I have Puddle Buster doors on my Lone Star Max. I have trailered it both ways. I have always been concerned about the doors opening with it facing forward, but haven't experienced that. When I trailered it backwards, it acted like a wind sail.

I know my setup is not the same as the factory doors/cab, but I would recommend trailering it forward and if the doors are loose or can flex and have the possibility of opening, see about running a strap or rope around the exterior. Kind of pain, but worth it if there is a risk of the doors flying open.

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As stated on the warning label, the concern is the windshield blowing out. I'm not sure if it's based on fact or the standard, "let's be overly cautious". Which I get. That's most of those warning labels. I'd rather get the warning to think about it than not. It's like using a cell phone while pumping gas, could something happen? Sure, but not likely. Because of that warning, when I tow mine backwards, I leave all the windows cracked open slightly to reduce pressure. Not even sure if that does more harm than good but I've done it on two 500 mile trips with no issues. Driving across town at 45mph max? I wouldn't even crack a window.

 

I've towed with the Defender Limited backwards on the trailer, and do it with the tractor and sometimes other vehicles, too.

With the Defender, two things were the reason; the doors and the cost of glass. The same reasons hold true for the tractor, but with it there's also a matter of air going into the exhaust and making the turbo turn.

While I've never lost a windshield on anything, after many many thousands of miles with vehicles on open trailers, if something happened it'd be a lot cheaper to replace the back window on the Can Am, and the tractor.

 

I tow mine facing forward and also have the Profab window travel cover, which is really nice.
There is another thread on here where a guy said his door blew open while driving it at 45 mph and is having a heck of a time getting BRP to respond to him and get him new hinges.
When I picked mine up I did adjust my doors a little tighter to get a better seal. I don't quite understand how a door could fly open unless it was not fully closed or adjusted properly.
If CanAm suggests not towing it backwards then I will follow their recommendation.
The below pic shows the Profab window travel cover.

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I tow mine facing forward and also have the Profab window travel cover, which is really nice.
There is another thread on here where a guy said his door blew open while driving it at 45 mph and is having a heck of a time getting BRP to respond to him and get him new hinges.
When I picked mine up I did adjust my doors a little tighter to get a better seal. I don't quite understand how a door could fly open unless it was not fully closed or adjusted properly.
If CanAm suggests not towing it backwards then I will follow their recommendation.
The below pic shows the Profab window travel cover. View attachment 110680

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How did you adjust your doors tighter? We get a lot of dust mostly from the back but some from the front. I notice you can see daylight through some places like the gaskets aren't in right.

 

I think towing backwards with NO doors on would create the issue of extra wind pressure inside the cab.

 

Does any one know how common a door flying open on the factory cab when trailering with the unit loaded facing forward?
Or is this just a problem when the door was not fully closed?

My doors seem pretty tight. A half hearted door push for closing will only get the doors partially closed. It takes a bit of a push to get the door to compress the gasket seal and fully close. Does actually locking the doors prevent the doors from possibly opening when trailering?

I know people that now tow there Polaris backwards on the trailer because the rock breaking the front windshield was expensive to replace.

 

Does any one know how common a door flying open on the factory cab when trailering with the unit loaded facing forward?
Or is this just a problem when the door was not fully closed?

My doors seem pretty tight. A half hearted door push for closing will only get the doors partially closed. It takes a bit of a push to get the door to compress the gasket seal and fully close. Does actually locking the doors prevent the doors from possibly opening when trailering?

I know people that now tow there Polaris backwards on the trailer because the rock breaking the front windshield was expensive to replace.

I doubt it is that common. I'm sure the most common reason would be a door not shut tight, second but less likely being a latch not adjusted properly. The higher air pressure inside doesn't help when it's constantly pushing out. You would think if the latch was not adjusted or defective, the door would swing open while on the trail, hitting a bump etc.

WyoBull's solution to protect the windshield looks like a good one. I have a headache rack so when towing backwards, I had plenty of protection.

 

The Profab window trailering cover was $169 dollars vs replacing a $1000 dollar windshield. No brainer in my mind.

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Backing onto the trailer, priceless.

 

I have towed 1000s of miles with my limited facing forward. No issues with the doors. Just make sure they are properly shut/latched. Another company called Flack Jacket also makes padded windshield covers. Very nice.

 

Pulled all the warning stickers off my 2023 Max Limited today. This one sits right above the driver side just left of the rear view mirror.
There you go.


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This windshield didn't break away.
Then again, I kept it under 90 mph.

 

I have towed my cab over 5k miles facing forward without any issues on an open trailer. I do lock the doors to help keep the doors from opening just for the what if.

In regards to buying a winshield cover I don't see the need to. I have State Farm for insurance and they give me full glass coverage just like my cars and trucks have. Do you drive your normal vehicles backwards down the road because your paranoid about your windshield??

 

Do you drive your normal vehicles backwards down the road because your paranoid about your windshield??

No, but then again no one is "tailgating" a truck as close as a machine on a trailer is doing.

At the end of the day, it just depends on what one is comfortable with. I personally wouldn't hesitate to tow a Defender either way. I towed mine backwards because the length of the borrowed trailer wasn't long enough to get it on forward. I had the windows cracked to minimize pressure. If doors are going to fly open when towing forward, then that is a mechanical/design issue that needs fixed, not something that we should need to worry about. Scary that a dealer is so aware of the issue though. Damage from flying debris and rocks can happen regardless of direction it is facing so that's a wash. Maintain good insurance or get a cover as described above. I haul mine in an enclosed trailer (highly recommended) that solves all the problems. I used mine for hunting, so I was usually towing in late fall and sometimes the roads were crappy with slush and salt, so I much preferred the enclosed set-up.

 

Never trailer them backwards, that dealer is an idiot (most are).

 

Never trailer them backwards...

Because...?

 

It's surprising to me that towing a SxS backwards at freeway speeds isn't obviously a bad idea to more people. When I first saw that label I was thinking duh who would do that?

 

Is any one willing to share any problems that they encountered in trailering their Can Am Defender Limited with the full cab backwards on the trailer.?

One dealer mentioned about the concern of the front windshield blowing out possibly when towed backwards. I can't see this happening with a full cab with windows closed.

A different dealer stated to trailer it backwards due to the possibility of a door popping open and the damage that this would cause. There is at least one person that has commented on this site that states that this has happened to them. They however stated that the door has popped open more than once while driving down a trail. I would guess that his experience may have more to do with door adjustment.

However it looks like Can Am redesigned the doors for the 2023 model. So, why did they redesign the doors?

 

Is any one willing to share any problems that they encountered in trailering their Can Am Defender Limited with the full cab backwards on the trailer.?

Sorry, nothing to report.

But there is a potential issue with turbo equipped engines. If the exhaust pipe is facing the wind, I'd either cover the exhaust or turn the vehicle around.

With my tractor that's two reasons to tow it sitting backwards of the trailer. The far less expensive rear window would take any hits, and the exhaust doesn't get pressurized.

 

Sure wish we had some insite on if the newer seals will fit our buggys.....