Why I bought a Bushtec Trailer? | Is it worth the price?

Why I bought a Bushtec Trailer? | Is it worth the price?
I was asked by a viewer to talk about why I chose the Bushtec trailer over all of the other options that are available today, and there are a lot of them. After all, the Bushtec is substantially more expensive than many of the alternatives.
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Thank you for watching and ride safe! --Craig Ripley

[@bamahi7142]

I bought their Entourage trailer and couldn't be happier.

[@sdefiel3719]

You have made some excellent decisions and your partitioning system is impressive. I am glad to see more of your videos. Thanks, S _... for my wife and me._

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you very much!

[@christophepoteaux3932]

As always a great informative video. While you were talking about things sliding inside the trailer, I was thinking you need a partition system. Boom, you were ahead of my thoughts. Lol Looking forward to the future trip videos with your new set up.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks!

[@thehainanchannel]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. I think the most impressive part is the DIY partitioning, looks very well thought out. Keep them coming :)

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you very much!

[@craigwesson1788]

Good review. Will be interesting to see a follow up review next year after you get a season under your belt 😊

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Most definitely!

[@hammarashi]

I am on my 3rd bushtec. I have been thinking of setting up partitions and I believe your design nailed it. Thanks for the visual. You will be very happy with your trailer. I have pulled mine across the country and back and even completed my iron butt with it in tow.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Cool!

[@clay1883]

How many miles does it take to wear out 2 Bushtec trailers?

[@hammarashi]

@@clay1883 more miles than I have in me. They were more of upgrades in size. Still have 2. One is a project and the other is my go to for when I travel.

[@dennisnelson6208]

I bought a Helinox Max cot for a trip to Alaska, it has been amazing. I am 6'2" and 250 pounds and it fits me fine. It is a bit pricey but on a two month trip to Alaska, and another to Newfoundland it was great. I'm still not ready to pull a trailer. Thanks for your videos.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MOTODANS]

Looks good Craig, looking forward to your trips. Sounds like this trailer makes perfect sense for your needs. Merry Christmas to you and Cathy!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks, you too!

[@BootsandJeansRiders]

We have a Aspen Classic camper and love it. It has a king bed and the extra storage is a great addition.Yes it is much more weight. Kake is currently looking at the Bushtec and the Escapade, she need more storage for her shopping lol. The rack system looks great. Wish you many many years of travel with your new toy. Enjoy

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks Rich! Out of curiosity, do you find the camper easier to setup than a tent?

[@BootsandJeansRiders]

​@@LivingOffTheSlab I think they are pretty much the same time wise. With our background ( 2 years as wilderness instructors) we haven't come across many difficult tents yet. The camper is pretty fast when we are rushing, like if we are expecting rain. Our basic 1 day set up took about 2 mins 45 sec, but that's because we timed it, and the weather was perfect. When we take our time enjoying the moment, our full base camp set up can take anywhere from 20 to 45 mins . We plan on making a fast set up video early next year.

[@mikeheck3050]

I'm also pulling a Bushtec trailer behind a K1600 GTL. We use it on our 4-7 day trips. Anything longer and we plan a laundry stop. I made a rack that fits into the hitch that allows me to carry a medium size dry bag for these trips. We tend to look for camping cabins when we travel on these 4-7 day trips. We pack a larger cooler in the trailer with meals frozen to fit a 2 person crockpot. When we head out for the day we drop a meal in the crockpot and then go ride. When we get back dinner is mostly ready. We carry a carry a propane camp stove in the trailer also for heating up any addition items. We added the net to the trailer lid to carry small items that are needed. I added self contained battery operated LED lights to the trailer lid for finding things in the dark. I also carry a small high pressure, low volume air pump for adjusting the suspension. It will bleed down on a multi day trip. I've had people harass me about pulling a trailer, but I don't feel it if properly loaded. It also extends my wife's comfort level. If I have to pull a trailer to get her to travel with me then it is worth it. We've been married 38 years and have seen some amazing parts of this country.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks for sharing you experience. We are thinking in a similar vein as you. Glad to hear you are having success with your trailer!

[@TechnMoto]

Look great. Best of luck with it

[@DJPTEXAS]

Nice job on the divider and floor Craig.......

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

Congrats on the trailer Craig. It will make your touring a lot easier. I love your partition system...ingenious.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you!

[@ericswild]

Love to see more on the how packing and setup using the tongue weight scale

[@CBRR10011]

Very nice trailer, you are going to love having that extra space, my camping trailer was 400 lbs, I just sold it, I have a tag along trailer for a budget trailer I love it not bad 6,000 miles later..just nice have extra space..oh I pull trailer with my 09 vision 😉

[@SmokeyA55]

I have been pulling a Bushtec for 3 years with my Wing an when we are doing our IBA runs we camp out use a air up mattress from Walmart works excellent an 2 person tent I love my Bushtec don’t leave home without it

[@chrismoore7557]

Congratulations on the new trailer. I've pulled a used $200 dollar harbor freight trailer all over the country with an old gold wing for years. Hope it works out well for you, we've never had an issue.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks!

[@markm921]

I've pulled a Bushtec since 1989, on my 3rd now, I don't know how to NOT overpack, thus the need for a trailer. Makes going to Costco, at least 1 state away, much more fun.

[@CentralPlainsEnt]

Thanks for the video. I am a soon to be new trike owner and may be in the trailer market. I agree with your thoughts on the additional weight a cooler would add to the tongue. Like the mods you made to fit it into trunk. If you ever pass through central Nebraska put Pioneer Village in as a stop. Great history lesson from small town Minden, Nebraska.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you for the suggestion and have fun with your new trike!

[@brucespeake9854]

Great video. Will be nice to have the extra space. Just watched the Top 10 Roads in North America. Fun video! If you haven’t ridden Trail Ridge Road in Colorado’s Rocky Mtn. National Park you should try to hit that, maybe on the way home. Best to you and your wife.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you!

[@r.d.r7658]

hampton inn/hilton/hyatt are my fav camp spots no tent needed.....lol be safe out there

[@candxplor9939]

Hello Craig - you picked the right trailer! I did the same by picking up the trailer and hitch install etc in 2006. Did rt 66 in 2020 and west coast from Seattle to San Diego as the most recent with the trailer and simply a great addition to the bike. Riding through the “tail of the dragon’ without knowing it was behind me, the thing just follows perfectly. You will enjoy the extra room and only time you will know it is behind is when the trailer has some weight and downhill. Have fun!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you, appreciate the feedback!

[@SteelHorseman]

Merry Christmas

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you, Merry Christmas!

[@firendhole777]

BTW ultra light Cotts are available with extension legs that weigh 5 lbs on Amazon... they are rated to 330 lbs! and also can be used off ground in a low set up.

[@pastorlarry7470]

I picked one up used for my HD

[@lesliewilliams8432]

Great vidio craig informative id tow behind my 1500 goldwing but not my k1600 exclusive i think the flat 6 and low centre of gravity would suit towing better i am thinking of the mini mate for me good luck craig you crazy cat mucho respect

[@scotthollis7282]

Like the color as you can accent it with small reflectors and maybe a small stripe on the outer rim of the wheels. I'll be real curious to see how the interior racks and the raised floor will work for weight distribution as well. 😁

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

We shall see, but as I mentioned it is modular, so I only need to use what is appropriate for the load.

[@richardmourdock2719]

No mention of brakes on the trailer? Did you give any thought to brakes? Couldn't help but notice that the Living Off the Slab Logo is likely going to see an upgrade soon as the ST becomes the BMW????? Truly hope you and Cathie enjoy the trailer's benefits for years to come. Didn't realize she was into "the camping thing." Merry Christmas and best wishes for a pandemic free (!) 2022 to the both of you.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I was able to get Cathy out on a couple of camping/glamping trips this year and she enjoyed them. We went out with our friends for long weekends. She drove the car down so that we could take the big tent and better sleeping pads. The trailer should allow us to do the same thing, but with the bike. There is of course a limit, so we will be mixing things up when we are together. Of course, I benefit from having the better pads and bigger tent as well. Merry Christmas and Happy 2022!

[@cathyripleygreene6327]

Richard! Merry Christmas! I am into the camping thing….. a little ha!

[@pidjones]

And black is the fastest color (to show dirt)!

[@Munmi4]

Nice looking setup, Craig. What hitch system did you install on your GTL?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I went with the Bushtec hitch and hitch pin.

[@twmclean1]

Just a practical piece of hardware to better accomplish your touring requirements. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season Craig to both you and Kathy. Here's to 2022!!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you Todd. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!

[@nevillemcnaughton6306]

Check in when you are in the St. Louis area

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks! I need to start making a list. Can you send me an email?

[@nevillemcnaughton6306]

@@LivingOffTheSlab yes

[@nevillemcnaughton6306]

@@LivingOffTheSlab Done

[@YELLEBG]

It's like you're in my head! I just placed my order for the same trailer with Todd at Bushtec. Blacked-out, only thing extra I sprung for is the LED lid stop light. Will be pulling it behind a 2021 Goldwing Tour. I really like your partitioning system. Do you have a template you can share? I built a trailer to haul around my 2004 ST1300 and loved it, but I think the Bushtec is going to be a drastic improvement in looks & handling.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I think you will like the Bushtec, pulls very nicely. Unfortunately, I don't really have any kind of template I could easily send, but let me think about it.

[@YELLEBG]

@@LivingOffTheSlab Thx, I'd appreciate it.

[@Thomas-qk7wf]

As someone who's always been curious about trailers, can you expand on what you plan to carry with you in the trailer that you couldn't otherwise carry with you on the bike? It's a given that there's only so much you can pack in the topbox and saddlebags but what's going in the trailer that you wouldn't otherwise need/want for your trip?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Short answer is camping gear. Riding solo and carrying camping gear along with clothes and tools and camera equipment, in my case, is easy. But, add a passenger with their clothing and gear is very difficult. The trailer will allow me to carry camping gear for two, plus my wife's riding gear when she is not with me. That way she does not have to haul it through air ports when she flys out.

[@ralphplazachesmarhomes]

I just bought a used Turbo 2 yesterday. What notice is no videos how to lift it or replace a tire. I want to be prepared if Im on the road and I get a flat in the middle of nowhere.

[@karlberens5962]

Main reason I got ours was the weight. Almost 100 pounds lighter than most other quality trailers.

[@firendhole777]

Interested in knowing what wiring isolation relay you went with as I have a 2016 BMW R1200 GSA that I'm attempting to wire up to my Bushtec trailer... the Canbus system is not very easy to get around in this application. Any help or direction would be appreciated...

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I got the universal harness suggested by Bushtec and I had them wire it up when I picked up the trailer, so I cannot be much help with instructions. They are generally very helpful and can most likely help you out

[@firendhole777]

@@LivingOffTheSlab thanks, safe journeys to you...

[@jeffreysims1865]

What is your partitioning system made out of? It looks like some type of polymer or laminated wood product.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I used 1/2 cabinet grade plywood to keep it as light as possible.

[@richschwartzcomedywriter6753]

Where did you get the spare from? The dealer? Can't find any!!!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I got it when I bought the trailer from Bushtec. Check their website, but I do they have been having supply issues with tires and wheels.

[@nicholasjheinz7461]

Nice trailer but there are cheaper alternatives that will perform just as good! Lots of slightly used trailers around at a discount for a shrewd buyer.

[@echoandcompany8989]

I’m thinking of getting one of these for my blue heeler!!!! Thank you! For the cid I would love to pick your brain…BTW I’m in NM near Route 66… would love to buy u two a cup o coffee

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Sorry, I did not see this sooner. The videos are actually running a week or so behind. We just left Santa Fe today and landed in Holbrook AZ.

[@georgebrunson8585]

I just bought a bushtec turbo+2... for $475

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

That was a deal...

[@georgebrunson8585]

How does the wind affect the ride? I'm a first time trailer owner.. ! My 2007 HD ultra classic, wind is a problem with the tour pack... unlike any sport bike I've ever owned...

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

@@georgebrunson8585 The wind does effect it some. More surface area. I think the bike is more effected than the trailer.

[@masterspin7796]

I'm surprised that you're willing to ride a motorcycle pulling a trailer...