Trailer towing with Vaquero / Voyager

CBO Vaquero · 04-08-2015, 07:06 PM

Looking for real world advice for towing a trailer with the Vaquero. I already have the trailer from when I sold my Spyder but currently it's for sale. I have been talking with a few buddies and they are telling me to keep the trailer and tow it with the Vaquero. I found that Chuckster makes a damn nice hitch for the Vaquero but how will it handle it? Good idea, bad idea, I'm looking for real world advice from somebody that has done it either with a Vaquero or the Voyager. The trailer I have is only 218 lbs. and has 18 lbs. tongue weight. Here is what it looks like...

Bud2rat · 04-08-2015, 07:32 PM

It shouldn't be a problem. I pull a buddy trailer with my 1500. Loaded, the trailer weighs about 250-275 lbs. I also use a chuckster's hitch.

coffey67 · 04-08-2015, 07:55 PM

I have a 2013 Vaquero. I have the MC Hitch installed on mine. http://www.mchitch.com. I have pulled a modified Harbor Freight Tag-along trailer for thousands of miles with my Vaquero. I pulled my trailer from S. Illinois to Washington DC one year and to Washington State the next. The trailer holds all my camping equipment. I do not even know it is back there. The MC hitch mounts higher near the top of the fender. The chuckster hitch mounts lower I believe. Chuckster did not have a hitch when I bought mine for the Vaquero. I had a Chuckster hitch on my 1600 Nomad and was very happy with it.

george james · 04-08-2015, 08:11 PM

My trailer, Leesure Lite Camper is about 500 lbs loaded, does fine behind the Voyager. Only time I feel it is pulling in an uneven drive way .....like a dip and turning at same time. That if a bad dip can put a pucker in the seat...lol.

BigDog1294 · 04-08-2015, 09:04 PM

No problem towing with the Vaquero. I've towed my Tagalong with the wife on the pillion from Atlanta to Orlando to Panama City Beach to Northern Indiana, and many points in between. Just remember it's back there and don't turn too sharp. I found adding a few psi to the shocks helped too. You need more stopping distance, of course, and expect a hit to your MPG.

Hillhouse · 04-09-2015, 08:04 AM

I have the Voyager with a Chuckster hitch and pull a Bushtec trailer. No issues towing just found that you do need an isolator relay for all the trailer wiring or the cruise control doesn't engage. Chucksters hitch is well made and his customer service is even better

CBO Vaquero · 04-09-2015, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillhouse

I have the Voyager with a Chuckster hitch and pull a Bushtec trailer. No issues towing just found that you do need an isolator relay for all the trailer wiring or the cruise control doesn't engage. Chucksters hitch is well made and his customer service is even better

What's involved with that relay and where do you get that? Is it part of a wiring kit for the bike?

Hillhouse · 04-10-2015, 06:48 PM

I used Bushtec's isolation relay because it has their plug for connecting to my trailer but I think the Hopkins 46255 will do the same thing. It should be a solid state device. I cut the original wiring and installed bullet connectors that allow two wires to plug into it, P/N DS1 look under prices - section 2. This allows me to disconnect the isolator or change it to an isolator that has a 4 wire connector. I prefer the bullet connectors vs. the crimp connectors that cut through the insulation.

old dog · 07-17-2015, 08:09 PM

I pull a Time Out camping trailer about 340 lb's. With a 2011 Vaquero. Made my own hitch. About 4500 mi. With my gear I would guess about 450 lb's.

Zeineth · 07-17-2015, 09:22 PM

2014 Voyager, Denray hitch Bushtech trailer Bushtech isolator Tow this 5500 miles in one round trip to Arizona last year. Works like a charm.

**Sabre-t** · 07-18-2015, 11:09 AM

Don't do it! I'll be glad to take that dangerous trailer off your hands for $20. :)

I pulled a HF tag along trailer behind an 1100 Sabre. Haven't gotten a hitch yet for the Voyager, but I have no doubt that a Voyager or a Vaquero could pull your trailer with ease.

04-08-2015, 07:32 PM	#2
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	It shouldn't be a problem. I pull a buddy trailer with my 1500. Loaded, the trailer weighs about 250-275 lbs. I also use a chuckster's hitch. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga
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04-08-2015, 09:04 PM	#5
BigDog1294 Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Atlanta GA area Posts: 127	No problem towing with the Vaquero. I've towed my Tagalong with the wife on the pillion from Atlanta to Orlando to Panama City Beach to Northern Indiana, and many points in between. Just remember it's back there and don't turn too sharp. I found adding a few psi to the shocks helped too. You need more stopping distance, of course, and expect a hit to your MPG. __________________ Big Dog Atlanta, GA 2011 Vaquero Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-09-2015, 08:04 AM	#6
Hillhouse Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Western MA Posts: 180	I have the Voyager with a Chuckster hitch and pull a Bushtec trailer. No issues towing just found that you do need an isolator relay for all the trailer wiring or the cruise control doesn't engage. Chucksters hitch is well made and his customer service is even better __________________ Present rides 1983 Honda Shadow VT750 - Harley Killer 2005 Yamahe V-Star - Yarley 2012 Kawasaki Voyager - Weeping Angel http://tourofhonor.com/ #97 (2019) #128 (2018) #8 (2017) #458 (2016) IBA #50918 VBA #2296
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04-10-2015, 06:48 PM	#8
Hillhouse Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Western MA Posts: 180	I used Bushtec's isolation relay because it has their plug for connecting to my trailer but I think the Hopkins 46255 will do the same thing. It should be a solid state device. I cut the original wiring and installed bullet connectors that allow two wires to plug into it, P/N DS1 look under prices - section 2. This allows me to disconnect the isolator or change it to an isolator that has a 4 wire connector. I prefer the bullet connectors vs. the crimp connectors that cut through the insulation. __________________ Present rides 1983 Honda Shadow VT750 - Harley Killer 2005 Yamahe V-Star - Yarley 2012 Kawasaki Voyager - Weeping Angel http://tourofhonor.com/ #97 (2019) #128 (2018) #8 (2017) #458 (2016) IBA #50918 VBA #2296
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07-17-2015, 09:22 PM	#10
Zeineth Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Odessa, Ontario Canada Posts: 111	2014 Voyager, Denray hitch Bushtech trailer Bushtech isolator Tow this 5500 miles in one round trip to Arizona last year. Works like a charm. __________________ VBA #02668 2014 Voyager ABS Thunder Mfg Tear-drop breather V&H Slip on's Ivanated ECU Air shocks with compressor and remote Rear speaker kit Clarion Amp 6.5" speaker adapters Polk Audio 6.5" front speaker. RACNRAY ISO grips with throttle mod. Bushtek Turbo 2+ trailer LED Headlight LED Driving lights Pulsating break light
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04-08-2015, 07:55 PM	#3
coffey67 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Goreville, Illinois Posts: 202	I have a 2013 Vaquero. I have the MC Hitch installed on mine. http://www.mchitch.com. I have pulled a modified Harbor Freight Tag-along trailer for thousands of miles with my Vaquero. I pulled my trailer from S. Illinois to Washington DC one year and to Washington State the next. The trailer holds all my camping equipment. I do not even know it is back there. The MC hitch mounts higher near the top of the fender. The chuckster hitch mounts lower I believe. Chuckster did not have a hitch when I bought mine for the Vaquero. I had a Chuckster hitch on my 1600 Nomad and was very happy with it.
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04-08-2015, 08:11 PM	#4
george james Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: eastern nc Posts: 308	My trailer, Leesure Lite Camper is about 500 lbs loaded, does fine behind the Voyager. Only time I feel it is pulling in an uneven drive way .....like a dip and turning at same time. That if a bad dip can put a pucker in the seat...lol.
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07-17-2015, 08:09 PM	#9
old dog Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 166	I pull a Time Out camping trailer about 340 lb's. With a 2011 Vaquero. Made my own hitch. About 4500 mi. With my gear I would guess about 450 lb's.
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07-18-2015, 11:09 AM	#11
Sabre-t Join Date: May 2015 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 838	Don't do it! I'll be glad to take that dangerous trailer off your hands for $20. :) I pulled a HF tag along trailer behind an 1100 Sabre. Haven't gotten a hitch yet for the Voyager, but I have no doubt that a Voyager or a Vaquero could pull your trailer with ease.
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