Welding a hitch

**goducks14** · 02-22-2022, 08:54 AM

This is how Northwood MFG welds in their rear trailer receiver.

Pretty beefy.

**Mjlebsa** · 02-22-2022, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by goducks14

This is how Northwood MFG welds in their rear trailer receiver.

Pretty beefy.

Yep that’s beefy

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**wmgoat** · 01-09-2023, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Paul & Deb

We have a new 2022 22MLE and I did have a receiver welded to the trailer frame to attach our Hollywood rack for our 2 eBikes. I had a welding shop I have used for years on my hotrods and my trailers. All custom, no bolt on and not cheap .... $650.

Here's a few pictures:

BTW, I removed the spare which I will temporarily carry in the bed of the truck until BAL's undercarriage tire carrier is off back order.

Paul, some details pls. I’ve got a 2021 imagine 3100rd and we love it! Pull it with a 2013 F150 eco boost. Lots of power and seems to handle it well with an Equalizer hitch. I’ve got 2 e-bikes that I use a Vibrelli fat tire e-bike rack that I got from Amazon that does a great job.

My GD dealer won’t recommend aftermarket work so I’m on my own. What hitch did you add? Where did you get it from?

My local Uhaul dealer isn’t interested; seems like he has enough business doing car hitches and didn’t call me back even after several voicemails. So I found an auto/truck service shop that will weld a hitch on but need more details to share with them on installation best practices once I obtain the hitch. Cost of parts and installation isn’t really an issue if it’s done right and I don’t hv to worry about the rack or bikes falling off.

Also very interested in the BAL under mount tire rack to get it off the bumper. Looks like it doesn’t hv to be welded but needs holes drilled into frame. Is that correct? How did yours turn out? Suggestions?

Any help much appreciated!

**Dadeo6472** · 01-10-2023, 09:34 AM

I mounted a bike rack above on the front of our 18RBE above the propane tanks. Stromberg Carlson. https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Camp...f792c4c6732a2b

**wmgoat** · 01-10-2023, 09:41 AM

Ive seen these before, but ebikes are far to heavy to do that, they are 60-75 pounds each. Its tough enough getting them mounted in the rack I have that uses a standard truck receiver.

But thanks for your suggestion.

**FlyStar** · 01-10-2023, 10:45 AM

Agree with wmgoat. On truck topper or above propane is a no go for e-bikes. Pretty much limited to eBike & rv rated receiver hitch rack.

**COGrandDes** · 01-10-2023, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Mjlebsa

I’m looking at trading into the imagine trailer line and would need to have a hitch receiver in order to mount bikes. I don’t have the trailer yet, not sure going to get it, but if I do is there any reason why a bike rack cannot be welded to the frame?

Thanks

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I've welded several hitches to the fifth wheel campers that I have had. Just do it correctly and don't exceed the weight ratings and you will be fine. One of my 31' fifth wheels had a hitch on the rear that I pulled my 18' ATV trailer on. I double pulled that all over CO and had no issues.

**Paul & Deb** · 01-10-2023, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by wmgoat

Paul, some details pls. I’ve got a 2021 imagine 3100rd and we love it! Pull it with a 2013 F150 eco boost. Lots of power and seems to handle it well with an Equalizer hitch. I’ve got 2 e-bikes that I use a Vibrelli fat tire e-bike rack that I got from Amazon that does a great job.

My GD dealer won’t recommend aftermarket work so I’m on my own. What hitch did you add? Where did you get it from?

My local Uhaul dealer isn’t interested; seems like he has enough business doing car hitches and didn’t call me back even after several voicemails. So I found an auto/truck service shop that will weld a hitch on but need more details to share with them on installation best practices once I obtain the hitch. Cost of parts and installation isn’t really an issue if it’s done right and I don’t hv to worry about the rack or bikes falling off.

Also very interested in the BAL under mount tire rack to get it off the bumper. Looks like it doesn’t hv to be welded but needs holes drilled into frame. Is that correct? How did yours turn out? Suggestions?

Any help much appreciated!

Hi wmgoat. First, I don't go to a dealer for anything and secondly, life's too short to avoid doing something in fear of a warranty decline.

The hitch was custom built, not of the shelf. I used a welding shop I have used for years on previous trailers and cars. He rates it for 500 lbs. I have a rear camera and our 60 lb ebikes ride solid back there.

The BAL spare tire carrier is very convenient and easy to install. I've installed one previously and this is perfect and helps rebalance the weight after removing the spare from the rear.

As far as the hitch goes, having it built and installed by an experienced certified welder is essential in my opinion.

Good luck with your decision.

**Dadeo6472** · 01-10-2023, 12:20 PM

Not sure how much e-bikes weigh, but I doubt my over the tanks bike rack would be fun to deal with if they were heavy.

Frankly I'd worry about sticking a hitch and heavy e-bikes on the back of a my travel trailer, in that they would reduce the trailer's tongue weight and increase sway. Be careful....

Why not mount a rack for the e-bikes in the bed of the truck? Weracks in the bed too. However bed racks do reduce the storage capacity of the bed, so we put more stuff in the back of the cab when we do this.

**Scott'n'Wendy** · 01-10-2023, 04:19 PM

I've done several weld in receiver hitches. I buy a length of 2x2 heavy wall box tubing. Then I cut and weld in two crossbars. From frame rail to frame rail across the trailer. One as far to the rear as the frame allows. The second I weld about 3' forward of the first. Then weld a piece to the bottom of those two crossbars and add the receiver to the end that longitudinal piece. IMO, this spreads out the stress on the frame. Very similar to what Paul & Deb posted up