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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Wichita, KS | I just bought a Bushtec Roadstar trailer. I really need some assistance in what the bike side wiring needs are. I have read several threads and find there are several configs being used which has just left me confused and frustrated has to what to order and install.
First off, the trailer has brake light and running light, with seperate amber turn signals, and a center brake light in the lid. The lights on this trailer are NOT LEDs.
I'll be orderig the Hitchdoc trailer hitch for the Vision.
The Bushtec has a flat six pin plug. No problem there. Standard trailer four wire, a power wire and ground for a 12V power source or interior light. I'm buying the bike side harness from Bushtec.
What I need advice and shared experience with is what to choose and order to install between the bike's harness and the trailer harness to provide the essential protection needed for the Vision's delicate electronics and assure all the Vision's functions are unaffected. I'm confused wheather a isolator or a isolator/converter is needed. I get the impression the converter is only needed if the trailer lights are LED.
After the question of what is neededed, which one and brand. I'm seeing folks buying Bushtec, Hopkins, Etrailer and even Reese from Menard's.
Then there are the spice installs,splicing into the Vision's harness under the seat. Other's are making up a harness with a clean pin connector I think plugs into the tail light/brake light harness (the one we modify to get the middle brake light to light up)under the seat. There I would like specifics as where to buy one or the pins and connectors to fab my own.
What I have in mind when it's all said and done, Ii'm going also to have a connector between the bike side trailer harness and the isolator or convertor. so that when I'm not pulling the trailer and drop hitch tongue/pin I want to unplug the harness so I don't have to worry about stowwing the bike side trailer harness.
Your help would be much appreciated.
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| if you pull your taillights you'll find pigtails they you can wire into |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Wichita, KS | Didn't I read in another post those extra pigtails were actually part of the Vision-mod sequential light set up. They weren't stock /oem pigtails?
Thank you for the reply. |
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Tourer
Posts: 309
Vineland, NJ United States | I pull a uni-go trailer and have since 2009. I used this Isolation Relay T7660 which was recommended by the uni-go dealer. It functions perfectly but it was a little complex to install (at least for me). I have it under the seat and it and it is between my trailer and bike so the bike electronics are not affected. http://www.uni-go.com/proddetail.php?prod=T7660 |
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Central Wisconsin | Been using this Isolator for a few years. http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=368&useralbum=1564 |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| As a Bushtec puller, let me throw a couple of things out...
I had Bushtec install the hitch for me last year. It is the Bushtec pin hitch. I STRONGLY recommend it!
They also installed the isolator. I think it's a good idea all around.
After I got the trailer, I realized the stock bulbs are a bit of a current draw at stops, etc. I installed the plug & play LED lights for brake, running and turn signals. MUCH brighter, and less curent draw.
Good luck with your Bushtec. It is a great investment! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Wichita, KS | Thank you Double Vision. I had wondered if there would be a power draw with the bulb type brake and turn signals. I had looked into what it would take to change LED lights. It looks like it would be pretty simple to find the lights in LED. Thank you for confirming what I had I wondered about. With your shared experience, it sounds like the mod needs to be done.
You are the first Bushtec owner to respond. I would like to draw more on your experience if I could.
Going to LEDs, did you have to go with the a converter? if so, what product did you use.
How did you wire in the bike side harness? Bushtec offers two bike side harnesses configurations. On the one end of course, the flat 6 pin plug the trailer, one config has a square six pin on the opposite end. The other config (a universal) has just the wires. depending on the wiring needs on the bike side, will determine which harness I order. What kind of connection did you make between this harness and the converter /isolator? the between the Converter/isolator and the Vision's wiring.
Thank you again for your response. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
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I had Bushtec do the installation so I'm sorry to say I can't help with the wiring question.
As to the LEDs, I tried some LED units with a bulb base, but didn't like them - not bright enough. I ended up ordering the units from Bushtec. Very easy to install. If you get on their email list, you may get updates if they go on sale.
This is the kit for the Turbo +2 trailer. I don't see one for the Roadstar!
http://store.bushtec.com/product-p/99619003.htm
Edited by Double Vision 2014-03-23 7:24 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
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Bodacious - 2014-03-23 2:33 PM
Thank you Double Vision. I had wondered if there would be a power draw with the bulb type brake and turn signals. I had looked into what it would take to change LED lights. It looks like it would be pretty simple to find the lights in LED. Thank you for confirming what I had I wondered about. With your shared experience, it sounds like the mod needs to be done.
You are the first Bushtec owner to respond. I would like to draw more on your experience if I could.
Going to LEDs, did you have to go with the a converter? if so, what product did you use.
How did you wire in the bike side harness? Bushtec offers two bike side harnesses configurations. On the one end of course, the flat 6 pin plug the trailer, one config has a square six pin on the opposite end. The other config (a universal) has just the wires. depending on the wiring needs on the bike side, will determine which harness I order. What kind of connection did you make between this harness and the converter /isolator? the between the Converter/isolator and the Vision's wiring.
Thank you again for your response.
I had Bushtec do the installation so I'm sorry to say I can't help with the wiring question.
As to the LEDs, I tried some LED units with a bulb base, but didn't like them - not bright enough. I ended up ordering the units from Bushtec. Very easy to install. If you get on their email list, you may get updates if they go on sale.
This is the kit for the Turbo +2 trailer. I don't see one for the Roadstar, not sure why. You might call Bushtec.
http://store.bushtec.com/product-p/99619003.htm
SORRY FOR THE DOUBLE POST!
Edited by Double Vision 2014-03-23 7:23 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 44
Edmonton, AB Canada | When I got my Bushtec trailer last spring, I had done the hitch and wiring before heading to pick it up. When I picked up the trailer (Sportstar) they informed me that they had discovered that unless I installed some sort of funny looking black box with a few wires sticking out of it I would not have brake lights. Once back home I was re-wiring the bike and trailer connections. I had know idea how to install this little box, so I had to switch to plan 'B'. I had picked up one of the connections that RiverRat (fellow on this site) makes so that I did not have to cut into the bikes wring harness when connecting additional lights or a trailer. After a bunch more research online I also decided to pick up an isolator (a big part of plan 'B' that I installed into the bottom of the trunk where it connects to the bike frame. It has all worked great so far.
The one recommendation that I would give about the trailer is that you should look into the clear stone guard film for the front as the gel coat can chip very easily. If you have watched the video with the Go Pro attached to the trailer hitch, you will know what I am talking about as far as stones coming off the tire and impacting the front of the trailer. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| Good point about the clear coat. We went with the bra, and STILL have had stones or whatever damage the bra! The trailer, especially the front, will get VERY dirty! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Wichita, KS | Thank you all for you responses and experience. Great info. Not quite ready to fold up my white cane with this yet. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Wichita, KS | Double Vision: An extra thanks for the info about the LEDs. I had been wondering if simply using LED bulbs would be enough. I found some LED lights and turn signals I can order that will replace the Roadstar's existing bulb lights. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Wichita, KS | Still need recommendations and part numbers of the isolators and or converters you trailer towers are using on your Visions. I am trying to avoid having to buy the high dollar on from Bushtec. I read some are using the Hopkins converter is that also a isolator? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 752
Broken Arrow, OK | used this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CMKG6O/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_...
and this for a clean, secure install http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002Q81W6/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_...
I tapped the wires just behind the harness junction under the seat. Tapped into Factory wires w/ Posi taps http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00389UT3I/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_...
Edited by okie vision 2014-04-07 6:19 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Wichita, KS | Thank you MBFAM! Found the posi-taps here in town. Was just still fuzzy about the whole isolator/ convertor thang. |
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Need Help Wiring My 08 Vision For a Bushtec