Hitch questions for Interstate owners....

[Dave Weaver]

I recently purchased a used hitch and am unsure of brand.  It appears to mount by using the fender strut bolts.  The hitch is 1/4" thick and I was wondering if the current bolts will be long enough to use?  If not, where can I get chrome headed bolts the correct length?  Also, the hitch came with a 5 way female coupler attached to several feet of wire.  I do not have a trailer yet, but would like to go ahead and hook up coupler while mounting hitch.  Is a 5 way pretty standard and where do you tie into wiring at?  I would like to attach wiring behind side cover if possible as at times I remove trunk for solo setup.  Thanks for advice.

[3W-lonerider]

that hitch should've come with spacers. if those spacers are not installed you brake bleeder is gonna come up and hit that hitch then you'll be left with no rear brakes. as far as the wiring depends on your trailer wether you use a 4 wire hook-up or a 5. i run a 5 wire hook-up on mine because my turn signals and brake lights on the trailer are seperate.
and yes the wiring can be hooked up inside the right side cover.

[sandy]

You'll need spacers (Ace Hardware) and longer bolts. I used metric allthread and fabricated a bag drop kit. Ace also has nuts in SS or chrome. The crossover bar under the bags won't fit either. Some have modified the bar to make it longer and used it. My hitch has been on since '05 without the bar. Traveled all over the USA with loaded bags and no problems. When you have all the parts installed, turn the outer nut around backwards and hack saw off any excess allthread. Then turn the nut back around to the good side.

[sandy]

'Nuther comment. Don't install the wiring till you get a trailer. It might be a 4 prong or a 5 prong. The bikes wiring isn't sized to add more tail lights. You might look into a powered converter (hoppes) to take the elect load off the bikes circuits. OR put LEDs on all the trailer lights.

[Gavin_Sons]

I have the same hitch on my bike your more than welcome to look at it and get the sizes of spacers needed.

[trout dude]

I sent my wiring inside back fender and have my plug hidden . I can't get the pics on here but could tex them to you or i will be at inzane look for the valk with the boat hooked to it.
  Trout Dude

[Gavin_Sons]

Be careful around that boat, it tends to leak a little 

[trout dude]

Hey Gavin_Sons
  I hit some thing in the road the other night with it and will get it out the fiberglass shop tomorrow  was hoping they would have it done in time for me to bring it with me and they did But it still has that leak
   Trout Dude

[frosty]

Thats a Big Bike Parts hitch brand # 51-447. They dont make them anymore. But i think is the best hitch set-up for the valk. I have one on my I/S for years. I also used the converter and have signal lights at my trunk lights. has info. on shop talk on how to.  I do think the bolts are a little longer and you will need spacers around 1/2 thick.

[fudgie]

Looks like mine and mine is a Markland?

I ran my wiring out the side cover, alond the DS, anlong saddle bag supports and out at the reciever of the hitch.

[Gavin_Sons]

I wired mine in under the seat and run the pigtail back to the hitch when needed. When not in use it is rolled up under the seat.