trailer wiring

[banjoman]

Ok, I bought an Aluma fiberglass trailer for my 2008 Nomad. I am ready for wiring the trailer into the bike. The wiring on the trailer looks like Medusas hair on a bad day. Any tips on wiring up a pull behind for my Nomad? Thanks. Banjoman

[Cajunrider]

Banjoman,

I followed Cactusjack's advise and picked up a Hoppy Converter. It is Hopkins model #46255. I got mine at a local Advance Auto supply. You can order one online with Advance if you can't find one locally. The converter is powered directly from the battery and converts your 5 wired Nomad to the standard 4 wire plug on a trailer. It's the only way to go. It will cost you a little over $32. If anything shorts out on your trailer wire it won't blow fuses or burn any wiring on your bike. The converter comes with a harness that you splice into the rear tail light harness under your seat and a length of heavy wire and fuse to connect to your battery. Carefully disconnect the plug on your tail light harness and use a test light to determine which pin in the plug is for brake, left/right turn, and brake lights. Splice the Hoppy wiring into the correct wires and you are all set. The converter is waterproof and can be mounted onto your hitch.

[Cajunrider]

Banjo, Post some pics of your trailer.

[banjoman]

Thanks. I will post some pics after I get it painted to match the bike.

[macmac]

Oh just take some pics as it is, a before and after is good!

Get the wiring done before painting anyway..
I agree with terrebonne_nomad
see this link http://www.gadgetjq.com/trailer.htm

There is no question you need that hoppy converter for more than 1 reason.

[coacha]

Hoppy here too for my camper.

[zoom45]

Hoppy on my 1500 too. My first Hoppy went bad then I found a replacement on Ebay for $10 still in the package. It was the Hoppy 46255.
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[macmac]

zoom45 is that a trailer hitch on the trailer mount? How the heck does that feel? What is rear shock psi and about what do you weight 2 up over all?

Can I assume your rear lights are still in view?

My cooler rides on the trailer like most..

[zoom45]

Yes it's a trailer hitch. Can't tell it's on there riding. Rear shocks usually no pressure. I'm about 220, wife ..well maybe she won't read this but I would guess 175. Yes rear lights can be seen over the box but I did add LED lights on the box frame and they just plug into the trailer wire connector. I can unplug the box from the hitch and slide it in the back of my trailer. Cooler goes on front of the trailer. Looks cheap but does the job. The load with us, box and t-bag doesn't seem to affect handling at all.
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[zoom45]

Here's the hitch:
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...01500%20Hitch/
Here's the box:
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...5/Hitch%20Box/
Heres the trailer:
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...cle%20Trailer/

[rcmedic]

I purchased an isolater for my trailer as well from Kriss Industries at http://www.kriss.com/traileri.php. It was a snap to install and the plug between the bike and the trailer works well too. If you would like pictures or other info, just drop me line.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by rcmedic

I purchased an isolater for my trailer as well from Kriss Industries at http://www.kriss.com/traileri.php. It was a snap to install and the plug between the bike and the trailer works well too. If you would like pictures or other info, just drop me line.

For $139.95, it ought to wire itself for you.

[macmac]

zoom45!!!!!!! it is critcal that there is weight down on the tongue! There should always be something like 22 to 35 pounds down there!

If the cooler were full and the box was emtpy you could be looking at a nasty problem... I suggest you change the location of the cooler to before the box.
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In general to anyone

The trailer tongue should be at a down angle TO the bike, dead level is ok, but never ever a up angle to the bike.

The Down angle means the trailer will follow the leader and the other way around the trailer will be the boss!

There is a term called 'caster' and like the front wheels on a shopping cart you want the angle behind the center of axis.

[mrfuni]

Hoppy plus a little advice from Cactus Jack and Gadget..

Good point mac mac in the tongue and weight..

[zoom45]

macmac,
LOL. It's an optical illusion. My cooler does go on the trailer in front of the big box (between the nomad and the big box). It mounts right over my spare tire that's on the tongue. (You don't see the spare and cooler in most of the pictures but it's there in the first trailer picture). Completely loaded with everything I have 23lbs tongue weight. I have traveled all over the southeast towing it up to 84mph loaded and you can't tell it's behind the bike. The box behind the big box (or mounted on the Nad) is only for lightweight things or max 2 gallons of gas. Works out great. If I change the load I do check the tongue weight before traveling.
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