Sarasota Trailers
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 246
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From: Carlisle, Ontario
Sarasota Trailers
At the recent Toronto Mortorcycle show I was looking at a Sarasota motorcyle trailer (http://www.sarasotatrailers.com/)withspecific interest in the Slingshot unit. I would appreciate any input on the following from those of you who have pulled a trailer with your HD.
1) What features should I look for in a trailer? Some have metal frames while some only attach the axle to a plate bolted to the trailer body.
2) What hitch is best on an Ultra Classic?
3) How have you wired the harness to your bike?
4) How hasa trailer affectedyour bikes handling?
Thanks for your help.
1) What features should I look for in a trailer? Some have metal frames while some only attach the axle to a plate bolted to the trailer body.
2) What hitch is best on an Ultra Classic?
3) How have you wired the harness to your bike?
4) How hasa trailer affectedyour bikes handling?
Thanks for your help.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,945
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From:
RE: Sarasota Trailers
There was a Canadian trailer company about a year or so ago that did a classic flame-out...complete with unfulfilled orders, stuff paid for and never delivered, etc....
Given the $$$ involved, you're not looking for a "cheap way out" - take a look at the Bushtec trailer line -http://bushtec.com/ . We've had one of their units now for almost 9 years, and it still works and looks great!
Given the $$$ involved, you're not looking for a "cheap way out" - take a look at the Bushtec trailer line -http://bushtec.com/ . We've had one of their units now for almost 9 years, and it still works and looks great!
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 246
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From: Carlisle, Ontario
RE: Sarasota Trailers
Thanks for the warning George. Feedback on this company is exactly what I'm looking for.
Do you recall the name of the company? The company I'm referring to is a division of Built Right Utility Bodies in Ontario. They build a lot of back ends for ultility trucks (line trucks, bucket trucks etc) and I've seen these guys at the bike show for the last few years. I've also spoken to a member of the Red Knights (firefighter club) who can't say enough good about the trailer he has from them.
I appreciate your input and if this is the company you're talking about I'll stay clear. I'd like to buy local so it's easier to look the company in the eye if there is a problem. Ilike the looks of Bustec but not sure if there's a dealer close by.
There is another company in BC and one in Quebec that builds trailers but they don't have a frame. I assume that bolting the axle to a frame is better than bolting it to the body. Am I correct in your opinion?
Do you recall the name of the company? The company I'm referring to is a division of Built Right Utility Bodies in Ontario. They build a lot of back ends for ultility trucks (line trucks, bucket trucks etc) and I've seen these guys at the bike show for the last few years. I've also spoken to a member of the Red Knights (firefighter club) who can't say enough good about the trailer he has from them.
I appreciate your input and if this is the company you're talking about I'll stay clear. I'd like to buy local so it's easier to look the company in the eye if there is a problem. Ilike the looks of Bustec but not sure if there's a dealer close by.
There is another company in BC and one in Quebec that builds trailers but they don't have a frame. I assume that bolting the axle to a frame is better than bolting it to the body. Am I correct in your opinion?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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From:
RE: Sarasota Trailers
Wish I did - they turned into a real sleeze operation, complete w/dodging and jiving their customers online.
The frame vs body bolting is an age-old question....a lot of the real issue IMO is the suspension itself, beginning with the wheels. 12" wheels are COMPLETELY outta the question IMO - personally, anything under 15" makes me nervous because of the application - long hours at highway+ speeds (routine cruise speed for us is 80 mph), lots of potholes/speedbumps, etc. One of the major things that sold me on the Bushtec is the suspension - I can lift the trailer to waist height and drop it - and the trailer drops to the ground and STAYS there - NO "bounce". That adds a LOT to the stability on the road when yer hittin' potholes or washboards!! The 16", 6-ply tires on the Bushtec are capable of maintaining their integrity w/ZERO psi - hard to beat on a trip in the middle of nowhere!
The frame vs body bolting is an age-old question....a lot of the real issue IMO is the suspension itself, beginning with the wheels. 12" wheels are COMPLETELY outta the question IMO - personally, anything under 15" makes me nervous because of the application - long hours at highway+ speeds (routine cruise speed for us is 80 mph), lots of potholes/speedbumps, etc. One of the major things that sold me on the Bushtec is the suspension - I can lift the trailer to waist height and drop it - and the trailer drops to the ground and STAYS there - NO "bounce". That adds a LOT to the stability on the road when yer hittin' potholes or washboards!! The 16", 6-ply tires on the Bushtec are capable of maintaining their integrity w/ZERO psi - hard to beat on a trip in the middle of nowhere!
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 246
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From: Carlisle, Ontario
RE: Sarasota Trailers
Thanks George.....I never thought of the 12" tire issue. I thought it would be fine on such a lite trailer but suspension is important. I've seen many trailers with springsuspensions but am leaning towards a torsion suspension because of the ride qualities.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,945
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From:
RE: Sarasota Trailers
Find someone w/a Bushtec, put the 2 side-by-side. Lift each to waist height an' then drop 'em....THEN ask which one ya want behind ya at 70 mph when yer fixin' ta nail a 4 x 4 or other large obstruction/pothole.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
RE: Sarasota Trailers
There is no doubt the BushTec ones are good....but for 4 Thousand Dollars I'd expect the thing to have an engine....sheesh.
Why does all the good stuff got to be so expensive!
lp
Why does all the good stuff got to be so expensive!
lp
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Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 408
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From:
RE: Sarasota Trailers
Here ya go..... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PIGGY...spagenameZWDVW
I used this trip on a 6107 mile trip and my buddys' got the same with a little over 20,000 miles with same bearings. For $860 delivered to your door, you cant beat it AND its torsion suspension and comes with extra bearing with race. Plenty of space,waterproof and 170 lbs.
The bike didvery littleto acknowledge the added weight, aside from the expected, slight increased braking distance and a lower gear up a 6% grade or more.
I went with the hidden hitch from this guy on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harle...spagenameZWDVW
I used this trip on a 6107 mile trip and my buddys' got the same with a little over 20,000 miles with same bearings. For $860 delivered to your door, you cant beat it AND its torsion suspension and comes with extra bearing with race. Plenty of space,waterproof and 170 lbs.
The bike didvery littleto acknowledge the added weight, aside from the expected, slight increased braking distance and a lower gear up a 6% grade or more.
I went with the hidden hitch from this guy on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harle...spagenameZWDVW
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
RE: Sarasota Trailers
I bought one of the trailers from this outfit a couple years ago. They have features that you won't see elsewhere.
http://www.adventuresportsproducts.com/
http://www.adventuresportsproducts.com/
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: Corpus Christi, Tx
RE: Sarasota Trailers
One of the fellas I ride with has one of these. Very nimble little trailer and I'm always amazed to see how he rides around like there were nothing behind him.
http://www.n-line.com/index.htm
http://www.n-line.com/index.htm