Questions on California Sidecar hitch.

[pwhoever]

When I had my conversion done, I also added the optional trailer hitch because I quite often pull a cargo trailer or my Aspen Classic camper of trips. I was wondering what everyone else does when not pulling a trailer. Do you just leave the hitch installed? How hard is it to remove? I have just been leaving it attached but would like to know what options I might have.

Also what does everyone think about the construction of the hitch? The construction seems very thin and does have a springy effect sometimes. A buddy of mine says that the flexing is a good thing, that it helps to smooth out pulling a trailer.

Has anyone had any issues or found any limitations with the CSC hitch? And what alternatives have others used instead of the CSC hitch?

[ol' school]

I have a CSC Kruze trike built on a 1700 Kawasaki Nomad and have a CSC hitch and Escapade trailer. I leave the hitch in place when not being used and just put a chrome cover over the ball.

I have had no issues with their hitch and it tows the Escapade trailer easily and smoothly. So much so I put small convex mirrors in the corner of my mirrors to see the trailer back there to remind me it is there.

[FRR]

When I got my Wing converted with a CSC kit, I had concerns about the same thing. One day I followed a guy with a CSC kit and had a 42 inch cooler on the back loaded with food. It was bobbing and weaving but the guy said it really wasn't a problem at all. I never put anything that heavy on mine.

[Shortstop]

I've got a 13 1800 with a 14 CSC Viper kit on it. The hitch is a flat bar design. Two large screws go up through the hitch bar and into the hitch frame, then two cotter pins in them to insure they stay in. Tight squeeze underneath, large box end wrench, and blind feel for the cotter pin holes. Mine is on and it is going to stay on. Not worth the pains to redo it every time I might want to bring the trailer. One and done.

...ron

[Bronson512]

2012 CSC, I have also wondered about the springiness of their hitch. I was checking things one day looking around underneath the trike. My old knees not being what they used to be I kind of used the hitch ball to give myself a boost and was shocked at the movement. So much so I went back under for a second look. I've not had any issues but it is springy.

[Rreffner]

I have a 2016 CSC Cobra on a 2006 GL1800. I 'bottomed out'; that is to say the hitch touched pavement when going over a dip between road and driveway with the little lady aboard. Tried angled approach very slow and problem went away.

I leave the hitch on. It is a PIA to remove it and I use my Aluma MCTXL often. I put a chrome ball cover on it.

Just returned from a 2500 mile trike/trailer trip. The trailer was fully loaded and I rode 2-up. No problems whatsoever.

[pwhoever]

Well it looks like the popular opinion, I will leave it on and not give it a second thought. And it also looks like I have nothing to worry about with either of my trailers. Thank you to everyone for your responses.

[subar]

We have a 2008 1800 and we just had a CSC Viper kit installed this month. We also put the trailer hitch on and are enjoying the shin buster. We will get accustomed it being there. We did install a Kuryakyn plug connector under the ball part number KU9183. It sure makes it easier on connecting the wiring plug and connecting the chains. Hope this helps.

[Shortstop]

subar...question
Did your Viper kit come with the round connector or did you have to rewire it. Reason I ask, mine is rectangle.

[subar]

subar...question
Did your Viper kit come with the round connector or did you have to rewire it. Reason I ask, mine is rectangle.

Our kit came pre-wired with the rectangular plug. After talking with the factory customer service I found out that, that specific plug is used for the CSC's Escalade trailer. After asking the dealer, prior to talking with CSC, he gave me the trailer end of the plug. I used their rectangular plug and made a jumper cable to go from the kit to my round electrical plug. Myself I installed the Kuryakyn hitch adapter (KU9183) and wired my trailer to that plug. Zip tied the wire under the hitch arm and called it done! If you need more help let me know. I did have other problems with mounting bolts. PM me and I will fully explain.

Hope this helps.

[subar]

subar...question
Did your Viper kit come with the round connector or did you have to rewire it. Reason I ask, mine is rectangle.

Our kit came pre-wired with the rectangular plug. After talking with the factory customer service I found out that, that specific plug is used for the CSC's Escalade trailer. After asking the dealer, prior to talking with CSC, he gave me the trailer end of the plug. I used their rectangular plug and made a jumper cable to go from the kit to my round electrical plug. Myself I installed the Kuryakyn hitch adapter (KU9183) and wired my trailer to that plug. Zip tied the wire under the hitch arm and called it done! If you need more help let me know. I did have other problems with mounting bolts. PM me and I will fully explain.

Hope this helps.

[Shortstop]

Appreciate the info and the pics. Been thinking of doing the same thing.
...ron

[subar]

subar...question

Did your Viper kit come with the round connector or did you have to rewire it. Reason I ask, mine is rectangle.

Mine was the rectangle one, I had to go back to dealer to get the other side of the plug (that was intended to connect to the trailer). After that I hard wired that plug to the trike and ran wires to the hitch ball and installed a Kuryakn trailer plug connector. I am having problems uploading pictures of my setup if you will give me an email I will send you picture of the hitch.

[Gideon]

I've got a 13 1800 with a 14 CSC Viper kit on it. The hitch is a flat bar design. Two large screws go up through the hitch bar and into the hitch frame, then two cotter pins in them to insure they stay in. Tight squeeze underneath, large box end wrench, and blind feel for the cotter pin holes. Mine is on and it is going to stay on. Not worth the pains to redo it every time I might want to bring the trailer. One and done.

...ron

It's the same way on my 06 cSc kit.

I just think of the hitch as more "Safety Chrome".

[subar]

Appreciate the info and the pics. Been thinking of doing the same thing.

...ron

I was told that the plug that came with the trike kit was designed for the CSC trailers, so you will have to have both sides of the connector to make things easy, The connector I used under the ball is Kuryakyn KU0183. It comes with all you will need except the wires and electrical tape. Good Luck with it.

[Tricycleman]

A friend of mine has a CSC I took the flat bar off modified an inch and a quarter tube to mount underneath and now he can use a regular inch and a quarter receiver. I think this is one of the stupidest things that CSC has done.

My friend was tired of his wife beating on him every time she hit her leg on that stupid hitch hanging out there.