I can say that the unit has a unique stopping system in case it stalls out on extreme uphills, or starting on uphills…

1) Anytime the Retriever comes to a complete stop and in neutral (either physically in neutral, or with clutch held down) the brakes automattically are set on the towing apparatus.. and released as soon as in gear and feeling any forward motion.. simply like riding the motorcycle itself.

2) There is what is called a 70 Bar Emergency Braking system… which can be set (much like a parking brake) to the desired strength from 5 bars to the max of 70 bars. It’s a VERY simple system, and from I’ve been told, when DOT saw it… it was kinda of like… well that’s just stupid simple… which is what Coming Through in Sweden was going for…. a no brainer use of the unit.

I hope this clears up some of the issues on the braking… and safety braking as well.

Sandor Slijderink

The GL1800 already has a pretty gnarley clutch.. seeing as it is designed to pull trailers full of gear and such anyway, and the drive shaft that is stock, is strong enough to pull well over the 5,500 lbs in any direction you want.

Now.. for the brakes… The “Trailer” (though it is a permanent attachment, rather than a temp. so technically not truly a trailer) has a mechanical brake mashing unit.. thus if the bike slowls down, equal amount of brake pressure is applied to the towing portion of the unit (or as some call it.. the trailer). Being mechanical has at least two advantages… easier to maintain (simple lube and grease on occasion), and the second advantage is that it is not affected by weather conditions such as rain, where as an electronic mashing unit could more easily have issues with wet or damp weather.

The U.S. DOT has given it’s approval for sale and use of these units both in the stowed configuration, and the towing configuration, and safety tests on all aspects of the unit have been reviewed and tested by outside independant groups.

*** On the police use note above, it is my understanding that the Tokyo Police Dept. and other Law Enforcement Agencies around the world, have put these units into their fleets. They make great units for law enforcement officers posted in desolate areas, giving them the ability to run the vehicle to their own lot, or a towing companies lot, for evidence storage and the likes.

Sandor Slijderink
X-treme Towing Corporation
C.E.O. / Founder
714-813-0700

The MSRP in the US for these units are a little over 127,000.00 each, but there are ways of getting these units for around 100,000.00 even through my company X-treme Towing Corp.

The Honda Goldwing Aspencade platform is made in Canton, Ohio.. then shipped to Sweden to be retrofitted with the towing portion, and a larger rear wheel. (the rear wheel upgrade is the ONLY thing that gets changed on the motorcycle itself).

The towing portion of the unit is collapsable while not in use, giving it slightly less than 3′ in width… basically… a standard touring motorcycle.. thus you can split lanes, utilize car pool lanes, etc etc #California Laws, other states restriction may apply#.

The Retriever can safely tow just over 5,400 lbs … which makes it capable of towing vehicles up to the size of Expeditions, F-150/1500 size trucks, and even cargo vans #not fully loaded of course#.

Here in California they will get an impressive 35 MPG while in tow… when not in tow between 44-48mpg.. and keep in mind… unleaded. Your standard tow truck gets about 6-8mpg… whether or not in tow. #I’m not talking for the first 6 months brand new.. I’m talking about the 85-90% of the tow trucks being used#.

Some other neat features is the ability to pump a gallon of gas right from the Retriever to a stranded motorist. Utility storage compartments for storing unlock tools and small jack and tire iron.

It also has a decent size winch on it, though not for performing “winch outs”.. just for loading the vehicle onto it’s dolly trailer.. and assisting with collapsing the towing portion back into the rear of the unit.

I’ve calculated that this unit will save towing companies over $200,000.00 the first year #that is after paying off the Retriever# in fuel costs, cosmetic savings, as well as mechanical savings. #No AC pumps, door locks/handles, power seats, wiperblades, etc etc#

Currently I have sales reps mostly in Southern California in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside Counties.

If you want more information, feel free to call XTC up @ it’s Headquarters in Orange County @ 714-813-0700.