be too difficult.

 

[DDL]

For years, I was happy loading up the Wing without a trailer. My Dad had a little one he pulled on his1200 and had it modified making it a little more narrow (it was too wide for a 2-wheeler) and fixed a proper "tow in" on the axle and fixing its stability issues. Finally, I started considering one if something popped up getting my attention. Well, a 2002 ZZ trailer got my attention at work, someone selling his BMW and and trailer hoping to sell both, but was OK with trailer selling first opening up the "I just want the bike" market. It was a "Bush Tech" size trailer that pulled well except for its two major design flaws that later failed with tongue still on the bike flopping around and everything else "trailer" pretending to be a scud missile with no targeting system. You do NOT put a vertical hole in a round hallow rod where there is very high up and down flexing. I hope Hannigan has stopped doing this as well. Square tubing puts the stress on the corners, round is on top and bottom for up and down flexing.

If I was looking for a trailer today (with no more Tailwind xTC's being built - RIP Tom), I would probably consider a BushTech even though tire's are going to be a guaranteed 2 day wait with overnight shipping costs if you suddenly needed one. I would rather be able to go to any Walmart, Home depot, Lowe's, many tire shops, etc. walking in on Sunday and having a tire to be on the road again. By the way, I bought a Tailwind from Tom because of the catastrophic failure that the ZZ trailer had. Hannigan is out unless he stopped putting vertical holes in round stock used for the tongue.

 

[Dan45t]

I’m actually thinking about building a trail with a small Harbor Freight frame and looking for a used car top carrier to mount on it. I can customize it from there. Been watching a few YouTube videos of guys who did some stellar builds. I don’t think it will be too difficult.

I'm using a harbor freight tag along trailer, and while it's not as sleek,or color matched, as some of the name brand trailers - it does everything a trailer is supposed to do. I have pulled it from Tulsa to the Gulf coast, Myrtle Beach, Virginia, west Texas, Montana, Idaho, Utah, and all over Arkansas.
It still does everything a trailer is supposed to do.
The only problems I've had were tires wearing a little quicker than I expected. Once due to over inflation and once because I ran over my dang ice chest (long story) and bent the axle. Straightened the axel and lowered my tire pressure and no problems since then.
I often find deals on trailers on here and Facebook marketplace, and have came close to spending the money on a name brand motorcycle trailer, but I always think that for something I'm going to pull a couple- three times a year, what I have does everything that trailer is supposed to do. And I gave $300 for it. That leaves a lot of money for gas, meals and hotels !!!

 

[BobC1960]

I'm using a harbor freight tag along trailer, and while it's not as sleek,or color matched, as some of the name brand trailers - it does everything a trailer is supposed to do. I have pulled it from Tulsa to the Gulf coast, Myrtle Beach, Virginia, west Texas, Montana, Idaho, Utah, and all over Arkansas.
It still does everything a trailer is supposed to do.
The only problems I've had were tires wearing a little quicker than I expected. Once due to over inflation and once because I ran over my dang ice chest (long story) and bent the axle. Straightened the axel and lowered my tire pressure and no problems since then.
I often find deals on trailers on here and Facebook marketplace, and have came close to spending the money on a name brand motorcycle trailer, but I always think that for something I'm going to pull a couple- three times a year, what I have does everything that trailer is supposed to do. And I gave $300 for it. That leaves a lot of money for gas, meals and hotels !!! View attachment 416104
View attachment 416105 View attachment 416104 View attachment 416105

Man! That’s really nice. Thanks for sharing. That’s exactly what I am thinking about. I would also only use it a few times a year and wouldn’t lose sleep over not having the color or sleek looks of a factory bought trailer. No need to pay the extra thousands for that. IMO

 

[Dn]

I’m in the market for my first trailer which I’ll be towing with a 2021 GW Tour.
If you have/had one, please share your thoughts about it.
Looking online, it appears that the 2 major brands are Bushtec and USA Trailer Store.
Having said that, I’m torn between the Lumina model at USA and the Bushtec Sportstar. My uneducated guess is that the Bushtec is the better choice due to the way the axel is centered under it. And this is why I’m asking for your opinions.
Thanks!

I have been pulling a trailer behind my Goldwings since 1991. In my opinion the only trailer I would consider is a Bushtec or an Escapade. I'm on my 3rd Bushtec and I like it. I had a shock failure and I have chipped a few wheels over the years. One plus for the Escapade is that you can replace the tires while traveling, if they fail. You can't do that with a Bushtec. One solution to the Bushtec problem. I carry an extra rear tire and wheel in my trailer, and my riding buddy, carries a spare Bushtec wheel and tire in his trailer.

 

[heatingcontractor]

I started out with a Harbor Freight Tag-along that I modified with all the common upgrades. It worked well for me. I have since upgraded to an Aluma MCT. It is a bit heavier. but looks and pulls great.

 

[Dn]

I have been pulling a trailer behind my Goldwings since 1991. In my opinion the only trailer I would consider is a Bushtec or an Escapade. I'm on my 3rd Bushtec and I like it. I had a shock failure and I have chipped a few wheels over the years. One plus for the Escapade is that you can replace the tires while traveling, if they fail. You can't do that with a Bushtec. One solution to the Bushtec problem. I carry an extra rear tire and wheel in my trailer, and my riding buddy, carries a spare Bushtec wheel and tire in his trailer.

A Bushtec trailer will not bounce if you hit a pothole. A "home made trailer", will bounce to the extent that it might turn over.

 

[Dan18960]

A Bushtec trailer will not bounce if you hit a pothole. A "home made trailer", will bounce to the extent that it might turn over.

I have over 10k miles on my homemade trailer and I can assure you Pennsylvania has plenty of potholes on the back roads and I have never had my trailer bounce in any shape or manner that I was even vaguely thinking it would turn over. I also do not have a swivel hitch which many state would allow the trailer to do a 180 and not effect the bike being brought down.

 

[carolinarider10]

Regarding the Hannigan tongue and how it is configured. These are two pictures of my trailer. The first picture is the tongue connection for the bike. There appear to be two bolts holding the rotating "hitch" and two holding the hitch. Both are "horizontal" (or so it appears to me).

The second picture is from under the Hannigan trailer from the rear and it shows what appear to be two bolts (horizontal) that hold the "hitch pipe" to the trailer. There is a third bolt at the very front of the "hitch pipe" which is vertical and is bigger than the two you see in the second picture.

 

[Dan45t]

I have over 10k miles on my homemade trailer and I can assure you Pennsylvania has plenty of potholes on the back roads and I have never had my trailer bounce in any shape or manner that I was even vaguely thinking it would turn over. I also do not have a swivel hitch which many state would allow the trailer to do a 180 and not effect the bike being brought

A Bushtec trailer will not bounce if you hit a pothole. A "home made trailer", will bounce to the extent that it might turn over.

If a Harbor Freight trailer turns over due to a bounce, that same amount of bounce "might" also cause a Bushtec to turn over as well.

Point is, anything "might" happen, but we assume that risk every time we raise the kickstand.
And by the way, I've been over some of the roughest roads in the country (the Oklahoma state tree is the orange traffic barrel) and never experienced any bounce to the extent that I thought the trailer might flip.