My New Toy

[Fontanaman]

I bought a Bushtec trailer recently. I bought a Bushtec because it will allow the wife and I to travel together. We have been out cycling on trips together, but two up does not allow us to bring things to increase our fun factor.

Our first trip will be 2016 Red Lodge Rendezvous. On the way there we will be in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. We enjoy day hiking so we can store our motorcycle gear in the trailer and be on our way. The FJR is luggage challenged for two and do the things we like so it was thing or the cage.

Before my first ride today I shot these photos to commemorate the inaugural ride.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Nice! No need to leave the kitchen sink at home now.

 

[LittleJon]

Happy trails to you. I'll be joining the trailer club soon myself, for the same reasons.

 

[LKLD]

Good looking setup, and wondering if that airfoil will come into play on your trip.

Congrats!

 

[Auburn]

I would recommend doing a couple of overnight shakedown trips to verify what to take with you and to help fine tune loading the trailer.

 

[Fontanaman]

Happy trails to you. I'll be joining the trailer club soon myself, for the same reasons.

If you get a Bushtec to tow behind an FJR here are a few tips:

1) The vertical stay between the from and the hitch are threaded at the top. Bushtec saw fit to not plug the threaded holes during the finish process. So running a tap was necessary to clean up the threads.

2) The hitch did not fit worth a darn - there were gaps at the attach points. I had to shim this with a washer.

3) Get an Admore wiring harness for the rear lights. Plug it in and to have a ready to go pig tail for the trailer wiring. A fuse box is needed too as the trailer light are running off the battery directly. The wiring is pretty straight forward.

4) Check everything on the trailer before the first ride. The trailer tires were over-inflated and the heim joint was too tight. The heim joint allows rotation as the bike leans.

 

[Bugnatr]

I have really enjoyed my Bushtec trailer. It allows you to your own coffee maker so you don't have to drink the hotel swill-life is good.

 

[Fontanaman]

I would recommend doing a couple of overnight shakedown trips to verify what to take with you and to help fine tune loading the trailer.

I plan on some shakedown rides. The tool list so far is 5/64 Allen wrench, 7/8, 15/16 and 1 1/4 box wrenches, VOM meter, spare tire, two spare tubes, tube repair kit and tire irons along with lubricant to R&R the trailer tires.

I want to drop by and get your opinion on other odds and ends. Thanks!

 

[Panman]

That black cover on the cooler acts like a heat sink, ice melts fast. I'm thinking about about making something different to reflect the heat and maybe add more insulation.

Blocks of ice last longer but then you don't have ice cubs for your night cap!

 

[Fontanaman]

That black cover on the cooler acts like a heat sink, ice melts fast. I'm thinking about about making something different to reflect the heat and maybe add more insulation.Blocks of ice last longer but then you don't have ice cubs for your night cap!

Perhaps a modified space blanket would do the trick? Five panels cut to fit and a seamstress is all we need.

 

[HTW1300]

Must you keep the bags off with the trailer?

 

[gixxerjasen]

I would recommend doing a couple of overnight shakedown trips to verify what to take with you

Did you see the size of it? He can take EVERYTHING!!!!!

Nice setup, something like this might be in my future.

 

[Fontanaman]

Must you keep the bags off with the trailer?

I can mount the bags, but they were safely tucked away on a shelf in the garage. I only went out for a 10 mile ride, so on the shelf they stayed.

 

[Fontanaman]

I would recommend doing a couple of overnight shakedown trips to verify what to take with you

Did you see the size of it? He can take EVERYTHING!!!!!

Nice setup, something like this might be in my future.

I failed to post an photo of the trailer's interior. I will correct that omission later. Anyway the trailer has about 26 cubic feet of storage space and a garment bag buttons to the top of the trailer's interior lid. AuburnFJR lives close by and has offered to share his two up trailer travel and packing tips. The forum is awesome.

 

[Warpdrv]

Sweet !!!

I could fit alot of booze and guns in something like that !!!

Happy Trails !!!!

 

[gixxerjasen]

Hmmm, so I'm guessing my method which would consist of "Open lid, throw in, close lid" is not ideal?

 

[FJRay]

I'm on my second Bushtec. You will love it. It works good for Costco runs also. Put the paper products on top and the rest inside

 

[Fontanaman]

Here is a photo of the interior.

 

[Cav47]

^^^^. Looks like a hippo at full gape of the mouth.

Not to that point in my life yet, but if and when I get there, this looks like an awesome set up.

Congrats on the beast.

As for the heat absorbing properties of the black cooler, some silver or white paint would work fine. But the coolest feature might be to make a space bag carry cover with that reflective stuff. Cold for many more hours.