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  1. #1
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    Max weight on a rear frame mounted hitch.

    I am currently waiting on my 2021 Imagine XLS 22MLE and plan on adding a rear frame mounted hitch to the trailer. One question I have is how much weight is safe to add to the rear of the trailer as far as weight distribution and frame stress.
    MrBaker
    2021 Imagine XLS 22MLE
    2011 Ford F250 Lariat 6.2 L

  2. #2
    Big Traveler Calbar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mrbaker View Post
    I am currently waiting on my 2021 Imagine XLS 22MLE and plan on adding a rear frame mounted hitch to the trailer. One question I have is how much weight is safe to add to the rear of the trailer as far as weight distribution and frame stress.
    Not sure about the frame on this trailer that you have and what it will support. I do know it is not a lot of weight as the factory hitch on my Reflection 297RSTS is only rated for 300lbs so I would not expect yours to be able to handle more than that and perhaps less. I would call GD customer service and ask them just to make sure.

    Rob
    Rob & Barb
    2022 Solitude 378MBS
    2022 RAM 3500 SRW HO Aisin 4x4
    Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

  3. #3
    Site Team traveldawg's Avatar
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    There should be a label on the hitch frame you want to install indicating both the load on the load on the hitch and the max weight it can pull. I'm guessing but I don't think I've seen much more than 300 lbs on a trailer hitch.
    Larry KE4DMG
    2022 F-350 KRU SRW LB - Airlift 5000+, ForScan, 37 RDS Aux Tank,
    2019 310GK-R - Sailuns; MorRyde IS; Disc Brakes; 20K Reese Goosebox
    Search kalakamods for my mods


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    Site Team Second Chance's Avatar
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    I agree with the advice above. I would also advise having a discussion with Grand Design regarding the frame size on the Imagine and what loads/stresses it can take. Any load you put on the back of a travel trailer is going to be magnified by orders of magnitude by the G-forces generated bouncing down the road. This is why even most bike racks aren't suitable for RV use.

    Rob
    U.S. Army Retired
    2012 F350 DRW CC LB Lariat PS 6.7
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes,
    Sailun LRG tires, solar, DP windows, W/D
    (Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
    Full time since 08/2015

  5. #5
    Site Sponsor
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    The rear bumper on our Imagine has a 150# rating. I moved the spare tire to under the frame to gain some weight capacity on it.
    2019 F-250 Supercab
    2017 Imagine 2650RK

  6. #6
    Site Team Ynot4me2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mrbaker View Post
    I am currently waiting on my 2021 Imagine XLS 22MLE and plan on adding a rear frame mounted hitch to the trailer. One question I have is how much weight is safe to add to the rear of the trailer as far as weight distribution and frame stress.
    Are you planning on attaching the hitch to the bumper? If so max weight is 150lbs and it's not recommended. I do it with 2 light bike and a light bike rack. I also ratchet strap back diagonally to where the bumper attaches to the frame.
    If your looking at either bolting or welding a hitch directly to the frame you will avoid the warranty.

    Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk
    Steph & Lise
    2019 F150 Lariat 2.7 EB
    2020 Imagine XLS 22MLE

  7. #7
    Big Traveler
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    On my 2021 303RLS the rear hitch sticker says 300# tongue weight with a 3000# total towing weight
    2018 Dodge 3500 6.7 Cummins SRW w/Aisin
    2021 Reflection 303RLS
    New to RV'ing since 1997

  8. #8
    Site Team Second Chance's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ynot4me2 View Post
    Are you planning on attaching the hitch to the bumper? If so max weight is 150lbs and it's not recommended. I do it with 2 light bike and a light bike rack. I also ratchet strap back diagonally to where the bumper attaches to the frame.
    If your looking at either bolting or welding a hitch directly to the frame you will avoid the warranty.

    Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk
    Did you mean "void" the warranty?

    Rob
    U.S. Army Retired
    2012 F350 DRW CC LB Lariat PS 6.7
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes,
    Sailun LRG tires, solar, DP windows, W/D
    (Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
    Full time since 08/2015

  9. #9
    Site Team Ynot4me2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Second Chance View Post
    Did you mean "void" the warranty?

    Rob
    Oops typo. Yes void is what I meant.

    Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk
    Steph & Lise
    2019 F150 Lariat 2.7 EB
    2020 Imagine XLS 22MLE

  10. #10
    Seasoned Camper
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    The manufacturer, Grand Design should provide you with the max capacity for the rear frame area. It would probably be in the 250-300 pound range.

    It is also very important to obtain your loaded tongue weight before you add any additional weight to the rear. Once you have all your components loaded on the rear like your rack, bikes, and other items loaded weigh the tongue of your trailer again to see how much you reduced your tongue weight

    Keep in mind if you reduce your tongue weight your trailer can develop significant handling problems. Try to stay at least 12%-15% of loaded trailer weight as your tongue weight.

    Sherline makes a few different models of scales to obtain your pin/hitch weight. Etrailer, Amazon, and some auto parts stores carry these scales.

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