My Tow-Pac 14" InstaTrike Install on Ultra Classic Harley

Off subject.

While waiting on the Paint, brake light parts and Tow-Pac

I Decided to go underground with some serious state of the art technology, to my Man Cave, music studio, work shop, etc. thanks to my Son the electrician!

underground elec2..jpg

underground elec..jpg
 
Tow-Pac got back to me with an offer.

I send them my reverse and pay the shipping and they send me the stock spindle.

Also I could get charged a 20% restocking charge, if parts don't look new, and they don't after motor rubbed on the tire.

That is $80.00 plus shipping. So I would be out well over $100.00 plus the spacer and lugs $50.00

So I would be out well over $150.00 for their crap reverse!

So I would end up with-- Less than $250.00 out of the $400.00 I paid + all the TIME and B.S.!

He also said it's been over 30 days but he would let me slide on that!

I almost told him where to go but held back and told him I would get back with him. :mad: :mad: :mad:
 
WOW - what a crock of BS from Tow Pac... I hope you told them that you would spread your problems all over the Internet and let everyone know what a POS it is and how badly you were treated!!!

I keep hearing stories like this about Tow Pac and I think they won't be able to stay in business if they continue on this way... Their customer service, and in this case, their engineering is really abhorrent!!! Guess I just got lucky with my purchase of their product...

I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that you see a change in the reverse setup sooner than later with the 14" tires!!!

Les
 
Les

I just got off the phone with Tow-Pac.

I told him how bad I was getting screwed and how it had a hard time handling my weight of 200#

He said "OH are you on the bike when you back up?

It's not made for that! You have to walk along side of the bike as it backs up"

I told him what good is that and why don't you explane that on you website?

He had no answer! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

He just called me back and said I would not have to pay the $80.00 restocking fee but would have to pay shipping.

So I told him to ship me the spindle first! He has to check with the boss!
 
Code:
Les

I just got off the phone with Tow-Pac.

I told him how bad I was getting screwed and how it had a hard time handling my weight of 200#

He said "OH are you on the bike when you back up?

It's not made for that! You have to walk along side of the bike as it backs up"

I told him what good is that and why don't you explane that on you website?

He had no answer! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

He just called me back and said I would not have to pay the $80.00 restocking fee but would have to pay shipping.

So I told him to ship me the spindle first! He has to check with the boss!

That is completely nuts. They have a poorly designed reverse set-up, waste a lot of your time debugging their poor engineering, and it costs you money. Wow!

I hope the rest of the kit works well.
 
As I wait for the BS to settle!

Dennis the painter, an old biker, talked me into Not putting those 6" led lights on my trike.

He is right they will not look good and fit right. So I decided to go with his recommended LED's.

He also will help me put them on and put the parts back on the trike.

This should happen the end of next week. I'll take pictures of the event.

Tow-Pac74.jpg

Here is where I got the Two lights I ordered yesterday.

https://www.jpcycles.com/product/3400521

I'm still waiting on the last of, I hope, harness wiring to come in!

The two above LED lights.

Also the parts from Tow-Pac to replace the reverse.
 
Les

I just got off the phone with Tow-Pac.

He said "OH are you on the bike when you back up?

It's not made for that! You have to walk along side of the bike as it backs up"

I told him what good is that and why don't you explane that on you website?

He had no answer! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!!! You have to be OFF THE BIKE to use reverse??? WTF!!! Don't know what they are smoking there but whatever it is, it is impairing there judgement and good sense!!!

Well, at least you got the restocking fee waived... Wonder if you could adapt the Voyager reverse to your setup???

The taillights look great and will enhance the appearance of the kit - good choice on those Bob...

I just don't understand Tow Pac's thinking on a lot of things - they sure are alienating a lot of customers with their less than ideal customer service or lack thereof!!!

Les
 
Les

This was Copy/Pasted from Tow-Pac's Website. This is All they have to say about their reverse!

Must be my fault because I didn't read between the lines!

He also said it was designed for people who could not push the bike when off of it!

Also made it sound like he is doing me a favor by taking it back. But I pay all shipping charges!

Lets see -- over $100.00 shipping and $50.00 for longer studs and spacer. I'm out plus all my time!

If I can not at lease get the money for shipping, then a long YouTube video is in order. I know how to get it on Google's first page on a search! It will cost them well over a little $100.00!

*Note it says 12" trikes but they told me it would work with 14" as well! And was glad to take my $440.00***

ELECTRIC REVERSE ASSIST

InstaDrive helps assist the rider in moving their trike in tight places such as garages or parking spaces.

  • $440 if ordered with a new InstaTrike or MiniTrike kit
  • $540 if ordered separately for existing InstaTrike or MiniTrike kit

    DESCRIPTION

    [COLOR=#222222 !important]Category: Trailers and Accessories




    • Runs off of motorcycle battery. Motorcycle does not need to be running to operate
    • Works with all 12 inch InstaTrike and MiniTrike kits.
    • Can be installed on existing 12 inch InstaTrike and MiniTrike kits.
    • Replaces left axle
    • Weighs approximately 15 pounds

 
Well, I do not see any verbiage that states you have to be off the bike!!! Rather misleading if that's what they are saying...

After thinking about it for a while, if it were mine, I might look around to see if I could find a larger, more powerful motor that might work better. before sending the thing back.. With your skill set I think this is well within the realm of possibilities...

I would assume they are using a gear motor and powerful gear motors are available thru surplus channels that might work... Are there any identifying manufacturers markings on the motor??? It would be nice to have reverse and Voyager seems to do it... Might be worth a phone call to them to see how they handle it and if it could be adapted to the Tow Pac kit...

http://www.mtcvoyager.com/motorcycle-trike-kit-reverse/

Les
 
There's an after market reverse for Harley that goes in the tranny, you use your clutch and shift it with your right hand using a small shiftier on the tranny. They tell me they work good. Not installed cost is $1,500 to $1,800.

Had that on my 11 T/G....15 hundred installed...Worth every penny.....:clapping:
 
The motor looks just like an GM power window motor from the mid 80s.I think Trigg used a similar setup but used a starter motor.I'm sure anything other than their offer and your on your own.I guess you are supposed to get the not strong part from the statement about using it in garages and parking lots.
 
By going with the reverse in the trans you'd be ahead should you ever want to go with a trike conversion. Reading the tow-pac site for reverse they give little to no info on the unit and how it works. Most reverse set ups work with the rider on the trike.
 
WOW, a power window motor??? That certainly explains why it is so slow and sluggish... The video I saw of the Voyager backing up looks like it does it with authority...

Of course, I don't have any issues with my Goldwing backing up because of the internal reverse setup... Maybe Trike Lady is correct and doing the internal install would be the better way to go... Only problem with that I see is the $$$$ but it is another option...

Les
 
On the reverse, Look like the in Tran. is the way to go. Thanks folks.

I just got in the replacement axle from Tow-Pac.

I had to pay for it and will get my money back less shipping when I reture the reverse,

also the money I paid for the reverse. But again not the shipping on the return postage.

toopac.jpg

I'm upside down on this first shipping charge!

For Tow-Pac's sake I better not have to eat these shipping charges!

toooopac.jpg

Picture not in focus but that's the replacement axel on the yellow floor.
 
WOW, a power window motor??? That certainly explains why it is so slow and sluggish... The video I saw of the Voyager backing up looks like it does it with authority...

Of course, I don't have any issues with my Goldwing backing up because of the internal reverse setup... Maybe Trike Lady is correct and doing the internal install would be the better way to go... Only problem with that I see is the $$$$ but it is another option...

Les



I missed on the car but here is 1 I think is close.Bob would have to inform us.s-l1600.jpg
 
Marc

Looks like you got it figured out! Looks the same to me, down to the electrical plug.

Thanks Tow-Pac!

I'm wanting to move a 1000# trike and my 200# Azz

Not a fricking piece of glass!

Tow-Pac75.jpg

Tow-Pac76.jpg

It looks like the GM one I had on my old Corvette !

I like how they put their "Made in the U.S.A." sticker on it, like they made it!
 
My two Mini LED trike tail lights came in today! They are very bright! Look good and will mount easy with two bolts and a thick rubber!

Tow-Pac77.jpg

Tow-Pac78.jpg

Today is a rainy nasty cold day. Looks like a good time to make a video before removing and packing up the reverse and shipping that junk back. I will tell it like it is, but on the kit part of the Tow-Pac, I will be as fair as they were to me! Nothing positive will be said! It will not get recommended due to the poor customer service, poor engineering and how they screw you over.

If something else goes South I know I'm on my own!
 
Junk reverse pulled for return, new axle in place.

Two good videos made, that are now at all flattering to Tow-Pac!

When I had the wheel off the ground I noticed it moves up and down a lot, It's getting its suspension for the

twisting and bending of the frame. How will it Not crack?

Tow-Pac79.jpg

Tow-Pac80.jpg
 

Welcome to the Trike Talk Community

Join our vibrant online community dedicated to all things Trikes! Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, this is the place to share experiences, tips, and stories about your three-wheeled adventures. Explore modifications, maintenance advice, and rides, all while connecting with fellow trike enthusiasts from around the globe

Forum statistics

Threads
55,566
Messages
901,918
Members
22,548
Latest member
PERuss

Trike Talk Community

Welcome to a community dedicated to the most diverse and fastest growing powersports segment, Motorcycle Trikes. Come join the discussion about the best makes and models, popular modifications and proven performance hacks, trike touring and travel, maintenance, meetups and more!

Register Already a member? Login

Forum statistics

Threads
55,566
Messages
901,918
Members
22,548
Latest member
PERuss
 photo 260e2760-d89e-45b2-8675-2bc26fb3d465.jpg

 photo Trike-Talk-150-x-200.gif

 photo DK Trike Talk Right side banner 19.jpg

Merziere Reverser

 photo 9796095c-0d4b-4a9b-88ed-efe4c498d084.png
 photo f9866e4e-75c5-471a-86f5-5e72a446ecc3.png
Back
Top