2014 Limited Trailer hitch/wiring setup
2014 Limited Trailer hitch/wiring setup
After doing a lot of research on hitches and wiring harness for the 2014 Limited here is the setup I've decided to go with:
I'm ordering the hitch from MCHitch http://www.mchitch.com/Harley_Tourin...hitch_2014.htm $229.99
Wiring harness from Bushtec http://store.bushtec.com/2014-HD-Ele...p/99612000.htm $128.00, That's for a 5 wire trailer (separate brake & turn). Only $89 for 4 wire setup (combined brake & turn.
Pivot ball from USA Trailer on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Freedom-Pivo...item19d1b06d4e $49.95. Much cheaper then a swivel coupler and can use with multiple trailers. Have used these on my last 2 bikes.
If you prefer a vertical hidden style hitch the choices I found are:
Bushtec http://store.bushtec.com/product-p/944212-2.htm For $319.00
RIVCO http://rivcoproducts.com/products/pr...1&cat=0&page=1 For $299.95
I chose the MCHitch because It is very easy to install and remove. I plan on installing it before and removing it as soon as I return from trips (2-3 per year) to try and avoid warranty issues. The MCHitch is the same one Open Road Outfitters sells for $289.00 minus the ball. The ball is $16.95 extra if you want it. MCHitch is the manufacturer.
If I was going to leave the hitch on I would have chosen the Bushtec Vertical hitch. It appears to be a much easier install than the RIVCO. I do believe the RIVCO looks like a stronger hitch due to connecting to the frame in more locations.
There is also a horizontal receiver hitch sold on eBay for $220.00: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Hidde...3D110892182862 I didn't like the design of it. The support arms only have 1 bolt at the top and bottom. The only thing keeping the tongue weight of the trailer from torquing the hitch is the saddle bag supports. It just doesn't look like a good design to me.
These are just my thoughts personal observations after reading many threads and searching the internet.
I'm ordering the hitch from MCHitch http://www.mchitch.com/Harley_Tourin...hitch_2014.htm $229.99
Wiring harness from Bushtec http://store.bushtec.com/2014-HD-Ele...p/99612000.htm $128.00, That's for a 5 wire trailer (separate brake & turn). Only $89 for 4 wire setup (combined brake & turn.
Pivot ball from USA Trailer on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Freedom-Pivo...item19d1b06d4e $49.95. Much cheaper then a swivel coupler and can use with multiple trailers. Have used these on my last 2 bikes.
If you prefer a vertical hidden style hitch the choices I found are:
Bushtec http://store.bushtec.com/product-p/944212-2.htm For $319.00
RIVCO http://rivcoproducts.com/products/pr...1&cat=0&page=1 For $299.95
I chose the MCHitch because It is very easy to install and remove. I plan on installing it before and removing it as soon as I return from trips (2-3 per year) to try and avoid warranty issues. The MCHitch is the same one Open Road Outfitters sells for $289.00 minus the ball. The ball is $16.95 extra if you want it. MCHitch is the manufacturer.
If I was going to leave the hitch on I would have chosen the Bushtec Vertical hitch. It appears to be a much easier install than the RIVCO. I do believe the RIVCO looks like a stronger hitch due to connecting to the frame in more locations.
There is also a horizontal receiver hitch sold on eBay for $220.00: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Hidde...3D110892182862 I didn't like the design of it. The support arms only have 1 bolt at the top and bottom. The only thing keeping the tongue weight of the trailer from torquing the hitch is the saddle bag supports. It just doesn't look like a good design to me.
These are just my thoughts personal observations after reading many threads and searching the internet.
Last edited by Greg2012FLHTK; Mar 30, 2014 at 10:58 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 23
From: Mishawaka,Indiana
Exactly what i have been contemplating, remove or hide. When i called MC hitch a few weeks ago they quoted me 329 on phone, 229 is a no brainer. Look at electrical connections for the lighting stuff (http://electricalconnection.com/wire...ns-trailer.htm) the isolator is $69.95, they make it for most brands. You have to call they don't have the 14 adapter on the site yet. I tried a pivot ball and hated it, really funky on low speed turns. Mike
Exactly what i have been contemplating, remove or hide. When i called MC hitch a few weeks ago they quoted me 329 on phone, 229 is a no brainer. Look at electrical connections for the lighting stuff (http://electricalconnection.com/wire...ns-trailer.htm) the isolator is $69.95, they make it for most brands. You have to call they don't have the 14 adapter on the site yet. I tried a pivot ball and hated it, really funky on low speed turns. Mike
I like the freedom pivot ball. I used one 3 summers on my Goldwing and 2 summers on my 12 Limited. Never noticed any funkyness in turns at any speed.
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 48
From: eastern mi
here is also a horizontal receiver hitch sold on eBay for $220.00: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Hidde...3D110892182862 I didn't like the design of it. The support arms only have 1 bolt at the top and bottom. The only thing keeping the tongue weight of the trailer from torquing the hitch is the saddle bag supports. It just doesn't look like a good design to me.{QUOTE}
Greg,I,ve had this Hitch on 3 Ultra's and its easy to install and well built,for each his own and I won't promote a product without 110% satisfaction.Not gonna go on about all my travels,but will speak up on a product I believe in.IMO,Priced right and easy install.
Greg,I,ve had this Hitch on 3 Ultra's and its easy to install and well built,for each his own and I won't promote a product without 110% satisfaction.Not gonna go on about all my travels,but will speak up on a product I believe in.IMO,Priced right and easy install.
After doing a lot of research on hitches and wiring harness for the 2014 Limited here is the setup I've decided to go with:
Wiring harness from Bushtec http://store.bushtec.com/2014-HD-Ele...p/99612000.htm $128.00, That's for a 5 wire trailer (separate brake & turn). Only $89 for 4 wire setup (combined brake & turn.
Wiring harness from Bushtec http://store.bushtec.com/2014-HD-Ele...p/99612000.htm $128.00, That's for a 5 wire trailer (separate brake & turn). Only $89 for 4 wire setup (combined brake & turn.
Why did you choose the Bushtec wire harness/isolator over the OpenRoad offering? Just curious. Does MCHitch offer one as well I assume, same one OpenRoad has as well?
Just because of the cost difference. Open Road Outfitters for a 4 wire trailer is $119 verses Bushtec's $89. Open Road is $149 for the 5 wire Verses Bushtec's $128. You need the 4 wire if your trailer has combined stop and turn signals or the 5 wire if the trailer has separate turn and stop lights like my trailer. Both comany's provide the CanBus plug in adapter, electrical isolator, and the 4 to 5 wire converter in the 5 wire kit. They are both completly plug and play other the the isolator power feed and ground that connects to the battery. MCHitch didn't have the wiring for the 14's listed on there website. You could call them Monday if you want to know for sure. They manufacture hitches, I would assume if they have the isolators they would just be a reseller. But I don't know that for sure.
Greg,
Why didn't you do this research three weeks ago BEFORE i bought everything!
You could have saved me some money allowing me to buy other HD goodies I want!
Good work, and thanks for answering my questions.
Why didn't you do this research three weeks ago BEFORE i bought everything!
You could have saved me some money allowing me to buy other HD goodies I want!
Good work, and thanks for answering my questions.
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here is also a horizontal receiver hitch sold on eBay for $220.00: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Hidde...3D110892182862 I didn't like the design of it. The support arms only have 1 bolt at the top and bottom. The only thing keeping the tongue weight of the trailer from torquing the hitch is the saddle bag supports. It just doesn't look like a good design to me.{QUOTE}
Greg,I,ve had this Hitch on 3 Ultra's and its easy to install and well built,for each his own and I won't promote a product without 110% satisfaction.Not gonna go on about all my travels,but will speak up on a product I believe in.IMO,Priced right and easy install.
Greg,I,ve had this Hitch on 3 Ultra's and its easy to install and well built,for each his own and I won't promote a product without 110% satisfaction.Not gonna go on about all my travels,but will speak up on a product I believe in.IMO,Priced right and easy install.
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Supporter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 48
From: eastern mi
Didn't mean to offend you or anyone that has that hitch. The reason I dont think it is a good design is, and this is just my thinking, is because it only has 1 support arm with a single bolt at each end on each side. I believe if you pulled the bolts out of the saddle bag support you could easily pull the hitch back away from where it is suppose to stay because the hitch plate and support arms can pivot on the single bolt at each end. I also beleve without the saddle bag support bolts, if you put the ball mount in and pushed down on or pulled up on it the ball mount would pivot up and down on the single bolt. It would appear it will put a lot of pulling and vertical and horizonal stress on the saddle bag supports that are only designed to support the weight of a loaded saddle bag. If you look at the other hitches, They either have 2 support bars on each side with a single bolt at top and bottom like the RIVCO or a wider support bar with a curve and at least 2 bolts on the end of each arm like the Bushtec and MCHitch/Open Road hitches. With either of these designs the support bars transfer most if not all the horizontal and vertical forces to the bikes frame. They cant pivot on the bolts. They probably wouldn't move much if any if you removed the saddle bag support bolts. I'm no engineer and may be totally wrong. But this was my thinking when I looked at this hitch compered to others on the market.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 90
Likes: 18
From: Washington
Check out N Line Trailers http://n-line.com/ .
They have some of the stongest hitches I've seen. Have a nice clean look
when installed. There trailers are really nice too.
They have some of the stongest hitches I've seen. Have a nice clean look
when installed. There trailers are really nice too.